Grammar Review Practice Test

1. Which verb should best replace the blank for proper subject-verb agreement?Digging into the sofa cushions Peanut, Elizabeth's new puppy.

Is

Are

subject=Peanut (singular)

Explanation

subject=Peanut (singular)

2. Identify the subject in the following sentence:The assignment should go into the proper basket.

Assignment

Should

Proper

Basket

Remember, to identify the subject you should first find the verb. Then ask yourself, "Who or what does that action?". Example: "What goes?" Answer: the assignment goes. Therefore, "assignment" is the subject.

Explanation

Remember, to identify the subject you should first find the verb. Then ask yourself, "Who or what does that action?". Example: "What goes?" Answer: the assignment goes. Therefore, "assignment" is the subject.

3. Identify the correct verb tense to fill in the blank:I made an appoint to see the doctor and that appointment.

Keep

Keeped

Kept

Keeping

kept=past tense of keep. Since the sentence starts in the past tense ("made") it should stay in the past tense.

Explanation

kept=past tense of keep. Since the sentence starts in the past tense ("made") it should stay in the past tense.

4. Which of the following fixes the misplaced or dangling modifier?The lady returned the gold man's watch.

The lady returned the watch to the gold man.

The man was returned a watch and gold.

The lady returned the gold watch to the man.

No change is needed.

5. "There's a natural pause" is an acceptable reason for comma placement.

True

False

We all pause at different points in our natural speaking habits. When we are writing, we do not put a comma every time we pause, necessarily. On the test, you will be expected to know the actual comma rules and reasons for inserting a comma when appropriate.

Explanation

We all pause at different points in our natural speaking habits. When we are writing, we do not put a comma every time we pause, necessarily. On the test, you will be expected to know the actual comma rules and reasons for inserting a comma when appropriate.

6. Which of the following identifies the bold word:Many explorers have been to Antarctica, even though the continent has the harshest environment in the world.

Proper noun

Common noun

Verb

Adjective

7. The antecedent is the noun that the pronoun replaces.

True

False

Example: I like to eat Oreos because they are good. (they=pronoun, Oreos=antecedent)

Explanation

Example: I like to eat Oreos because they are good. (they=pronoun, Oreos=antecedent)

8. Select the pronoun that best completes the sentence for proper pronoun-antecedent agreement.The students needed to make sure to study for tests tomorrow.

Their

His or her

Our

Your

9. Which of the following is NOT pluralized correctly?

Journeys

Monkeys

Mondays

Candys

Candies

Explanation

Candies

10. For the following sentence, identify the subject:Mrs. Byrne drives to school in her Honda Fit.

Mrs. Byrne

Drives

School

Honda Fit

To identify the subject, you should first find the verb. Then ask yourself "Who or what is/does that action?" Example: drives=verb. "Who or what drives?" Mrs. Byrne drives. Therefore, "Mrs. Byrne" is the subject.

Explanation

To identify the subject, you should first find the verb. Then ask yourself "Who or what is/does that action?" Example: drives=verb. "Who or what drives?" Mrs. Byrne drives. Therefore, "Mrs. Byrne" is the subject.

11. Select the best option for comma placement, or select "no change":In order to revolt against the seniors the freshmen must organize.

In order to revolt, against the seniors the freshmen must organize.

In order to revolt against the seniors, the freshmen must organize.

In order, to revolt, against the seniors, the freshmen must organize.

No change

"In"=preposition starting a sentence. A comma is needed at the end of a prepositional phrase that starts a sentence. In this case, the comma would go after "seniors."

Explanation

"In"=preposition starting a sentence. A comma is needed at the end of a prepositional phrase that starts a sentence. In this case, the comma would go after "seniors."

12. Which of the following identifies the bold word:Many explorers have been to Antarctica, even though the continent has the harshest environment in the world.

Proper noun

Common noun

Verb

Adjective

13. Every time there is a conjunction, there must also be a comma.

True

False

It depends on whether you are combining two complete sentences or not. If so, then a comma is needed. If not, a comma isn't needed.

Explanation

It depends on whether you are combining two complete sentences or not. If so, then a comma is needed. If not, a comma isn't needed.

14. Which of the following identifies the bold word:
The Norwegian group, led by Ronald Amundsen, had reached the pole one month before Scott, and they had left their flag to mark the spot.

Subordinate conjunction

Correlative conjunction

Coordinating conjunction

Functioning conjunction

15. Identify where the comma should go according to comma rules. If no comma is needed, select "no change."I am glad that I studied my notes and my pretest.

I am glad that I studied, my notes and my pretest.

I am glad that I studied my notes, and my pretest.

I am glad, that I studied my notes, and my pretest.

No change

The conjunction "and" is used to combine an independent clause (complete sentence) to a dependent clause (incomplete sentence). No comma is needed because "my pretest" needs the other clause in order to make it a complete sentence.

Explanation

The conjunction "and" is used to combine an independent clause (complete sentence) to a dependent clause (incomplete sentence). No comma is needed because "my pretest" needs the other clause in order to make it a complete sentence.

16. Which of the following fixes the misplaced or dangling modifier?Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.

Jason, having finished the assignment, turned on the TV.

The assignment turned on the TV, having finished the assignment.

After finishing the assignment, the TV was turned on.

No change needed.

17. Which of the following identifies the bold word:When they finally reached the pole, however, they found that another team had been there before them.

Verb

Preposition

Adjective

Adverb

18. A pronoun is a specific noun, like the name of a place or person.

True

False

A pronoun replaces a noun (he, she, it, they, you, us, our, me...)

Explanation

A pronoun replaces a noun (he, she, it, they, you, us, our, me...)

19. Which of the following identifies the bold word:

The English group, led by Robert Falcon Scott, picked their way carefully across the dangerous ice.

Verb

Preposition

Adjective

Adverb

20. Identify the verb tense of the following bold word:In the summer of 1911-1912, two groups of explorers actually reached the South Pole.

Simple past

Past participle

Simple present

Infinitive

21. Select the pronoun that best completes the sentence for proper pronoun-antecedent agreement.Every passenger was required to show passport.

Their

His or her

Our

Your

Every signals a singular response. Think "each and every individual" when you see the word "every"

Explanation

Every signals a singular response. Think "each and every individual" when you see the word "every"

22. Which of the following identifies the bold word:
The English group, led by Robert Falcon Scott, picked their way carefully across the dangerous ice.

Verb

Preposition

Adjective

Adverb