Download Grammar diagnostic

Grammar, Usage, Mechanics
English II Honors, Mrs. DeSanta
Identifying the parts of speech: Read each sentence. Choose the part of speech of
the boldfaced, underlined word. (See Chapter 1 in Elements of Grammer)
a. noun
b. pronoun
c. verb
d. adjective
e. adverb
ab. preposition
ac. conjunction
ad. interjection
1. Mrs. Lee’s new job is quite lucrative.
2. The questions went on too long, and our team didn’t know many answers.
3. The confused children asked the salesclerk at the register next to the
entrance for directions.
4. The soloist played well, yet later said she was scared.
5. It’s certain that either Lucy or Tim will be chosen for the part.
Identifying the parts of a sentence: Read each of the following sentences and look
at the boldfaced, underlined word. Choose the answer that tells how the underlined
word or words are used in the sentence. (See Chapter 2 Elements of Grammar)
6. Unfortunately, the view from the top of the mountains is frequently
obscured by clouds or mist.
a. direct object
b. predicate nominative
c. subject
d. indirect object
7. The construction supervisor gave Josephine keys to the bulldozer and
asked her to clear debris from the field.
a. direct object
b. predicate nominative
c. subject
d. indirect object
8. Our social studies teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, uses the Internet as a
complement to our textbook.
a. direct object
b. predicate nominative
c. subject
d. indirect object
9. Crowded cities in which efficient public transportation is essential are
Tokyo, Rome and New York.
a. direct object
b. predicate nominative
c. subject
d. indirect object
10. While we watched with excitement, the officials gave the race-car driver a
trophy for winning the race.
a. direct object
b. predicate nominative
c. subject
d. indirect object
Identifying subjects and predicates: Decide whether the boldfaced, underlined
word or words are subjects or predicates in the following sentences. (See Chapter 2
Elements of Grammar)
11. T.J. and Miranda will try the new restaurant.
a. subject
b. predicate
12. The crocodiles slithered and slipped across the marsh.
a. subject
b. predicate
13. Thomas had read a few novels but had never heard of Chinua Achebe.
a. subject
b. predicate
14. In what state did the Dred Scot trial begin?
a. subject
b. predicate
15. Have Mrs. Simmons and her fiancé reserved the mansion and hired the
caterers?
a. subject
b. predicate
Fragments and Run-Ons: Read the paragraph and mark (a) on the scantron when
you recognize a sentence fragment and (b) when you recognize a run-on sentence.
(See Chapter 2 Elements of Grammar)
a. sentence fragment
b. run-on sentence
(16.) The Sahara Desert in Africa. (17.) The world’s greatest hot, dry stretch of land.
(18.) Its average annual rainfall is usually less than ten inches, this is the amount of
rainfall that defines a desert. (19.) Winds prevent growth, they act like a
sandblasting machine. (20.) Creating sand and more sand, blowing endlessly.
Identifying phrases: Use letters ‘a’ through ‘e’ to identify each of the boldfaced,
underlined phrases. (See Chapter 3 Elements of Grammar)
a. adverb phrase
c. infinitive phrase
b. adjective phrase
d. appositive phrase
21. What would you like to learn about diamonds?
22. The park, established in 1991, lies near the border of the two towns.
23. In addition to its vegetation, the park has a stunning variety of animals.
24. Within the park and along its perimeter lives a large percentage of the
gorilla population.
25. Diamonds, the jewels of romance, are also important in industry.
Identifying Clauses: Use the letters a, b, or c to identify the boldfaced, underlined
clauses. (See Chapter 4 Elements of Grammar)
a. adjective clause
b. adverb clause
c. noun clause
26. James Audubon, who was a naturalist, is famous for his paintings of birds.
27. When he had enough paintings, he looked for a publisher.
28. What he needed was an audience to appreciate his highly detailed, accurate
work.
29. He found such an audience in England, where his exhibitions were
successful.
30. He went on to create The Birds of America, which is his masterpiece.
Subject-Verb Agreement: Choose the verb in parentheses that agrees with the
subject. (See Chapter 5 Elements of Grammar)
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
Everyone in our club (a. pay OR b. pays) dues.
Most of our club members (a. attend OR b. attends) all our meetings.
Service, not fun activities, (a. is OR b. are) the focus of our club.
Several of us (a. is OR b. are) active in community outreach.
None of our members (a. expect OR b. expects) any payback or reward.
Noun/Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Choose the word in parentheses that
agrees with its antecedent. (See Chapter 5 Elements of Grammar)
36. Either Larry or Richard has already bought (a. himself OR b. themselves) a
new jacket.
37. (a. Here are OR b. Here is) the books you wanted.
38. Each of the girls does indeed intend to offer (a. her OR b. their) opinion on
the subject.
39. None of the apples were organic, so we decided not to eat (a. it OR b. them).
40. Many times, the newspaper staff (a. work OR b. works) long hours to meet
their deadlines.
Pronoun Case: The boldfaced, underlined pronouns in the following sentences are
used either in the nominative, objective, or possessive cases. Choose the correct
case. (See Chapter 6 Elements of Grammar)
41. Paul and I would like to become sportscasters.
a. nominative
b. objective
c. possessive
42. My dad’s uncle Roger, a World War II veteran, saluted him and her.
a. nominative
b. objective
c. possessive
43. The organizers of the bake sale will be she and they.
a. nominative
b. objective
c. possessive
44. My cousin told me that his asking for a raise surprised the store manager.
a. nominative
b. objective
c. possessive
45. Yes, my buying that paper shredder was a spur-of-the-moment decision.
a. nominative
b. objective
c. possessive
Clear Reference: Choose the noun to which the boldfaced, italicized pronoun
correctly refers. (See Chapter 7 Elements of Grammar)
46. Randy recalled that the Nile is the longest river in the world and that it flows
from south to north.
a. Randy
b. Nile
c. world
47. Remembering his geography class, Randy correctly placed Cairo along the
Nile River.
a. Randy
b. class
c. river
48. Some of the historians whom the narrator interviewed in the video called
Egypt the “birthplace of civilization.”
a. some
b. historians
c. narrator
49. Tourists, who come to Egypt from around the world, marvel at the pyramids,
the Great Sphinx, and other monuments that date back thousands of years.
a. Tourists
b. world
c. monuments
50. Mrs. Miller asked the class, “How many of you would like to visit Egypt and
see the sights yourselves?”
a. Mrs. Miller
b. class
d. you
Using Verbs Correctly: Read each sentence carefully, paying close attention to the
italicized, boldfaced words; look for errors in verb usage such as the use of incorrect
verbs and verb forms, unnecessary shifts in verb tense, and unnecessary use of the
passive voice. Choose a, b, or c to correctly identify the verb error. (See Chapter 8
Elements of Grammar)
a. incorrect verb form
b. shift in verb tense
c. passive voice
51. We were visited by the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico.
52. I am already learning a lot before our visit there will have ended.
53. The Taos Native Americans sat down roots here almost one thousand years ago.
54. These structures have standed the test of time.
55. We were told by the guides that the traditions of this community have changed
very little over time.
Using Modifiers Correctly: Some of the following sentences have errors in the use
of modifiers. Choose (a) if the sentence uses the boldfaced, italicized modifier
correctly, and (b) if the sentence uses the italicized modifier incorrectly. (See
Chapters 9, 10 Elements of Grammar)
a. Sentence uses modifier correctly.
b. Sentence uses modifier incorrectly.
56. Perhaps Mary feels badly because she ate too much candy.
57. Because we cleaned out the fuel injection system, our car now runs good.
58. Many people used to live in castles that were really heavily fortified.
59. This color printer produced the fractal images beautiful.
60. That magician is actually pulling the coins from a cleverly hidden pocket.
61. During class, the visiting fire chief discussed putting out a kitchen fire with
students.
62. After climbing the ship’s mast, the captain used his telescope to scan the
horizon.
63. Packed with nutrients, the plants tuber provided it energy through the long
and cold winter.
64. Shrouded in mist, a poster of the mountains in Tibet was hung on her wall.
65. Just published by the wildlife management program, the rangers are
administering the new regulations.
Correct usage: Read each sentence carefully and choose the word in parentheses
that is used correctly, according to Standard American English. (See Chapter 11
Elements of Grammar)
66. Did we do (a. all right OR b. alright) Coach Garcia?
67. You are (a. likely OR b. liable) to go far if you apply yourself.
68. The rescuers looked (a. like OR b. as if) they had not slept.
69. There are (a. less OR b. fewer) students in the senior class this year.
70. Please (a. bring OR b. take) this report to Mrs. Benson when you go.
71. The audience was deeply (a. affected OR b. effected) by her speech.
72. We (a. could have OR b. could of OR c. should of) done a better job.
73. Kim’s letter (a. implied OR b. inferred) that she would be visiting soon.
74. We received a large (a. number OR b. amount) of offers.
75. Laura was (a. suppose to OR b. supposed to) bring her pictures to school.
Writing Clear Sentences - Proofreading/editing: Select the two errors in each
sentence. (See Chapter 17 Elements of Grammar)
76. Many people are recycling more of they’re waste then they used to in the
past.
a. they’re
b. waste
c. then
77. I ensure you that this restaurant’s food is overrated; last time the peace of
turkey was overcooked.
a. ensure
b. overrated
c. peace
78. Neither officer knows the principle cause of the accident, so the authorities
will procede with an investigation.
a. principle
b. procede
c. investigation
Writing Clear Sentences: Select the sentence in each group of three that is precise
and unambiguous (clear, not confusing). (See Chapter 17 of Elements of Grammar)
79. a. She didn’t usually hire kids she said, so a day later she called and hired
me.
b. She didn’t usually hire kids she said, otherwise, a day later she called and
hired me.
c. She didn’t usually hire kids, she said, but a day later she called and hired
me.
80. a. I would have to prove my worth to a manager who would be hard to
please.
b. Having to prove my worth to a manager, she would be hard to please.
c. I would have to prove my worth to a manager, and she would be hard to
please.