Free BCAT Writing Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
- The lawyer, who was late, apologized to the judge. (Correct answer)
- The lawyer who was late, apologized to the judge.
- The lawyer, who was late apologized, to the judge.
- The lawyer who was late apologized, to the judge.
Correct answer: The lawyer, who was late, apologized to the judge.
The sentence correctly uses commas to set off the non-restrictive clause "who was late."
Question 2: Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.
- The defendant claimed innocence however, the evidence was overwhelming.
- The defendant claimed innocence; however the evidence was overwhelming.
- The defendant claimed innocence, however; the evidence was overwhelming.
- The defendant claimed innocence; however, the evidence was overwhelming. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The defendant claimed innocence; however, the evidence was overwhelming.
The semicolon correctly separates the two independent clauses, and the comma is correctly used after "however."
Question 3: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
- The judge was firm, fair, and gave clear instructions.
- The judge was firm, fair, and clearly instructed.
- The judge was firm, fair, and clear in her instructions. (Correct answer)
- The judge was firm, fair, and clarity in her instructions.
Correct answer: The judge was firm, fair, and clear in her instructions.
The adjectives "firm," "fair," and "clear" maintain parallel structure.
Question 4: Select the sentence that correctly uses a colon.
- The lawyer presented three main points, the alibi: the evidence, and the witness testimony.
- The lawyer presented three main points the alibi: the evidence, and the witness testimony.
- The lawyer presented three main points: the alibi, the evidence, and the witness testimony. (Correct answer)
- The lawyer presented three main points: the alibi, the evidence: and the witness testimony.
Correct answer: The lawyer presented three main points: the alibi, the evidence, and the witness testimony.
The colon correctly introduces a list of items.
Question 5: Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.
- Each of the attorneys are prepared for the trial.
- Each of the attorneys is prepared for the trial. (Correct answer)
- Each of the attorney are prepared for the trial.
- Each of the attorney is prepared for the trial.
Correct answer: Each of the attorneys is prepared for the trial.
The subject of the sentence is the indefinite pronoun "Each," which is always singular. Therefore, it requires a singular verb, "is," to maintain correct subject-verb agreement. The phrase "of the attorneys" is a prepositional phrase that modifies "Each" but does not change the singularity of the subject.
Free BCAT Writing Questions and Answers
Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?