ELSA Writing & Grammar Proficiency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- She studied hard; and passed the exam.
- She studied hard; she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- She studied; hard for the exam.
- She; studied hard and passed.
Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the exam.
A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: Identify the error: 'Between you and I, the project was poorly managed.'
- No error exists in this sentence.
- 'Between' should be replaced with 'Among'.
- 'I' should be 'me' because it follows a preposition. (Correct answer)
- 'Poorly' should be 'poor'.
Correct answer: 'I' should be 'me' because it follows a preposition.
Prepositions require object pronouns, so 'between you and me' is correct.
Question 3: Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'Neither the manager nor the employees ___ aware of the change.'
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- is
- has been
Correct answer: were
With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it — 'employees' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 4: Which word best replaces the underlined word to improve precision? 'The CEO made a very good speech at the conference.'
- nice
- big
- compelling (Correct answer)
- loud
Correct answer: compelling
'Compelling' is more precise and professional than the vague modifier 'very good.'
Question 5: Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
- Walking to the office, the rain started suddenly.
- Walking to the office, she was caught in sudden rain. (Correct answer)
- Walking to the office, an umbrella would have helped.
- Walking to the office, the street was very wet.
Correct answer: Walking to the office, she was caught in sudden rain.
The participial phrase 'Walking to the office' must modify the subject 'she,' which immediately follows it.
Question 6: Which sentence uses the Oxford (serial) comma correctly?
- I bought milk, eggs and butter.
- I bought milk, eggs, and butter. (Correct answer)
- I bought, milk, eggs and butter.
- I bought milk eggs, and butter.
Correct answer: I bought milk, eggs, and butter.
The Oxford comma is placed before the final 'and' in a list of three or more items.
Question 7: Which revision makes this sentence more concise? 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was cancelled.'
- Due to the rain fact, the game was cancelled.
- Because it was raining, the game was cancelled. (Correct answer)
- On account of rain happening, the game was cancelled.
- The game was cancelled, due to the fact of rain.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, the game was cancelled.
'Because' replaces the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that' with a single, clear conjunction.
ELSA Writing & Grammar Proficiency 2
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?