TASC ELA Exam 4

1. Select the context clue from the following sentence that helps you define the multiple meaning word cabinet. The cabinet advised the young President on what to do about the hostage situation.

“advised”

“young”

“hostage”

“situation”

A. The meaning of cabinet in this context is “a body of advisors to the President.” The phrase “advised” helps you figure out which meaning of cabinet is being used. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

Explanation

A. The meaning of cabinet in this context is “a body of advisors to the President.” The phrase “advised” helps you figure out which meaning of cabinet is being used. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

2. What is the best definition of the word egocentric?

Selfish

Friendly

Focused

Resentful

A. The root ego means “self,” so egocentric means selfish. See Lesson: Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes

Explanation

A. The root ego means “self,” so egocentric means selfish. See Lesson: Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes

3. Select the correct verbs to complete the following sentence. As soon as the ship sets sail, the meteorologist ___ that a hurricane ___ coming.

Announce, is

Announce, are

Announces, is

Announces, are

C. Meteorologist announces and hurricane is have the correct subject-verb agreement. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

C. Meteorologist announces and hurricane is have the correct subject-verb agreement. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

4. What is the sentence with the correct use of punctuation?

It a good movie.

Its a good movie.

Its’ a good movie.

It’s a good movie.

D. It’s a good movie. It’s is a contraction for it is. See Lesson: Punctuation.

Explanation

D. It’s a good movie. It’s is a contraction for it is. See Lesson: Punctuation.

5. A ____ is sixty seconds.

Minit

Minute

Muinet

Mionute

B. Minute is the only correctly spelled option.See Lesson: Spelling.

Explanation

B. Minute is the only correctly spelled option.See Lesson: Spelling.

6. Which word in the following sentence is an adjective? That gymnast is so talented.

Gymnast

Is

So

Talented

D.Talented is an adjective that describes the noun gymnast.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation

D.Talented is an adjective that describes the noun gymnast.See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

7. Which word does the underlined modifier modify? She gave me a gift, which I opened before my birthday.

She

Gave

Me

Gift

D. Which I opened before my birthday modifies gift. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

D. Which I opened before my birthday modifies gift. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

8. Which noun in the following sentence has a capitalization error? There is a big Festival on July 4 to celebrate Independence Day.

Day

July

Festival

Independence

C. Festival is a common noun and should not be capitalized.See Lesson: Nouns.

Explanation

C. Festival is a common noun and should not be capitalized.See Lesson: Nouns.

9. How would you connect the following clauses? He ate a lot on vacation He did not gain any weight.

He ate a lot on vacation if he did not gain any weight.

He ate a lot on vacation, but he did not gain any weight.

He ate a lot on vacation since he did not gain any weight.

He ate a lot on vacation because he did not gain any weight.

B. He ate a lot on vacation, but he did not gain any weight. These two clauses are of equal grammatical rank and can be connected with a coordinating conjunction. “But” is the conjunction that makes the most sense. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

Explanation

B. He ate a lot on vacation, but he did not gain any weight. These two clauses are of equal grammatical rank and can be connected with a coordinating conjunction. “But” is the conjunction that makes the most sense. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

10. Which of the following options correctly fixes the fragment below? After going to the movies.

After going to dinner we went to the movies.

After going to dinner we, went to the movies.

After going to dinner, we went to the movies.

After going to dinner, and we went to the movies.

C. This sentence correctly fixes the fragment. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

C. This sentence correctly fixes the fragment. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

11. Which sentence combines all of the information using a parallel structure? I like reading books. I also like to draw. I write stories too.

I like reading books, to draw, and writing stories.

I like reading books, drawing, and writing stories.

I like reading books, to draw, and to write stories.

I like reading books, drawing, and to write stories.

B. This sentence combines the information using parallel structure. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

B. This sentence combines the information using parallel structure. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

12. What is the best definition of the word transcontinental?

Near the continent

Inside the continent

Across the continent

Outside the continent

C. The root word trans mean “across,” so transcontinental means across the continent. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

Explanation

C. The root word trans mean “across,” so transcontinental means across the continent. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

13. What is the correct plural of bush?

Bush

Bushs

Bushes

Bushies

C. With a word ending in -sh, add -es. See Lesson: Spelling.

Explanation

C. With a word ending in -sh, add -es. See Lesson: Spelling.

14. Which sentence contains a plural noun?

The child is delightful.

My niece is delightful.

The children are delightful.

My niece and nephew are delightful.

C. Children is a plural noun. See Lesson: Nouns.

Explanation

C. Children is a plural noun. See Lesson: Nouns.

15. Which pronoun would not work in the following sentence? I asked ___ colleague to bring it to you.

My

Our

Your

Whose

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.

Explanation

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.

16. Which book title contains a verb?

In Our Time

A Moveable Feast

The Sun Also Rises

The Old Man and the Sea

C. Rises is a verb. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

Explanation

C. Rises is a verb. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

17. Select a verb that correctly completes the following sentence. ___ not worry about it.

Is

Do

You

Was

B. The helping verb do should be used to make a negative statement with the main verb worry. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

Explanation

B. The helping verb do should be used to make a negative statement with the main verb worry. See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

18. Fill in the blank with the correct coordinating conjunction. Would you like the soup ___ would you like the salad?

Or

Yet

But

And

A. Or. It is the only conjunction that fits within the context of the sentence. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

Explanation

A. Or. It is the only conjunction that fits within the context of the sentence. See Lesson: Types of Clauses.

19. Identify the dangling or misplaced modifier, if there is one. Hoping for sun, we went to the beach.

Hoping for sun

We went

To the beach

There is no dangling or misplaced modifier.

D. This sentence is correct. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

D. This sentence is correct. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

20. What does the underlined coordinating conjunction in the sentence below connect? We had a dry summer, so the crops didn't do well.

Dependent clauses

Independent clauses

Prepositional phrases

Gerunds

B. We had a dry summer and the crops didn't do well are independent clauses. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

Explanation

B. We had a dry summer and the crops didn't do well are independent clauses. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

21. Which of the following options correctly fixes the fragment below? During the movie.

During the movie I spilled my popcorn.

During the movie, I spilled my popcorn.

During the movie. I spilled my popcorn.

During the movie, and I spilled my popcorn.

B. This sentence correctly fixes the fragment. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

Explanation

B. This sentence correctly fixes the fragment. See Lesson: Types of Sentences.

22. Which word or phrase is not a modifier? Relieved that the grueling trial was over, the lawyer took a much-needed vacation.

Relieved that the grueling trial was over

Grueling

Took

Much-needed

C. Took is the main verb in this sentence; it is not a modifier. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

C. Took is the main verb in this sentence; it is not a modifier. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

23. Select the word from the following sentence that has more than one meaning. After he failed his physics test, my brother began to channel his anger toward me.

Failed

Test

Channel

Anger

C. The word “channel” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.

Explanation

C. The word “channel” has more than one meaning. See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.

24. Select the correct definition of the underlined word that has more than one meaning in the sentence. The nursing students were learning about the human figure with a life-sized dummy and other plastic models.

A shape or form

A person who is regarded in a special way

A diagram or picture

A value expressed in numbers

A. The meaning of figure in the context of this sentence is “a shape or form.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.

Explanation

A. The meaning of figure in the context of this sentence is “a shape or form.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words.

25. Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence. While her kids swam in the pool, Nicole read a book.

While her kids swam in the pool

Nicole read a book

Swam in the pool

While her kids

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.

Explanation

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.

26. Select the subject with which the underlined verb must agree. Anyone who has skates is invited to join us.

Anyone

Who

Skates

Us

A. The verb is agrees with the subject anyone. Who has skates is a relative clause; it is not the main subject. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

A. The verb is agrees with the subject anyone. Who has skates is a relative clause; it is not the main subject. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

27. Identify the direct object in the following sentence, if there is one. After hiking, the scouts cooked dinner over a campfire.

Scouts

Dinner

Campfire

There is no direct object.

B. Dinner is the direct object of the verb cooked. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

B. Dinner is the direct object of the verb cooked. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

28. Which word(s) in the following sentence should be capitalized? To become a doctor, a person must go to medical school and earn an md.

Md

Doctor, md

Doctor, medical school

Doctor, medical school, md

A. md. Abbreviations for professional titles and degrees are capitalized. Since doctor is referring generally to a doctor and not to a specific one, it is not capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.

Explanation

A. md. Abbreviations for professional titles and degrees are capitalized. Since doctor is referring generally to a doctor and not to a specific one, it is not capitalized. See Lesson: Capitalization.

29. Which ending does not create a sentence with a dangling modifier? After eating, ___.

We watched the storm.

The storm came.

It rained.

The weather turned bad.

A. Of these choices, after eating can only reference we. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

Explanation

A. Of these choices, after eating can only reference we. See Lesson: Modifiers, misplaced modifiers, dangling modifiers.

30. Identify the prepositional phrase in the following sentence. The show got great reviews, so we plan to see it on Saturday.

Got great reviews

So we plan

See it

On Saturday

D. On Saturday is a prepositional phrase. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

Explanation

D. On Saturday is a prepositional phrase. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

31. Which subject is third person singular?

I

He

We

You

B. He is third person singular. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

Explanation

B. He is third person singular. See Lesson: Subject and Verb Agreement.

32. What is the sentence with the most correct use of punctuation?

Wait!

Wait,

Wait-

Wait;

A. Wait! Exclamation points are placed at the end of a sentence and indicate strong feelings, shouting, or emphasis. See Lesson: Punctuation.

Explanation

A. Wait! Exclamation points are placed at the end of a sentence and indicate strong feelings, shouting, or emphasis. See Lesson: Punctuation.

33. Which word is a synonym of schism?

Abyss

Division

Weakness

Malfunction

B. A synonym of schism is division. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

B. A synonym of schism is division. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

34. Which word in the following sentence is an adverb? That racecar is incredibly fast!

That

Is

Incredibly

Fast

C. Incredibly is an adverb that describe the adjective fast. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

Explanation

C. Incredibly is an adverb that describe the adjective fast. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs

35. What is the mistake in the following sentence? In history, people and dates are important, but three things are important in English, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

There should be no commas after history.

The comma after English should be a colon.

There should be no comma after important.

There should be a semicolon after important.

B. The comma after English should be a colon. Colons are used to introduce lists.See Lesson: Punctuation.

Explanation

B. The comma after English should be a colon. Colons are used to introduce lists.See Lesson: Punctuation.

36. How many nouns are in the following sentence? The team of scientists presented the results of their research at the conference.

2

3

4

5

D. The nouns are team, scientists, results, research, and conference. See Lesson: Nouns.

Explanation

D. The nouns are team, scientists, results, research, and conference. See Lesson: Nouns.

37. Which word(s) in the following sentence should NOT be capitalized? The Battle Of The Bulge Was The Last Major Battle Of World War II.

Was, The, Last, Major, and Of

Of, The, Was, The, Last, and Of

Of, The, Was, The, Last, Major, Battle, and O

Battle, Of, The, Bulge, Was, The, Last, Major, Battle, Of, World, and War

C. Of, The, Was, The, Last, Major, Battle, and Of. All names of specific battles and wars should be capitalized, except for short prepositions, conjunctions, and articles. See Lesson: Capitalization.

Explanation

C. Of, The, Was, The, Last, Major, Battle, and Of. All names of specific battles and wars should be capitalized, except for short prepositions, conjunctions, and articles. See Lesson: Capitalization.

38. How many pronouns are in the following sentence? I wanted to call you last night, but I couldn't find my phone.

2

3

4

5

C. I, you, I, and my are pronouns.See Lesson: Pronouns.

Explanation

C. I, you, I, and my are pronouns.See Lesson: Pronouns.

39. Which word is a synonym of meticulous?

Punctual

Neurotic

Fastidious

Tenacious

C. A synonym of meticulous is fastidious. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

C. A synonym of meticulous is fastidious. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

40. Which word is an antonym of succinct?

Tedious

Complex

Unpleasant

Interminable

D. Interminable is an antonym of succinct. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

D. Interminable is an antonym of succinct. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

41. Select the musical title that contains an adverb.

Follies

West Side Story

Into the Woods

Merrily We Roll Along

D. Merrily is an adverb that describes the verb roll. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.

Explanation

D. Merrily is an adverb that describes the verb roll. See Lesson: Adjectives and Adverbs.

42. Which word is an antonym of loquacious?

Dull

Timid

Silent

Unknowing

C. Silent is an antonym of loquacious. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

Explanation

C. Silent is an antonym of loquacious. See Lesson: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies.

43. Identify the indirect object in the following sentence. The dressmaker made Selena a lovely gown.

Dressmaker

Selena

Lovely

Gown

B. Gown is the direct object of the verb made, and Selena is the indirect object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

B. Gown is the direct object of the verb made, and Selena is the indirect object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

44. Select the part of speech of the underlined word in the following sentence. He is looking for a job, for he was laid off last week.

Verb

Adverb

Preposition

Conjunction

D. Here, for is a conjunction that connects the clauses he is looking for a job and he was laid off last week. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

Explanation

D. Here, for is a conjunction that connects the clauses he is looking for a job and he was laid off last week. See Lesson: Conjunctions and Prepositions.

45. How many indirect objects are in the following sentence? Nigel drove his father's car to their country house.

0

1

2

3

A. His father's car is a direct object of the verb drove, but there is no indirect object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

Explanation

A. His father's car is a direct object of the verb drove, but there is no indirect object. See Lesson: Direct Objects and Indirect Objects.

46. Select the verb form that would be incorrect to complete the following sentence. J.K. Rowling ___ books under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Wrote

Writes

Has wrote

Has written

C. Wrote is the past form and should not be used with a helping verb.See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

Explanation

C. Wrote is the past form and should not be used with a helping verb.See Lesson: Verbs and Verb Tenses.

47. How many pronouns are in the following sentence? I called her, but she didn't return my call.

1

2

3

4

D. I, her, she, and my are pronouns. See Lesson: Pronouns.

Explanation

D. I, her, she, and my are pronouns. See Lesson: Pronouns.

48. Which of the following suffixes means relating to or resembling?

–ular

–ware

–phile

–wise

A. The suffix that means “relating to or resembling” is -ular as in the word muscular. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

Explanation

A. The suffix that means “relating to or resembling” is -ular as in the word muscular. See Lesson: Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes.

49. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the sentence based on the context clues. After his wife's death, the man became morose and would not talk to anyone.

Mute

Glum

Isolated

Embarrassed

B. The meaning of morose in the context of this sentence is “glum.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

Explanation

B. The meaning of morose in the context of this sentence is “glum.” See Lesson: Context Clues and Multiple Meaning Words

50. Which of the following suffixes means full of?

–er

–en

–ness

–ous

B. The suffix that means “full of” is -en as in the word golden. See Lesson: Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes

Explanation

B. The suffix that means “full of” is -en as in the word golden. See Lesson: Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes

Tasc ELA Exam 4