HESI A2 Workbook ELA: Grammar Exam 1
- 1.
Which of the following spellings is correct?
- A.
Busines
- B.
Business
- C.
Buseness
- D.
Bussiness
Correct Answer
B. BusinessExplanation
B. Business is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which of the following spellings is correct?
- A.
Argument
- B.
Arguemint
- C.
Arguement
- D.
Arguemant
Correct Answer
A. ArgumentExplanation
A. Argument is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following spellings is correct?
- A.
Criticim
- B.
Criticism
- C.
Kriticism
- D.
Critisism
Correct Answer
B. CriticismExplanation
B. Criticism is the only correct spelling. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of the following spellings is correct?
- A.
Comitment
- B.
Comitman
- C.
Comitmment
- D.
Commitment
Correct Answer
D. CommitmentExplanation
D. Commitment is the only one spelled correctly. See Lesson: Spelling.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? My friend’s birthday is december 25. she does not like that her birthday is on christmas.
- A.
Christmas
- B.
December
- C.
December and christmas
- D.
December, she, and christmas
Correct Answer
D. December, she, and christmasExplanation
D. december, she, and christmas. All months and holidays are capitalized. She is the beginning of a sentence and needs to be capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? she asked, “do you like indian food?”
- A.
She and do
- B.
Do and indian
- C.
She and indian
- D.
She, do, and indian
Correct Answer
D. She, do, and indianExplanation
D. she, do, and indian. She is at the beginning of the sentence and needs to be capitalized. Do is at the beginning of a quoted sentence and also needs to be capitalized. Nationalities such as Indian should always be capitalized.See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? The three largest cities are new york, los angeles, and chicago.
- A.
New, los, and chicago
- B.
New york and los angeles
- C.
York, angeles, and chicago
- D.
New york, los angeles, and chicago
Correct Answer
D. New york, los angeles, and chicagoExplanation
D. new york, los angeles, and chicago. All names of cities should be capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? on wednesdays every other month, the exterminator comes to service the building.
- A.
On and wednesdays
- B.
On, wednesdays, and month
- C.
On, month, and exterminator
- D.
Wednesdays, month, and exterminator
Correct Answer
A. On and wednesdaysExplanation
A. on and wednesdays. The first word of the sentence and all days of the week need to be capitalized. Month and exterminator are general terms and do not need to be capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following sentences is correct?
- A.
No; I did not do that.
- B.
Yes: I ate the leftovers.
- C.
No, I am not leaving yet.
- D.
Yes I finished my homework.
Correct Answer
C. No, I am not leaving yet.Explanation
C. No, I am not leaving yet. Commas are used after yes or no. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 10.
What is the sentence with the correct use of quotation marks?
- A.
JFK said, Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
- B.
JFK said, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.’
- C.
JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”
- D.
JFK said a person must not ask what the country can do for them, but what they can do for their country.
Correct Answer
C. JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”Explanation
C. JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Quotation marks enclose words or sentences that someone else said or wrote. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What is the sentence with the most correct use of punctuation?
- A.
Wait!
- B.
Wait,
- C.
Wait-
- D.
Wait;
Correct Answer
A. Wait!Explanation
A. Wait! Exclamation points are placed at the end of a sentence and indicate strong feelings, shouting, or emphasis. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which of the following sentences is correct?
- A.
It was good, wasn’t it?
- B.
Anne did you like the movie?
- C.
It had action drama and romance.
- D.
Before the movie we went to dinner.
Correct Answer
A. It was good, wasn’t it?Explanation
A. It was good, wasn’t it? Commas are used before question tags. See Lesson: Punctuation.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which of the following words in an abstract noun?
- A.
Car
- B.
Tent
- C.
Ruler
- D.
Health
Correct Answer
D. HealthExplanation
D. Health is an abstract noun; it does not physically exist. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which of the following sentences includes a noun?
- A.
They ran.
- B.
We talked it over.
- C.
That's easy to fix.
- D.
My uncle works hard.
Correct Answer
D. My uncle works hard.Explanation
D. The noun is uncle. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which proper noun is the subject of the following sentence? Pearl S. Buck is the author of some of my favorite books, including The Good Earth and The Living Reed.
- A.
Reed
- B.
Earth
- C.
Author
- D.
Pearl S. Buck
Correct Answer
D. Pearl S. BuckExplanation
D. Pearl S. Buck is the subject of this sentence. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Which sentence contains a plural noun?
- A.
The child is delightful.
- B.
My niece is delightful.
- C.
The children are delightful.
- D.
My niece and nephew are delightful.
Correct Answer
C. The children are delightful.Explanation
C. Children is a plural noun. See Lesson: Nouns.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Which word in the following sentence is a possessive pronoun? Are you sure that it's yours?
- A.
It's
- B.
You
- C.
That
- D.
Yours
Correct Answer
D. YoursExplanation
D. Yours is a possessive pronoun. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which pronoun would not work in the following sentence? I asked ___ colleague to bring it to you.
- A.
My
- B.
Our
- C.
Your
- D.
Whose
Correct Answer
D. WhoseExplanation
D. We are looking for a possessive pronoun. Whose is a relative pronoun and can only be used to show possession when the sentence is a question. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Which subject correctly completes the following sentence? ___ have tickets to see Hamilton next week.
- A.
Anybody
- B.
Sean and I
- C.
Sean and me
- D.
Sean and them
Correct Answer
B. Sean and IExplanation
B. A subject pronoun must be used. See Lesson: Pronouns.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? Mrs. Washington loves red roses.
- A.
Mrs. Washington
- B.
Loves
- C.
Red
- D.
Roses
Correct Answer
C. RedExplanation
C. Red is an adjective that describes the noun roses. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 21.
Which word in the following sentence does the underlined adverb describe? The news is so upsetting.
- A.
The
- B.
News
- C.
Is
- D.
Upsetting
Correct Answer
D. UpsettingExplanation
D. So is an adverb that describes the adjective upsetting. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? That gymnast is so talented.
- A.
Gymnast
- B.
Is
- C.
So
- D.
Talented
Correct Answer
D. TalentedExplanation
D.Talented is an adjective that describes the noun gymnast.See Lesson: Adjectives and AdverbsRate this question:
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- 23.
Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? It was a late flight.
- A.
It
- B.
Was
- C.
Late
- D.
Flight
Correct Answer
C. LateExplanation
C. Late is an adjective that describes the noun flight. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Which word in the following sentence is a conjunction? Margot can speak English, Russian, and Polish fluently.
- A.
Can
- B.
Speak
- C.
And
- D.
Fluently
Correct Answer
C. AndExplanation
C. And is a conjunction. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Which word is not a preposition?
- A.
It
- B.
At
- C.
For
- D.
In
Correct Answer
A. ItExplanation
A. It is a pronoun, not a preposition. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 26.
Which word in the following sentence is an interjection? "Yikes!" he shouted, as he slipped on the ice.
- A.
Yikes
- B.
Shouted
- C.
As
- D.
On
Correct Answer
A. YikesExplanation
A. Yikes is an interjection. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 27.
Which word in the following sentence is a preposition? Our flight will leave at 10:20 a.m.
- A.
Our
- B.
Will
- C.
At
- D.
A.m.
Correct Answer
C. AtExplanation
C. At is a preposition. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.Rate this question:
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- 28.
What verb tenses are used in the following sentence? While the burglars were grabbing the money, the police broke down the door.
- A.
Simple past only
- B.
Past progressive and simple past
- C.
Simple past and simple present
- D.
Present progressive and simple present
Correct Answer
B. Past progressive and simple pastExplanation
B. Were grabbing is past progressive, and broke is simple past.See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Which book title contains a verb?
- A.
In Our Time
- B.
A Moveable Feast
- C.
The Sun Also Rises
- D.
The Old Man and the Sea
Correct Answer
C. The Sun Also RisesExplanation
C. Rises is a verb. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.Rate this question:
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- 30.
Which sentence does not have a helping verb?
- A.
They ran.
- B.
Did they run?
- C.
They didn't run.
- D.
Were they running?
Correct Answer
A. They ran.Explanation
A. Ran is the main verb, and there is not a helping verb in this sentence. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.Rate this question:
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- 31.
Select the verb to complete the following sentence. Do you think the automobile or the personal computer _______ changed our lives more?
- A.
Have
- B.
Haves
- C.
Has
- D.
His
Correct Answer
C. HasExplanation
C. The automobile and the personal computer are both singular subjects connected by or, so they take a singular verb form. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.Rate this question:
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- 32.
Select the verb that has the underlined word as its subject in the following sentence. After we add the flour, she wants us to stir the mixture really well.
- A.
Add
- B.
Wants
- C.
Us
- D.
Stir
Correct Answer
B. WantsExplanation
B. The verb wants has the subject she. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Select the word that is not a correct third person singular verb form.
- A.
Does
- B.
Its
- C.
Wishes
- D.
Catches
Correct Answer
B. ItsExplanation
B. The word its is the possessive for it. It is not a verb. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.Rate this question:
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- 34.
Select the subject with which the underlined verb must agree. On Memorial Day, which is the last Monday in May, Americans honor those who have died for their country.
- A.
Memorial Day
- B.
Which
- C.
Americans
- D.
Died
Correct Answer
C. AmericansExplanation
C. The verb honor must agree with the subject Americans. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.Rate this question:
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- 35.
Which of the following options would complete the sentence below to make it a compound sentence? The class of middle school students _______________________
- A.
Served food at.
- B.
Served food at a soup kitchen.
- C.
Served food at a soup kitchen, and they enjoyed the experience.
- D.
Served food at a soup kitchen even though they weren’t required to.
Correct Answer
C. Served food at a soup kitchen, and they enjoyed the experience.Explanation
C. This option would make the sentence a compound sentence. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.Rate this question:
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- 36.
Which of the following uses a conjunction to combine the sentences below so the focus is on Tony preparing for his job interview? Tony prepared well for his job interview. Tony ended up getting an offer.
- A.
Tony ended up getting an offer; he prepared for his job interview.
- B.
Tony prepared well for his job interview, he ended up getting an offer.
- C.
Tony prepared well for his job interview and he ended up getting an offer.
- D.
Tony ended up getting an offer because he prepared for his job interview.
Correct Answer
D. Tony ended up getting an offer because he prepared for his job interview.Explanation
D. The subordinate conjunction “because” combines the sentences and puts the focus on Tony preparing for his job interview. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.Rate this question:
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- 37.
Which of the following options correctly fixes the run-on sentence below? Texting while driving is reckless it could cost you your life.
- A.
Texting while driving is reckless, it could cost you your life.
- B.
Texting while driving is reckless it. Could cost you your life.
- C.
Texting while driving. Is reckless, it could cost you your life.
- D.
Texting while driving is reckless, and it could cost you your life.
Correct Answer
D. Texting while driving is reckless, and it could cost you your life.Explanation
D. This sentence correctly fixes the run-on sentence. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.Rate this question:
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- 38.
Which of the following uses a conjunction to combine the sentences below so that the focus is on the people relocating to save money? The cost of living is going up in some regions. Many people are relocating to save money.
- A.
Since the cost of living is going up in some regions, many people are relocating to save money.
- B.
The cost of living is going up in some regions; many people are relocating to save money.
- C.
The cost of living is going up in some regions, and many people are relocating to save money.
- D.
The cost of living is going up in some regions, many people are relocating to save money.
Correct Answer
A. Since the cost of living is going up in some regions, many people are relocating to save money.Explanation
A. The subordinate conjunction “since” combines the sentences and puts the focus on the people relocating to save money. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.Rate this question:
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- 39.
Identify the independent clause in the following sentence. After eating dinner, the couple went on a stroll through the park.
- A.
After eating dinner
- B.
The couple went on a stroll through the park
- C.
Through the park
- D.
Went on a stroll
Correct Answer
B. The couple went on a stroll through the parkExplanation
B. The couple went on a stroll through the park. It is independent because it has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.Rate this question:
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- 40.
Identify the independent clause in the following sentence. Although most people understand the benefits of exercise, people do not exercise as much as they should.
- A.
Although most people understand
- B.
The benefits of exercise
- C.
People do not exercise as much as they should
- D.
People do not exercise
Correct Answer
C. People do not exercise as much as they shouldExplanation
C. People do not exercise as much as they should. It is independent because it has a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.Rate this question:
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- 41.
Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence. When I lived in New York City, I took the subway to work every day.
- A.
When I lived in New York City
- B.
I took the subway
- C.
To work every day
- D.
In New York City
Correct Answer
A. When I lived in New York CityExplanation
A. When I lived in New York City. It is dependent because it does not express a complete thought and relies on the independent clause. The word “when” also signifies the beginning of a dependent clause. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.Rate this question:
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- 42.
Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence. While her kids swam in the pool, Nicole read a book.
- A.
While her kids swam in the pool
- B.
Nicole read a book
- C.
Swam in the pool
- D.
While her kids
Correct Answer
A. While her kids swam in the poolExplanation
A. While her kids swam in the pool. It is dependent because it does not express a complete thought and relies on the independent clause. The word “while” also signifies the beginning of a dependent clause. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.Rate this question:
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- 43.
Which word is a modifier in the following sentence? I am following the news story closely.
- A.
I
- B.
Am
- C.
Following
- D.
Closely
Correct Answer
D. CloselyExplanation
D. Closely is a modifier; it is an adverb that describes following. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 44.
Which word or phrase does the underlined modifier describe? A great time was had by all.
- A.
A
- B.
Time
- C.
Was had
- D.
By all
Correct Answer
B. TimeExplanation
B. The adjective great describes time. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 45.
Which word in the following sentence is not a modifier? That young woman arrived late yesterday.
- A.
Young
- B.
Woman
- C.
Late
- D.
Yesterday
Correct Answer
B. WomanExplanation
B. Woman is not a modifier. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 46.
Which word is a modifier in the following sentence? The black dog was barking.
- A.
Black
- B.
Dog
- C.
Was
- D.
Barking
Correct Answer
A. BlackExplanation
A. Black is a modifier; it is an adjective that describes dog. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.Rate this question:
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- 47.
Select the word that is an object of the underlined verb. The graduates held lit candles.
- A.
The
- B.
Graduates
- C.
Lit
- D.
Candles
Correct Answer
D. CandlesExplanation
D. Candles is the direct object of the verb held. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 48.
Select the verb that acts on the underlined direct object. We decided that we should walk the dog before going to the restaurant.
- A.
Decided
- B.
Should
- C.
Walk
- D.
Going
Correct Answer
C. WalkExplanation
C. The dog is the direct object of the verb walk. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 49.
Select the verb that acts on the underlined direct object in the following sentence. We have no choice but to sit here and wait for these cows to cross the road!
- A.
Have
- B.
Sit
- C.
Wait
- D.
Cross
Correct Answer
D. CrossExplanation
D. The road is a direct object of the verb cross. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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- 50.
What part of speech correctly describes the underlined phrase in the following sentence? In 1969, man walked on the moon.
- A.
Direct object
- B.
Indirect object
- C.
Object of the preposition
- D.
Subject
Correct Answer
C. Object of the prepositionExplanation
C. The moon is the object of the preposition on. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.Rate this question:
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