Phrases Test-yourself Quiz!
Take this pre-quiz to assess how you're doing with the three kinds of phrases you've encountered recently: appositive phrases, participial phrases, and zoom phrases. Be sure to click on the "view answer" option after each question to see an explanation of why this answer is the correct one.
There will be a phrases quiz that counts on Wednesday, so use this study guide well.
- 1.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsI've always wanted to live on an island surrounded by a coral reef.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Past participial phraseExplanation
This one is a past participial phrase. These almost always start with a past-tense version of a verb (usually an -ED word), and they describe a noun or a pronoun outside the phrase.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsWhat's the name of that girl spinning the basketball on her finger?
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Present participial phraseExplanation
A present participle is an -ING form of a verb. When a phrase beginning with one of these describes something, you've got a present participial phrase.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsCalvin blasted down Suicide Slope, one of the most dangerous hills ever to see a sled.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. Appositive phraseExplanation
Appositive phrases "re-name" a noun or a pronoun. This is an appositive.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsThe little girl snarled at the babysitter, her upper lip curled in a hateful sneer.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Zoom phraseExplanation
Notice how the "camera" in your mind zooms in on a smaller piece of the larger subject here? That's why this is a zoom phrase.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsThe little boy brought all of his piggy-bank money to the bank.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
That's right, it's "none of the above" because this is a prepositional phrase. Prepositional phrases always start with a preposition like "over," "above," "to," "for," or "on top of."Rate this question:
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- 6.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsWorrying that it might be bad news on the line, she picked up the phone receiver.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial
- C.
Past participial
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Present participialExplanation
Who is worrying here? Oh yeah, the "she" that occurs in the main clause. Participial phrases always describe that subject outside of themselves.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsShe bent over her test, pencil scratching out careful answers one at a time.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Zoom phraseExplanation
The pencil is just a piece of the scene, right? It's the "zoom subject" that makes this a zoom phrase.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsWhen I grow up I hope to be a cowboy.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
Ooh, not a phrase at all. Remember, if there's a subject and verb you've got a clause (not a phrase).Rate this question:
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- 9.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsCan I get one of those giant banana splits topped with a cherry?
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Past participial phraseExplanation
Note that "topped with a cherry" is describing (or modifying) that banana split. Since it starts with a past participle (usually an -ED word), it's a past participial phrase.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsLooking less and less happy as she went along, my mom struggled thorough the marathon.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
B. Present participial phraseExplanation
Those -ING phrases (phrases, not clauses, because they don't have that complete subject/verb thing going on) are present participial phrases.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsWith an apple in her pocket, Josie got on the school bus for the field trip.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
E. None of the aboveExplanation
Prepositional phrases should be familiar to you. They start with a preposition (a word that indicates position) like "with," "behind," "around," or "underneath." This is a prepositional phrase, so "none of the above."Rate this question:
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- 12.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsI wish that we could me studying grammar, my favorite topic of all, for the whole semester!
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
A. Appositive phraseExplanation
Is grammar "my favorite topic of all"? If so, this is a re-naming phrase (an appositive phrase).Rate this question:
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- 13.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsDefeated by his much smaller opponent, Goliath fell headlong to the ground.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Past participial phraseExplanation
Note the -ED verb form (a past participle) that begins this phrase. It is what makes this a past participial phrase.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsThe troops marched into battle, rifles glinting in the sunlight.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
D. Zoom phraseExplanation
Visualize it. Does the camera "zoom in"? I think so. Yep, it's a zoom phrase.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Identify the type of phrase made up by the underlined wordsEncrusted with mud and filth, the campers arrived back at their cabin triumphantly.
- A.
Appositive phrase
- B.
Present participial phrase
- C.
Past participial phrase
- D.
Zoom phrase
- E.
None of the above
Correct Answer
C. Past participial phraseExplanation
Look at that first word when you identify. This is a past participial phrase. Note that it's not a zoom phrase because it lacks a "zoom subject" as part of the phrase.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Jan 10, 2013Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Feb 09, 2010Quiz Created by
Pdlewis
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