NYC FREE NYC Civil Service Written Expression and Grammar Questions and Answers 3

Question 1

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

Accepted Answer

After reviewing the case file, the supervisor made a decision.

Answer

The modifier 'After reviewing the case file' must attach to the subject who performed the reviewing, which is 'the supervisor.'

Question 2

Which of the following is a complete sentence?

Accepted Answer

The applicant failed to submit the required documents.

Answer

Only option C contains both a subject ('The applicant') and a complete predicate ('failed to submit the required documents').

Question 3

Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement: 'Neither the manager nor the clerks _____ aware of the change.'

Accepted Answer

are

Answer

When using 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; since 'clerks' is plural, 'are' is correct.

Question 4

Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

Accepted Answer

The department's records are updated monthly.

Answer

'Department's' correctly shows singular possession; 'records' is simply plural and needs no apostrophe.

Question 5

Which revision improves the clarity of this sentence? 'Employees that need assistance should contact their supervisor.'

Accepted Answer

Employees who need assistance should contact their supervisor.

Answer

'Who' is the correct relative pronoun for people; 'that' and 'which' are used for things.

NYC - Civil Service Exam Practice Test