NCDAP Writing Skills 2

Question 1

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

Accepted Answer

She studied hard; she passed the test.

Answer

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 2

Identify the error in this sentence: 'Neither the coach nor the players was prepared for the rain.'

Accepted Answer

Verb should be 'were' to agree with 'players'

Answer

With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the noun closest to it—'players' is plural, so 'were' is correct.

Question 3

Which revision best improves sentence clarity: 'The report that the manager who was hired last year wrote was confusing.'

Accepted Answer

The report written by the newly hired manager was confusing.

Answer

Reducing embedded clauses into participial phrases eliminates excessive nesting and improves readability.

Question 4

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee could not reach _______ decision.'

Accepted Answer

a

Answer

Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound; 'decision' starts with a /d/ sound.

Question 5

What is the main problem with this sentence: 'Running to catch the bus, my backpack fell off.'

Accepted Answer

Dangling modifier

Answer

The participial phrase 'Running to catch the bus' must logically modify the sentence's subject, but 'my backpack' cannot run.

(NCDAP) North Carolina Diagnostic Placement Test Practice Test