NBT NBT Sentence Construction and Grammar 4

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

She studied hard; she passed the exam.

Answer

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 2

Identify the misplaced modifier: 'Running down the street, the rain soaked the children.'

Accepted Answer

'Running down the street' should follow 'children'.

Answer

The participial phrase 'Running down the street' must be placed next to the noun it modifies — 'children,' not 'rain.'

Question 3

Which option corrects the dangling modifier: 'After finishing the report, the meeting was cancelled.'?

Accepted Answer

After we finished the report, the meeting was cancelled.

Answer

A dangling modifier is fixed by naming the actual subject that performed the action.

Question 4

Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement:

Accepted Answer

Neither the students nor the teacher is ready.

Answer

With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it — 'teacher' (singular), so 'is' is correct.

Question 5

Which sentence avoids an awkward passive construction?

Accepted Answer

I read the book last night.

Answer

The active voice ('I read the book') is clearer and more direct than the passive.

(NBT) National Benchmark Test Practice Test