1.  Which sentence is grammatically correct? 

 

            a.   Its clear that its raining outside.

             

            b.   It’s clear that its raining outside.

 

            c.   It’s clear that it’s raining outside.

 

            d.   Its clear that it’s raining outside.      

 

 

 

 

2.         Which sentence is grammatically correct?

 

 

a.   The coral snake is covered with lovely markings but it is extremely dangerous.

 

            b.   The coral snake is covered with lovely markings but is extremely dangerous.

 

 

 

 

3.          Which sentence is grammatically correct?

 

 

a.   He can transfer to New York City, or continue to live in Boston.

 

            b.   He can transfer to New York City, or he can continue to live in Boston.

 

 

 

 

4.         Which sentence is grammatically correct?

 

 

a.   Your oldest sister Janice arrived at your dorm room while you were at lunch.

 

b.   Your oldest sister, Janice, arrived at your dorm room while you were at lunch.

 

 

 

5.           Which sentence is grammatically correct?

 

 

a.        Since you were in the cafeteria you missed your sister’s visit.

 

b.        Since Tuesday the cafeteria has been serving dinner at two times slots.

 

 

 

6.       Which sentence requires a semi-colon?

 

 

a.       He prepared well for the encounter and used most of his college training in order to accomplish the task.

 

b.       The semi colon is easy it’s the comma which is a difficult grammatical device.

 

 

 

7.   Examine this statement:  A comma splice is a grammatical error involving the separation of two independent clauses with a comma. 

 

 

a.       True

 

b.    False

 

 

8.  In which sentence is the dependent clause correctly underlined? 

 

 

a.   Since undergoing extensive treatments, the overall water quality has drastically improved.

 

 

b.  Since undergoing extensive treatments, the overall water quality has drastically improved.

 

 

9.   In which sentence is the independent clause correctly underlined?

 

a.   The coral snake has lovely markings but is extremely dangerous.

 

b.       The coral snake has lovely markings but is extremely dangerous.

 

 

 

10.  Which sentence is a fragment?

 

 

a.                            It helps to realize that people like Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa also know how it feels to be in a small room with the windows and doors closed.

 

b.                            They also know anger, jealous, and loneliness.

 

c.                            Incredible loneliness.

 

d.                            We all suffer.

 

 

 

11. Which is the best usage for a semi-colon?

 

a.       separate two related ideas which could be two separate sentences

 

b.       indicate possession

 

c.       introduce a list

 

d.   none of the above are correct

 

 

12.   Which sentence is grammatically correct in its use of the dash?

 

 

a.   Bei Dao’s poetry - translated into over twenty languages - reflects his ambivalent feelings about today’s China.

           

b.       Bei Dao’s poetry—translated into over twenty languages—reflects his ambivalent feelings about today’s China.

 

c.       He is incredibly self-possessed.

d.       None of the above is correct.

 

 

13.  Which sentence is grammatically correct?   

 

           

a.   The woman said that she was thinking “of several pleased acquaintances”.

 

 

             b.   The woman said that she was thinking “of several pleased acquaintances.”

 

 

 

14.  Which sentence is grammatically correct? 

 

a.   “Be careful of comma splices in your immediate future,” stated the weird fortune cookie.

 

b.  “Be careful of comma splices in your immediate future”, stated the weird fortune cookie.

 

 

15.  Which sentence contains a list which is parallel?

 

 

a.       The necessary steps include the following: the application, preparing a financial aid statement, obtaining three letters of recommendation, and confidence in the process.

 

b.       The necessary steps include the following:  completing the application, preparing a financial aid statement, obtaining three letters of recommendation, and confidence in the process.

 

c.       The necessary steps include the following:  completing the application, preparing a financial aid statement, obtaining three letters of recommendation, and developing confidence in the process.

 

d.       None of the above is parallel.

 

 

16.  Which sentence correctly separates the subject from the predicate?

 

 

a.   Occasionally, his life  / seemed overpopulated with friends.

 

b.    Occasionally,  /  his life seemed overpopulated with friends.

 

c.   Occasionally, his life seemed overpopulated with   /   friends.

 

d.   Occasionally, his life  /  seemed overpopulated with friends.

 

 

 

17.  Which sentence has correctly identified the subject by placing it in bold?

 

 

a.       Many patients feel anxious while waiting in the dentist’s office.

 

b.       Many patients feel anxious while waiting in the dentist’s office.

 

c.    Many patients feel anxious while waiting in the dentist’s office.

 

c.       None of the above.

 

 

18.    Which sentence is grammatically correct?

 

 

a.       Whose headed to there room?

 

b.       Who’s headed to their room?

 

c.       Who’s headed to they’re room?

 

d.       Whose headed to their room?

 

 

 

19.   Which sentence is a fused sentence?

 

            a.   He stopped the kids from throwing the picnic tables in the pond.

 

b.  This story has another side, it is one that doesn’t include ribbon-cutting ceremonies or politicians in blue blazers.

 

c.  Major changes have been made to the SATs that will directly affect today’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

 

d.  The trail winds through miles of deep forest it provides a tranquil setting for quiet reflection.

 

 

20.  Which sentence correctly uses the colon?

 

a.       The shelves contained: novels, poetry books, an encyclopedia, and several funny objects.

 

b.       We are now facing the most serious environmental problem in history: namely, the ozone layer is vanishing.

 

c.   I need to go to the coffee shop to buy several items for the dessert menu: espresso beans, Sumatra ground coffee, and fresh cream.

 

 

d.   Answers “a” and “c” are correct.

 

 

e.  Answers “b” and “c” are correct.

 

 

ANSWERS

 

1.       c

2.       b

3.       b

4.       b

5.       b

6.       b

7.       a

8.       a

9.       a

10.   c

11.   a

12.   b

13.   b

14.   a

15.   c

16.   d

17.   a

18.   b

19.   d

20.   e