NWEA Language Usage 2

Question 1

Which sentence uses commas correctly in a series?

Accepted Answer

I need eggs, milk, and butter.

Answer

A serial (Oxford) comma is placed after each item in a list, including before the final 'and'.

Question 2

Select the sentence with the correct use of a semicolon.

Accepted Answer

She was tired; she kept working.

Answer

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 3

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The storm caused ___ damage to the town'?

Accepted Answer

much

Answer

'Much' is used with uncountable nouns like 'damage,' while 'fewer' and 'less' imply reduction.

Question 4

Which sentence is written in the passive voice?

Accepted Answer

The trophy was awarded to the winner.

Answer

Passive voice has the subject receiving the action; 'the trophy' receives 'was awarded.'

Question 5

Choose the correctly punctuated dialogue.

Accepted Answer

"Come here," she said.

Answer

A comma goes inside the closing quotation mark when followed by a dialogue tag like 'she said.'

NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association Practice Test