ELPAC Writing-related Skills Practice (9-12) [20 Questions]

Subject-verb agreement: Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: The team of players (is/are) practicing hard for the upcoming match.

• is

• be

• am

• were

Answer explanation

The correct verb form is 'is' because 'team' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb.

Subject-verb agreement: Select the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement: A pair of shoes (was/were) left in the hallway.

• is

• am

• be

• was

Answer explanation

The correct subject-verb agreement is 'was' because 'pair' is a singular noun.

Subject-verb agreement: Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement: The group of students (has/have) completed their project on time.

• had

• has

• have

• hasn't

Answer explanation

The correct subject-verb agreement is 'has' because 'group' is a singular noun and requires a singular verb.

Adverbs: Choose the sentence with the correct placement of the adverb: She quickly ran to catch the bus.

• She quickly catch the bus ran to

• She ran to quickly catch the bus

• She ran quickly to catch the bus.

• Quickly she ran to catch the bus

Adverbs: Select the sentence with the appropriate adverb usage: The students worked (hard/hardly) to finish the assignment.

• quickly

• hard

• soft

• hardly

Answer explanation

The correct adverb to use in this sentence is 'hard'. It describes how the students worked to finish the assignment.

Adverbs: Identify the sentence with the correct adverb placement: The teacher explained the lesson (clearly/clear) to the class.

• The teacher explained the lesson clear to the class.

• The teacher explained the lesson clear to the class.

• The teacher explained the lesson to the class clear.

• The teacher explained the lesson clearly to the class.

Answer explanation

The correct adverb placement is 'clearly' in the sentence 'The teacher explained the lesson clearly to the class.' It modifies the verb 'explained' and provides clarity to the action.

Writing conventions: Select the sentence with the appropriate capitalization: the golden gate bridge is located in san francisco, california.

• the golden gate bridge is located in san francisco, california.

• The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco, California.

• the golden gate bridge is located in San Francisco, california.

• the golden gate bridge is located in San Francisco, California.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco, California.' It follows proper capitalization rules for proper nouns.

Writing conventions: Identify the sentence with the correct use of apostrophes: The dogs' toys were scattered all over the yard.

• The dog's toys were scattered all over the yard.

• The dogs toys were scattered all over the yard.

• The dogs toys' were scattered all over the yard.

• The dogs' toys were scattered all over the yard.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The dogs' toys were scattered all over the yard.' because it shows possession by using the apostrophe correctly.

ELPAC: Choose the sentence that best demonstrates the use of descriptive language to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

• The car drove down the street.

• The cat slept peacefully in the sunbeam.

• The dog ran quickly through the field.

• The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple.

Answer explanation

The sentence 'The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple.' demonstrates the use of descriptive language to create a vivid image in the reader's mind.

ELPAC: Select the sentence that effectively uses varied sentence structures to engage the reader.

• Maria went for a walk in the park after finishing her homework. She met her friends and played soccer until sunset.

• Maria finished her homework and went for a walk in the park. She met her friends and played soccer until sunset.

• After finishing her homework, Maria went for a walk in the park, where she met her friends and played soccer until sunset.

• Maria went for a walk in the park. She met her friends and played soccer until sunset.

Answer explanation

The correct choice effectively uses varied sentence structures to engage the reader by starting with a dependent clause and including additional details about the park and meeting friends.