NCDAP English Grammar & Writing Mechanics 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly distinguishes 'affect' from 'effect'?
- The storm effected the entire city.
- Stress can effect your health negatively.
- The medication had a positive affect on her recovery.
- The cold weather affected the crops. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The cold weather affected the crops.
'Affected' is used correctly here as a verb meaning to influence or have an impact on.
Question 2: Which transition word best indicates contrast?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' indicates contrast or concession, showing that something happens despite a previous point.
Question 3: Which sentence avoids wordiness?
- Due to the fact that she was late, they left without her.
- In spite of the fact that he tried, he failed.
- Because she was late, they left without her. (Correct answer)
- At this point in time, we need to make a decision.
Correct answer: Because she was late, they left without her.
'Because she was late' is a concise and direct way to express causation without unnecessary filler phrases.
Question 4: Identify the sentence with an error in capitalization.
- She visited the Statue of Liberty last summer.
- My History teacher assigned a project on the Civil War. (Correct answer)
- President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
- We crossed the Mississippi River on our road trip.
Correct answer: My History teacher assigned a project on the Civil War.
Common nouns like 'history teacher' should not be capitalized unless 'History' is the official course title.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of 'lay' vs. 'lie'?
- I need to lay down for a nap.
- Please lay the books on the table. (Correct answer)
- She laid in bed all morning.
- The dog lays on the couch.
Correct answer: Please lay the books on the table.
'Lay' is a transitive verb requiring an object; 'lay the books' correctly uses it with the direct object 'books.'
Question 6: Which sentence uses commas correctly with a nonrestrictive clause?
- My sister who lives in Boston is a doctor.
- My sister, who lives in Boston, is a doctor. (Correct answer)
- My sister, who lives in Boston is a doctor.
- My sister who, lives in Boston, is a doctor.
Correct answer: My sister, who lives in Boston, is a doctor.
Nonrestrictive clauses, which add extra information, are set off with commas on both sides.
Question 7: Select the sentence that is NOT a comma splice.
- She finished her essay, she submitted it online.
- It was raining, we stayed inside.
- He was nervous; he took a deep breath. (Correct answer)
- The alarm went off, nobody heard it.
Correct answer: He was nervous; he took a deep breath.
Using a semicolon between two independent clauses is a correct way to separate them without creating a comma splice.
NCDAP English Grammar & Writing Mechanics 5
Which sentence correctly distinguishes 'affect' from 'effect'?