Grammar Pre Assessment

1. Read this sentence.

Jeffery asked “Why not”?

What is the correct way to punctuate this sentence?

• Jeffery asked, “Why not”?

• Jeffery asked, “Why not?”

• Jeffery asked “Why not?”

• No change

Read this sentence.

Whether it was this piece of Irish persuasion or the sight of their dripping clothes the argument had its effect.

What is the correct way to punctuate this sentence?

• Whether it was this piece of Irish persuasion, or the sight of their dripping clothes the argument had its effect.

• Whether it was this piece of Irish persuasion or the sight of their dripping clothes, the argument had its effect.

• Whether it was this piece of Irish persuasion, or the sight of their dripping clothes, the argument had its effect.

• No Change

Read this sentence.

The plane was filled with the collective sighs and snorts of passengers dozing as best they might sleep for me was out of the question.

What is the correct way to punctuate this underlined section?

• as best, they might sleep for me

• as best they might, sleep for me

• as best they might and sleep for me

• as best they might; sleep for me

Read this sentence.

Panting like an escaped pickpocket. I stopped for breath halfway up the hill.

What is the correct way to write the underlined section to correct the sentence fragment?

• escaped, pickpocket I stopped

• escaped pickpocket; I stopped

• escaped pickpocket, I stopped

• escaped pickpocket I stopped,

Read this sentence.

He had mastered the routine of producing the crew’s meals quickly and competently, and was highly resistant to any suggestions to change its menu.

What word is the correct replacement for the underlined word in the sentence?

• their

• our

• himself

• his

Read this sentence.

Something flew past my head a spray of blood spattered across my cheek.

What’s the best way to rewrite the sentence?

• Something flew past my head, and a spray of blood spattered across my cheek.

• Something flew past my head and a spray of blood spattered across my cheek.

• Something flew past my head; and a spray of blood spattered across my cheek.

• A spray of blood spattered across my cheek, since something flew past my head.

Read this sentence.

He was conversing cordially with a group of men, and they all are eager to make the acquaintance of a prosperous businessman who might offer useful contacts with the French sugar trade.

Which word is the correct replacement for the underlined word?

• is

• were

• was

• no change

Read this sentence.

He was very nearly as upset as I was, I saw the muscles of his throat move as he swallowed.

What is the best way to rewrite the underlined section?

• upset as I was; and I saw the

• upset as I was and I saw the

• upset as I was; I saw the

• no change

Which sentence shows correct verb usage?

• She pulled a lace-trimmed handkerchief from her pocket and patted her damp face, sniffing a bit as she regained her composure.

• The next best idea seems to be to search the house to see if he came out of hiding.

• He took a deep breath and blows it out before answering her.

• He ignored Grey’s flustered apology, and turns to the bookshelf.

Indicate whether each part is a fragment (F) or sentence (S):

Startled by the loud noise of the engine. I dropped the wrench and jumped out of the way.

• S/S

• F/F

• S/F

• F/S