Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing: Language and Conventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly? A) I went to the store; and bought milk. B) She finished the report; however, she forgot to email it. C) He likes cats; dogs, and birds. D) The car broke down; in the middle of the highway.
- I went to the store; and bought milk.
- She finished the report; however, she forgot to email it. (Correct answer)
- He likes cats; dogs, and birds.
- The car broke down; in the middle of the highway.
Correct answer: She finished the report; however, she forgot to email it.
A semicolon can join two independent clauses, especially before conjunctive adverbs like 'however.'
Question 2: Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier: A) Running through the park, the dog chased the squirrel. B) Having studied all night, the exam seemed easy. C) Tired from the hike, Maria sat down to rest. D) After reading the memo, the staff updated their schedules.
- Running through the park, the dog chased the squirrel.
- Having studied all night, the exam seemed easy. (Correct answer)
- Tired from the hike, Maria sat down to rest.
- After reading the memo, the staff updated their schedules.
Correct answer: Having studied all night, the exam seemed easy.
'Having studied all night' dangles because the exam, not the student, is the subject of the main clause.
Question 3: Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The committee will _____ its decision by Friday.' A) altar B) alter C) altered D) alteration
- altar
- alter (Correct answer)
- altered
- alteration
Correct answer: alter
'Alter' (to change) is the correct verb; 'altar' is a noun referring to a raised platform.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement? A) Neither the manager nor the employees was informed. B) The team of researchers are presenting today. C) Either the cats or the dog is responsible. D) Everyone in the classes were late.
- Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.
- The team of researchers are presenting today.
- Either the cats or the dog is responsible. (Correct answer)
- Everyone in the classes were late.
Correct answer: Either the cats or the dog is responsible.
With 'either/or,' the verb agrees with the closer subject; 'dog' is singular, so 'is' is correct.
Question 5: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence: A) Its a beautiful day, isnt it. B) It's a beautiful day, isn't it? C) Its' a beautiful day, isn't it? D) It's a beautiful day isn't it?
- Its a beautiful day, isnt it.
- It's a beautiful day, isn't it? (Correct answer)
- Its' a beautiful day, isn't it?
- It's a beautiful day isn't it?
Correct answer: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
'It's' is the contraction for 'it is,' and a comma separates the tag question 'isn't it?'.
Question 6: Which revision best corrects the wordiness in: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, we canceled the picnic.' A) Because of raining, we canceled the picnic. B) Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic. C) Since rain, we canceled the picnic. D) Due to rain being present, we canceled the picnic.
- Because of raining, we canceled the picnic.
- Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic. (Correct answer)
- Since rain, we canceled the picnic.
- Due to rain being present, we canceled the picnic.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, we canceled the picnic.
'Because it was raining' is the concise, grammatically correct replacement for 'due to the fact that it was raining.'
Question 7: Which sentence uses a colon correctly? A) She bought: apples, bananas, and grapes. B) The rule is simple: always proofread your work. C) He enjoys: reading, hiking, and cooking. D) The store sells: books and magazines.
- She bought: apples, bananas, and grapes.
- The rule is simple: always proofread your work. (Correct answer)
- He enjoys: reading, hiking, and cooking.
- The store sells: books and magazines.
Correct answer: The rule is simple: always proofread your work.
A colon follows a complete independent clause to introduce information, as in 'The rule is simple: always proofread your work.'
Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing: Language and Conventions 2
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
A) I went to the store; and bought milk.
B) She finished the report; however, she forgot to email it.
C) He likes cats; dogs, and birds.
D) The car broke down; in the middle of the highway.