Conventions: Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics — 7th Writing & Language practice questions

Which transition signals SIMILARITY between ideas?

1. In contrast
2. Therefore
3. Nevertheless
4. Similarly

Answer: D — Similarly

Similarly = in a like manner. (A) Contrast. (B) Cause/effect. (C) Concession.

Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement?

1. Neither the students nor the teacher were ready.
2. Neither the students nor the teacher was ready.
3. Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
4. Both A and B are correct.

Answer: B — Neither the students nor the teacher was ready.

With 'neither/nor' (or 'either/or'), the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Teacher' (singular) → 'was.' (A) Wrong agreement. (C) 'Students' (plural) → should be 'were.' (D) Only B works.

Which sentence uses a semicolon in a complex series correctly?

1. We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Tokyo, Japan.
2. We visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan.
3. We visited Paris; France, Rome; Italy, and Tokyo; Japan.
4. We visited Paris, France: Rome, Italy: and Tokyo, Japan.

Answer: A — We visited Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Tokyo, Japan.

When list items contain internal commas, use semicolons to separate the items. (B) Confusing — too many commas. (C) Wrong placement. (D) Colons don't serve this function.

What strategy helps determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word in a sentence?

1. Guess based on the word's length
2. Count the syllables
3. Look at the word's font
4. Use context clues from surrounding sentences

Answer: D — Use context clues from surrounding sentences

Context clues (definitions, examples, contrast, inference) in the surrounding text help figure out unfamiliar words. (A/B/C) don't inform meaning.

Which sentence uses 'affect' / 'effect' correctly?

1. The new law will effect everyone.
2. The new law will affect everyone.
3. The affects of the law were unclear.
4. Both A and C are correct.

Answer: B — The new law will affect everyone.

Affect (verb) = to influence. Effect (noun) = a result. (A) Should be 'affect.' (C) Should be 'effects.' Tricky: 'effect' can also be a verb meaning 'to bring about,' but that's advanced.

Which sentence has a reflexive pronoun used correctly?

1. Tomas and myself went to the game.
2. Please give the book to John or myself.
3. Tomas gave himself a haircut.
4. Myself enjoyed the movie.

Answer: C — Tomas gave himself a haircut.

Reflexive pronouns require an antecedent in the same clause. (C) 'Himself' refers back to 'Tomas.' (A/B/D) Misuse 'myself' as substitutes for 'I' or 'me.'

Which sentence demonstrates SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT?

1. The team are playing well today.
2. The boys runs to school.
3. Each of the students has a pencil.
4. Neither the cat nor the dogs was outside.

Answer: C — Each of the students has a pencil.

'Each' is singular → 'has' (singular verb) is correct. (A) 'team' as a collective noun in US English is singular → 'is playing'; (B) 'boys' (plural) requires 'run'; (D) with 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the nearest subject ('dogs' = plural) → 'were.'

A writer wants to appeal to the READER'S EMOTIONS. This is called:

1. Logos
2. Ethos
3. Pathos
4. Kairos

Answer: C — Pathos

Pathos = emotional appeal. Logos = logical/evidence appeal. Ethos = credibility/character appeal. Kairos = timing/context. (A/B/D) are different rhetorical appeals.

Choose: 'I'd like to ___ you on your promotion.'

1. compliment
2. complement
3. complament
4. compleement

Answer: A — compliment

Compliment (with 'i') = praise. Complement (with 'e') = complete or pair with. (B) Wrong meaning. (C/D) Misspellings.

Which is the homophone-correct sentence?

1. Their going to bring they're books over there.
2. They're going to bring there books over their.
3. There going to bring their books over they're.
4. They're going to bring their books over there.

Answer: D — They're going to bring their books over there.

They're = they are; their = possessive; there = location. (D) is correct. (A/B/C) all scramble the three forms.