ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test

Question 1

Stamp collecting being a hobby that is sometimes used in the schools to teach economics and social studies.

Accepted Answer

is a hobby

Answer

The original sentence is a fragment because 'being' does not function as the main verb of the sentence. Replacing 'being a hobby that is' with 'is a hobby' provides a proper main verb ('is'), completing the sentence and making it grammatically correct and complete. This correction transforms the fragment into a full sentence.

Question 2

Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.

Accepted Answer

Knocked sideways, the statue looked

Answer

The original sentence correctly uses the participial phrase 'Knocked sideways' to modify the subject 'the statue.' This construction is grammatically sound and clearly indicates that the statue was in a sideways position. The other options introduce grammatical errors or awkward phrasing.

Question 3

To walk, biking, and driving are Pat’s favorite ways of getting around.

Accepted Answer

Walking, biking, and driving

Answer

The original sentence lacks parallel structure, mixing an infinitive ('To walk') with two gerunds ('biking,' 'driving'). To achieve parallelism, all items in a list should be in the same grammatical form. Changing 'To walk' to 'Walking' creates a consistent list of gerunds, making the sentence grammatically correct and balanced.

Question 4

When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this is an example of jaywalking.

Accepted Answer

Crossing the street in the middle of the block

Answer

The original sentence is wordy and somewhat indirect. Replacing the clause 'When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this' with the concise gerund phrase 'Crossing the street in the middle of the block' makes the sentence more direct and grammatically efficient. It clearly identifies the action as jaywalking without unnecessary words.

Question 5

Walking by the corner the other day, a child, I noticed, was watching for the light to change.

Accepted Answer

I noticed a child watching

Answer

The original sentence contains a dangling modifier: 'Walking by the corner the other day' incorrectly implies that 'a child' was walking. The corrected option clarifies that 'I' (the narrator) was the one walking and observing the child. This revision properly attributes the action of walking to the correct subject, resolving the dangling modifier.

Accuplacer Practice Test

Accuplacer Practice Test

ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test