Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement (Language Arts) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses correct punctuation with a compound sentence?
- I like cats but I don't like dogs.
- I like cats, but I don't like dogs. (Correct answer)
- I like cats, but, I don't like dogs.
- I like cats but, I don't like dogs.
Correct answer: I like cats, but I don't like dogs.
A comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses.
Question 2: Which word is the correct homophone to complete the sentence: 'She will _____ her old dress for the costume.'?
- altar
- alter (Correct answer)
- altir
- altur
Correct answer: alter
'Alter' means to change or modify, while 'altar' is a table used in religious ceremonies.
Question 3: What is the main purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
- To provide supporting details
- To summarize the entire essay
- To introduce the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
- To conclude the writer's argument
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of the paragraph
A topic sentence states the main idea that the rest of the paragraph will develop and support.
Question 4: Which verb form correctly completes the sentence: 'By next Friday, she _____ the project.'?
- will complete
- will have completed (Correct answer)
- has completed
- completed
Correct answer: will have completed
The future perfect tense 'will have completed' expresses an action that will be finished before a specific future time.
Question 5: Which type of context clue is used in this sentence: 'The arid, or extremely dry, desert receives little rainfall'?
- Synonym clue
- Antonym clue
- Definition clue (Correct answer)
- Example clue
Correct answer: Definition clue
A definition clue directly states the meaning of an unfamiliar word within the sentence using phrases like 'or' and commas.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running quickly, Maria caught the bus.
- Running quickly, the bus was caught by Maria. (Correct answer)
- Maria, running quickly, caught the bus.
- Maria ran quickly to catch the bus.
Correct answer: Running quickly, the bus was caught by Maria.
A dangling modifier occurs when the modifying phrase does not clearly refer to the correct noun; here 'the bus' is not the one running.
Question 7: In the word 'prehistoric,' the prefix 'pre-' means:
- after
- before (Correct answer)
- during
- against
Correct answer: before
'Pre-' is a Latin prefix meaning 'before,' so 'prehistoric' means before recorded history.
Stanford Achievement Test Stanford Achievement (Language Arts) 2
Which sentence uses correct punctuation with a compound sentence?