Standardized Test Prep Grammar and Usage

1. Standardized Test Prep Grammar and Usage Grammar and Usage: Section 1 Grammar and Usage: Section 2 Handout

2. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. EXAMPLE 1. Has everyone chosen a topic for their essay? • (A) chosen a topic for their • (B) chose a topic for their • choosed a topic for their • chosen a topic for his or her • (E) chosen a topic for his and her (D) chosen a topic for his or her

3. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 1. In the 1936 Olympic Games, I read that Jesse Owens won four gold medals. • (A) In the 1936 Olympic Games, I read that Jesse Owens won four gold medals. • (B) In the 1936 Olympic Games, I read that four gold medals were won by Jesse Owens. • (C) I read where Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games. • I read in the 1936 Olympic Games that Jesse Owens won four gold medals. • I read that Jesse Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games.

4. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 2. In some sports, a “goose egg” is when a player has a score of zero. • (A) when a player has a score of zero • (B) where a player has a score of zero • (C) a score of zero • scoring a zero • that a player has a score of zero

5. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 3. I can’t hardly remember a time when the temperature was lower than it is today. • (A) I can’t hardly remember a time when the temperature was lower than it is today. • (B) I can’t hardly remember a time when the temperature was lower then it is today. • (C) I can hardly remember a time when the temperature was more lower than it is today. • I can hardly remember a time when the temperature was lower then it is today. • I can hardly remember a time when the temperature was lower than it is today.

6. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 4. This evening less people will be driving cars to the parade because there is less space available for parking. • (A) less people will be driving • (B) fewer people will be driving • (C) less people will have been driving • fewer people will have been driving • fewer people driven

7. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 5. The first tennis match was between she and I. • (A) between she and I • (B) between her and I • (C) between her and me • between she and me • among her and me

8. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 6. While running to the bus stop this morning, some books fell out of my backpack. • (A) While running to the bus stop this morning, some books fell out of my backpack. • (B) While running this morning, some books fell out of my backpack at the bus stop. • (C) While I was running to the bus stop this morning, some books fell out of my backpack. • Some books fell out of my backpack while running to the bus stop this morning. • I was running to the bus stop this morning while some of my books fell out of my backpack.

9. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 7. Raymond knows how to repair lawn mowers, and he plans to make it his summer job. • (A) and he plans to make it his summer job • (B) and he plans to make that his summer job • (C) and that is his plan for a summer job • and he plans to make repairing lawn mowers his summer job • which is his plan for a summer job

10. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 8. Creole dishes, the origins of which can be traced to Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking. • (A) Creole dishes, the origins of which can be traced to Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking. • (B) The origins of Creole dishes, which can be traced to Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking. • (C) Tracing the origins of Creole dishes to Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking. • Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking, which are the origins of Creole dishes. • The origins of Creole dishes can be traced to Spanish, African, and Caribbean cooking.

11. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 9. The coach doesn’t think that him and I have practiced free throws enough today. • (A) doesn’t think that him and I • (B) don’t think that him and me • (C) doesn’t think that he and I • don’t think that he and me • doesn’t think that him and me

12. Grammar and Usage: Section 1 DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A. 10. Some of the people who are standing in line have all ready bought their tickets. • (A) who are standing in line have all ready • (B) who are standing in line have already • (C) whom are standing in line have all ready • whom are standing in line have already • which are standing in line have already

13. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: Read the paragraph below. On the following slides, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. In the 1980s, several health problems suffered by office workers __1__ as symptoms of an ailment called sick building syndrome. Besides fatigue and eye irritation, __2__ symptoms included headaches, sore throats, colds, and flu. Sick building syndrome, __3__ has been responsible for a huge rise in absenteeism, can also cause a significant drop in productivity. The problems resulting from the syndrome __4 __ are caused by indoor chemical pollutants. These substances __5__ trapped in climate-controlled buildings. These pollutants are widespread, but the situation __6__ hopeless. Research originally conducted to help astronauts __7__ to a simple, effective solution—houseplants. Microorganisms in the roots of a potted plant __8__ with the plant to remove chemicals from the air. The __9__ plants include chrysanthemums and spider plants, which remove certain chemicals. Both peace lilies and English ivy __10__ an additional chemical.

14. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. 1. (A) identified (B) was identified (C) were identified (D) being identified (E) was being identified In the 1980s, several health problems suffered by office workers __1__ as symptoms of an ailment called sick building syndrome. Besides fatigue and eye irritation, __2__ symptoms included headaches, sore throats, colds, and flu. Sick building syndrome, __3__ has been responsible for a huge rise in absenteeism, can also cause a significant drop in productivity.The problems resulting from the syndrome __4 __ are caused by indoor chemical pollutants. 2. (A) these (B) them (C) these here (D) these kind of (E) them kind of

15. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. 3. (A) they (B) which (C) who (D) what (E) it In the 1980s, several health problems suffered by office workers __1__ as symptoms of an ailment called sick building syndrome. Besides fatigue and eye irritation, __2__ symptoms included headaches, sore throats, colds, and flu. Sick building syndrome, __3__ has been responsible for a huge rise in absenteeism, can also cause a significant drop in productivity.The problems resulting from the syndrome __4 __ are caused by indoor chemical pollutants. 4. (A) more likely (B) more likelier (C) likelier (D) most likely (E) most likeliest

16. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. 5. (A) becomes (B) becomed (C) becoming (D) become (E) is becoming These substances __5__ trapped in climate-controlled buildings. These pollutants are widespread, but the situation __6__ hopeless. Research originally conducted to help astronauts __7__ to a simple, effective solution—houseplants. Microorganisms in the roots of a potted plant __8__ with the plant to remove chemicals from the air. The __9__ plants include chrysanthemums and spider plants, which remove certain chemicals. Both peace lilies and English ivy __10__ an additional chemical. 6. (A) is in no way (B) is not in no way (C) aren’t in no way (D) it isn’t hardly (E) isn’t hardly

17. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. 7. (A) have led (B) has led (C) has lead (D) leads (E) have lead These substances __5__ trapped in climate-controlled buildings. These pollutants are widespread, but the situation __6__ hopeless. Research originally conducted to help astronauts __7__ to a simple, effective solution—houseplants. Microorganisms in the roots of a potted plant __8__ with the plant to remove chemicals from the air. The __9__ plants include chrysanthemums and spider plants, which remove certain chemicals. Both peace lilies and English ivy __10__ an additional chemical. 8. (A) they interact (B) it interacts (C) interact (D) interacts (E) is interacting

18. Grammar and Usage: Section 2 DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence. These substances __5__ trapped in climate-controlled buildings. These pollutants are widespread, but the situation __6__ hopeless. Research originally conducted to help astronauts __7__ to a simple, effective solution—houseplants. Microorganisms in the roots of a potted plant __8__ with the plant to remove chemicals from the air. The __9__ plants include chrysanthemums and spider plants, which remove certain chemicals. Both peace lilies and English ivy __10__ an additional chemical. 9. (A) most useful (B) usefullest (C) most usefullest (D) more usefuller (E) usefuller 10. (A) removes (B) they remove (C) removed (D) were removing (E) remove View All Answers

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