6th Writing & Language practice questions and exam guide

Use of "its" vs "it's":

1. its = possessive (no apostrophe). it's = contraction of it is
2. Same
3. Random
4. Both contractions

Answer: A — its = possessive (no apostrophe). it's = contraction of it is

A) Standard. B/C/D) Each is incorrect.

The objective case pronoun in 'She gave the gift to ___ ' is:

1. I
2. mine
3. my
4. me

Answer: D — me

Object of preposition takes objective case. (A) is subjective; (C), (B) are possessive.

To determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word, a reader should:

1. Skip it
2. Replace with a different word
3. Guess wildly
4. Use context clues (surrounding words and sentences), check known root/prefix/suffix meanings, look it up in a dictionary if needed

Answer: D — Use context clues (surrounding words and sentences), check known root/prefix/suffix meanings, look it up in a dictionary if needed

Multiple strategies. (A), (C), (B) misread.

Which sentence is in the present perfect tense?

1. I walked to school.
2. I have walked to school.
3. I will walk to school.
4. I am walking to school.

Answer: B — I have walked to school.

B) 'Have + past participle' = present perfect. A) Simple past. C) Future. D) Present progressive.

Which is the correct possessive form?

1. The childrens' coats.
2. The children's coats.
3. The childrens's coats.
4. The childrens coats.

Answer: B — The children's coats.

B) 'Children' is already plural; add 's. A) 'Childrens'' treats it as a regular plural, but 'children' is irregular. C) Double possessive is wrong. D) No apostrophe at all.

A comma is needed in which sentence?

1. I bought apples bananas and oranges.
2. I bought, apples bananas, and oranges.
3. I bought apples bananas, and oranges.
4. I bought apples, bananas, and oranges. (Items in a series, with optional Oxford comma)

Answer: D — I bought apples, bananas, and oranges. (Items in a series, with optional Oxford comma)

Commas separate items in a series. (A) has no commas; (C), (B) misplace them.

The suffix '-ology' means:

1. Without
2. One who
3. Place of
4. Study of — as in 'biology' (study of life), 'geology' (study of earth), 'psychology' (study of mind)

Answer: D — Study of — as in 'biology' (study of life), 'geology' (study of earth), 'psychology' (study of mind)

-ology = study. (A), (C), (B) misread.

An informational/explanatory essay aims to:

1. Inform readers about a topic by selecting and organizing relevant facts and concepts; the writer's job is clarity, not persuasion
2. Argue a position
3. Tell a story
4. Entertain

Answer: A — Inform readers about a topic by selecting and organizing relevant facts and concepts; the writer's job is clarity, not persuasion

Informational writing explains. (B) is argumentative; (C) is narrative; (D) is creative.

Antonym for "begin":

1. Start
2. End
3. Continue
4. Random

Answer: B — End

B) Standard. A) Synonym. C/D) Each is incorrect.

In English grammar, a 'subject' is:

1. The action
2. The verb
3. The noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in a sentence
4. The object

Answer: C — The noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described in a sentence

Subject = doer. (A), (B), (D) misread.

The central element of an argumentative essay is:

1. A clear claim supported by reasons and evidence
2. A list of dictionary definitions
3. A description of the writer's day
4. A vocabulary word list

Answer: A — A clear claim supported by reasons and evidence

A) Arguments stand or fall on the strength of claim + evidence. B/C/D) Off-form: definitions or narrative content do not anchor an argument.

Formal vs. informal language differs in:

1. Color
2. Spelling
3. Length
4. Word choice (formal avoids slang, contractions, casual phrases), tone, and sometimes complexity of sentence structure — appropriateness depends on audience and purpose

Answer: D — Word choice (formal avoids slang, contractions, casual phrases), tone, and sometimes complexity of sentence structure — appropriateness depends on audience and purpose

Register matters for audience. (A), (C), (B) misread.

What is a 'denotation'?

The literal dictionary definition of a word.

What's a 'semicolon' used for?

To join two related complete sentences without a conjunction. 'I love coffee; my brother loves tea.'

What's the difference between 'who's' and 'whose'?

Who's = who is. Whose = belongs to whom.

What is a 'reflexive pronoun'?

A pronoun reflecting back on the subject (-self/-selves). 'She taught herself piano.'

Why is a strong opening important?

It hooks the reader, introduces the topic, and previews the writing's purpose.

What does the suffix '-ous' mean?

Full of, having. Famous, dangerous, generous.