Texas Civil Service Exam Grammar and Writing Ability 2

Question 1

Which sentence uses commas correctly?

Accepted Answer

The report was long, detailed, and confusing.

Answer

Serial commas correctly separate three or more items in a list.

Question 2

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The officer _____ the suspect's alibi before making an arrest.'

Accepted Answer

verified

Answer

'Verified' is the correct past tense of 'verify'; the -fy ending changes to -fied.

Question 3

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

Accepted Answer

Running to the scene, the evidence was collected quickly.

Answer

In the first sentence, 'Running to the scene' incorrectly modifies 'evidence' rather than a person.

Question 4

Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

Accepted Answer

The lieutenant asked whether the forms had been submitted.

Answer

Indirect questions do not require a comma or colon before the subordinate clause.

Question 5

Which version of the sentence is most concise without losing meaning?

Accepted Answer

Because it was raining, the parade was cancelled.

Answer

'Because' is more concise than 'due to the fact that' and conveys the same causal relationship.

Texas Civil Service Exam Practice Test