IPC Grammar & Syntax 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which option uses parallel structure correctly?
- She enjoys reading, to swim, and cooking.
- She enjoys reading, swimming, and cooking. (Correct answer)
- She enjoys to read, swimming, and to cook.
- She enjoys reading, swimming, and to cook.
Correct answer: She enjoys reading, swimming, and cooking.
Parallel structure requires all items in a series to have the same grammatical form; here all three are gerunds.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect tense?
- I have went to Paris last year.
- She has studied English since three years.
- They have completed the assignment already. (Correct answer)
- He has arrive early this morning.
Correct answer: They have completed the assignment already.
'Have completed' uses the correct present perfect form (have/has + past participle) with the adverb 'already.'
Question 3: Identify the sentence with the correct use of a semicolon:
- She submitted the report; but it was late.
- She submitted the report; however, it was late. (Correct answer)
- She submitted; the report it was late.
- She submitted the report, however; it was late.
Correct answer: She submitted the report; however, it was late.
A semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb ('however') and a comma correctly joins two independent clauses.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
- Everyone must submit their application by Friday.
- Everyone must submit his or her application by Friday. (Correct answer)
- Everyone must submit its application by Friday.
- Everyone must submit our application by Friday.
Correct answer: Everyone must submit his or her application by Friday.
In formal writing, 'everyone' takes 'his or her' to maintain singular agreement with a gender-neutral antecedent.
Question 5: Which sentence avoids a comma splice?
- The results were inconclusive, further testing is needed.
- The results were inconclusive, and further testing is needed. (Correct answer)
- The results were inconclusive further testing is needed.
- The results were inconclusive, further testing, is needed.
Correct answer: The results were inconclusive, and further testing is needed.
Adding the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma correctly joins two independent clauses without a comma splice.
Question 6: Which option represents the correct use of an infinitive phrase as a noun?
- To sleeping late is a bad habit.
- To sleep late is a bad habit. (Correct answer)
- Sleeping to late is a bad habit.
- Sleep to late is a bad habit.
Correct answer: To sleep late is a bad habit.
'To sleep' is a correctly formed infinitive phrase functioning as the subject noun of the sentence.
Question 7: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- I wish he was here with us.
- The committee recommended that she submits the form.
- It is essential that he be present at the hearing. (Correct answer)
- She acts as if she is the director.
Correct answer: It is essential that he be present at the hearing.
After expressions of necessity like 'it is essential that,' the subjunctive uses the base form 'be,' regardless of subject.
IPC Grammar & Syntax 2
Which option uses parallel structure correctly?