Master Grammar: Usage and Mechanics for Effective Writing

Question 1

Identify the sentence that correctly uses the past tense to describe an action that happened in the past:

Accepted Answer

I walked home yesterday.

Answer

I was walking home when it started to rain.

Answer

I will walk home after school.

Answer

I walk home every day.

Question 2

Which sentence uses correct punctuation?

Accepted Answer

The cat, who was very tired, went to sleep on the bed.

Answer

The cat who was very tired went to sleep on the bed

Answer

The cat who, was very tired went to sleep on the bed.

Question 3

Which punctuation mark should be used to separate the items in this list: Johnny bought apples, oranges, and bananas?

Accepted Answer

Comma

Answer

Semicolon

Answer

Colon

Answer

Period

Question 4

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The quick, brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.

Answer

The quick brown, fox jumped over the lazy dog.

Answer

The quick brown fox, jumped over, the lazy dog.

Answer

The quick brown fox jumped over the, lazy dog.

Question 5

Identify the sentence that is punctuated correctly:

Accepted Answer

The woman's hat, a beautiful wide-brimmed creation, was adorned with colorful flowers.

Answer

The woman's hat, a beautiful wide brimmed creation was adorned with colorful flowers.

Answer

The woman's hat: a beautiful wide-brimmed creation was adorned with colorful flowers.

Answer

The woman's hat. A beautiful wide-brimmed creation, was adorned with colorful flowers.

Question 6

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?

Accepted Answer

My favorite colors are red, blue, and yellow.

Answer

I went to the store to buy milk, eggs and bread.

Answer

The dog barked at the mailman, cat and squirrel.

Answer

My favorite foods include pizza, pastaand tacos.

Question 7

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly according to the rules of American English?

Accepted Answer

I asked her if she was ready to go.

Answer

I asked her, was she ready to go?

Answer

I asked her was she ready to go.

Answer

I asked if her, she was ready to go.

Question 8

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked loudly and the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked loudly; and the cat ran away.

Answer

The dog barked loudly, the cat ran away.

Question 9

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

She exclaimed, "I'm heading to the store right now."

Answer

She exclaimed "I'm heading to the store right now."

Answer

She exclaimed, "I'm heading, to the store right now."

Question 10

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

She invited her friends, her family, and her colleagues to the party.

Answer

She invited to the party her friends, family, and colleagues.

Answer

She invited her friends, her family and, her colleagues to the party.

Question 11

Which punctuation mark should be placed at the end of the sentence: "The students had been studying all night"?

Accepted Answer

Period (.)

Answer

Comma (,)

Answer

Semicolon (;)

Answer

Question mark (?)

Question 12

Which sentence uses correct punctuation?

Accepted Answer

The cat, who was black, ran across the street.

Answer

The cat, who was black, ran across the street..

Answer

The cat who was black ran across the street.

Question 13

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The dog, the cat, and the bird were all playing in the yard.

Answer

The dog, the cat and the bird were all playing in the yard.

Answer

The dog, the cat,and the bird were all playing in the yard.

Answer

The dog the cat and, the bird were all playing in the yard.

Question 14

Identify the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly:

Accepted Answer

The students worked diligently; they received excellent grades.

Answer

The students; worked diligently, receiving excellent grades.

Answer

The students, worked diligently receiving excellent; grades.

Answer

The students worked diligently however; they received excellent grades.

Question 15

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate a series of adjectives?

Accepted Answer

She was happy, excited, and joyful.

Answer

She is happy excited and joyful.

Answer

She was; happy; excited, and; joyful.

Question 16

Identify the grammatically correct sentence:

Accepted Answer

The students were all excited for the field trip.

Answer

The students, they were excited for the field trip.

Question 17

Which sentence demonstrates correct comma usage?

Accepted Answer

The book is on the table, and the pen is in the drawer.

Answer

The book is on the table and the pen is in the drawer.

Question 18

Select the sentence that contains a dangling modifier:

Accepted Answer

Walking down the street, the birds were singing.

Answer

The birds were singing, walking down the street.

Question 19

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

Accepted Answer

The following items are needed: pens, pencils, and paper.

Answer

The items needed are pens, pencils, and paper.

Question 20

Select the sentence that uses quotation marks correctly:

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, 'Please turn in your homework.'

Answer

The teacher said 'Please turn in your homework'.

Question 21

Identify the sentence that uses the semicolon correctly:

Accepted Answer

The students worked hard; they passed the test.

Answer

The students worked hard, they passed the test.

Question 22

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The concert was wonderful, but it was too loud.

Answer

The concert was wonderful but, it was too loud.

Answer

The concert, was wonderful but it was too loud.

Answer

The concert: was wonderful, but it was too loud.

Question 23

Which of the following is a preposition?

Accepted Answer

in

Answer

and

Answer

because

Answer

the

Question 24

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

Accepted Answer

My friends and I went to the movies.

Answer

Me and my friends went to the movies.

Answer

Me and my friends, went to the movies

Answer

Me, and my friends went to the movies.

Question 25

Which of the following is a conjunction?

Accepted Answer

but

Answer

the

Answer

in

Answer

a

Question 26

Which of the following is an interjection?

Accepted Answer

Oh

Answer

and

Answer

in

Answer

the

Question 27

Which of the following is an example of a dependent clause?

Accepted Answer

The students who studied hard passed the test.

Answer

The teacher gave a test.

Answer

The students were very excited.

Answer

The school year is almost over.

Question 28

Which of the following is an example of a dangling modifier?

Accepted Answer

Walking to the store, a car almost hit me.

Answer

The students were very excited for their field trip.

Answer

The teacher gave us a lot of homework.

Answer

The principal announced the new schedule.

Question 29

Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?

Accepted Answer

The dog barked at the mailman who was delivering the mail.

Answer

The dog barked at the mailman- who was delivering the mail.

Answer

The dog barked at the mailman while he was delivering the mail.

Question 30

How should an apostrophe be used when writing a possessive noun?

Accepted Answer

Place an apostrophe and an 's' at the end of the noun

Answer

Place an apostrophe at the end of the noun

Answer

Place an apostrophe before the last letter of the noun

Answer

Place an apostrophe and an 'es' at the end of the noun

Question 31

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The ecstatic children raced through the park, shouting and giggling.

Answer

The ecstatic children raced through the park shouting and giggling.

Answer

The ecstatic children raced through the park: shouting and giggling.

Question 32

Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate a nonessential clause that begins with 'who'?

Accepted Answer

The student, who is very bright and excels in math, is also a talented artist.

Answer

The student who is very bright is also a talented artist.

Answer

The student is very bright, who excels in math, and is a talented artist.

Answer

The student, who excels in math and is a talented artist, is very bright.

Question 33

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a nonrestrictive clause?

Accepted Answer

The boy, who was running down the street, tripped and fell.

Answer

The boy who was running down the street tripped and fell.

Answer

The boy, tripped and fell, who was running down the street.

Answer

The boy tripped and fell who was running down the street.

Question 34

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Accepted Answer

The team has been practicing hard for the big game.

Answer

The team have been practicing hard for the big game.

Answer

The teams has been practicing hard for the big game.

Answer

The teams have been practicing hard for the big games.

Question 35

Which spelling correctly completes the sentence?

The group of hikers continued their journey, _______ the river using a sturdy wooden bridge.

Accepted Answer

crossing

Answer

clossing

Answer

crosing

Answer

croseing

Question 36

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The teacher asked, "Who wrote this story?"

Answer

The teacher asked who wrote this story.

Answer

The teacher asked: "Who wrote this story?"

Answer

The teacher asked, who wrote this story?

Question 37

Which sentence is punctuated correctly to set off a nonrestrictive clause?

Accepted Answer

The boy, who was very excited, ran to the park.

Answer

The boy, who was very excited ran to the park.

Answer

The boy who was very excited ran to the park.

Answer

The boy; who was very excited, ran to the park.

Question 38

Choose the correctly spelled word that means "to provide space or room for".

Accepted Answer

accommodate

Answer

accomodate

Answer

acommodate

Answer

acommidate

Question 39

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses?

Accepted Answer

The students were very excited; they were going on a field trip.

Answer

The students were very excited, they were going on a field trip.

Answer

The students were very excited they were going on a field trip.

Answer

The students were very excited and they were going on a field trip.

Question 40

Identify the sentence that correctly uses an apostrophe to indicate possession.

Accepted Answer

The dog wagged its tail.

Answer

The dogs wagged its tail.

Answer

The dog wagged it's tail.

Answer

The dogs wagged their tails.

Question 41

Select the sentence written in the active voice, where the subject performs the action.

Accepted Answer

The student read the book.

Answer

The book was read by the student.

Answer

The book is being read by the student.

Answer

The student is reading the book.

Question 42

Which sentence correctly uses the appropriate case of the pronoun in a compound subject?

Accepted Answer

The teacher asked John and me to help.

Answer

The teacher asked John and I to help.

Answer

The teacher asked me and John to help.

Answer

The teacher asked I and John to help.

Question 43

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

Accepted Answer

The book was well-written, and I enjoyed reading it.

Answer

The book was well-written and I enjoyed reading it.

Answer

The book was well-written and, I enjoyed reading it.

Answer

The book was well written and I enjoyed reading it.

Question 44

Which of the following is the correctly spelled word?

Accepted Answer

Accommodate

Answer

Accomodate

Answer

Acommodate

Answer

Acommidate

Question 45

Which of the following is a mixed metaphor?

Accepted Answer

She was riding the gravy train.

Answer

She was burning the midnight oil.

Answer

She was hitting the books.

Answer

She was pulling her weight.

Question 46

Which of the following is a tautology?

Accepted Answer

A square has four sides.

Answer

All dogs are mammals.

Answer

Some dogs are brown.

Answer

No dogs are cats.

Question 47

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate words in a list?

Accepted Answer

I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

I bought apples, oranges and bananas.

Answer

I bought apples; oranges, and bananas.

Answer

I bought apples, oranges, and, bananas.

Question 48

Which punctuation mark separates the items in the series in the sentence: "The guests brought a large assortment of fruits, vegetables, and desserts for their picnic"?

Accepted Answer

Comma

Answer

Semicolon

Answer

Hyphen

Answer

Colon

Question 49

Which sentence uses commas correctly to separate items in a series?

Accepted Answer

The store needs apples, oranges, and bananas for the fruit salad.

Answer

The fruit salad needs apples, oranges, and bananas.

Answer

The fruit salad needs apples, oranges; and bananas.

Answer

The fruit salad needs apples and oranges, and bananas.

Question 50

Which word is spelled correctly?

Accepted Answer

accommodate

Answer

accomodate

Answer

acommodate

Answer

accommadate

Question 51

Which sentence is capitalized correctly?

Accepted Answer

The President of the United States is Joe Biden.

Answer

the president of the united states is joe biden.

Answer

the president of the united states is Joe Biden.

Answer

The president of the United States is joe biden.

Question 52

Which is the correct usage of a comma?

Accepted Answer

The cat, who is fluffy, is black and white.

Answer

The cat who is fluffy is black and white.

Answer

The cat who is fluffy, is black and white.

Answer

The cat, whois fluffy, is black and white.

Question 53

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Accepted Answer

The students, who were tired, went to sleep.

Answer

The students who was tired went to sleep.

Answer

The students, who was tired, went to sleep.

Answer

The students who were tired, went to sleep.

Question 54

Which is the correct usage of an apostrophe?

Accepted Answer

The dogs' tails wagged.

Answer

The dogs tail's wagged.

Answer

The dog's tails wagged.

Answer

The dogs's tails wagged.

Question 55

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

Accepted Answer

The following items are needed: paper, pencils, and erasers.

Answer

The following items are needed: paper, pencils and erasers.

Answer

The following items are needed, paper, pencils, and erasers.

Answer

The following items are needed paper: pencils, and erasers.

Question 56

Which is the correct usage of quotation marks?

Accepted Answer

The teacher said, 'Please turn in your homework.'

Answer

The teacher said, 'Please turn in your homework.

Answer

The teacher said 'Please turn in your homework.'

Answer

The teacher said please turn in your homework.

Question 57

Select the sentence that correctly capitalizes the proper noun:

Accepted Answer

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Answer

The Statue of Liberty is a Symbol of Freedom and Democracy.

Answer

the statue of liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy.

Question 58

Choose the sentence that uses the correct spelling of the word:

Accepted Answer

The principal's office is located in the main building.

Answer

The principle's office is located in the mane building.

Answer

The principal's office is located in the main bldg.

Question 59

Identify the sentence that uses the correct verb tense and agreement:

Accepted Answer

The students have been working on their projects since morning.

Answer

The students has been working on their project since morning.

Answer

The students have worked on their projects since morning.

Question 60

Select the option that is a complete sentence, expressing a complete thought:

Accepted Answer

The students studied diligently for their test.

Answer

Studying diligently for their test.

Answer

The students studied.

Answer

To study for their test.

Question 61

Identify the sentence that uses a colon correctly to introduce a list:

Accepted Answer

The following supplies are required for the experiment: a beaker, a graduated cylinder, and a stirring rod.

Answer

The following supplies are required for the experiment; a beaker, a graduated cylinder, and a stirring rod.

Answer

The following supplies are required for the experiment: a beaker a graduated cylinder and a stirring rod.

Question 62

Select the option that uses the correct form of the pronoun in a compound construction:

Accepted Answer

Between you and me, the secret is safe.

Answer

Between me and you, the secret is safe.

Answer

Between I and you, the secret is safe.

Question 63

Identify the sentence that uses the correct adverb form:

Accepted Answer

The students worked quickly and efficiently.

Answer

The students worked quick and efficiently.

Answer

The students worked quick and efficient.

Answer

The students worked quickly and efficient.

Question 64

Identify the sentence that uses parallel structure correctly, expressing similar grammatical elements in a balanced way:

Accepted Answer

The students enjoyed reading, writing, and discussing literature.

Answer

The students enjoyed to read, write, and discuss literature.

Answer

The students enjoyed reading, to write, and discussing literature.