FREE NEX Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement and Punctuation Questions and Answers

Question 1

Neither the head nurse nor the nursing assistants ___ available to take the patient's call right now.

Accepted Answer

are

Answer

When subjects are joined by 'neither/nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In this sentence, 'nursing assistants' is plural, so the plural verb 'are' is correct.

Question 2

Each of the patients in the semi-private room ___ given a specific dietary plan.

Accepted Answer

was

Answer

Indefinite pronouns like 'each', 'every', 'everyone', and 'anyone' are singular. Therefore, they require a singular verb, which in this case is 'was'.

Question 3

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The patient's fever was high; his breathing was shallow.

Answer

A semicolon is used to connect two closely related independent clauses. A comma alone is not strong enough, creating a comma splice.

Question 4

The list of medications, which was updated this morning, ___ on the patient's bedside table.

Accepted Answer

is

Answer

The subject of the sentence is 'list' (singular), not 'medications'. The phrase 'which was updated this morning' is an intervening clause. The singular subject 'list' requires the singular verb 'is'.

Question 5

The nurse needed to bring three items___a thermometer, a stethoscope, and a penlight.

Accepted Answer

items: a

Answer

A colon is used to introduce a list or an explanation that follows an independent clause. The first part of the sentence is a complete thought, and it is followed by a list of items.

(NEX) Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Test

(NEX) Nursing Entrance Exam Practice Test

FREE NEX Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement and Punctuation Questions and Answers