IDAT Grammar and Sentence Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?
- I wish I was taller.
- I wish I were taller. (Correct answer)
- I wish I am taller.
- I wish I will be taller.
Correct answer: I wish I were taller.
The subjunctive mood uses 'were' for all persons when expressing hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that correctly uses an appositive phrase.
- My brother, a doctor he works long hours.
- My brother a doctor, works long hours.
- My brother, a doctor, works long hours. (Correct answer)
- My brother a doctor works, long hours.
Correct answer: My brother, a doctor, works long hours.
An appositive phrase renames a noun and must be set off by commas on both sides.
Question 3: Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?
- He served sandwiches to the children on paper plates.
- He served the children sandwiches on paper plates.
- On paper plates, he served sandwiches to the children. (Correct answer)
- The children were served sandwiches on paper plates by him.
Correct answer: On paper plates, he served sandwiches to the children.
Placing 'on paper plates' at the beginning of the sentence clarifies that the plates hold the sandwiches, not the children.
Question 4: Which transition word best shows contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- However (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: However
'However' signals a contrast or contradiction between two clauses or sentences.
Question 5: Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?
- The report was written by the analyst. (Correct answer)
- The analyst was written the report.
- By the analyst, the report written was.
- The report written was by the analyst.
Correct answer: The report was written by the analyst.
Passive voice follows the pattern: subject + 'to be' verb + past participle + 'by' phrase.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She bought: apples, oranges, and grapes.
- She bought the following items: apples, oranges, and grapes. (Correct answer)
- She bought apples: oranges and grapes.
- She: bought apples, oranges, and grapes.
Correct answer: She bought the following items: apples, oranges, and grapes.
A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list or explanation.
Question 7: What error appears in this sentence? 'Everyone must submit their assignment by Friday.'
- Subject-verb disagreement
- Pronoun-antecedent disagreement according to formal grammar rules (Correct answer)
- Misplaced modifier
- Comma splice
Correct answer: Pronoun-antecedent disagreement according to formal grammar rules
Formally, 'everyone' is singular and requires 'his or her,' though 'their' is increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun in informal usage.
IDAT Grammar and Sentence Structure 3
Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?