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Partial Practice Exam 1 (with explanations)Directions: For each of the following sentences, select the option that has no sentence structure errors, is punctuated correctly, and uses relationship words correctly. A. Mr. Jessup needed a raise, because his wife was expecting another child. B. Mr. Jessup needed a raise; because his wife was expecting another child. C. Mr. Jessup needed a raise because his wife was expecting another child. D. Mr. Jessup needed a raise: because his wife was expecting another child. A. Before trying to restore the antique piano Jack did some research at the library. B. Before trying to restore the antique piano; Jack did some research at the library. C. Before trying to restore the antique piano, Jack did some research at the library. D. Before trying to restore the antique piano: Jack did some research at the library. A. Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage, it still would run only in reverse. B. When Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage, it still would run only in reverse. C. When Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage it still would run only in reverse. D. Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage it still would run only in reverse.
A. While sharpening her shears Delilah smiled and thought about Samson. B. While sharpening her shears. Delilah smiled and thought about Samson C. While sharpening her shears, Delilah smiled and thought about Samson. D. Delilah smiled and thought about Samson, while sharpening her shears.
5. A. The sheepherder had called for help many times, however no one paid any attention to him. B. The sheepherder had called for help many times, however, no one paid any attention to him. C. The sheepherder had called for help many times; although no one paid any attention to him. D. The sheepherder had called for help many times; however, no one paid any attention to him. A. Since I work all day my dog was left at home alone. B. Since I work all day. My dog was left at home alone. C. Although I work all day, my dog was left at home alone. D. My dog was left at home alone because I work all day.
A. Last summer no one swam in the lake a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. B. Last summer no one swam in the lake, a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. C. Last summer no one swam in the lake because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. D. Last summer no one swam in the lake, because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. E. Last summer no one swam in the lake. Because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water.
A. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn; therefore, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. B. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn , therefore, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. C. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn. Although using butter is like adding fat to a flame. D. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn; however, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. E. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn but using butter is like adding fat to a flame.
A. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. B. For the past three months. Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. C. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening. As a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. D. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result; he has gained fifteen pounds. Answers with Explanations (the correct answer is bolded) A Note on Clauses and Punctuation The exit exam will extensively test your knowledge of clauses and the punctuation associated with them. Specifically, it will focus on the following:
To prepare, commit the following to memory: DC, IC. Note that you cannot mix and match fanboys, trigger words (subordinators), and transitions. They may express the same relationship, but they function as different parts of speech in the sentence and, therefore, require different punctuation. Although I want to go to the concert, I have to work instead. You also need to memorize the relationship categories and which fanboys, trigger words (subordinators), and transitions express those relationships. Click here to go to the relationship words resource page.
Directions: In each question below, select the choice that is appropriately punctuated. A. Mr. Jessup needed a raise, because his wife was expecting another child. B. Mr. Jessup needed a raise; because his wife was expecting another child. C. Mr. Jessup needed a raise because his wife was expecting another child. D. Mr. Jessup needed a raise: because his wife was expecting another child. Look at the clause structure of each choice. The only one that does not break a rule of punctuation is choice C. A. B. IC; DC. C. IC DC. D. IC: DC. A. Before trying to restore the antique piano Jack did some research at the library. B. Before trying to restore the antique piano; Jack did some research at the library. C. Before trying to restore the antique piano, Jack did some research at the library. D. Before trying to restore the antique piano: Jack did some research at the library. Again, the only change in each option is the punctuation. Look at the clause structure. Option C is the only one that does not violate a rule of punctuation. A. DC IC. B. DC; IC. C. DC, IC. D. DC: IC. Directions: For each of the following sentences, select the option that has no sentence structure errors, is punctuated correctly, and uses relationship words correctly. A. Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage, it still would run only in reverse. B. When Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage, it still would run only in reverse. C. When Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage it still would run only in reverse. D. Hortense picked up her Edsel from the garage it still would run only in reverse. A. IC, IC is a comma splice. B. C. DC IC is missing the comma after the DC. D. IC IC is a run-on. A. While sharpening her shears Delilah smiled and thought about Samson. B. While sharpening her shears. Delilah smiled and thought about Samson C. While sharpening her shears, Delilah smiled and thought about Samson. D. Delilah smiled and thought about Samson, while sharpening her shears. A. Phrase IC is missing a comma after an introductory element. B. While sharpening her shears is a fragment. C. Correct. D. No comma is necessary between the IC and the phrase. A. The sheepherder had called for help many times, however no one paid any attention to him. B. The sheepherder had called for help many times, however, no one paid any attention to him. C. The sheepherder had called for help many times; although no one paid any attention to him. D. The sheepherder had called for help many times; however, no one paid any attention to him. A. IC, however IC is a comma splice. B. IC, however, IC is a comma splice. C. IC; DC creates a sentence fragment. D. IC; however, IC is correct. A. Since I work all day my dog was left at home alone. B. Since I work all day. My dog was left at home alone. C. Although I work all day, my dog was left at home alone. D. My dog was left at home alone because I work all day. A. DC IC is missing a comma after the DC. B. Since I work all day is a sentence fragment. C. Although is not an appropriate trigger word (subordinator). D. IC DC is correct . A. Last summer no one swam in the lake a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. B. Last summer no one swam in the lake, a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. C. Last summer no one swam in the lake because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. D. Last summer no one swam in the lake, because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. E. Last summer no on swam in the lake. Because a little boy had dropped his pet piranhas in the water. A. IC IC is a run-on.B. IC, IC is a comma splice. C. IC DC is correct. D. E. The second group of words is a fragment. A. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn; therefore, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. B. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn , therefore, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. C. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn. Although using butter is like adding fat to a flame. D. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn; however, using butter is like adding fat to a flame. E. Ice water is the best remedy for a burn but using butter is like adding fat to a flame. A. IC; therefore, IC is punctuated correctly but uses an inappropriate transition. B. IC, therefore, IC is a comma splice that also uses an inappropriate transition. C. The second group of words is a fragment. D. IC; however, IC is correct. E. IC but IC shows the correct relationship, but there should be a comma before but. A. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. B. For the past three months. Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. C. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening. As a result, he has gained fifteen pounds. D. For the past three months, Gunther has eaten two pieces of chocolate cake every evening, as a result; he has gained fifteen pounds. A. Phrase, IC, as a result, IC is a comma splice. B. For the past three months is a fragment, and IC, as a result, IC is a comma splice. C. Correct. You may use a transition at the beginning of an IC as long as you set it off with a comma. D. Phrase, IC, as a result; IC is still a comma splice. The semicolon should come after the first IC. Last Modified: 6/23/2008 |
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