Semester exam review

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

• The boys went to the park, but did not go to the zoo.

• The boys didn't go to the zoo because they went to the park.

• The boys went to the park.

• The park.

Answer explanation

A SIMPLE sentence contains a subject and a verb, expressing a complete thought. 'The boys went to the park.' is a complete thought with a subject ('the boys') and a verb ('went'), making it a simple sentence.

Which of the following is an example of a comma splice?

• The cat jumped on the house from the fence.

• The cat jumped, it landed on all four paws.

• The cat jumped onto the roof, and sprinted away.

• The cat jumped on the roof and sprinted away and fell off and sprained an ankle.

Answer explanation

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by just a comma. In 'The cat jumped, it landed on all four paws.', the two clauses are improperly connected by a comma, making it a comma splice.

It takes more than food to make babies grow up to be healthy and happy. If babies are not patted and hugged, they grow more slowly and are less healthy. Also, they will not be as smart or as happy as adults. Many studies show that love is the most important thing in children's lives.

Which answer expresses the main idea of the paragraph?

• that children need love to grow up healthy

• what makes babies grow up

• how to have smart children

• why good food is important to babies

Answer explanation

The main idea of the paragraph is that love is essential for children's healthy growth, as it emphasizes that without affection, babies grow slower and are less healthy, highlighting the importance of love in their lives.

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• If my life was a circus act, I would be a clown.

• I like circus performances and I love plays.

• A circus and a play from Broadway are coming to town.

• I eat broccoli because it is tasty.

Answer explanation

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. 'I like circus performances and I love plays.' has two clauses joined by 'and', making it a compound sentence. The other options are not compound.

The Roman Empire was once divided between east and west. The Roman Empire in the west was called "The Holy Roman Empire" which, according to Voltaire, was "neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire." The Roman Empire in the east was called "The Byzantine Empire" due to the Roman capital being moved to "Constantinople" which used to be known as "Byzantium" before Emperor Constantine.

Which of the following is an inference?

• Voltaire said that the HRE was not "holy" "roman" or an "empire".

• The Roman Empire was once divided between east and west.

• Constantine renamed Byzantium after himself.

• The Roman capital was once moved.

Answer explanation

The statement about Constantine renaming Byzantium to Constantinople is an inference, as it implies a direct action by him, while the other options are factual statements or observations.

Which of the following is a fragment.

• The cat slept.

• I think therefore.

• She flew.

• I am.

Answer explanation

The phrase 'I think therefore.' is a fragment because it lacks a complete thought or independent clause. It does not express a complete idea, unlike the other options which are complete sentences.

Which of the following is a complex sentence

• The job market and economy seem to get worse and worse every year.

• Students today are faced with challenges that many adults never had to deal with.

• My teacher is strict but they actually want the best for us.

• If we don't utilize all that high school has to offer, it may take us years to move out.

Answer explanation

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The correct choice, "If we don't utilize all that high school has to offer, it may take us years to move out," has both, making it a complex sentence.

How can you say someone is "Old" without the negative connotation?

• That person is so ANCIENT.

• She is an ELDER.

• That man is OUTDATED.

• They're PREHISTORIC.

Answer explanation

The term 'ELDER' is a respectful way to refer to someone older, emphasizing wisdom and experience, unlike the other options which carry negative connotations. Thus, 'She is an ELDER' is the best choice.

Rephrase the following into passive voice (Use your notes).

Remember: Active voice tells us who is doing the action. We are not supposed to know who is doing the action in Passive voice.

Our team started throwing punches at the enemy team.

• We started punching the other team.

• Our team began the fight by punching the MVP.

• The sports team attacked the enemy team.

• The enemy team was attacked.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'The enemy team was attacked,' is in passive voice, focusing on the action done to the enemy team without specifying who performed it. The other options retain active voice or specify the doer.

What is a theme from Romeo and Juliet

• Violence and Oppression

• Love and Violence

• Humor

• Society vs Greed

Answer explanation

In Romeo and Juliet, the theme of 'Love and Violence' is prominent as the intense love between the characters leads to tragic violence, highlighting how passion can coexist with conflict and ultimately result in devastating consequences.