English and Language usage

This year's concert series features rock, folk, and country music. The word features serves as which of the following parts of speech in the sentence above? A) Noun B) Verb C) Adverb D) Adjective

B) Verb -The word features presents the main action in this sentence and therefore serves as a verb, making choice B the correct answer.

Conjunctions

are connecting words.

Noun

person, place, or thing

Dolphins are social creatures and tend to live in pods ranging in size from ten to over one hundred animals. The word social serves as which of the following parts of speech in the sentence above? A) Adjective B) Preposition C) Verb D) Noun

A) Adjective -Since the word social modifies the noun dolphins, it serves as an adjective in this sentence. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

After the team played its championship game, the coach treated the children to ice cream. Which of the following correctly identifies the parts of speech in the underlined portions of the sentence above? A) Pronoun; verb B) Adjective; adverb C) Adverb; noun D) Adjective; verb

A) Pronoun; verb -The word its refers back to the noun previously introduced in the sentence, team, so it is a pronoun. The main action of the sentence is described by the verb treated.

Which of the following plural nouns is written in the correct form? A) Patioes B) Melodies C) Geeses D) Cactuses

B) Melodies -The word melodies is the plural form of the noun melody. The other answer choices are incorrect because patios is the plural of patio; geese is the plural of goose; and cacti is the plural of cactus.

Although the plumber repeatedly attempted to fix the drainpipe, it still remains clogged. The word repeatedly serves as which of the following parts of speech in the sentence above? A) Verb B) Noun C) Adverb D) Preposition

C) Adverb -Because the word repeatedly modifies the verb attempted, it is used as an adverb in this sentence. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Which of the following plural nouns is written in the correct form? A) Nucleuses B) Childs C) Criteria D) Potatos

C) Criteria -The word criteria is the plural form of the noun criterion. The other answer choices are incorrect because nuclei is the plural of nucleus; children is the plural of child; and potatoes is the plural of potato.

Surveillance videos reveal suspicious activity behind the store around midnight. The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of which of the following parts of speech? A) Article B) Pronoun C) Preposition D) Verb

C) Preposition -The word behind links the prepositional phrase behind the store to the rest of the sentence and therefore acts as a preposition in this sentence.

Antibacterial soap should be used to help prevent the spread of germs. The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of which of the following parts of speech? A) Pronoun B) Noun C) Adverb D) Article

D) Article -Choice D is correct because the word the is an article that modifies the word spread.

Which of the following sentences contains an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) Because of the excellent school district, houses for sale in this area sells quickly. B) Since there are many clouds this evening, stars in the night sky is not visible. C) With the excellent park system, visitors to the area enjoys many recreational activities. D) Despite the disappointing stock report, investors in the company remain optimistic.

D) Despite the disappointing stock report, investors in the company remain optimistic. -Choices A, B, and C are examples of incorrect subject-verb agreement in which plural subjects, separated from verbs with prepositional phrases, are incorrectly paired with singular verbs.Choice D correctly links a plural subject with a plural verb.

Samuel left his riding boots at the stable last week. The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of which of the following parts of speech? A) Preposition B) Noun C) Adverb D) Pronoun

D) Pronoun -Because the word his refers to the noun antecedent Samuel, the word his functions as a pronoun in this sentence.

subject-verb agreement

Plural subjects must have plural verbs. Singular subjects must have singular verbs

Part of speech

address the differences between subjects, verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, articles, and prepositions.

Articles

are identifiers; they let us know if a noun is specific or general.

Subject

convey who or what is performing the action in a sentence.

Verbs

describe the action that is taking place

Preposition

indicate relationships between components of a sentence, often showing the location or direction of action.

Interjections

is a word added to a sentence to show sudden or strong emotion.

Pronoun

is a word that refers to a noun

Adverbs

modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs

A plural noun

represents more than one person, place, or thing being described.

Singular noun

represents only one person, place, or thing

Adjectives

word used to modify or describe a noun or pronoun, such as "happy," "sad," or "pretty."

Which of the following plural nouns is written in the correct form? A) Alumni B) Mouses C) Phenomeni D) Syllabuses

A) Alumni -The word alumni is the plural form of the nouns alumnus and alumna. The other answer choices are incorrect because mice is the plural of mouse; phenomena is the plural of phenomenon; and syllabi is the plural of syllabus.

Constructed with sustainable materials, the new music building on campus is powered by an array of solar panels. The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of which of the following parts of speech? A) Article B) Noun C) Preposition D) Pronoun

A) Article -Choice A is correct because the word an is an article that modifies the word array.

Which of the following sentences contains an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) Both of the children prefer pink lemonade instead of iced tea. B) Everyone attend orientation meetings before the start of the semester. C) Somebody mow the grass regularly even though the house is vacant. D) All of the students enjoys the school trip at the end of the year.

A) Both of the children prefer pink lemonade instead of iced tea. -Indefinite pronouns that are singular, such as everyone and somebody, require a singular verb; indefinite pronouns that are plural, including both and all, need a plural verb. Choice A's plural subject, Both, agrees with its plural verb, prefer.

Which of the following sentences contains subject-verb agreement? A) Charles and Katherine, veteran news reporters, interview the mayoral candidate. B) Charles and Katherine, veteran news reporters, interviews the mayoral candidate. C) Several veteran news reporters interviews the mayoral candidate. D) Veteran news reporters, Charles and Katherine, interviews the mayoral candidate.

A) Charles and Katherine, veteran news reporters, interview the mayoral candidate. -Choice A is the only sentence that correctly uses a plural subject, Charles and Katherine, with a plural verb, interview. The other answer choices connect plural subjects with singular verbs.

Which of the following sentences contains a correct example of subject-verb agreement? A) Neither Howard nor Phillip likes to play board games. B) Either the host or hostess greet guests when they arrive at the restaurant. C) Sally or Brenda volunteer at the hospital nearly every weekend. D) Hiking or jogging provide excellent cardiovascular exercise.

A) Neither Howard nor Phillip likes to play board games. -Compound subjects with multiple nouns are still considered singular if they are joined with words like or or nor. Therefore, choice A is correct because it links a singular subject, Howard nor Phillip, with the singular verb likes.

Which of the following sentences provides an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) The list of standing committees is in the folder. B) One reason for college visits are to help students narrow down the many choices available. C) Peter's collection of model airplanes were started by gifts from his grandfather. D) A rare volume of classic folktales were donated to the library.

A) The list of standing committees is in the folder. -Choice A correctly conjugates the singular subject list with the singular verb is; the other answer choices incorrectly link plural verbs to plural nouns in the preceding prepositional phrases rather than to the singular subjects of these sentences.

The severe thunderstorm developed later than predicted, so we had time to finish our picnic. Which of the following correctly identifies the parts of speech in the underlined portions of the sentence above? A) Noun; adverb B) Adjective; adverb C) Adverb; adjective D) Adjective; noun

B) Adjective; adverb -Since the word severe modifies the noun thunderstorm, it functions as an adjective in this sentence. The word later functions as an adverb in this sentence, modifying the verb developed.

Each exquisite necklace is meticulously crafted by hand. Which of the following correctly identifies the parts of speech in the underlined portions of the sentence above? A) Noun; adverb B) Adjective; adverb C) Adverb; adjective D) Adverb; adverb

B) Adjective; adverb -Since the word exquisite modifies the noun necklace, it functions as an adjective in this sentence. The word meticulously functions as an adverb in this sentence, modifying the verb crafted.

Which of the following sentences contains a correct example of subject-verb agreement? A) Everyone who hears that song comment on its catchy rhythm. B) Anyone who cares about the environment recycles plastic water bottles. C) Somebody who listens to that radio station call in every morning. D) Both professors who are on sabbatical intends to write a book this year.

B) Anyone who cares about the environment recycles plastic water bottles. -Choice B is correct because the singular verb cares is paired with its singular subject, Anyone. Most indefinite pronouns are singular and require singular verbs, except for certain pronouns, such as both and all.

Which of the following sentences contains subject-verb agreement? A) After practice this Saturday, the team play its season opener. B) Before the pool opens for the season, the waterpark staff provides lifeguard training. C) As classical music enthusiasts, the audience tend to favor works by Baroque composers. D) In addition to geometry and algebra, the class study calculus this year.

B) Before the pool opens for the season, the waterpark staff provides lifeguard training. -Each of these sentences contains a collective noun that indicates group unity. Since this type of noun is considered a singular noun, the proceeding verb must also be singular.

Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement? A) Visitors who toured the botanical garden was impressed with its lush beauty. B) Members of the honor society are chosen based on academic achievement. C) Archaeologists working at the excavation site has discovered evidence of ancient civilizations. D) Lawyers at the firm serves as mentors to law student interns.

B) Members of the honor society are chosen based on academic achievement. -Choice B contains correct subject-verb agreement since the subject Members is plural, and the verb are chosen is also plural. The other answer choices present plural subjects with singular verbs and are therefore incorrect.

Which of the following sentences provides an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) Street signs depicting small children at play is visible all over the neighborhood. B) Students pursuing degrees in healthcare take anatomy and physiology courses. C) Vendors selling food at the state fair undergoes regular safety inspections. D) Politicians running for office in this town frequently visits with local residents.

B) Students pursuing degrees in healthcare take anatomy and physiology courses. -Each of these sentences contains a plural subject that requires a plural verb. Only choice B correctly pairs the plural subject Students with the plural verb take; the other sentences all use plural subjects with singular verbs.

Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement? A) After a heavy rainfall, the dry creek beds often overflows. B) The barns surrounding the farmhouse were painted shades of red and brown. C) Many trees in this orchard produces a variety of delicious apples. D) Freezing temperatures last winter is blamed for the lackluster harvest.

B) The barns surrounding the farmhouse were painted shades of red and brown. -Since the subjects of these sentences are plural, the accompanying verbs must also be plural. Choices A, C, and D present plural subjects with singular nouns, making these answer choices incorrect.

Which of the following sentences contains an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) Julia and David performs solo pieces in this evening's choral concert. B) Brian or Alice plan to assist at the school science fair next week. C) Mary and her sisters browse antique stores for unique gift items. D) Donald or his brother stop at the grocery store on Fridays to pick up milk and bread.

C) Mary and her sisters browse antique stores for unique gift items. -Compound subjects joined by the word and are considered plural and require plural verbs; compound subjects linked with the word or are considered singular and must be followed by singular verbs. Therefore, only choice C is correct.

When the cruise ship pulled into port, the seaside town was flooded with tourists. Which of the following correctly identifies the parts of speech in the underlined portions of the sentence above? A) Preposition; adverb B) Adjective; verb C) Noun; preposition D) Preposition; noun

C) Noun; preposition -Because the word ship identifies a person, place, or thing, it is a noun. The word with links the prepositional phrase with tourists to the rest of the sentence.

Which of the following sentences provides an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) The damaged wiper blades on the truck is being replaced. B) The two mailboxes in front of the house overflows with newspapers. C) The bright rays of the sun are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. D) The many pickets of the backyard fence is painted white.

C) The bright rays of the sun are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -Choice C's plural subject rays is correctly paired with the plural verb are. Since choices A, B, and D use plural subjects along with singular verbs, they are incorrect.

Which of the following sentences provides an example of correct subject-verb agreement? A) The herd of elephants are being driven from their natural habitat. B) The flock of baby ducks search for bread crumbs near the edge of the pond. C) The pride of lions is traveling across the plains in search of fresh water. D) The pack of hungry wolves follow their prey until the early morning hours.

C) The pride of lions is traveling across the plains in search of fresh water. -These sentences' subjects are collective nouns that indicate group unity and are singular in number. Only choice C pairs its singular subject with a singular verb.

Which of the following sentences contains subject-verb agreement? A) Both Jenna and Patrick is interested in playing soccer this year. B) Brian and Eileen expects to hear their favorite song at the dance tonight. C) The dog and the cat is both due for their annual veterinary visits. D) My aunt and my uncle plan to visit our family over the holidays.

D) My aunt and my uncle plan to visit our family over the holidays. -Choice D provides an example of a sentence containing subject-verb agreement since the compound subject, aunt and uncle, is considered a plural subject. Therefore, the verb must also be plural, as is the case with the verb plan.

Mechanics generally advise motorists to have their cars serviced every 3,000 miles. The word motorists serves as which of the following types of speech in the sentence above? A) Pronoun B) Article C) Preposition D) Noun

D) Noun -The word motorists serves as the direct object of the noun Mechanics in this sentence and functions as a noun. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement? A) Topics included in the manual ranges from welding to pipefitting. B) Captains of the ship rotates their time on and off duty. C) Dates for each club meeting is posted by the door. D) Numbers for current program enrollment indicate a high degree of interest.

D) Numbers for current program enrollment indicate a high degree of interest. -Choice D contains correct subject-verb agreement since the subject Numbers is plural, and the verb indicate is also plural. The other answer choices present plural subjects with singular verbs and are therefore incorrect.