NWEA Language Usage 3

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

Accepted Answer

She is a well-known author.

Answer

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated, so 'well-known' is correct before 'author.'

Question 2

Identify the sentence with a dangling modifier.

Accepted Answer

Running to the bus, the bag dropped.

Answer

In 'Running to the bus, the bag dropped,' the participial phrase incorrectly modifies 'the bag' instead of a person.

Question 3

Which transitional word best shows contrast?

Accepted Answer

However

Answer

'However' signals a contrast or contradiction between two ideas.

Question 4

Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?

Accepted Answer

If I were you, I would apologize.

Answer

The subjunctive mood uses 'were' (not 'was') for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions.

Question 5

What does a colon most commonly introduce?

Accepted Answer

A list, explanation, or quotation

Answer

A colon signals that what follows elaborates on, explains, or lists what was just stated.

NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association Practice Test