West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In which sentence is subject-verb agreement correct?
- Neither the students nor the teacher were prepared.
- Either the manager or the employees is responsible.
- Neither the dog nor the cats was fed.
- Either the principal or the teachers are attending. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Either the principal or the teachers are attending.
With 'either/or' and 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject; 'teachers' is plural, so 'are' is correct.
Question 2: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- I wish I was taller.
- If she was here, she would help.
- She recommended that he submits his application early.
- The doctor insisted that the patient rest for two days. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The doctor insisted that the patient rest for two days.
After verbs of recommendation or insistence, the subjunctive uses the base form of the verb ('rest,' not 'rests').
Question 3: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- Between you and I, the plan seems flawed.
- The award was given to she and her partner.
- The manager hired both him and her for the project. (Correct answer)
- This stays between you and I.
Correct answer: The manager hired both him and her for the project.
'Him' and 'her' are objective case pronouns, correct after the verb 'hired' since they are objects.
Question 4: Which sentence avoids a split infinitive?
- She wanted to quickly finish the report.
- He decided to boldly challenge the decision.
- They planned to finish the project quickly. (Correct answer)
- She tried to carefully read every word.
Correct answer: They planned to finish the project quickly.
Placing 'quickly' after the infinitive 'to finish' avoids splitting the infinitive with an adverb.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses an appositive?
- My brother, a doctor works at the hospital.
- My brother a doctor, works at the hospital.
- My brother, a doctor, works at the hospital. (Correct answer)
- My brother a doctor works, at the hospital.
Correct answer: My brother, a doctor, works at the hospital.
An appositive phrase ('a doctor') must be set off with commas on both sides when it adds nonessential information.
Question 6: Identify the sentence that correctly uses a colon:
- She brought: sandwiches, drinks, and dessert.
- The ingredients are: flour, sugar, and eggs.
- He excels in one thing: persistence. (Correct answer)
- The meeting covered: budgets, timelines, and goals.
Correct answer: He excels in one thing: persistence.
A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce what follows.
Question 7: Which sentence uses 'fewer' and 'less' correctly?
- There are less students in this class than last year.
- We need fewer information to make a decision.
- She has fewer responsibilities and less stress now. (Correct answer)
- He drinks less cups of coffee each morning.
Correct answer: She has fewer responsibilities and less stress now.
'Fewer' applies to countable nouns (responsibilities) and 'less' to uncountable nouns (stress).
West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 3
In which sentence is subject-verb agreement correct?