1.
For many writers the worst part of the writing experience is the very _________
Correct Answer
A. Beginning
Explanation
The correct answer is "beginning." This is because the beginning of a writing piece is often seen as the most challenging part for many writers. It can be difficult to find the right words to capture the reader's attention and set the tone for the rest of the piece. Writers may struggle with finding the perfect opening sentence or paragraph that effectively introduces their topic or story. Additionally, starting a writing piece can be daunting as it sets the foundation for the rest of the work, making it crucial to get it right.
2.
Although he had been an often decorated soldier during World War II and had fought many battles for the losing cause of liberalism in Congress.
Correct Answer
D. Fragment: put a comma after Congress and finish the sentence.
Explanation
The given sentence is a fragment because it does not express a complete thought. It starts with a dependent clause "Although he had been an often decorated soldier during World War II and had fought many battles for the losing cause of liberalism in Congress," but it does not have an independent clause to complete the idea. To make it a complete sentence, a comma should be placed after "Congress" and an independent clause should be added to finish the sentence.
3.
This is going to be the most difficult exam of your college career, you had better start studying for it immediately.
Correct Answer
C. Run-on: replace that comma with a semicolon.
Explanation
The given answer is correct because the sentence is a run-on. A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses are not properly connected. In this case, the independent clauses are "This is going to be the most difficult exam of your college career" and "you had better start studying for it immediately." The correct way to fix this run-on sentence is by replacing the comma after "immediately" with a semicolon, which effectively separates the two independent clauses.
4.
Knowing better than anyone else how the state legislature had ignored the needs of the community college system and created a crisis characterized by an uneducated workforce that had no place to go for proper training and realizing that someone had to do something about the situation or the state would begin to lose jobs to states in the American south that were more aggressive in providing and publicizing excellence in education, Representative Fuentes began to lay plans for an education bill that took into consideration the needs of the state's community colleges and the students who attended them.
Correct Answer
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
5.
Coach Espinoza really wants this job with Notre Dame University, she is very excited about returning to the college she graduated from.
Correct Answer
C. Run-on: change that comma to a period and start a new sentence.
6.
Right after the Christmas holidays and during those three weeks before class begins in January.
Correct Answer
B. Fragment: put a comma after January and finish the sentence.
7.
She ran.
Correct Answer
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
8.
Perplexed by the rising rates of inflation and alarmed by the decline in major construction projects.
Correct Answer
C. Fragment: put a comma after projects and finish the sentence.
9.
Anabel realizes what she is doing, I think, but she doing it anyway.
Correct Answer
B. Fragment: we're missing part of a verb.
10.
Professor Pepin spends a lot of time translating medieval texts on ancient medicine, however, he also stays informed about the latest developments in modern asthma treatments.
Correct Answer
D. Run-on: change the comma after medicine to a semicolon.
11.
If we're ever going to get out of here in time, we're going to have to re-write all these papers, set up the desks, and clean the chalkboards; stack those books in the corner and clean up the mess around the wastebasket; notify security about the broken window, the thermostat that Raoul messed up, and the desk that was stolen before we even got here.
Correct Answer
A. There is nothing wrong with the structure of this sentence.
12.
Either the physicians in this hospital or the chief administrator ____ going to have to make a decision.
Correct Answer
A. Is
13.
______ my boss or my sisters in the union going to win this grievance?
Correct Answer
A. Is
14.
Some of the votes __________ to have been miscounted.
Correct Answer
A. Seem
15.
The tornadoes that tear through this county every spring _____ more than just a nuisance.
Correct Answer
A. Are
16.
Everyone selected to serve on this jury _____ to be willing to give up a lot of time.
Correct Answer
B. Has
17.
Kara Wolters, together with her teammates, _________ a formidable opponent on the basketball court.
Correct Answer
A. Presents
18.
He seems to forget that there __________ things to be done before he can graduate.
Correct Answer
A. Are
Explanation
The correct answer is "are" because the subject "things" is plural, so it requires a plural verb form.
19.
There _______ to be some people left in that town after yesterday's flood.
Correct Answer
A. Have
Explanation
The correct answer is "have" because the subject "some people" is plural, so the verb should also be plural.
20.
Some of the grain __________ to be contaminated.
Correct Answer
B. Appears
21.
Three-quarters of the students __________ against the tuition hike.
Correct Answer
B. Are
22.
Three-quarters of the student body __________ against the tuition hike.
Correct Answer
A. Is
23.
A high percentage of the population _________ voting for the new school.
Correct Answer
A. Is
24.
A high percentage of the people _________ voting for the new school.
Correct Answer
B. Were
25.
My grandmother really loved Juan. She left all her money to Federico and _______ .
Correct Answer
B. Him
Explanation
In the given sentence, the pronoun "him" is the correct choice. The sentence states that the grandmother left all her money to Federico and someone else. Since "him" is an objective pronoun used for males, it is the appropriate choice to refer to Juan.
26.
A student in that all-women's college should have no fears about ________ future.
Correct Answer
A. Her
Explanation
In this question, the correct answer is "her". The phrase "in that all-women's college" indicates that the subject of the sentence is a female student. Therefore, the possessive pronoun "her" is the appropriate choice to refer to the student's future.
27.
He was so worried about ________ he should ask to the big dance, that he ended up not asking anyone.
Correct Answer
B. Whom
Explanation
The correct answer is "whom" because it is the objective form of the pronoun "who" and is used as the object of the verb "ask". In this sentence, the person is worried about whom he should ask to the big dance, indicating that he is concerned about the person he should invite.
28.
Neither Tashonda nor _____ am responsible for this mess.
Correct Answer
A. I
Explanation
The correct answer is "I". In this sentence, "Neither Tashonda nor I am responsible for this mess." The subject of the sentence is "I", which is the correct pronoun to use when referring to oneself as the subject of the sentence.
29.
This is a matter for you and _______ to decide.
Correct Answer
B. Me
30.
Everybody in this class has completed ________ homework already.
Correct Answer
A. His or her
31.
To ____________ did you give the book?
Correct Answer
B. WHOM
32.
____________ will you ask to help you with all this work?
Correct Answer
B. WHOM
33.
____________ responsible for this decision?
Correct Answer
C. WHO'S
Explanation
The correct answer is "WHO'S". This is because "WHO'S" is the contraction of "WHO IS", which is used to ask about the person responsible for a decision.
34.
You may give this money to ____________ you please.
Correct Answer
B. WHOMEVER
Explanation
The word "whomever" is the correct answer because it is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition. In the given sentence, "whomever" is used to indicate that the money can be given to any person the speaker chooses, regardless of their identity or relationship. It implies that there are no restrictions or limitations on who can receive the money.
35.
____________ did this should be kicked out of office.
Correct Answer
A. WHOEVER
Explanation
The correct answer is "WHOEVER." In this sentence, "whoever" is used as the subject of the verb "did." It is referring to an unknown person who performed the action of doing something. The phrase "did this should be kicked out of office" suggests that the person who performed the action should face consequences. Therefore, "whoever" is the appropriate pronoun to use in this context.
36.
____________ going to support the junta now?
Correct Answer
B. WHO'S
Explanation
The correct answer is "WHO'S". "WHO'S" is a contraction of "who is" and is used to ask about the identity or role of a person. In this context, the question is asking who is going to support the junta now. "WHOSE" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or belonging, which does not make sense in this sentence.
37.
I can't remember ____________ told me that.
Correct Answer
A. WHO
Explanation
The correct answer is "WHO" because "who" is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, while "whom" is used as the object. In this sentence, "who" is the subject of the verb "told", indicating that the person being referred to is the one who did the telling.
38.
I can't figure out ____________ I should blame for this.
Correct Answer
B. WHOM
Explanation
The correct answer is "WHOM." In this sentence, "whom" is used as the object of the preposition "for." "Whom" is the objective case of "who," and it is used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. In this case, the speaker is trying to determine who should be blamed for something, so "whom" is the appropriate choice.
39.
Give these old coats to ____________ seems to need them most.
Correct Answer
A. WHOEVER
40.
____________ shall I say is calling? WHO
Correct Answer
A. WHO
41.
____________ car is parked beside that fire hydrant?
Correct Answer
B. WHOSE
42.
The teacher seemed to flunk ____________ she didn't like.
Correct Answer
B. WHOMEVER
43.
To ____________ should I address this question?
Correct Answer
C. WHOM
44.
____________ fault is that?
Correct Answer
B. WHOSE
45.
When one has been going to college for as long as he has, ____________ to think the college owes _______ a degree.
Correct Answer
B. One starts; one
46.
Spring begins early in Tennessee. First, the forsythia bursts into blossom; then the dogwood trees _______ to bloom, and the redbud is soon in its glory.
Correct Answer
A. Begin
47.
The poetry of Robert Frost (1874-1963) often seems to suggest some kind of fate controls our lives. His essays, too, ____________ a similar malignant presence.
Correct Answer
A. Indicate
Explanation
The correct answer is "indicate". The sentence states that the poetry of Robert Frost often suggests that some kind of fate controls our lives. It also mentions that his essays have a similar malignant presence. The word "indicate" fits in this context as it means to suggest or show the presence of something. Therefore, it can be inferred that the essays of Robert Frost suggest or show a similar malignant presence, just like his poetry.
48.
We have never seen this kind of impatience in the media before. ________ think it has something to do with the weather.
Correct Answer
B. We
49.
The climate of New Zealand can be a pleasure for you if _______ don't mind a little rain.
Correct Answer
C. You
50.
Aunt Mina wrote to tell us of her recent trip to California. She said it was a delightful journey on the plane. Seeing her brother again _________ a real treat.
Correct Answer
B. Was
Explanation
The correct answer is "was" because the sentence is in the past tense and "seeing her brother again" is a past event that happened during her trip.