English Language Skills

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary."After being studied (A) for the preceding ten years (B) by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the relationship of high levels of cholesterol in the blood to the possibility of having (C) heart attacks was reported in 1984. A. Having been studied B. preceding ten years C. having been D. No change is necessary.

A. Having been studied

Choose the option that is punctuated correctly. A. Preferring to be hand-fed canned tuna, our family's new Siamese cat refuses to eat dry cat food. B. Preferring to be hand-fed canned tuna, our familys' new Siamese cat refuses to eat dry cat food. C. Preferring to be hand-fed canned tuna. Our family's new Siamese cat refuses to eat dry cat food. D. Preferring to be hand-fed canned tuna our family's new Siamese cat refuses to eat dry cat food.

A. Preferring to be hand-fed canned tuna, our family's new Siamese cat refuses to eat dry cat food.

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." As we drove by uncle(A) George's house, I noticed that my math(B) book was not in my backpack, so I asked my sister(C) to turn the car around and go back to school. A. Uncle B. Math C. Sister D. no change

A. Uncle

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." Poets of the nineteenth century tried to entertain their readers but also with the attempt of teaching them lessons about life. A. both to entertain and to teach their readers B. to entertain their readers but also to attempt to teach them C. to both entertain their readers and to teach them D. No change is necessary.

A. both to entertain and to teach their readers

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." The town lost their(A) welcome sign when strong winds blew it(B) down, so volunteers have donated their(C) time in order to erect a new sign. A. its B. them C. his or her D. no change

A. its

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." Cristy asked Janet and I(A) to run the marathon with her(B), but since we are much faster than she(C) is, we declined. A. me B. she C. her D. no change

A. me

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." The counselor said more time was needed to resolve the argument between my brother and I(A). She(B) recommended that we make another appointment to see her(C). A. me B. They C. herself D. no change

A. me

Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. A. My mother, at the age of five, took me to visit the animals at the zoo. B. When I was five, my mother took me to visit the animals at the zoo. C. My mother took me to visit the animals at the age of five at the zoo. D. When my mother was five, she took me to visit the animals at the zoo.

B. When I was five, my mother took me to visit the animals at the zoo.

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. The art exhibit displayed works by many famous {artists such as} Dali, Picasso, and Michelangelo. A. artists such as; B. artists such as: C. artists such D. no change

B. artists such as:

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. Failing a test because the student is nervous is(A) understandable; to fail(B) because he or she(C) did not study is quite another matter. A. was B. failing C. they D. no change

B. failing

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. As you know, I am not easily fooled by flattery, and while {nice words please you,} they don't get the job done. A. pleasing you with nice words B. nice words are pleasing C. nice words please a person D. no change

B. nice words are pleasing

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." The reason Jason failed his (A) speech class was because (B)he suffered such stage fright (C) that he refused to give his final speech. A. the B. that C. stage fright D. No change is necessary.

B. that

Choose the correct word or phrase that provides parallel structure to the sentence. The women baked the cookies, but ___________________________________________. A. the kitchens were cleaned by the husbands B. the husbands cleaned the kitchens C. the cleaning was done by the husbands D. the kitchens being cleaned by the husbands

B. the husbands cleaned the kitchens

Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence. The Johnsons cut __________ grass so infrequently that early in the morning, you can find wild rabbits feasting on the long green shoots. A. they are B. their C. there D. they're

B. their

Select the answer choice that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose choice D. When(A) they got inside the cabin, the(B) hunters builded(C) a huge fire in the fireplace. A. Whenever B. cabin the C. built D. no change

C. Built

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. The Koran(A) is considered(B) by muslims(C) to be the holy word. A. koran B. was considered C. Muslims D. no change

C. Muslims (capitalization)

Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are placed correctly. A. Rushing to finish the surprise dinner on time, Melissa borrowed an egg from a neighbor that was rotten. B. Melissa borrowed an egg from a neighbor that was rotten, rushing to finish the surprise dinner on time. C. Rushing to finish the surprise dinner on time, Melissa borrowed an egg that was rotten from a neighbor. D. Melissa borrowed an egg that was rotten from a neighbor, rushing to finish the surprise dinner on time.

C. Rushing to finish the surprise dinner on time, Melissa borrowed an egg that was rotten from a neighbor.

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." The story of the American pioneers, those (A) who willingly left the safety of their (B) homes to move into unsettled territory, show (C) us great courage in the face of danger. A. they B. its C. shows D. No change is necessary.

C. Shows

Select the answer choice that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose choice D. We had certainly(A) won more board(B) games then(C) other players in the class. A. for certain B. bored C. than D. no change

C. Than

Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. The professor's consistent late arrival is offset somewhat by the remarkable quality of his lectures. A. Lately, the professor's arriving consistently B. The consistent late arrival of the professor C. The professor's consistently late arrival D. no change

C. The professor's consistently late arrival

Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. A. I, when I was walking up the street, saw the United Nations Building. B. The United Nations Building was seen by me walking up the street. C. Walking up the street, I saw the United Nations Building. D. I, seeing the United Nations Building, walking up the street.

C. Walking up the street, I saw the United Nations Building.

Choose the option that is punctuated correctly. A. Within a year, my new puppy should weigh about 18 pounds, I'm making sure that I feed him a nutritious diet. B. Within a year, my new puppy should weigh about 18 pounds I'm making sure that I feed him a nutritious diet. C. Within a year, my new puppy should weigh about 18 pounds. I'm making sure that I feed him a nutritious diet. D. Within a year my new puppy should weigh about 18 pounds I'm making sure that I feed him a nutritious diet.

C. Within a year, my new puppy should weigh about 18 pounds. I'm making sure that I feed him a nutritious diet.

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. So tenacious is their grip on life, that sponge cells will regroup and form a new sponge even {when they are} squeezed through silk. A. when it is B. as they will be C. after they have been D. no change

C. after they have been

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. Students must pay a penalty for overdue library {books, however, there} is a grace period. A. books: however, there B. books however, there C. books; however, there D. no change

C. books; however, there

Choose the correct word or phrase that provides parallel structure to the sentence. The teacher sought new ways of teaching, beveling her students would get more from lessons ____________ A. featuring playing, acting, and creativity B. featuring playing, acting, and creative things C. featuring playing, acting, and creating. D. featuring play, act, and creativity.

C. featuring playing, acting, and creating.

Choose the most effective word or phrase. While Julie's nature was not __________, she decided to defy her own parents for their own good. A. obedient B. helpful C. insubordinate D. vain

C. insubordinate (defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.)

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." Recognizing (A) that we had worked (B) very hard to complete our project, the teacher told Janice and I (C) that we could give it to her tomorrow. A. To recognize' B. did work C. me D. No change is necessary.

C. me

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." Nancy was pretty, but Maryann was the {prettiest} of the two. A. most pretty B. more pretty C. prettier D. no change

C. prettier

Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence. Before they went to dinner, the office staff _____________ the incident to the insurance company. A. renounced B. relented C. related D. reserved

C. related

To accept false criticism, explained the counselor, is _________________________________. A. giving up one's self-esteem B. bad because you give up your self-esteem C. to give up one's self-esteem D. one's way to give up your self-esteem

C. to give up one's self-esteem

Choose the option that corrects an error, if no error exists, choose D. Eighteenth-century architecture, with its columns and balanced lines, was characteristic of those of previous times in Greece and Rome. A. was characteristic of those of before times in Greece and Rome B. is similar to characteristics of Greece and Rome C. was similar to architecture of Greece and Rome D. no change

C. was similar to architecture of Greece and Rome.

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." The advertisements said that Coke (A) was better than Pepsi, but you (B) couldn't tell until you had drunk (C) it. A. coke B. they C. drank D. No change is necessary.

D. No change is necessary.

Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. A. The television, filled with a delicious snack, entertained the child. B. The child was entertained by the television filled with a delicious snack. C. The child was filled with a delicious snack, the television entertained him. D. The television entertained the small child filled with a delicious snack.

D. The television entertained the small child filled with a delicious snack.

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." After Chris and I(A) watched a movie about ghosts, he(B) and I(C) had a long discussion about the supernatural. A. me B. him C. me D. no change

D. no change

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." As the bailiff cries, {"All rise," the} black-robed judge strides purposefully to his place. A. 'All rise,' the B. "All rise", the C. All rise, the D. no change

D. no change

Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose "No change is necessary." During the difficult Biology exam, Jeffrey and he(A) nervously chewed bubble gum until Dr. Shuman told them(B) that they(C) needed to make less noise. A. him B. they C. them D. no change

D. no change

Choose the option that corrects an error, if there is no error, choose D. The ideals upon which(A) American society is based(B) are(C) primarily those of Europe and not ones derived from the native Indian culture. A. upon that B. was based C. is D. no change

D. no change

Choose the correct word or phrase that provides parallel structure to the sentence. One patient had a broken arm, a fractured skull, and __________________________________________. A. two of her ribs were broken B. ribs two of which were broken C. long with having two broken ribs D. two broken ribs

D. two broken ribs

Misplaced Modifier, which is correct? She served hamburgers to the men on paper plates. She served hamburgers on paper plates to the men.

She served hamburgers on paper plates to the men.