NYSTCE ATAS Writing and Grammar Conventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- The student finished early; and left the room.
- She studied hard; she passed the test. (Correct answer)
- He likes reading; but prefers math.
- The class was quiet; because the teacher was strict.
Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the test.
A semicolon connects two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: Which word is spelled correctly?
- accomodate
- accommodate (Correct answer)
- acommodate
- acomodate
Correct answer: accommodate
'Accommodate' has double c and double m.
Question 3: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
- The group of students are ready.
- Neither the teacher nor the aides was prepared.
- Each of the boys have a pencil.
- The data shows a clear trend. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The data shows a clear trend.
'Data' as a collective noun in American English commonly takes a singular verb.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to class, Maria dropped her books.
- Having finished the test, the papers were collected. (Correct answer)
- Excited about the field trip, the students packed their bags.
- Working quietly, the children completed the assignment.
Correct answer: Having finished the test, the papers were collected.
The papers did not finish the test — the modifier 'having finished the test' dangles because no logical subject follows.
Question 5: A teaching assistant writes: 'The students brung their permission slips.' What is the error?
- Incorrect pronoun reference
- Incorrect verb tense
- Non-standard past tense of 'bring' (Correct answer)
- Subject-verb disagreement
Correct answer: Non-standard past tense of 'bring'
The standard past tense of 'bring' is 'brought,' not 'brung.'
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
- The childrens' coats are on the rack.
- The children's coats are on the rack. (Correct answer)
- The childrens coats are on the rack.
- The childrens's coats are on the rack.
Correct answer: The children's coats are on the rack.
'Children' is already plural, so the possessive is formed by adding 's after the word.
Question 7: Which option correctly completes the sentence? 'The principal asked that each student _____ their ID.'
- shows
- showed
- show (Correct answer)
- showing
Correct answer: show
The subjunctive mood is used after verbs like 'asked that,' requiring the base form 'show.'
NYSTCE ATAS Writing and Grammar Conventions 2
Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?