MLAT Grammatical Structure Analysis 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In 'The data suggest that the hypothesis is correct,' why is 'suggest' used instead of 'suggests'?
- 'Data' is a proper noun requiring a plural verb
- 'Data' is the Latin plural of 'datum' and takes a plural verb in formal usage (Correct answer)
- Hypotheses always trigger plural verbs
- Subordinate clauses always require plural main verbs
Correct answer: 'Data' is the Latin plural of 'datum' and takes a plural verb in formal usage
In formal academic English, 'data' is treated as a plural noun (plural of 'datum'), so it takes the plural verb 'suggest.'
Question 2: Which sentence contains a noun clause functioning as the direct object?
- What she said surprised everyone.
- I believe that honesty matters. (Correct answer)
- The reason why he left is unclear.
- Whoever finishes first wins a prize.
Correct answer: I believe that honesty matters.
In option B, 'that honesty matters' is a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'believe.'
Question 3: What is the term for a verb form that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb rather than as the main verb of a sentence?
- Finite verb
- Auxiliary verb
- Non-finite verb (verbal) (Correct answer)
- Modal verb
Correct answer: Non-finite verb (verbal)
Non-finite verbs (verbals) include infinitives, gerunds, and participles, and they serve grammatical roles other than main verbs.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive relative clause (no commas)?
- My sister, who lives in Boston, is visiting.
- The car, that I bought last year, needs repairs.
- The student who studies hardest usually succeeds. (Correct answer)
- My dog, which loves to run, escaped the yard.
Correct answer: The student who studies hardest usually succeeds.
A restrictive clause, like 'who studies hardest,' limits the noun to a specific group and is not set off by commas.
Question 5: In the sentence 'The professor, along with her students, is presenting today,' why is 'is' correct?
- 'Along with her students' makes the subject plural
- The true subject is 'professor' (singular); 'along with' is a preposition, not a conjunction (Correct answer)
- 'Students' is the head noun and controls the verb
- 'Is presenting' is always used with collective groups
Correct answer: The true subject is 'professor' (singular); 'along with' is a preposition, not a conjunction
'Along with' introduces a prepositional phrase, not a compound subject, so the singular 'professor' governs the verb.
Question 6: What grammatical error appears in 'Between you and I, the decision was wrong'?
- Incorrect tense
- Faulty parallelism
- Pronoun case error—'I' should be 'me' after a preposition (Correct answer)
- Misplaced modifier
Correct answer: Pronoun case error—'I' should be 'me' after a preposition
Prepositions require object pronouns; 'between you and me' is correct because 'me' is the objective case.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of faulty parallelism?
- She likes hiking, swimming, and cycling.
- He wanted to travel, to learn, and to grow.
- The job requires dedication, working hard, and to be patient. (Correct answer)
- They studied, practiced, and succeeded.
Correct answer: The job requires dedication, working hard, and to be patient.
Option C mixes a noun ('dedication'), a gerund ('working hard'), and an infinitive ('to be patient'), violating parallel structure.
MLAT Grammatical Structure Analysis 5
In 'The data suggest that the hypothesis is correct,' why is 'suggest' used instead of 'suggests'?