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| GRAMMAR PROFICIENCY EXAM FORM Z |
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SECTION
ONE: Fragments, Comma Splices, Fused Sentences
SECTION TWO:
Agreement (Subject-Verb and Pronoun-Antecedent
SECTION THREE: Faulty Parallel Structure,
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, Shifts in Person, Tense, and Mood
SECTION FOUR:
COMMAS AND SEMICOLONS
SECTION FIVE:
APOSTROPHES
SECTION SIX:
SPELLING AND USAGE
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Directions:
The Grammar Proficiency Exam is designed to test your basic
sentence knowledge. The first five sections of the test focus
on specific patterns of error. Read each group of four sentences
to find the one that contains an error. Mark the letter of
the incorrect sentence on your scantron form.
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SECTION
ONE: Fragments, Comma Splices, Fused
Sentences
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1.
A. His final exam was returned.
B. Because she never fully realized how important a physical
exam could be.
C. Two hours before the performance, he was nervous.
D. After she had made a list of the cleaning supplies which
she needed, she left for the store.
2.
A. There are two conditions for accepting Harrington as the
nominee.
B. The woman who had been our family dentist for many years.
C. Since she had access to the key and had been seen in the
neighborhood, she was arrested
D. I enjoy chocolate cake, especially when it is topped with
ice cream.
3.
A. Besides being a loving mother, she is a loyal friend.
B. Finally, I woke up.
C. He had wanted to see a rodeo before he left Texas.
D. Knowing that her money was limited.
4.
A. If there is a crisis, call the nurse immediately.
B. Make your choice based on the job you really want.
C. Since any choice may or may not be the "right" choice.
D. Hoping the answer was the correct one, Bob hesitantly marked
A on the scantron.
5.
A. Knowing what to buy for a campsite is vital.
B. Taking too little can be more of a problem than taking too
much.
C. Rob often goes hiking for several weeks at a time, climbing
higher into the mountains each day.
D. Although some items are not for the body but for the soul.
6.
A. Although she applied to several nursing schools, she was
accepted by only one, and she always wondered why she failed
to be accepted by the school in her hometown.
B. Even though the swimmers had been warned about possible heat
stroke, they decided to make one lap across the pool.
C. The United States was the first nation to make television
available to everyone we own more television sets than any other
country.
D. General Motors' profits suffered during the strike, but a
company spokesman predicted a brighter future.
7.
A. Cigarette advertising has been banned from television, it
does, however, appear in printed material.
B. Because the economy is doing so well, the city has money
to build many new neighborhood libraries.
C. Computer stocks continue to look promising; market analysts
project growth in that area, a prediction which has excited
many local investors
D. The Texas state capitol, which was built in the last century,
has recently undergone major renovation, a costly but popular
project.
8.
A. Because there were ministers in the audience, many people
took offense at the atheist's remarks.
B. The physician discussed problems faced by everyone, and the
response was positive.
C. Many car owners are learning to do their own minor maintenance,
some are finding the experience rewarding.
D. In spite of the heat, Emma continues to jog every morning.
9.
A. Claire considered cutting her psychology class to go to the
golf course, but she decided she could not afford to miss the
review for the upcoming exam.
B. Cheryl realized that, although her friends were able to join
a country club, she had to use a public golf course.
C. Nadia's choices were difficult for her to make, she often
wished she were as rich as Gloria.
D. Gloria, also a student at the university, did not have to
worry about money; her father was president of an oil company,
and Gloria knew she would eventually inherit millions of dollars.
10.
A. Roberto came home from school, he found freshly baked brownies
cooling on the counter.
B. He wants to eat the brownies, still warm from the oven.
C. Roberto's mother, however, had warned him that the brownies
were for a party planned for the evening, but he was tempted
to take a few brownies to his room anyway.
D. Roberto followed the urging of his conscience when he left
the brownies on the counter; he got a peach from the fruit bowl
instead.
11.
A. New apartment complexes are appearing all over the city the
neighborhoods are constantly changing.
B. Failure to change the oil in a car regularly can lead to
big problems.
C. The senator declined comment, but he did refer the press
to his press secretary.
D. If a fisherman prefers perch to bass, he will want to fish
the southern end of the lake.
12.
A. Georgia usually behaves impulsively, doing whatever gives
her pleasure at the time. B. Psychoanalytic theory would say
that Gene's personality is dominated by his super ego.
C. Behaviorist theory would attribute Paul's behavior to learned
responses he has been conditioned to act cautiously.
D. One way to change Georgia's behavior would be to reward her
thoughtful actions and to ignore her impulsive actions, thereby
changing the unwanted behavior.
13.
A. Simple cookbooks for inexperienced cooks have become quite
popular in recent years they are available at many bookstores.
B. Some cookbooks, such as The Joy of Cooking, have been classics
for generations. C. One popular cookbook is The Art of French
Cooking, by Julia Child, a colorful character who charmed television
audiences for many years.
D. The Art of French Cooking blends classic recipes with meticulous
explanation; ordinary cooks find the recipes manageable.
14.
A. Jessica Fletcher has written a series of mystery stories
set on the New England coast; she is both a writer and a detective
in the series
B. Fletcher's stories are set in a little fishing village it
is called Cabot Cove.
C. Her two friends, the sheriff and the village doctor, are
important characters in almost every episode.
D. Fans of Jessica Fletcher enjoy the quaint village setting
although no American town actually looks so charming.
15
A. Students who learn note-taking strategies well have an
easier time remembering the key ideas of their reading
B. Among the more common strategies are outlining, mapping,
and Cornell Note-Taking; other patterns are summarization and
questioning.
C. These strategies can help any student become a better learner
for example, many students rely on outlining as a study aid.
D. Students who use these strategies find remembering what they
have read much easier than students who take no notes at all.
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SECTION TWO:
Agreement (Subject-Verb and Pronoun-Antecedent)
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16.
A. The custodial staff, the cafeteria staff, and the bus drivers
were commended by the school board for their actions to improve
the school.
B. After waiting in line for hours, each of the girls was allowed
to buy only one dress. C. When all is said and done, the car
salesman who does the best job of convincing buyers that their
best interests will be served by his dealership are going to
make the sale.
D. Neither the conductor of the orchestra nor the concertmaster
was blamed for the terrible performance.
17.
A. The new store, with its large collection of books and videos,
makes a fascinating place to shop.
B. Math interests students who want to major in scientific careers.
C. Frequently, the ideas for new ad campaigns originates within
the weekly staff meetings.
D. Each of his pet turtles has developed a personality of its
own.
18.
A. Driving long distances causes sleepiness, and sleepiness
causes serious accidents. B. On a table at the rear of the room
was a notebook, a pair of scissors, and a biology textbook.
C. Finally, there seems to be a growing interest in vegetarianism
in this country.
D. Either the local chief of police or his officers are guilty
of violating the rights of prisoners.
19.
A. One of the drummers in the band is my brother.
B. The jury were out for only twenty minutes.
C. If the bandleader is asked to perform on his own, the other
members of the band want a part of the profits.
D. No one practices when the wind in the south part of the state
is blowing.
20.
A. Everyone's automobile breaks down at one time or another.
B. A book with a coherent plot and interesting characters make
me not want to put it down.
C. Neither the chief of police nor his officers leave the scene
of the crime until all pieces of evidence have been examined.
D. A large herd of sheep crosses the road at dawn every day
21.
A. Both of the students seemed to have learned their lessons
well.
B. I am always excited by this type of adventure story.
C. If anybody needs a new book, I wish they would tell me.
D. Each of the members of the audience was advised to hold his
or her applause until the end of the introductions
22.
A. No one who really cared about his children would beat them.
B. Whoever mailed the card didn't sign his or her name on it.
C. Either the chefs or the waiter should do whatever they can
to accommodate the diners.
D. Any member of this group may leave early.
23.
A. Any person who believes they can keep up an impressive grade-
point average without hard work is kidding themselves.
B. Janet's mother and father ordered her to come in by midnight.
C. Anyone of those present can choose to speak out on the crime.
D. The House of Representatives has unanimously chosen to give
the Speaker of the House unusual powers.
24.
A. Each of the four players is choosing a separate lawyer.
B. Neither the boy nor the girl were able to choose the teacher
for the class.
C. After the platter of turkey had been passed, it was discovered
that someone had taken all the white meat.
D. Each of the students should do his or her fair share of the
assignment.
25.
A. The University of Texas decided to raise their dorm fees
this year.
B. The new governor wants to hear everyone's ideas on that matter.
C. If someone cannot afford the new housing rate, he should
call the housing office.
D. The University of Texas will profit from the large amount
of money generated by this increase.
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SECTION
THREE: Faulty Parallel Structure,
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers, Shifts in Person, Tense,
and Mood
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26.
A. John delights in reading, singing opera, and jogging.
B. Our uniqueness is formed by both heredity and what type of
environment we have. C. Jack became quiet and serious after
the lecture.
D. Cool, collected individuals get ulcers as often as hard-pressed,
competitive people do.
27.
A. Three ideas influenced my decision to move: climate, economy,
and jobs.
B. Mary helps with the housekeeping by cooking and by sweeping
the floor.
C. They can often find their dog in the shade or on the deck.
D. She became a woman of very strong convictions and who always
said what she thought.
28.
A. Julie does her part of the housekeeping by cooking and by
sweeping the floor.
B. Most citizens believe they must own a boat, two cars, and
travel to Europe.
C. To prepare for an exam is simpler than to cheat on it.
D. Scholars want to do research, to read, and to travel, but
not necessarily in that order.
29.
A. They want to visit new places and meeting the people who
live there.
B. Eating well is easier than dieting.
C. Three ideas influenced my decision to change jobs: my desire
to relocate, my dissatisfaction with my current job, and my
need for greater responsibility.
D. If I'm not wrong, the movie starred either Tom Selleck or
Burt Reynolds.
30.
A. Since TV first came into our homes, it has replaced baseball
as our national pastime.
B. Seeking escape and relaxation, most individuals sit in front
of the TV on a daily basis.
C. Before turning on the television set, the shows appeared
to be interesting.
D. After watching for four hours, I started to call myself a
couch potato.
31.
A. Experienced swimmers, neither Kate nor Paul prepared for
trouble in the water.
B. Even though storm clouds rolled in, the swimmers ignored
the warnings and continued to play happily in the surf.
C. Although warned to "beware the undertow," the water peaks
started to thunder in toward shore.
D. Kate almost drowned although she is an especially strong
swimmer.
32.
A. After discovering some cards missing from the pack, poker
could not be played.
B. Since he started attending college as a full-time student,
his spare time is a thing of the past.
C. Sitting on the dock of the bay, Otis whiled away the afternoon
wasting time.
D. Marie, hoping for kindness, approached the stranger.
33.
A. Lock the door if you want to be left alone.
B. Katherine jogs twelve miles a day and hopes to qualify for
the Olympics.
C. Fasten the wire to the speaker, and then connect it to the
amplifier.
D. When a person works out for years, there is no way to calculate
how much the activity improves your health.
34.
A. No one should fail to get a gold pin at the banquet on Friday
night.
B. Matt fixed the antenna wire in the living room and then changes
the channel.
C. When kids eat too much, they sometimes get sick.
D. One of the boys will be good at his job.
35.
A. After Scott mows the grass, sometimes he has difficulty breathing.
B. If Gretchen visited last week, she missed the meeting.
C. She maintains that the report is accurate.
D. When Tom eats too much, sometimes he became sick. |
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SECTION
FOUR: COMMAS AND SEMICOLONS
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36.
A. Salt is a compound formed through the bonding of the two
elements, sodium and chloride.
B. Houston Texas, is not the capital of Texas.
C. Cruising at five miles above the speed limit, the car avoided
detection.
D. That TV station shows classic films all day.
37.
A. On Sundays, the friends usually ordered French fries, malted
milkshakes, yogurt freezes, and sundaes.
B. Lane didn't want to see another cat, either.
C. The police officers who were both male and female were wearing
gray uniforms.
D. Rome, Italy, is the city Deidre most desires to visit.
38.
A. The horseman with the black mask, is Zorro's friend.
B. The Clarks bought a VCR in order to record their favorite
soap operas.
C. May 5 is the day Martha celebrates her adoption.
D. Never have I seen anyone put so much pepper on his eggs.
39.
A. The chief resident believed Roy was a good doctor now; he
would be an excellent doctor in two more years.
B. Her life finally became organized; in fact, she even began
to enjoy her work again. C. Marco liked the action; the subtle
humor; and the great jazz music in the movie.
D. Paula went to Hollywood to find fame and fortune as a star;
instead, she found poverty and rejection.
40.
A. The time had finally come; Glenda went to the hardware store
and bought a mousetrap.
B. At the meeting Bonnie tried to hide her snacking; she would
stick her head under the table and stuff peanuts in her mouth;
while picking up the pencil she had deliberately dropped on
the floor.
C. The protective mother demanded proof of her daughter's involvement
in drugs; then she remembered the bent spoon she had found in
the girl's pocket just the week before.
D. For years the music haunted him; it was as vivid as if he
had heard it only the night before.
41.
A. Lucy decorated the couch and chairs with crepe paper streamers;
Kenny blew up balloons and taped them to the dining room walls.
B. Because the path was icy; she could not walk to the village.
C. Americans in the 1990's live in fear of obesity; indeed that,
next to cancer, is the most dreaded disease.
D. Her father said this often: "Remember a man for what he did
best, not for what he did last." |
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SECTION
FIVE: APOSTROPHES
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42.
A. Who's taking algebra next year?
B. The hiring committee submitted it's list of possible candidates.
C. Weren't Anne and Angie in that group?
D. Don't they have to be nominated before they run for office?
43.
A. I sent my two sisters a copy of the picture in the newspaper.
B. Mary's teachers' were looking for her.
C. My two brothers-in-law's jobs were eliminated in the cutback.
D. She walked into the women's room.
44.
A. Can you draw a picture of his countries' flag?
B. The Smiths' car was stolen.
C. The principal is inspecting the students' lockers.
D. My mother's sister is moving to Austin.
45.
A. Do you know who's books are on the table?
B. Who's going to class with me on Saturday afternoon?
C. It's not time to leave because he's still speaking.
D. The book's climax was totally unexpected. |
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SECTION
SIX: SPELLING AND USAGE
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| Directions:
The last section of the test is concerned with common usage
and spelling errors. This section contains a series of sentences
with options for you to choose. Mark the letter of the correct
choice on your scantron form. |
46. The increase in salary __________ to better
morale and a more generally cooperative attitude on the part
of the employees.
A. led
B. lead
47. She must acknowledge my argument from a broader __________.
A. prospective
B. prespective
C. perspective
48. He will be sentenced __________ jail for that crime.
A. to
B. two
C. too
49. She is certain __________ we are going after class.
A. where
B. were
C. we're
50. The chairman of the board gave me a sincere __________.
A. complement
B. compliment
(click here to see answer key)
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