English Grammar Practice

Solution

Correct: A

The subject 'Neither' is singular, even when followed by a prepositional phrase ('of the proposals') containing a plural noun. Therefore, the singular verb 'provides' is required to agree with 'Neither'.

Solution

Correct: B

The indefinite pronoun 'Every student' is singular. Therefore, a singular pronoun is required to agree with it. 'His or her' is the most appropriate gender-neutral singular pronoun in this context, acknowledging that the group includes both sexes.

Solution

Correct: A

This sentence is a Type 3 Conditional, which describes a hypothetical situation in the past that did not happen. The structure requires the past perfect tense ('had left') in the 'if' clause and 'would have + past participle' in the main clause.

Solution

Correct: B

This sentence requires parallelism. The list 'punctual, productive, and loyal' consists of three adjectives. 'Loyal' maintains this grammatical structure, whereas the other options are not adjectives.

Solution

Correct: A

The phrase 'with a faulty engine' is intended to modify 'car'. In the original sentence, it incorrectly appears to modify 'dealer'. Option A correctly places the modifier next to the word it describes, 'car'.

Solution

Correct: A

Option A correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning without a coordinating conjunction. Option B is a comma splice. Option C is also a comma splice, as 'however' is a conjunctive adverb requiring a semicolon before it (or a period) and a comma after. Option D misuses a colon, which is typically used to introduce a list or an explanation.

Solution

Correct: A

The sentence describes two actions in the past, where one action (the thieves fleeing) was completed before another past action (the police arriving). This sequence of events requires the past perfect tense ('had fled') for the earlier action.

Solution

Correct: A

'Consequently' is a conjunctive adverb that indicates a result or consequence, which fits the cause-and-effect relationship between diligent studying and performing well on exams. The other options introduce contrast.

Solution

Correct: C

In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. Option C, 'The committee members wrote the report,' clearly shows 'committee members' as the doers of the action 'wrote'. The other options are in passive voice, where the subject receives the action.

Solution

Correct: A

The correct idiom is 'adept at something', meaning skilled or proficient in something. Therefore, 'at' is the correct preposition to complete the phrase.

Solution

Correct: C

Option C correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses, 'The new policy is controversial' and 'many employees oppose it'. Option A is a comma splice. Option B is a run-on sentence. Option D lacks a comma before the coordinating conjunction 'and' when joining two independent clauses.

Solution

Correct: A

When comparing three or more items, the superlative form is used. 'The most qualified' is the correct superlative form for 'qualified', indicating she surpassed all other candidates.

Solution

Correct: A

This sentence requires the subjunctive mood, which is used after verbs of recommendation, demand, suggestion, etc. In the subjunctive, the base form of the verb (without 's' or 'ed' endings) is used, regardless of the subject's number or person. Thus, 'submit' is correct.

Solution

Correct: C

Option C correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession ('students'' means the papers belong to multiple students). Option A should be 'its' (possessive pronoun, no apostrophe). Option B should be 'neighbor's' or 'neighbors'' (possessive). Option D should be 'It's' (contraction of 'It is').

Solution

Correct: A

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory modifying phrase does not clearly or logically modify the subject of the sentence. In the original sentence, 'Running late for the appointment' incorrectly modifies 'the clock'. Option A correctly places 'the doctor' (who is running late) immediately after the modifying phrase.

Solution

Correct: B

Option B correctly uses a comma after an introductory dependent clause ('Because he was tired'). Option A has an unnecessary comma after 'majestically'. Option C incorrectly omits a comma after 'reading' for a list of three or more items. Option D is a run-on sentence and lacks necessary commas to separate the clauses or items in a series.

Solution

Correct: A

'Affect' is typically a verb meaning 'to influence or have an impact on'. 'Effect' is typically a noun meaning 'a result or consequence'. In the first blank, 'affect' (verb) is needed because 'policy will affect'. In the second blank, 'effect' (noun) is needed as 'its effect' refers to the result of the policy.

Solution

Correct: B

The word 'revert' inherently means 'to return or go back'. Therefore, adding 'back' is redundant. Option B, 'Please revert to me with your feedback,' is the most concise and grammatically correct option.

Solution

Correct: A

We use 'The' before specific geographic features like rivers ('The Amazon River'). We also use 'the' before superlative adjectives ('the longest river'). Continents like 'South America' generally do not require an article.

Solution

Correct: A

The correct idiomatic phrase is 'on principle', which means based on a moral rule or belief. The other prepositions do not form the correct idiom in this context.