FREE CALT Syntax and Sentence Structure Questions and Answers

Question 1

In the sentence, 'The fluffy gray cat slept soundly on the rug,' what is the complete subject?

Accepted Answer

The fluffy gray cat

Answer

The complete subject includes the simple subject ('cat') and all of its modifiers ('The', 'fluffy', 'gray'). The predicate, which tells what the subject does, is 'slept soundly on the rug'. Therefore, 'The fluffy gray cat' is the complete subject.

Question 2

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked, and the cat ran away.

Answer

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). 'The dog barked' is an independent clause, and 'the cat ran away' is another. They are correctly joined by the conjunction 'and'.

Question 3

In the sentence 'The squirrel ran up the tree with a nut,' which group of words is a prepositional phrase?

Accepted Answer

with a nut

Answer

A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition). In this sentence, 'up' is a preposition and 'tree' is its object, making 'up the tree' a prepositional phrase. 'With a nut' is another prepositional phrase.

Question 4

What is the primary function of a subordinating conjunction like 'because', 'while', or 'if'?

Accepted Answer

To connect an independent clause to a dependent clause.

Answer

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and connects it to an independent clause. This connection shows a relationship between the clauses, such as cause/effect, time, or condition. The result is a complex sentence.

Question 5

In the sentence 'The red fox ran quickly through the woods,' which word is an adverb?

Accepted Answer

quickly

Answer

An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. In this sentence, 'quickly' describes *how* the fox ran, so it is modifying the verb 'ran'. Adverbs often, but not always, end in '-ly'.

CALT - Certified Academic Language Therapist Practice Test

CALT - Certified Academic Language Therapist Practice Test

FREE CALT Syntax and Sentence Structure Questions and Answers