RLA Grammar and Word Usage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- She almost drove her children to school every day. (Correct answer)
- The nearly empty jar sat on the shelf.
- He quietly spoke to the crowd.
- The dog with the red collar barked loudly.
Correct answer: She almost drove her children to school every day.
'Almost' is misplaced—it should be 'She drove her children to school almost every day' to modify 'every day.'
Question 2: Choose the correct form: 'Neither the coach nor the players ______ satisfied with the result.'
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- is
- are
Correct answer: were
With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'players' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 3: Which option correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?
- I have less apples than you.
- I have fewer apples than you. (Correct answer)
- I have fewer water than you.
- I have less books than you.
Correct answer: I have fewer apples than you.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'apples'; 'less' is used with uncountable nouns.
Question 4: Identify the appositive phrase in: 'My neighbor, an accomplished pianist, plays every evening.'
- My neighbor
- plays every evening
- an accomplished pianist (Correct answer)
- every evening
Correct answer: an accomplished pianist
An appositive phrase renames or describes the noun it follows; 'an accomplished pianist' renames 'My neighbor.'
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She brought: her bag, her notebook, and her pen.
- She brought the following items: her bag, her notebook, and her pen. (Correct answer)
- She brought her: bag, notebook, and pen.
- She: brought her bag, notebook, and pen.
Correct answer: She brought the following items: her bag, her notebook, and her pen.
A colon follows a complete independent clause and introduces a list, quotation, or explanation.
Question 6: Select the correct usage: 'The data ______ analyzed before the report was written.'
- was (Correct answer)
- were
- has
- have
Correct answer: was
In American English, 'data' is commonly treated as a singular noun, so 'was' is standard in US usage.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, to swim, and running.
- She likes hiking, swimming, and running. (Correct answer)
- She likes to hike, swimming, and to run.
- She likes hike, swim, and running.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and running.
Parallel structure requires matching grammatical forms; 'hiking, swimming, and running' are all gerunds.
RLA Grammar and Word Usage 3
Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?