PARCC Grammar Practice Online Questions — Questions and Answers

Question 1: 1. Everyone in the bank-including the manager and the tellers, ran to the door when the fire alarm rang.

tellers, ran
tellers: ran
tellers, had run
tellers-ran (Correct answer)
tellers' ran"

Correct answer: tellers-ran

The phrase 'including the manager and the tellers' is an appositive phrase that adds non-essential information and should be set off by matching punctuation. Since a dash is used before 'including,' another dash is required after 'tellers' to properly enclose the phrase and separate it from the main clause of the sentence. This creates a clear parenthetical interruption.

Question 2: 2. To no ones surprise, Joe didn't have his homework ready.

no ones surprise
noones surprise
no-ones surprise
no ones' surprise
no one's surprise (Correct answer)

Correct answer: no one's surprise

The phrase 'no one's surprise' requires an apostrophe to indicate possession. 'No one' is a singular indefinite pronoun, and its possessive form is 'no one's.' The original 'no ones' is incorrect as it does not show possession, and 'no ones'' would imply a plural possessive, which is not applicable here.

Question 3: 3. If he would have read "The White Birds," he might have liked William Butler Yeats' poetry.

would have read
could have read
would of read
could of read
had read (Correct answer)

Correct answer: had read

This sentence uses a third conditional structure, which requires the past perfect tense in the 'if' clause to describe a hypothetical situation in the past. The correct grammatical construction is 'If he had read,' not 'If he would have read.' The past perfect tense (had + past participle) correctly conveys this unfulfilled past condition.

Question 4: 4. After the hurricane, uprooted trees were laying all over the ground.

were laying
lying
were lying (Correct answer)
were laid
was laid

Correct answer: were lying

The verb 'laying' is the present participle of 'to lay,' which means to place something down and requires a direct object. However, the sentence describes the trees resting or reclining on the ground on their own. The correct verb for something resting or reclining is 'to lie,' and its present participle is 'lying.' Therefore, 'were lying' is the grammatically correct choice.

Question 5: 5. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), the great transcendentalist philosopher, wrote in his essay "Self-Reliance" of the need for an individual to develop his capacities.

essay "Self-Reliance" (Correct answer)
essay, "Self-Reliance"
essay: Self-Reliance
essay, Self-Reliance
essay; "Self-Reliance"

Correct answer: essay "Self-Reliance"

When a title of a short work, such as an essay, is preceded by a descriptive term like 'essay,' no comma is needed between the descriptive term and the title. The title itself, 'Self-Reliance,' should be enclosed in quotation marks. This punctuation rule ensures clarity and proper formatting for titles.

Question 6: 6. The recently built children's amusement park has been called "a boon to the community" by its supporters and "an eyesore" by its harshest critics.

and "an eyesore" by its harshest (Correct answer)
and, "an eyesore," by its harshest
and, an eyesore; by its harshest
and-an eyesore-by its' harshest
and-"an eyesore"-by its' harshest

Correct answer: and "an eyesore" by its harshest

This sentence presents two parallel direct quotations linked by the conjunction 'and.' No comma is needed before the second quotation ('an eyesore') because it directly follows the conjunction and is part of the parallel structure. Additionally, the possessive pronoun 'its' (meaning belonging to it) is correctly used, not the contraction 'its''.

Question 7: 7. I always have trouble remembering the meaning of these two common verbs, affect (to change" or "to influence") and effect ("to cause" or "to accomplish)."

"to accomplish)."
"to accomplish"). (Correct answer)
"to accomplish).
To accomplish.
"to accomplish.")

Correct answer: "to accomplish").

When a parenthetical phrase contains a quotation, the closing quotation mark should come before the closing parenthesis if the quoted material does not end with a period that belongs to the quote itself. The period for the main sentence then goes *after* the closing parenthesis. Thus, the correct punctuation is '"to accomplish").' to properly end the sentence.

Question 8: 8. My class just finished reading-"The Fall of the House of Usher", a short story by Edgar Allan Poe.

reading-"The Fall of the House of Usher",
reading, The Fall of the House of Usher,
reading "The Fall of the House of Usher," (Correct answer)
reading, "The Fall of the house of Usher,"
reading: The Fall of the House of Usher-

Correct answer: reading "The Fall of the House of Usher,"

Titles of short works, such as short stories, should be enclosed in quotation marks. When an appositive phrase (like 'a short story by Edgar Allan Poe') follows and describes the title, a comma is needed after the title (and inside the closing quotation mark) to separate it from the appositive. The dash used in the original sentence is incorrect.

Question 9: 9. After it was repaired it ran perfect again.

ran perfect
ran perfectly (Correct answer)
could run perfect
could of run perfect
would run perfectly

Correct answer: ran perfectly

The word 'perfect' is an adjective, but it is incorrectly used here to modify the verb 'ran.' To modify a verb, an adverb is required. The adverbial form of 'perfect' is 'perfectly.' Therefore, 'it ran perfectly' is the grammatically correct construction, as 'perfectly' describes how it ran.

Question 10: 10. "Are there two E's in beetle," asked Margo?

there two E's in beetle," asked Margo?
their two E's in beetle?" asked Margo.
their two E's in beetle," asked Margo.
there two E's in beetle?" asked Margo. (Correct answer)
there two E's in beetle, asked Margo?

Correct answer: there two E's in beetle?" asked Margo.

In a direct quotation that is a question, the question mark belongs inside the closing quotation mark because it is part of the quoted material. The sentence itself, which states that Margo asked a question, is a declarative sentence and should end with a period, not a question mark. Additionally, 'there' is the correct word to indicate existence.

Question 11: 11. The circus audience received a well-deserved round of applause for the perfectly timed acrobatic stunt.

audience received a well-deserved
audience gave a well deserved
audience did receive a well deserved
audience gave a well-deserved (Correct answer)
audience did get a well-deserved

Correct answer: audience gave a well-deserved

Audiences typically *give* applause, rather than *receive* it from themselves. Therefore, 'audience gave' is the more appropriate verb choice. Additionally, 'well-deserved' is a compound adjective modifying 'round' and should be hyphenated for correct grammar. These corrections make the sentence both grammatically sound and semantically accurate.

Question 12: 12. Looking directly at me, Mother said, "These are your options: the choice is yours."

Mother said, "These are your options: the choice is
Mother said-these are your options, the choice is
Mother had said, These are your options; the choice is
Mother had said, "These are your options; the choice is
Mother said, "These are your options; the choice is (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mother said, "These are your options; the choice is

The correct answer uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses within the direct quotation: 'These are your options' and 'the choice is yours.' A semicolon is appropriate here because both clauses are complete sentences and are closely related in meaning. This punctuation choice effectively links the two distinct but connected thoughts spoken by Mother.

Question 13: 13. Porcupine is from Latin porcus, "pig," and spina, "spine."

porcus, "pig," and spina, "spine." (Correct answer)
Porcus-pig and spina, "spine."
Porcus-pig, and Spina, "spine."
Porcus-Pig-,Spina-spine.
Porcus, "pig," and spina "spine".

Correct answer: porcus, "pig," and spina, "spine."

The original sentence is grammatically correct and requires no changes. It properly uses italics for the Latin words `porcus` and `spina` to denote foreign terms. Commas correctly set off the definitions 'pig' and 'spine,' which clarify the meaning of the Latin words, and quotation marks are used appropriately for these definitions.

Question 14: 14. Seeing the dolphins, some sharks, a killer whale, and a Moray eel made the visit to the marine park worthwhile.

a killer whale, and a Moray eel made the visit
a killer whale, and a moray eel made the visit (Correct answer)
a killer whale and a moray eel makes the visit
a killer whale and a Moray eel makes the visit
a killer whale and a moray eel made the visit

Correct answer: a killer whale, and a moray eel made the visit

The original sentence incorrectly capitalizes 'Moray eel.' 'Moray' is an adjective describing the type of eel, not a proper noun requiring capitalization. The corrected option properly uses lowercase for 'moray,' adhering to standard capitalization rules for common nouns and their modifiers.

Question 15: 15. Still, the fact that a planet exists outside our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist, and in them, perhaps, a planet that supports life.

that a planet exists outside our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist, and (Correct answer)
that a Planet exists out side our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist and
could be that a planet exists outside our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist, and
that a planet exist outside our solar systems encourage hope that other solar systems exist, and
that a planet does exists out side our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist, and

Correct answer: that a planet exists outside our solar system encourages hope that other solar systems exist, and

The original sentence is grammatically correct and requires no changes. The subject 'fact' correctly takes the singular verb 'encourages,' maintaining subject-verb agreement. The clauses are properly connected, and the parenthetical phrase 'perhaps' is correctly set off by commas, ensuring clarity and proper flow.

Question 16: 16. Mail-order shopping can be convenient and timesaving with appropriate precautions, it is safe as well.

can be convenient and timesaving
can be convenient and timesaving;
should be convenient and time saving;
could be convenient and time saving;
can be convenient and time-saving; (Correct answer)

Correct answer: can be convenient and time-saving;

The original sentence contains a comma splice, incorrectly joining two independent clauses with only a comma. The correct answer resolves this by replacing the comma with a semicolon, which is appropriate for connecting two closely related independent clauses. Additionally, 'time-saving' is correctly hyphenated as a compound adjective modifying 'shopping.'

Question 17: 17. Among the many fields of science, no matter what turns you on, there are several fields of study.

science, no matter what turns you on,
Science, no matter what turns you on,
Science, no matter which you chose,
Science, no matter which of these you chose-
science, no matter which you choose, (Correct answer)

Correct answer: science, no matter which you choose,

The original sentence uses an informal and less precise phrase, 'no matter what turns you on.' The corrected option replaces this with the more formal and appropriate 'no matter which you choose.' This change improves the sentence's tone and clarity, making it suitable for a broader range of contexts.

Question 18: 18. The fact that boxing is known to cause head injuries and brain damage should lead us to inform the public and push for a ban on boxing.

should lead us to inform (Correct answer)
could lead us to inform
should of led us to inform
will lead us to inform
should have led us to inform,

Correct answer: should lead us to inform

The original sentence is grammatically correct and requires no changes. The modal verb 'should' correctly expresses a recommendation or obligation regarding the action. The infinitive phrase 'to inform' properly follows the verb 'lead,' maintaining correct verb usage and sentence structure.

Question 19: 19. The first part of the test was on chemistry, the second on mathematics, and the third on english.

on mathematics, and the third on english.
on mathematics; and the third on English.
on Mathematics; and the third on English.
on mathematics, and the third on English. (Correct answer)
on mathematics: and the third on English.

Correct answer: on mathematics, and the third on English.

The original sentence incorrectly uses a lowercase 'e' for 'english.' 'English' is a proper noun, as it refers to a specific language, and therefore must always be capitalized. The corrected option properly capitalizes 'English,' adhering to standard grammar rules for proper nouns.

Question 20: 20. The Diary of Anne Frank showed a young girl's courage during two years of hiding.

showed a young girl's courage
shows a young girl's courage (Correct answer)
did show a young girls courage
has shown a young girl's courage
showed a young girls courage

Correct answer: shows a young girl's courage

When discussing the content or ongoing impact of literary works like 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' the present tense is generally preferred. The original sentence uses the past tense 'showed,' but the diary continues to 'show' or reveal Anne Frank's courage to readers today. Therefore, the present tense verb 'shows' is more appropriate to describe the enduring nature of the diary's message.

Question 21: 21. In August my parents will be married for twenty-five years.

will be married for twenty-five years.
shall have been married for twenty-five years.
will have been married for twenty-five years. (Correct answer)
will be married for twenty five years.
will have married for twenty-five years.

Correct answer: will have been married for twenty-five years.

The original sentence uses the simple future tense ('will be married'), which is incorrect for an action that will be completed by a specific point in the future and will have lasted for a duration. The future perfect tense, 'will have been married,' correctly expresses an action that will be completed by a future time (in August) and emphasizes its duration (twenty-five years). This tense accurately reflects the completion of the marriage's duration by the specified future date.

PARCC Grammar Practice Online Questions

1.
Everyone in the bank-including the manager and the tellers, ran to the door when the fire alarm rang.