5. To judge the Tidy City contest, we picked an uninterested party.

are in the process of picking an uninterested party.

PARCC Sentence Correction Practice Questions 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: 1. If the books have been cataloged last week, why haven't they been placed on the shelf?

have been cataloged
would have been cataloged
was cataloged
were cataloged (Correct answer)
had been cataloged

Correct answer: were cataloged

The phrase 'last week' indicates a specific point in the past, requiring the simple past tense. 'Were cataloged' is the correct simple past passive form, which accurately reflects an action completed at a definite time in the past.

Question 2: 2. Jessica Mitford wrote The American Way of Death, a best-selling book that led eventually to an official investigation of the funeral industry.

that led eventually
that had led eventually
that eventually led (Correct answer)
which eventually led
who eventually led

Correct answer: that eventually led

Adverbs of manner or time, such as 'eventually,' typically precede the main verb they modify for better flow and clarity. Placing 'eventually' before 'led' creates a more natural and grammatically smooth sentence, emphasizing the gradual nature of the leading action.

Question 3: 3. Sabotage came from the French saboter, which means "to clatter with wooden shoes (sabots)."

which means "to (Correct answer)
which means, "to
that means "to
that means-"to
that means, "to

Correct answer: which means "to

The word 'which' correctly introduces a non-restrictive clause that provides additional, non-essential information about 'saboter.' No comma is needed directly after 'means' and before the opening quotation mark when the quoted phrase directly follows the verb, making the phrasing concise and correct.

Question 4: 4. When studying an assignment, it is wise to read it over quickly at first, than see the major points, and finally outline the material.

first, than
first: then
first-then
first, then (Correct answer)
first-than

Correct answer: first, then

This question tests the correct usage of 'than' versus 'then.' 'Than' is used for comparisons, while 'then' indicates a sequence of events or time. In this sentence, a sequence of steps is being described ('first, then, and finally'), so 'then' is the grammatically correct word to use.

Question 5: 5. To judge the Tidy City contest, we picked an uninterested party.

picked an uninterested party.
picked an interested party!
picked a disinterested party. (Correct answer)
are in the process of picking an uninterested party.
picked an disinterested party.

Correct answer: picked a disinterested party.

'Uninterested' means not interested or bored, whereas 'disinterested' means impartial or unbiased. For judging a contest, an impartial party is required to ensure fairness. Therefore, 'disinterested' is the correct word to convey the need for an unbiased judge.

Question 6: 6. Linda decides they had better scram before the killers find them.

had better scram
had better leave (Correct answer)
should hurry and scram
could hurry and leave
had better get out

Correct answer: had better leave

'Scram' is informal slang and generally considered inappropriate for standard written English. 'Had better leave' is a more formal and appropriate phrase that conveys the same urgency and meaning in a standard context, making the sentence more suitable for formal communication.

Question 7: 7. I really dug the character of Brutus.

dug
thought about
thought of
admired (Correct answer)
gazed at

Correct answer: admired

'Dug' is informal slang for liking or appreciating something and is generally not suitable for formal writing. 'Admired' is a more formal, precise, and appropriate verb that accurately conveys a positive appreciation for a character in a literary context, improving the sentence's tone.

Question 8: 8. Once upon a point a time, a small person named Little Red Riding Hood initiated plans for the preparation, delivery and transportation of foodstuffs to her Grandmother.

and transportation of foodstuffs to her Grandmother.
and transportation of food stuffs to her Grandmother.
and transportation of food supplies to her Grandmother.
and transportation of foodstuffs to her grandmother. (Correct answer)
and, transportation of food supplies to her grand mother.

Correct answer: and transportation of foodstuffs to her grandmother.

The word 'grandmother' should not be capitalized unless it is used as a proper noun (e.g., 'Grandmother said...') or as a direct address. In this sentence, it functions as a common noun referring to 'her grandmother,' so it should be lowercase according to standard capitalization rules.

Question 9: 9. The setting of a story effects the story's plot.

effects the story's plot.
effects the stories plot.
affect the story's plot.
affects the story's plot. (Correct answer)
affects the story's plots.

Correct answer: affects the story's plot.

The word "affects" is the correct verb to use here, meaning "to influence." "Effects" is typically a noun meaning "results." Additionally, the subject "setting" is singular, requiring the singular verb form "affects" for proper subject-verb agreement.

Question 10: 10. Arctic trees are scrubbiest than trees in milder climates.

scrubbiest than trees
scrubbier then trees
scrubbiest than are trees
scrubbier than are trees
scrubbier than trees (Correct answer)

Correct answer: scrubbier than trees

When comparing two things, the comparative form of the adjective is required, which is "scrubbier" for "scrubby." The word "than" is correctly used to introduce the second part of a comparison. "Scrubbiest" is a superlative form used for comparing three or more things, and "then" refers to time.

Question 11: 11. Quebec rises in a magnificent way above the St. Lawrence River.

rises in a magnificent way above
rises in a magnificent way, way above
rises magnificently above (Correct answer)
rises magnificently way above
is raised in a magnificent way above

Correct answer: rises magnificently above

The phrase "in a magnificent way" is wordy and can be replaced by the single adverb "magnificently." Adverbs like "magnificently" modify verbs (in this case, "rises") and provide a more concise and elegant description of the action. This choice improves the sentence's flow and conciseness.

Question 12: 12. Someone gives the school gerbils every year.

Someone gives the school gerbils (Correct answer)
Some one gives the school gerbils
Some one gives the School gerbils
There is a person that gives the school gerbils
An individual gave gerbils

Correct answer: Someone gives the school gerbils

The original sentence is grammatically correct and stylistically sound. "Someone" is correctly written as a single word, and the sentence uses active voice effectively to convey that an unspecified person performs the action of giving gerbils. Other options introduce errors in spelling ("Some one") or unnecessary wordiness.

Question 13: 13. During colonial days, a school room looked rather empty.

colonial days, a school room looked
colonial days, a schoolroom looked (Correct answer)
colonial days; a schoolroom looked
colonial days; a school room looked
colonial days-a schoolroom looked

Correct answer: colonial days, a schoolroom looked

The correct spelling for the noun referring to a room in a school is "schoolroom," written as one word. The comma after the introductory phrase "During colonial days" is also correctly used to separate it from the main clause. Semicolons are inappropriate here as they typically connect two independent clauses or separate items in a complex list.

Question 14: 14. The helium-filled balloon rose in the air.

rose in the air.
was rising in the air.
was in the air.
rose into the air. (Correct answer)
would rise in the air.

Correct answer: rose into the air.

The preposition "into" is correctly used here to indicate movement from outside the air to inside the air. "In" suggests that the balloon was already situated within the air, whereas "rose" implies an action of entering or moving upwards. Therefore, "rose into the air" accurately describes the balloon's upward motion.

Question 15: 15. If I had the address, I would have delivered the package myself.

had the address,
had the address;
had the address-
had had the address;
had had the address, (Correct answer)

Correct answer: had had the address,

This sentence requires the third conditional structure, which describes an unreal condition in the past and its unreal result in the past. The "if" clause should use the past perfect tense ("had had"), and the main clause uses "would have" + past participle. The comma after the "if" clause is also correctly placed.

Question 16: 16. Do you know that these gloves have lay on the bureau all week?

have lay on
have laid on
would lie on
had laid on
have lain on (Correct answer)

Correct answer: have lain on

The verb "lie" means to recline or rest, and its past participle form is "lain." Since the sentence uses the present perfect tense ("have...on"), the correct form is "have lain on." "Lay" is either the present tense of the transitive verb (to place something) or the past tense of the intransitive verb "lie."

Question 17: 17. If I would have known about the team tryouts, I would have signed up for them.

had known (Correct answer)
would have known
could of known
had been told
could have been told

Correct answer: had known

This is a third conditional sentence, which describes a hypothetical situation in the past that did not happen. The "if" clause must use the past perfect tense ("had known"), not "would have known." The main clause correctly uses "would have signed up."

Question 18: 18. If he would have revised his first draft, he would have received a better grade.

would have revised (Correct answer)
had revised (Correct answer)
could of revised
had of revised
would revise

Correct answer: would have revised

In a third conditional sentence, which expresses an unreal condition in the past, the "if" clause must use the past perfect tense. Therefore, "had revised" is the correct form, not "would have revised." The main clause correctly uses "would have received."

Question 19: 19. Valarie claims that cats made the best pets.

made the best pets.
could be the best pets.
are the best pets.
make of the best pets.
make the best pets. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: make the best pets.

When stating a general truth or an ongoing belief, the present tense is appropriate. Valarie's claim about cats being the best pets is presented as a general statement, so the present tense verb "make" is correct. "Made" would imply that cats were the best pets only in the past, which contradicts the nature of a general claim.

Question 20: 20. By next month, Ms. Jones will be Mayor of Tallahassee for two years.

will be Mayor of Tallahassee
will have been Mayor of Tallahassee
will be mayor of Tallahassee
will have been mayor of Tallahassee (Correct answer)
could have been mayor of Tallahassee

Correct answer: will have been mayor of Tallahassee

The phrase "By next month" indicates an action that will be completed by a specific time in the future, requiring the future perfect tense "will have been." Additionally, "mayor" should be lowercase because it is a common noun describing a role, not a formal title directly preceding a name.

PARCC Sentence Correction Practice Questions 1

1.
If the books have been cataloged last week, why haven't they been placed on the shelf?