OSSLT Using Correct Grammar 4

Question 1

Which option corrects the comma splice: 'The sky was clear, the stars were bright'?

Accepted Answer

The sky was clear, and the stars were bright.

Answer

Adding a coordinating conjunction ('and') after the comma correctly joins two independent clauses.

Question 2

Choose the sentence that correctly forms the plural possessive.

Accepted Answer

The teachers' lounge is on the second floor.

Answer

For plural nouns ending in 's', add only an apostrophe after the 's' to show possession.

Question 3

Which sentence uses the active voice?

Accepted Answer

The committee wrote the report.

Answer

In active voice, the subject ('the committee') performs the action ('wrote'), making the sentence clearer and more direct.

Question 4

Select the correctly punctuated sentence with a non-restrictive clause.

Accepted Answer

My brother, who lives in Toronto, is visiting us.

Answer

A non-restrictive (non-essential) clause must be set off with commas on both sides.

Question 5

Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement with a collective noun?

Accepted Answer

The jury is deliberating on the verdict.

Answer

In North American English, collective nouns like 'jury' are typically treated as singular and take a singular verb.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test