RLA Grammar and Word Usage 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The principal ______ that students should respect each other.'
- implied (Correct answer)
- inferred
- insinuated
- intimated
Correct answer: implied
'Implied' means to suggest something indirectly; speakers imply while listeners infer.
Question 2: Identify the error: 'Between you and I, the project was poorly managed.'
- 'Between' should be 'among'
- 'I' should be 'me' (Correct answer)
- 'was' should be 'were'
- No error exists
Correct answer: 'I' should be 'me'
Prepositions take object pronouns; 'between you and me' is correct because 'me' is an object pronoun.
Question 3: Which sentence uses 'lay' and 'lie' correctly?
- I need to lay down for an hour.
- Please lie the book on the table.
- She laid the report on his desk. (Correct answer)
- Yesterday I lied on the couch all afternoon.
Correct answer: She laid the report on his desk.
'Laid' is the past tense of 'lay' (to place something); 'she laid the report' means she placed it there.
Question 4: Select the correct word: 'His argument had no ______ on the final decision.'
- affect
- effect (Correct answer)
- impact on
- effecting
Correct answer: effect
'Effect' used as a noun means result or outcome; 'affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence.
Question 5: Which punctuation correctly completes: 'The meeting is on Thursday ______ please arrive on time.'
- , and
- ; and
- ; please
- , please (Correct answer)
Correct answer: , please
A comma before a short transitional phrase like 'please' is the standard light-pause connector here.
Question 6: Choose the sentence that avoids a double negative:
- I don't have no time for that.
- She can't hardly wait.
- He never said nothing.
- We didn't find any evidence. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: We didn't find any evidence.
'Didn't find any' uses one negative correctly; the other options each contain two negatives that cancel each other.
Question 7: Which option shows correct use of an em dash?
- She brought three things - a map, a compass, and water.
- She brought three things—a map, a compass, and water. (Correct answer)
- She brought three things: — a map, a compass, and water.
- She brought three things; — a map, a compass, and water.
Correct answer: She brought three things—a map, a compass, and water.
An em dash (—) introduces a list or emphasizes what follows without a space on either side in American style.
RLA Grammar and Word Usage 4
Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The principal ______ that students should respect each other.'