Language: Grammar, Usage, Vocabulary — High School English Literature practice questions

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

1. The novel was long; and hard to follow.
2. Bring these items; pens, paper, and a ruler.
3. Although tired; she kept going.
4. She studied for hours; therefore, she felt ready.

Answer: D — She studied for hours; therefore, she felt ready.

D) Correct — A semicolon joins two independent clauses. A) The second part isn't an independent clause. B) Calls for a colon. C) The first part is dependent.

Which sentence has parallel structure?

1. She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.
2. She likes to hike, swimming, and biking.
3. She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
4. She likes hiking, to swim, and bikes.

Answer: C — She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.

C) Correct — All three items are -ing words. A) Mixes -ing words with an infinitive. B) Mixes an infinitive with -ing words. D) Mixes three forms.

Which sentence is correct?

1. Its raining, and the dog wants it's blanket.
2. It's raining, and the dog wants its blanket.
3. It's raining, and the dog wants it's blanket.
4. Its raining, and the dog wants its blanket.

Answer: B — It's raining, and the dog wants its blanket.

B) Correct — "It's" means "it is"; "its" shows possession. A) Swaps both words. C) Uses "it's" for possession. D) Needs "it's" for "it is."

Which is an independent clause?

1. She finished her homework
2. Although the rain stopped
3. Running through the field
4. Because she was tired

Answer: A — She finished her homework

A) Correct — It has a subject and verb and can stand alone. B) Is dependent because of "although." C) Is a phrase without a subject. D) Is dependent because of "because."

Which is correct?

1. Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
2. Neither the teacher or the students were ready.
3. Neither the teacher nor the students is ready.
4. Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

Answer: D — Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.

D) Correct — With "neither…nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. A) Matches the farther subject. B) Pairs "neither" with "or." C) Matches the farther subject.

"Walking down the hall, the lockers seemed endless." The problem is:

1. a comma splice
2. a subject-verb agreement error
3. a dangling modifier
4. passive voice

Answer: C — a dangling modifier

C) Correct — The sentence says the lockers were walking. A) Has only one independent clause. B) "Lockers seemed" agrees. D) The verb is active.

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

1. It rained all day, so we stayed inside.
2. It rained all day; we stayed inside.
3. It rained all day, we stayed inside.
4. Because it rained, we stayed inside.

Answer: C — It rained all day, we stayed inside.

C) Correct — Two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. A) Uses a conjunction correctly. B) Uses a semicolon correctly. D) Has a dependent clause.

Which sentence uses "whom" correctly?

1. Whom is calling?
2. Whom wrote this essay?
3. To whom did you give the book?
4. The girl whom won the award left.

Answer: C — To whom did you give the book?

C) Correct — "Whom" is an object; it follows "to." A) Needs the subject form, "who." B) Needs the subject form, "who." D) Needs "who" as the subject of "won."

Which is a compound-complex sentence?

1. It rained hard, but the parade continued and crowds cheered.
2. Although it rained, the parade continued, and crowds cheered.
3. The parade continued despite the rain.
4. Although it rained, the parade continued.

Answer: B — Although it rained, the parade continued, and crowds cheered.

B) Correct — It has two independent clauses and one dependent clause. A) Is compound: two independent clauses, no dependent clause. C) Is simple. D) Is complex.

What is a run-on sentence?

Two or more independent clauses joined without proper punctuation or conjunctions.

What is a dependent vs. independent clause?

Independent: complete sentence. Dependent (subordinate): cannot stand alone (e.g., 'because she was tired').

What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?

Affect (verb): to influence. Effect (noun): result. (Effect can also be a verb meaning 'to bring about,' but rarely.)

What is a sentence fragment?

An incomplete sentence missing a subject, verb, or complete thought.