West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The report was late; because the printer broke.
- She studied all night; consequently, she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- He wanted to leave; but stayed anyway.
- I enjoy hiking; and camping in the summer.
Correct answer: She studied all night; consequently, she passed the exam.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'consequently.'
Question 2: Identify the dangling modifier in this sentence: 'Running through the park, the rain began to fall.'
- 'running through the park' correctly modifies 'rain'
- 'the rain began to fall' is the dangling element
- 'Running through the park' has no clear subject to modify (Correct answer)
- There is no dangling modifier in this sentence
Correct answer: 'Running through the park' has no clear subject to modify
The participial phrase 'Running through the park' dangles because rain cannot run; the sentence needs a human subject.
Question 3: Which option correctly identifies the underlined word in: 'The committee made its decision quickly.'
- 'its' is a plural possessive pronoun
- 'its' is a singular possessive pronoun referring to 'committee' (Correct answer)
- 'its' should be replaced with 'their'
- 'its' is a contraction meaning 'it is'
Correct answer: 'its' is a singular possessive pronoun referring to 'committee'
'Committee' is a collective noun treated as singular, so 'its' is the correct singular possessive pronoun.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, to swim, and running.
- The job requires patience, skill, and being dedicated.
- He enjoys reading novels, watching films, and listening to music. (Correct answer)
- The plan was simple, effective, and cost little.
Correct answer: He enjoys reading novels, watching films, and listening to music.
All three elements use the gerund form (-ing), maintaining parallel grammatical structure.
Question 5: Select the sentence with a correctly placed restrictive clause:
- Students, who study regularly, tend to perform better.
- The book that I borrowed was excellent. (Correct answer)
- My car, that needs repairs, is in the garage.
- The teacher who, everyone admires, retired last year.
Correct answer: The book that I borrowed was excellent.
Restrictive clauses introduced by 'that' are not set off by commas and limit which specific noun is meant.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- She quietly opened the door.
- He almost drove his children to school every day. (Correct answer)
- The teacher carefully explained the assignment.
- They eagerly awaited the results.
Correct answer: He almost drove his children to school every day.
'Almost' is misplaced; it should be 'He drove his children to school almost every day' to modify frequency rather than the act of driving.
Question 7: Which version correctly fixes this comma splice: 'The presentation was long, the audience grew restless.'
- The presentation was long and, the audience grew restless.
- The presentation was long; the audience grew restless. (Correct answer)
- The presentation was long, because the audience grew restless.
- The presentation, was long the audience grew restless.
Correct answer: The presentation was long; the audience grew restless.
A semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 2
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?