|
1. The new chairs and sofabeds, displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives many stares from the passers-by.
A. displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives
B.
which are displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receives
C.
are displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
D.
being displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receiving
E.
displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
The new chairs and sofabeds, displayed so brightly in the department store window, receives many stares from the passers-by.
Grammar issue presented: subject/verb agreement
The subject of the sentence — new chairs and sofabeds — is plural, and a plural verb must follow. displayed so brightly in the department store window is a modifying phrase.
NOTE: Modifying phrases are often used to obscure agreement issues by splitting apart subject and verb.
A. displayed so brightly in the department store window- receives
- receives (singular verb form) Agrees: NO
B. which are displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receives
- receives (singular verb form) Agrees: NO
C.
are displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
- receive (plural verb form)
Agrees: YES
Additional errors?
Run-on sentence!
D.
being displayed so brightly in the department store window, and receiving
-
receiving (progressive verb form)
Agrees: NO!
Additional errors?
Sentence fragment.
E.
displayed so brightly in the department store window, receive
- receive (plural verb form)
Agrees: YES
Additional errors?
None
(E) is correct because it is the only choice in which the verb agrees with the subject by being in the plural form, without creating further errors.
2. The jazz band has played all night and are finally ready to go home.
A. has played all night and are finally
B.
has played all night and is finally
C.
have played all night and are finally
D.
have played all night and is finally
E.
has been playing all night and are finally
The jazz band has played all night and are finally ready to go home.
Grammar issue presented: subject/verb agreement
The subject of the sentence is jazz band, which is a group, but is a singular entity. Therefore singular verbs must follow. Has is singular, but are is not.
A. has played all night and are finally
- has (singular), are (plural) Agree: NO
B. has played all night and is finally
-
has (singular), is (singular) Agree: YES
C.
have played all night and are finally
-
have (plural), are (plural) Agree: NO
D. have played all night and is finally
- have (plural), is (singular) Agree: NO
E. has been playing all night and are finally
- has (singular), are (plural) Agree: NO
(B) is correct because it is the only choice in which both verbs agree with a singular subject
3. Finally rescued from the streets, the shelter
provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.
A.
the shelter
provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.
B.
the shelter
provides food and routine exercise to the dogs.
C.
food and
routine exercise is provided to the dogs in the shelter.
D.
the dogs
are provided with food and routine exercise in the shelter.
E.
the dogs,
with food and routine exercise, provide in the shelter.
Finally
rescued from the streets, the shelter provides the dogs with food
and routine exercise.
Grammar issue presented: modifiers
Finally
rescued from the streets is a modifier. It
must be placed as close as possible to what it describes.
Finally
rescued from the streets, the shelter provides the dogs with food
and routine exercise.
The
modifier is misplaced because it is next to shelter. The
dogs are what is rescued from the streets, NOT the shelter.
A.
the
shelter provides the dogs with food and routine exercise.
Modifies: shelter
Correct: NO
B.
the
shelter provides food and routine exercise to the dogs.
Modifies: shelter
Correct: NO
C.
food and routine
exercise is provided to the dogs in the shelter.
Modifies: food
and routine
Correct: NO
D.
the dogs
are provided with food and routine exercise in the shelter.
Modifies: the dog
Correct: YES
Additional errors? None
E.
the dogs,
with food and routine exercise, provide in the shelter.
Modifies: the dog
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
Changes
in meaning
, sentence fragment
(D) is the only
choice which resolves the misplaced modifier without creating additional
problems.
4. Betsy loves summertime when she
swims, plays tennis, and is making friends.
A.
and
is making friends.
B.
and makes
friends.
C.
and
is able to be making friends.
D. and
friends are made.
E. and
there will be friends to make.
Betsy
loves summertime when she swims, plays tennis, and is making friends.
Grammar
issue presented: parallelism
-
The sentence contains a list, which
is a case for parallelism.
-
All items in a list must be parallel.
This
sentence contains faulty parallelism because
the verb form is making does not match the form of swims and plays.
A.
and
is making friends.
Parallel? NO
-
swims / plays / making
B.
and
makes friends.
Parallel? YES
- swims
/ plays / makes
C.
and
is able to be making friends.
Parallel? NO - swims / plays / to
be making
D.
and
friends are made.
Parallel? NO
-
swims
/ plays / made
E.
and
there will be friends to make.
Parallel? NO
-
swims /
plays / to make
(B) is the only choice which
contains proper parallel construction.
5. I was surprised
that, when given the news, Jack called you and she before
anyone else.
A. Jack called you and she before
anyone else.
B. you and she were
called before anyone else by Jack.
C. Jack called
you and her before anyone else.
D. Jack called, before anyone else, you and she.
E. her and
you were called by Jack before anyone else.
I was surprised that, when given
the news, Jack called you and she before
anyone else.
Grammar
issue presented: pronoun agreement
In
the underlined portion Jack is the subject. The
people he calls are the objects. The
pronoun she is a subjective pronoun, meaning it is used
to indicate the subject of a sentence. Thus
it is in the wrong case. In
order to be correct, she must become her, an objective
pronoun.
A. Jack called you and she before anyone else.
Subject / object / subject
Agrees: NO
she must become her
B. you and
she were called before anyone else by Jack.
Subject / subject / object
Agrees: YES
Additional errors? Passive voice: were
called, by Jack
C. Jack called you and her before
anyone else.
Subject / subject / object
Agrees: YES
Additional errors: None
D. Jack called, before anyone else, you and she.
Subject / object / subject
Agrees: NO
she must become her
E. her and you were called by Jack before
anyone else.
object / subject / object
Agrees: NO
she must become her
(B) and (C) contain pronoun agreement. Though, (B) is not
incorrect, it is not the best choice. The active voice
is preferable on the test, making (C) the clearest and best choice.
6. Every person feels
that their needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.
A. their
needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.
B. his
needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.
C. his
needs are more crucial than those of other human beings.
D. his
needs are more crucial from that of other human beings.
E. their
needs are more crucial from those of other human beings.
Every person feels that their
needs are more crucial than that of other human beings.
Grammar
issue presented: pronoun and noun agreement
In
the original sentence person is singular, while their and human
beings are both plural. In addition, needs is
plural while that is singular. The
sentence must correct agreement in number.
A.
their needs are more crucial than that of other
human beings.
singular noun
(person), plural pronoun (their)
Agree: NO
singular comparison
(than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO
B. his needs are more crucial than
that of other human beings.
singular noun
(person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
singular comparison
(than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO
C. his needs are more crucial than those of other human
beings.
singular noun
(person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
plural comparison
(than that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: YES
D. his needs are more crucial from that of other human
beings.
singular noun
(person), singular pronoun (his)
Agree: YES
improper comparison
(from that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO
E. their needs are more crucial from those of other
human beings.
singular noun
(person), plural pronoun (their)
Agree: NO
improper comparison
(from that of), plural noun (human beings)
Agree: NO
(C) is correct because it is the only choice that contains complete agreement.
7. John Edward Kenna, a Senator from West Virginia, was born
near St. Albans, in Kanawha
County, Viginia, which becomes part of the state of West Virginia
in 1863.
A.
which
becomes part of the state of
West
Virginia
in 1863.
B.
which
was becoming part of the state of
West
Virginia
in 1863.
C. which
became part of the state of
West
Virginia
in 1863.
D. which
had become part of the state of
West
Virginia
in 1863.
E. which
will become part of the state of
West
Virginia
in 1863.
John Edward Kenna, a Senator from West Virginia, was born
near St. Albans, in Kanawha
County, Viginia, which becomes
part of the state of West Virginia in 1863.
Grammar
issue presented: verb tense
-
The sentence begins in the past and discusses past events. Therefore all verbs should be in past
tense.
-
which becomes is in the present tense and
must be corrected.
A. which becomes part
of the state of
West Virginia
in
1863.
Tense: present
Correct: NO
B. which was becoming part
of the state of
West Virginia
in
1863.
Tense: progressive
past
Correct: NO
C. which became part
of the state of
West Virginia
in
1863.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
additional errors? none
D. which had become part
of the state of
West Virginia
in
1863.
Tense: past perfect
Correct: NO
E.
which will become part
of the state of
West Virginia
in
1863.
Tense: future
Correct: NO
(C) correctly puts the sentence into the past
tense.
8. Alice
Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second woman in
Ohio
to serve on the state bench, and is subsequently
reelected in 1994 and 2000.
A.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
B.
to
be only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
C.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
who
served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
D.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
E. as
only the second woman in
Ohio
who
had served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Alice
Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
Grammar issue presented: verb tense
-
All events in the sentence take place in the past. Therefore all verbs should be in past tense.
- is
subsequently reelected is in the present tense and must be
corrected.
Alice
Robie Resnick was elected in 1988 as only the second
woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state
(past tense)
bench, and is subsequently
reelected in 1994 and 2000.
(present tense)
A.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected
in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO
B.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected
in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
None
C.
as
only the second woman in
Ohio
who had
served on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected
in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: past
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
had served (past
perfect) - should be infinitive to
serve.
D.
to
be only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected
in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO
E. as
only the second woman in
Ohio
who
served on the state bench, and is subsequently reelected
in 1994 and 2000.
Tense: present
Correct: NO
(B) to
be only the second woman in
Ohio
to
serve on the state bench, and was subsequently reelected in 1994 and 2000.
9.
42nd Street
has
more theaters than any street.
A.
than
any street.
B.
than
any other street.
C. then
any other street does.
D.
than
theaters on other streets.
E.
than
any street has.
42nd Street
has more theaters than any street.
Grammar issue presented: comparison
-
The sentence compares
42nd St
to
any street.
This
sentence contains faulty comparison because
to compare one street to any street is illogical. Any street includes the street
being compared. Any
other street must be used to indicate we are comparing one street
with all the rest.
A.
than any
street.
Proper
Comparison?
NO
42nd Street
to any
street
B.
than any
other street.
Proper
Comparison? YES
42nd Street
to any other street
Additional errors? none
C.
then any
other street does.
Proper
Comparison? YES
42nd Street
to any other street
Additional errors?
Improper
use of then. Than must be used in comparisons.
D.
than
theaters on other streets.
Proper
Comparison? NO
42nd Street
to theaters
E.
than
any street has.
Proper
Comparison? NO
42nd Street
to any
street
(B) is the only choice
which properly compares
42nd Street
to
any other street.
10. Hand ale pumps may slightly
improve the flavor of ale over gas-powered kegs, but modern pub managers
contend that hand ale pumps cost twice as much as gas-powered
kegs.
A. hand ale pumps cost twice
as much as gas-powered kegs
B. hand ale pumps
cost twice as much as gas-powered kegs do
C. maintaining hand ale pumps costs twice
as much as gas-powered kegs do
D. maintaining hand ale pumps costs twice
as much as it does for gas-powered kegs
E. to maintain hand ale pumps costs twice
as much as for gas-powered kegs
ANSWER:
This sentence compares the costs required to maintain two kinds of pumps. (B),
the best choice, is able to maintain parallelism in the comparison as well.
Choice (A) incorrectly shifts the meaning by comparing the cost of hand ale pumps
with the cost of maintaining gas-powered kegs. Choice (C) does
the opposite: it compares the cost of maintaining hand ale pumps with the cost
of gas-powered kegs themselves. Choice (D) further confuses the sentence by adding
a nonparallel phrase, it does for, in which it has no clear
referent. Choice (E) introduces the infinitive phrase to maintain, and
wrongly attempts to complete the comparison with the nonparallel prepositional
phrase for....
The answer is B.
1. The military history
of France represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles
encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much
of Europe and their overseas territories, not to mention modern-day
France.
A. represent
an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years
and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and
their overseas territories
B.
represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing
over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and
their overseas territories
C.
represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles; they encompass
over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and their overseas territories
D.
represents an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing
over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and its overseas territories
E.
represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles which are
encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and its overseas territories
The military history
of France represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing
over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of Europe and their
overseas territories, not to
mention modern-day France.
Grammar issue presented: subject /verb agreement
The subject
of the sentence is singular: military history, and
a singular verb must follow.
The pronoun their
'is plural, but refers to
Europe
,
which is a singular subject.
A.
represent
an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years
and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and
their overseas territories
represent (plural
verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO
B.
represents
an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years
and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and their overseas territories
represents (singular
verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO
C.
represents
an amalgam of conflicts and struggles; they encompass over 2,000 years
and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and their overseas territories
represents (singular
verb form); their (plural pronoun)
Agree: NO
D.
represents
an amalgam of conflicts and struggles encompassing over 2,000 years
and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and its overseas territories
represents (singular
verb form); its (singular pronoun)
Agree: YES
Additional errors?
None
E.
represent an amalgam of conflicts and struggles which are
encompassing over 2,000 years and spanning areas including much of
Europe
and its overseas territories
represent (plural verb form); its (singular
pronoun)
Agree: NO
(D) is correct
because it is the only choice in which there is proper subject/verb
agreement and proper pronoun agreement.
2. Australian
Aboriginal languages and are native
to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude
any languages of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
A.
Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
but exclude any languages of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
B.
Native
to Australia and
a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages
of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
C.
Comprising
several language families and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal
languages exclude any languages of
Tasmania
native to
Australia
.
D.
Comprising
several language families,
the Australian Aboriginal languages are native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
but exclude
any languages
of Tasmania
.
E.
Excluding
Tasmania
, native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
comprising several language families,
are the Australian Aboriginal languages.
Australian
Aboriginal languages and are native
to Australia and a few nearby islands, but exclude
any languages of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
Grammar issue
presented: modifiers
comprising
several languages is a modifier. It must be placed as close as possible
to what it describes.
Australian
Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
but
exclude any
languages of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
--
modifier --
This question is tricky because
the entire sentence is underlined and the modifier is at the end of the
sentence, which is unusual. It
is misplaced because it should be modifying Australian Aboriginal
languages, NOT
Tasmania
.
A.
Australian
Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
but exclude any languages of
Tasmania
, comprising several language families.
Modifies:
Tasmania
Correct: NO
B.
Native
to Australia and
a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal languages exclude any languages
of
Tasmania
,
comprising several language families.
Modifies:
Tasmania
Correct: NO
C.
Comprising
several language families and a few nearby islands, Australian Aboriginal
languages exclude any languages of
Tasmania
native to
Australia
.
Modifies: Australian
Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
changes
meaning of sentence.
D.
Comprising
several language families,
the Australian Aboriginal languages and are native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
but exclude
Tasmania
.
Modifies: Australian
Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
None
E.
Excluding
Tasmania
, native to Australia and a few nearby islands,
comprising several language families are
the Australian Aboriginal languages.
modifies: Australian
Aboriginal language
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
passive voice, vague, meaning
is obscured
(D) is the only choice which resolves the misplaced
modifier without creating additional problems.
3. The Armet
helm, developed in the 15th century, was
the first of its era to not only completely enclose the wearer's
head, but also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.
- but
also being small and light enough to move with the wearer.
- but
also being able to move with the wearer because it was small and
light enough.
- but
also be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
- and
it also was small and light enough to move with the wearer
- and
in addition, be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
The
Armet helm, developed in the 15th century, was the first of its era
to not only completely enclose the wearer's head, but also being
small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Grammar issue presented: parallelism
-
The sentence contains the not only…but
also conjunction which is a case for parallelism.
-
All elements following the conjunction
must use proper parallel construction.
This
sentence contains faulty parallelism because completely
enclose does not match being small and light in grammatical
format.
not only
but also
|
enclose the wearers head
being small and light
|
A.
but also being
small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? NO to not only enclose / but
also being
B.
but also being
able to move with the wearer because it was small and light enough.
Parallel? NO
to not only enclose / but
also being
C.
but also be
small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? YES to not only enclose /
but also be (both infinitives)
D.
and it also was small and light enough to move with the wearer
Parallel? NO
conjunction
is corrupted: not only / it also
E.
and in addition,
be small and light enough to move with the wearer.
Parallel? NO
conjunction
is corrupted: not only / and in addition
(C) is the only
choice which contains proper parallel construction
4. In
1986, socialist President Mitterrand was forced to appoint conservative Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister, resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed
together.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where him and Chirac governed together.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where them governed together.
- where
him and Chirac governed together, resulting in a period known as
the Cohabitation.
- where
he and Chirac, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, governed together.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where he and Chirac governed together.
In
1986, socialist President Mitterrand was forced to appoint conservative Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister, resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation, where him and Chirac governed
together.
Grammar issue presented: pronoun agreement
In the underlined
portion two people govern together. They
are the subjects of the sentence. The pronoun him is an
objective pronoun, meaning it is used to show the object of a sentence. Thus
it in the wrong case and must be changed to he— the subjective
pronoun:
him and Chirac
governed together.
he and Chirac
governed together.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where him and Chirac governed together.
Agree: NO
Uses him, an objective pronoun in place of
the subject.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where them governed together.
Agree: NO
Uses them, another
objective pronoun. They would
be correct.
- where
him and Chirac governed together, resulting in a period known as
the Cohabitation.
Agree: NO
Uses him, an objective pronoun in place of
the subject.
- where
he and Chirac, resulting in a period known as the Cohabitation, governed together.
Agree: YES
Additional issues?
Sentence structure confuses
meaning: it seems that he and Chirac resulted in a period
known as Cohabitation.
- resulting
in a period known as the Cohabitation,
where he and Chirac governed together.
Agree: YES
Additional issues?
None
(E) contains pronoun agreement without sacrificing
meaning or flow.
5. A recent
poll shows that, due to animal overpopulation concerns, dog owners had
elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
- had
elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
- had
elected to spay and neuter their pets instead of letting them reproduce.
- have
elected to be spaying and neutering their pets instead of reproduction.
- have
elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
- have
elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than reproduction.
A recent poll shows that, due
to animal overpopulation concerns, dog owners had elected to spay
and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
Grammar issue presented: verb tense
-
The sentence describes a situation that continues into the present. Therefore, all verbs should be in the
present.
-
had elected is in the past perfect and must
be corrected.
A. had
elected to spay and neuter their pets rather than let them reproduce.
Tense: Past
Correct: NO
B. had elected to spay and neuter their pets instead
of letting them reproduce.
Tense: Past
Correct: NO
C. have elected to be spaying and neutering their
pets instead of reproduction.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors:
improper
comparison:
elected to be spaying… instead
of reproduction.
D. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather
than let them reproduce.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors:
none
E. have elected to spay and neuter their pets rather
than reproduction.
Tense: Present
Correct: YES
Additional errors:
improper comparison:
electedto spay…rather than reproduction.
(D) is the only choice which puts the sentence
into the present tense without creating any additional errors.
6. It was
difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.
- It was
difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.
- It
was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction and writing
poetry.
- The
decision to write fiction or poetry was difficult among Jackie.
- It was
difficult for Jackie to decide among writing fiction or poetry.
- For
Jackie, between writing fiction or poetry, it was difficult to
decide.
It was difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction
or poetry.
Grammar issues
presented: idiom and parallelism
between is
the correct idiom for two choices.
among is
the correct idiom for three or more choices.
The
sentence contains two choices: fiction
OR poetry
Thus between is
used correctly.
The sentence
also requires parallelism between the choices.
- It was
difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction or poetry.
Idiom: between
Correct: YES
Additional issues?
Lack
of Parallelism between writing fiction and poetry;
plus between takes the conjunction and, not or.
- It was
difficult for Jackie to decide between writing fiction and writing
poetry.
Idiom: between
Correct: YES
Additional Issues? None
- The
decision to write fiction or poetry was difficult among Jackie.
Idiom: among
Correct? NO
Additional issues:
Meaning is altered and sentence is confusing: among
Jackie.
- It was
difficult for Jackie to decide among writing fiction or poetry.
Idiom: among
Correct: NO
- For
Jackie, between writing fiction or poetry, it was difficult to
decide.
Idiom: between
Correct: YES
Additional issues?
Poor sentence structure, confusing wording.
(B)
uses the proper idiom between and creates no additional
problems.
7. A
partnership among two neighborhoods, the street fair was
very successful, although there was some complaints about
noise levels.
A. among
two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there was
B. among
two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there will be
C. between two
neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there were
D. between two
neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there was
E. among
two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there were
A partnership among
two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful,
although there was some complaints about noise levels.
Grammar
issues presented:
 pronoun
agreement: This sentence contains
the wrong idiom: among. Among is used
for describing groups of 3 or more. Between is
used for two parties. Since there are two neighborhoods, between is
appropriate.
subject/verb
agreement: The subject of the second half of the sentence
is complaints (plural). Therefore, the verb was should
be made plural as well: were.
- among
two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful, although
there was
Idiom: among
Correct: NO
Subject/Verb agreement: NO
- among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful,
although there will be
Idiom: among
Correct: NO
Subject/Verb agreement: YES
Additional errors: will be = future
tense!
- between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful,
although there were
Idiom: between
Correct: YES
Subject/Verb agreement: YES
- between two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful,
although there was
Idiom: between
Correct: YES
Subject/Verb agreement: NO
- among two neighborhoods, the street fair was very successful,
although there were
Idiom: among
Correct: NO
Subject/Verb agreement: YES
(C) corrects both idiom and subject/verb agreement
problems.
8. The
web spun by orb-weaver spiders are thought to be a marvel
of engineering.
A. The
web spun by orb-weaver spiders are
B. The
webs spun by orb-weaver spiders are
C. The
webs spun by orb-weaver spiders is
D. The
web spun by the orb-weaver spider are
E. The
web spun by the orb-weaver spider is
The web spun by orb-weaver
spiders are thought to be a marvel of engineering.
Grammar issues presented: subject/object,
and subject/verb agreement
- The web spun
by orb-weaver spiders are (a marvel)
(singular) (plural) (plural) (singular)
Agree: NO
- The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders are (a marvel)
(plural) (plural) (plural) (singular)
Agree: NO
- The webs spun by orb-weaver spiders is (a marvel)
(plural) (plural) (singular) (singular)
Agree: NO
- The web spun by the orb-weaver spider are (a marvel)
(singular) (singular) (plural) (singular)
Agree: NO
- The web spun by the orb-weaver spider is (a marvel)
(singular) (singular) (singular) (singular)
Agree: YES
(E) correctly agrees all noun and verbs.
9. The
Pashtun people are the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary
lineage in the world, and though they say there are supposedly
40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact
number since the tribes are migratory and are not counted
in the census.
A. and
though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun,
it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the
tribes
B.
and
though there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible
to figure out the exact number since the tribes
C.
and
though they are saying that there are supposedly 40 million
Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact number since
the tribes
D.
they
say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, but it is impossible
to figure out the exact number since the tribes
E.
there
are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure
out the exact number since the tribes
The Pashtun people are
the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary lineage
in the world, and though they say there are supposedly
40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the
exact number since the tribes are migratory and are
not counted in the census.
Grammar issue presented: pronoun
ambiguity and redundancy: they say —who
are "they"? In any case, they say is
redundant, because supposedly means more or
less the same thing.
- and
though they say there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun,
it is impossible to figure out the exact number since the
tribes
Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they
say
Clear? NO
- and thoughthere are supposedly
40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact
number since the tribes
Pronoun ambiguity: None: there
are
Clear? YES
- and though they are saying
that there are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible
to figure out the exact number since the tribes
Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they
are saying
Clear? NO
- they say there are supposedly
40 million Pashtun, but it is impossible to figure out the
exact number since the tribes
Pronoun ambiguity and redundancy: they
say
Clear? NO
- there are supposedly 40
million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact
number since the tribes
Pronoun ambiguity: none: there
are
Clear? YES
Additional errors: Run
on sentence: two independent clauses are incorrectly linked by a comma: The
Pashtun people are the largest tribal group exhibiting segmentary lineage
in the world, there
are supposedly 40 million Pashtun, it is impossible to figure out the exact
number since the tribes are migratory and are not counted in the census.
B) clears up the pronoun ambiguity and removes redundancy without
creating additional errors.
10. Troubled
by nightmares, Raul is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping
it will affect his dreams positively.
A. Raul
is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams
positively.
B.
Raul
was pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams
positively.
C.
Raul
is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes hypnosis will affect his dreams
positively.
D.
Raul
was pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams
positively.
E.
Raul
is pursuing hypnosis, and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
Troubled by nightmares, Raul
is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his
dreams positively.
Grammar issue presented: wordiness: is
hoping is better stated as hopes
- Raul
is pursuing hypnosis, and is hoping it will affect his dreams
positively.
Clear? NO
is hoping: wordy
- Raul was pursuing hypnosis,
and is hoping it will affect his dreams positively.
Clear? NO
was pursuing: should not be in past
tense
is hoping: wordy
- Raul is pursuing hypnosis,
and hopes hypnosis will affect his dreams positively.
Clear? NO
pursuing hypnosis, and hopes hypnosis: redundant
- Raul was pursuing hypnosis,
and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
Clear? NO
was pursuing: should not be in past
tense
- Raul is pursuing hypnosis,
and hopes it will affect his dreams positively.
Clear? YES
is pursuing ... hopes
E) corrects the wordiness without creating new errors.
1. Selling more than
fifteen million copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included
not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but
also comedy and radio drama.
- Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
- Douglas Adams contributed not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,
but also comedy and radio drama.
- the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was only one of Douglas Adams's contributions, which also included comedy and radio drama.
-
the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy also included comedy and radio and was not Douglas Adams' only contribution.
-
the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy not only was one of Douglas Adams's contributions, but also comedy and radio drama.
Selling more than fifteen million
copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but
also comedy and radio drama.
Grammar
issue presented: modifiers
Selling more than fifteen million copies is
a modifier. It must be
placed as close as possible to what it describes.
The
modifier is misplaced because it should be modifying the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy NOT Douglas Adams's contributions.
(Common sense tells us that the book Hitchhiker's Guide
to the Galaxy is what sold fifteen million
copies, NOT Adams's contributions.)
Selling more than fifteen million
copies, Douglas Adams's contributions included not only
- modifier
-
the famous Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy, but also comedy and radio drama.
A. Douglas Adams's contributions included
not only the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but
also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: Douglas Adams's contributions
Correct: NO
B. Douglas Adams contributed not only the
famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but
also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: Douglas Adams
Correct: NO
C. the famous Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy was only one of Douglas Adams' contributions,
which also included comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
None
D.
the famous Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy also included comedy and radio and was not
Douglas Adams's only contribution.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
Changes in meaning:
Galaxy
also included comedy and radio
The
book did not include comedy and radio
.
only contribution:
Adams had more than one contribution
.
E.
the famous Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy not only was one of Douglas Adams's contributions,
but also comedy and radio drama.
Modifies: the famous Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Correct: YES
Additional errors?
Improper comparison:
not only was one of Douglas Adams' contributions,
but also comedy and radio drama.
(C) is the only choice which
resolves the misplaced modifier without creating additional problems.
2. Before he retired
to become an art collector, Solomon R. Guggenheim studied in
Switzerland
,
worked in his family's mining business, and was the founder of
the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
- and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
- and had been the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
- and also was founding the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
- and founded the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
- and he also had founded the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Before he retired to become an art
collector, Solomon R. Guggenheim studied in
Switzerland
,
worked in his family's mining business, and was the founder of the
Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Grammar
issue presented: parallelism
-
The sentence lists things Guggenheim did before he retired
-
All items in a list must be parallel.
This sentence contains faulty parallelism because the first
two items describe Guggenheim using verbs: studied and worked; while
the last item contains a title: founder.
A.
and was the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Parallel: NO
studied /
worked / was a founder
B.
and had been the founder of the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / had
been the founder
C.
and also was founding the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / was
founding
D.
and founded the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Parallel: YES
studied / worked / founded
This
sentence turns the noun founder 'into a verb to found and
creates proper parallel construction.
E.
and he also had founded the Yukon Gold Company in
Alaska
.
Parallel: NO
studied / worked / he
had founded
This
sentence turns the noun founder into a verb but uses the verb
in the past perfect when it should be in the simple past.
(D)
contains proper parallel construction because it turns the noun into
a verb and uses the same verb form as the other two items in the
list.
3. David
had been a great tennis champion in his youth, but decided to
change professions in adulthood and began a small business
selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
- decided
to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling
tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
- had
decided to change professions in adulthood and began a small business
selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
- decided
change professions in adulthood and had begun a small business
selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
- decided
to change professions in adulthood and began a small business selling
tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still ran.
- had
decided to be changing professions in adulthood and began a small
business selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still
runs.
David
had been a great tennis champion in his youth, but decided to change
professions in adulthood and began a small business
selling tennis equipment, which, to this day, he still runs.
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