Diagnostic Test For Writers -- Form A, Part 3

Grammar Assessment
Form A, Part 3

III. Now you will work on correct sentence structure, sentence punctuation, and clarity. In the following questions, part of each item is underlined. Immediately following are four ways of writing the underlined part. Choose the best one. Choice A repeats what is underlined; choose it if the original needs no revision.

77.

Hunting is limited in most states. People with special licenses are only allowed to hunt.

A. People with special licenses are only allowed to hunt.

B. Only people with special licenses are allowed to hunt.

C. People with special licenses are allowed only to hunt.

D. People with special licenses are allowed to hunt only.

78.

The buildings in the court complex were erected whenever money happened to be available. This accounts for the varying architectural styles and the apparent lack of any master plan.

A. whenever money happened to be available. This accounts for the varying architectural styles and the apparent lack of any master plan.

B. whenever money happened to be available, this accounts for the varying architectural styles and the apparent lack of any master plan.

C. whenever money happened to be available. This accounts for the varying architectural styles. And the apparent lack of any master plan.

D. whenever money happened to be available this accounts for the varying architectural styles and the apparent lack of any master plan.

79.

Tuition is going up next year. Because the college's expenses have risen. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are all higher than last year.

A. Tuition is going up next year. Because the college's expenses have risen. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are all higher than last year.

B. Tuition is going up next year because the college's expenses have risen, fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are higher than last year.

C. Tuition is going up next year. Because the college's expenses have risen, fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are higher than last year.

D. Tuition is going up next year because the college's expenses have risen. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are higher than last year.

80.

My mother telephoned my sister and told her she had won a trip to Ireland.

A. My mother telephoned my sister and told her she had won a trip to Ireland.

B. My mother telephoned my sister and said she had won a trip to Ireland.

C. My mother telephoned my sister Ann and told her she had won a trip to Ireland.

D. My mother telephoned my sister and told her, "I have won a trip to Ireland."

81.

Many people own Turkish rugs who have never been there.

A. Many people own Turkish rugs who have never been there.

B. Many people own Turkish rugs but have never been there.

C. Many people who own Turkish rugs have never been to Turkey.

D. Many people owning Turkish rugs have never been there.

82.

My college offers many interesting courses to first year students. Therefore, I do not know. What electives to take.

A. My college offers many interesting courses to first year students. Therefore, I do not know. What electives to take.

B. My college offers many interesting courses. To first year students. Therefore, I do not know. What electives to take.

C. My college offers many interesting courses to first year students. Therefore, I do not know what electives to take.

D. My college offers many interesting courses to first year students therefore, I do not know what electives to take.

83.

Many colleges have long-standing football rivalries, one of the most famous is the Army-Navy rivalry between West Point and Annapolis.

A. football rivalries, one of the most famous is the Army-Navv rivalry between West Point and Annapolis.

B. football rivalries, one of the most famous is the Army-Navy rivalry. Between West Point and Annapolis.

C. football rivalries; one of the most famous is the Army-Navy rivalry. Between West Point and Annapolis.

D. football rivalries; one of the most famous is the Army-Navy rivalry between West Point and Annapolis.

84.

Listening to the radio in my kitchen, the announcer called the number on my prize ticket.

A. Listening to the radio in my kitchen, the announcer called the number on my prize ticket.

B. The announcer, listening to the radio in my kitchen, called the number on my prize ticket.

C. Listening to the radio in my kitchen, I heard the announcer call the number on my prize ticket.

D. The announcer called the number on my prize ticket, listening to the radio in my kitchen.

85.

My mother is a college freshman she has returned to school because she wants to become a lawyer.

A. a college freshman she has returned to school because she wants to become a lawyer.

B. a college freshman, she has returned to school because she wants to become a lawyer.

C. a college freshman. She has returned to school because she wants to become a lawyer.

D. a college freshman; she has returned to school. Because she wants to become a lawyer.

86.

My friend's breakfast dishes are on the counter, so I know he is awake.

A. My friend's breakfast dishes are on the counter, so I know he is awake.

B. My friend's breakfast dishes are on the counter. I know he is awake.

C. I know my friend is awake because his breakfast dishes are on the counter.

D. I know he is awake because his breakfast dishes are on the counter.

87.

Running thirty miles a week, the new jogging shoes quickly wore out.

A. Running thirty miles a week, the new jogging shoes quickly wore out.

B. Running thirty miles a week, I quickly wore out my new jogging shoes.

C. Running thirty miles a week, the new jogging shoes were quickly worn out by me.

D. The new jogging shoes quickly wore out, running thirty miles a week.

88.

Because most cars will break down sometime, all drivers should know how to change a flat tire. And how to signal for assistance.

A. all drivers should know how to change a flat tire. And how to signal for assistance.

B. all drivers should know how to change a flat tire, and signal for assistance.

C. all drivers should know how to change a flat tire; and how to signal for assistance.

D. all drivers should know how to change a flat tire and how to signal for assistance.

89.

The students had finished reading the novel, which the substitute instructor did not know.

A. The students had finished reading the novel, which the substitute instructor did not know.

B. The substitute instructor did not know that the students had finished reading the novel.

C. The substitute instructor, the novel the students had finished, did not know.

D. The students, which the substitute instructor did not know, had finished reading the novel.

90.

Listening on the extension phone, details of the embezzlement plot were overheard by the boss.

A. Listening on the extension phone, details of the embezzlement plot were overheard by the boss.

B. Listening on the extension phone, details of the embezzlement plot by the boss were overheard.

C. Listening on the extension phone, the boss overheard details of the embezzlement plot.

D. Details of the embezzlement plot, listening on the extension phone, were overheard by the boss.

91.

At the entrance to the library. Two lions sit on marble bases.

A. At the entrance to the library. Two lions sit on marble bases.

B. At the entrance to the library, two lions sit on marble bases.

C. At the entrance to the library. Two lions sit. On marble bases.

D. At the entrance to the library, two lions sit. On marble bases.

92.

Many people apply to join the FBl, however only a few are accepted.

A. Many people apply to join the FBI, however, only a few are accepted.

B. Many people apply to join the FBI however only a few are accepted.

C. Many people apply to join the FBI; however, only a few are accepted.

D. Many people apply to join the FBI, however; only a few are accepted.

93.

Managing a nuclear power plant requires great attention to detail. You have to be careful to follow procedures so that no radioactivity escapes.

A. You have to be careful to follow procedures so that no radioactivity escapes.

B. Procedures you should follow should not let any radioactivity escape.

C. You have to be very careful to follow procedures. Don't let any radioactivity escape.

D. Procedures must be followed exactly to guarantee that no radioactivity escapes.

94.

Looking out the airplane window. I thought the fields looked like a giant quilt lying in the sun.

A. Looking out the airplane window. I thought the fields looked like a giant quilt lying in the sun.

B. Looking out the airplane window. I thought the fields looked like a giant quilt. Lying in the sun.

C. Looking out the airplane window, I thought the fields looked like a giant quilt. Lying in the sun.

D. Looking out the airplane window, I thought the fields looked like a giant quilt lying in the sun.

95.

Many dieters make the mistake of eliminating potatoes from their diets, potatoes, in fact, have only 280 calories per pound.

A. from their diets, potatoes, in fact, have

B. from their diets; potatoes, in fact, have

C. from their diets, potatoes; in fact, have

D. from their diets. Potatoes, in fact; have

96.

The doctor operated swiftly describing the procedure as she went along.

A. The doctor operated swiftly describing the procedure as she went along.

B. The doctor operated swiftly and describing the procedure as she went along.

C. Operating swiftly, the doctor described the procedure as she went along.

D. Operating swiftly, the procedure as she went along the doctor described.

97.

Environmentalists are alarmed about coal mining. Which has left ugly scars on the land.

A. Environmentalists are alarmed about coal mining. Which has left ugly scars on the land.

B. Environmentalists are alarmed. About coal mining. Which has left ugly scars on the land.

C. About coal mining which has left ugly scars on the land, environmentalists are alarmed.

D. Environmentalists are alarmed about coal mining, which has left ugly scars on the land.

98.

Flying over Paris, many lights could be seen by the passengers.

A. Flying over Paris, many lights could be seen by the passengers.

B. Many lights could be seen by the passengers flying over France.

C. Flying over Paris, the passengers saw many lights.

D. The passengers saw many lights flying over Paris.

99.

John was late he did, however, have his homework.

A. John was late he did, however, have his homework.

B. John was late; he did, however, have his homework.

C. John was late he did; however, have his homework.

D. John was late, he did; however, have his homework.

100.

Mr. Brown usually mows his own yard. Although he complains about the chore.

A. Mr. Brown usually mows his own yard. Although he complains about he chore.

B. Although he complains about the chore, Mr. Brown usually mows his own yard.

C. Although he complains about the chore. Mr. Brown usually mows his own yard.

D. Mr. Brown usually mows his own yard; although he complains about the chore.