NYSTCE ATAS Writing and Grammar Conventions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
- However the test was postponed.
- However, the test was postponed. (Correct answer)
- However the test, was postponed.
- However; the test was postponed.
Correct answer: However, the test was postponed.
Introductory conjunctive adverbs like 'however' must be followed by a comma.
Question 2: Which sentence avoids a double negative?
- She didn't say nothing about the assignment.
- He can't hardly wait for recess.
- The student doesn't have any supplies. (Correct answer)
- They won't never finish on time.
Correct answer: The student doesn't have any supplies.
'Doesn't have any' uses a single negative, which is grammatically correct in standard English.
Question 3: What type of error appears in this sentence? 'The boy who I seen at the library returned the book.'
- Misplaced modifier
- Incorrect pronoun case
- Non-standard verb form (Correct answer)
- Run-on sentence
Correct answer: Non-standard verb form
The correct form is 'saw,' not 'seen,' which requires a helping verb.
Question 4: Which sentence uses commas correctly in a series?
- The teacher bought pencils, paper and, erasers.
- The teacher bought pencils, paper, and erasers. (Correct answer)
- The teacher bought, pencils, paper and erasers.
- The teacher bought pencils paper, and erasers.
Correct answer: The teacher bought pencils, paper, and erasers.
Items in a series are separated by commas, with a comma before the final 'and' (Oxford comma).
Question 5: A student writes: 'Me and him went to the office.' Which corrected version is most appropriate?
- Him and me went to the office.
- He and me went to the office.
- He and I went to the office. (Correct answer)
- Him and I went to the office.
Correct answer: He and I went to the office.
Subject pronouns 'he' and 'I' must be used when the pronouns serve as the subject of the sentence.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She needed: pencils, paper, and a ruler.
- The supplies included: pencils, paper, and a ruler.
- Please bring the following: pencils, paper, and a ruler. (Correct answer)
- Bring: pencils, paper, and a ruler.
Correct answer: Please bring the following: pencils, paper, and a ruler.
A colon is correctly placed after a complete independent clause before a list.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'who' versus 'whom'?
- Who did you speak to about the schedule?
- Whom called the office this morning?
- To whom should I address the letter? (Correct answer)
- Whom is responsible for the classroom?
Correct answer: To whom should I address the letter?
'Whom' is correct as the object of the preposition 'to' in this sentence.
NYSTCE ATAS Writing and Grammar Conventions 3
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?