IPC Grammar & Syntax 3

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses an adjective clause to add non-essential information?

Accepted Answer

The candidate, who scored highest, received the award.

Answer

A non-restrictive (non-essential) adjective clause is set off by commas and uses 'who' (not 'that') for people.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses the past perfect tense?

Accepted Answer

By the time she arrived, the meeting had ended.

Answer

Past perfect ('had ended') correctly shows an action completed before another past action ('arrived').

Question 3

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of correlative conjunctions?

Accepted Answer

Both the manager and the director approved the plan.

Answer

'Both…and' is a correctly paired correlative conjunction joining two parallel noun phrases.

Question 4

In which sentence is the gerund used correctly as the object of a preposition?

Accepted Answer

She is interested in learning new languages.

Answer

After a preposition, a gerund (verb + -ing) is required as the object; 'learning' is the correct form.

Question 5

Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?

Accepted Answer

Walking home from work, he found a wallet.

Answer

Placing the participial phrase 'walking home from work' next to 'he' correctly identifies who was walking.

(IPC) International Proficiency Certification Practice Test