NJSLA Prep English

What is the main idea of a passage that describes the life cycle of a butterfly, from egg to adult?

• The process of metamorphosis in insects

• The importance of butterflies in pollination

• The geographical distribution of butterflies

• The dietary habits of caterpillars

What pronoun should be changed to make this sentence reasonable?

 When Clara ran out of fantasy novels to read, she went to the library to replenish her supply. Unfortunately, they were completely out of them.

• "she"

• "they"

• "them"

• "her"

Answer explanation

The word "Library" is singular and must be matched with a singular pronoun for the pronoun to match with its antecedent.

How can this sentence be improved?

Most kayaks are made of rubberized cloth, molded plastic, or fiberglass. It is covered except for the opening in which the paddler or paddlers sit.

• NO CHANGE

• One is

• They are

• Which are

Answer explanation

"They are" should be used in this sentence, since "kayaks" is plural, and it must be matched with a plural pronoun.

How can you make this sentence reasonable?

Equipment for both types of kayaks are similar...

• NO CHANGE

• is

• were

• was

Answer explanation

The subject "equipment" is singular and must be matched with another singular verb which makes "is" the most ideal answer choice.

Correct the sentence.

There is nothing better then waking up to the smell of freshly-brewed coffee.

• NO CHANGE

• better than

• better

• better to

Answer explanation

The word "than" should be used to describe the feeling of more than something which the sentence is expressing.

The exciting smell really gets my blood pumping.

• NO CHANGE

• simulating

• dazzling

• stimulating

Answer explanation

The words are commonly confused to match definition but stimulating matches with "gets my blood pumping."

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets waiting by the back door; hip-waders hanging in the closet;

• NO CHANGE

• waiting, by the back door,

• waiting by the back door,

• waiting by the back door

Answer explanation

The first comma after waiting is unnecessary, and a semi colon should be used to separate the different ideas.

I grew up with buckets, shovels, and nets waiting by the back door; hip-waders hanging in the closet; tide table charts covering the refrigerator door; and a microscope was sitting on the kitchen table.

• NO CHANGE

• would sit

• sitting

• sat

Answer explanation

The pattern in the verbs is "-ing" and must be continued to match with the topics.

Conclude the sentence with the most relevant option.

Julia wanted to move into her brother's room after he graduated from high school, but she wasn't able to because he ended up living at home for his first year of college.

• NO CHANGE

• because he ended up living at home.

• because he decided to major in biology.

• OMIT the underlined portion, ending the sentence with a period after to.

Answer explanation

Tip for relevance questions: some of the answers have a lot more words than others and the answers provide information that doesn't appear elsewhere in the passage, focus on the answers and it's easy to spot the tricky questions.

Jerry’s son however; is very fond of that particular bat, since he has hit at least eight home runs with it.

• NO CHANGE

• son, however

• son; however,

• son, however,