PSSA Grammar Review #2

Read the paragraph about road building in the ancient Roman Empire.

(1) The ancient Roman Empire included most of Europe and parts of Asia. (2) The Romans wanted to connect their many cities and seaports. (3) The Romans built a system of roads. (4) The Romans used a mix of clay, chalk, and gravel, which made a form of cement, for the foundation of the road. (5) They put large, flat stones on top of the cement foundation. (6) Some of these roads still exist today.

Which revision that combines sentences 2 and 3 into one sentence most improves their meaning?

• Because the Romans built a system of roads, they wanted to connect their many cities and seaports.

• The Romans built a system of roads, and they wanted to connect their many cities and seaports.

• The Romans connected their many cities and seaports and built a system of roads.

• To connect their many cities and seaports, the Romans built a system of roads.

Read the paragraph.

(1) Grasslands are areas of land throughout the world that do not get enough rain to support the growth of many trees. (2) However, these areas do have grasses and plants that provide a source of food for animals. (3) Many animals live in a grassland. (4) African elephants and zebras live in a grassland. (5) These areas of land are known also as prairies or savannas.

Choose the best way to combine sentences 3 and 4 to improve the meaning of the paragraph.

• Many animals, African elephants, and zebras live in grasslands.

• Many animals live in grasslands, and they are African elephants and zebras.

• African elephants and zebras are two of the many animals that live in grasslands.

• African elephants and zebras are animals that live with many other animals in grasslands.

Read the sentences.

Carly used to be uninterested in sports.

She now plays on a volleyball team.

Choose the best way to combine the two sentences.

• Carly, who used to be uninterested in sports, now plays on a volleyball team.

• Carly used to be uninterested in sports, so now she plays on a volleyball team.

• Now that she plays on a volleyball team, Carly used to be uninterested in sports.

• She now plays on a volleyball team, and Carly used to be uninterested in sports.

Read the paragraph from Danny’s speech in which he encourages students to volunteer to help others.

(1) Who exactly are volunteers? (2) They are people who use their talents to help others without being asked or without being paid money for their time. (3) They see problems, and instead of ignoring them, they try to solve the problems __________. (4) While volunteers are helping others, they are also gaining valuable experience.

Choose the most precise group of words to complete sentence 3.

• by combining useful ideas with hard work

• by doing what needs to be done

• by doing a lot of different things

• by using some interesting ways of getting stuff done

Read the sentences from a story.

(1) I peered down to the end of the street where the parade would start. (2) I noticed a formation of brightly-colored uniforms and shiny musical instruments flashing in the morning sun. (3) “The school marching band will start the parade,” I thought. (4) Just then, the clanging of a drummer’s stick sounded to count off a rhythm, and __________ .

Choose the most descriptive group of words to complete sentence 4.

• some loud music started playing all of a sudden

• a sharp burst of music rang through the crowded streets

• the music began with a lot of noise for everyone to hear

• a bunch of really loud music could be heard everywhere in the streets

Read the sentence.

After digging in the garden, Ben went inside to _______________.

Choose the most specific words to complete the sentence.

• tidy himself up a bit

• scrub his hands with soap and water

• clean up a huge mess

• wash a couple of things in the sink

Read the sentence.

Pearl Bailey was _______________ who began her career in Philadelphia.

Choose the most specific words to complete the sentence.

• a gifted singer

• a nice individual

• a famous person

• a talented person

Read the paragraph from a story.

(1) Megan and her aunt went fishing at a nearby creek. (2) Before they began, Megan’s aunt reviewed some safety tips. (3) While she was talking, though, she stumbled into the creek and got soaked. (4) Megan quickly helped her aunt out of the water. (5) Afterwards, when her aunt was wearing dry clothes, they planned their next fishing trip.

Which sentence should most likely end with an exclamation point to show excitement?

• sentence 1

• sentence 2

• sentence 3

• sentence 5

Read the paragraph.

(1) The sunlight came through the window. (2) The little cat stretched his legs and then curled up in a sunny spot on the bed. (3) He slept most of the morning, waking up only to follow the moving sunny spot.

Which revision of sentence 1 best uses details to show what is happening?

• The sunlight made it through the window, and the room seemed yellow, bright, and warm.

• The sunlight streamed through the window and bathed the room in a warm, golden glow.

• A lot of sunlight went through the window, and the room was much nicer to be in.

• A large amount of sunlight got through the window and into the nice, warm room.

Read the sentences from a student’s essay about sleep.

(1) When people sleep, their muscles relax. (2) As a result, the body can better repair itself, which is one benefit of sleep. (3) Snoozing all night long is like telling the brain to take a break. (4) If people sleep well at night, they are more alert for tasks during the day. (5) Getting the right amount of sleep is important for good health.

Which sentence should be revised to maintain the formal style of the paragraph?

• sentence 2

• sentence 3

• sentence 4

• sentence 5