OSSLT Using Correct Grammar 5

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'its' versus 'it's'?

Accepted Answer

It's important to check your work carefully.

Answer

'It's' is a contraction of 'it is,' while 'its' is the possessive pronoun — 'It's important' means 'It is important.'

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses a restrictive clause without commas?

Accepted Answer

Students who study regularly tend to do well.

Answer

A restrictive clause (essential to meaning) is not set off with commas — it identifies which students are being discussed.

Question 3

Select the sentence with correct use of 'fewer' versus 'less'.

Accepted Answer

There are fewer students in class today.

Answer

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (students), while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities.

Question 4

Which sentence uses a correct transition to show contrast?

Accepted Answer

She trained hard; however, she lost the race.

Answer

'However' signals contrast between two ideas, making it the appropriate transition between training hard and losing.

Question 5

Choose the sentence that correctly uses quotation marks with punctuation.

Accepted Answer

She said, "I'll be there soon."

Answer

In North American English, periods and commas go inside quotation marks, and a comma follows the dialogue tag.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test