FSOT English Grammar and Usage 4

Question 1

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

She finished the report, she submitted it on time.

Answer

A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 2

Which is the correct possessive form for a plural noun ending in 's'?

Accepted Answer

The ambassadors' report

Answer

For plural nouns ending in 's,' add only an apostrophe after the 's' to form the possessive.

Question 3

What grammatical error appears in this sentence? 'Being that it was late, the meeting was postponed.'

Accepted Answer

Faulty subordination with 'being that'

Answer

'Being that' is non-standard; formal writing requires 'because' or 'since' to introduce causal clauses.

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' versus 'effect'?

Accepted Answer

The new policy will affect how we operate.

Answer

'Affect' is typically the verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically the noun meaning result.

Question 5

Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement with a collective noun?

Accepted Answer

The committee has reached its decision.

Answer

In American English, collective nouns like 'committee' take singular verbs when acting as a unified body.

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