CAEC Writing Preparation Course: Sentence structure and flow

1. Question 1 of 16

   Which of these is a complete sentence?

   • AThe council, which approved the plan.
   • BBecause the council approved the plan.
   • CThe council approved the plan.
   • DApproved by the council last week.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The council approved the plan.

   A complete sentence has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Which of these is a sentence fragment?

   • AThe bus was late, so I walked.
   • BThe bus was late.
   • CI walked because the bus was late.
   • DAlthough the bus was late.
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Although the bus was late.

   'Although the bus was late' is a dependent clause. It does not express a complete thought on its own.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Which is the best way to fix this fragment: 'Because parking downtown is expensive.'?

   • ABecause parking downtown is very expensive for most people in town.
   • BMany people take the bus because parking downtown is expensive.
   • CBecause. Parking downtown is expensive for many of the people here.
   • DBecause parking downtown, which is expensive for many drivers.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Many people take the bus because parking downtown is expensive.

   Joining the dependent clause to a main clause makes a complete sentence.

4. Question 4 of 16

   Which sentence is a run-on (two sentences joined with no punctuation)?

   • AThe library is busy every evening; students need more study space.
   • BBecause the library is busy every evening, students need more study space.
   • CThe library is busy every evening students need more study space.
   • DThe library is busy every evening, so students need more study space.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The library is busy every evening students need more study space.

   Two complete thoughts run together with no punctuation or joining word make a run-on.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Which correctly fixes this comma splice: 'The rink is old, it needs a new roof.'?

   • AThe rink is old it needs a brand-new roof.
   • BThe rink, is old, it needs a new roof soon.
   • CThe rink is old, so it needs a new roof.
   • DThe rink is old, it, needs a new roof.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The rink is old, so it needs a new roof.

   A comma alone cannot join two sentences. Add a joining word such as 'so', or use a period or semicolon.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

   • ABecause the arena needs repairs; the town set aside funds.
   • BThe arena needs; repairs and new seats.
   • CThe arena needs repairs; the town has set aside funds.
   • DThe arena; needs repairs.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The arena needs repairs; the town has set aside funds.

   A semicolon joins two complete, closely related sentences.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which word correctly joins these ideas? 'The trail is popular, ___ it has no washrooms.'

   • Abecause
   • Bso
   • Cor
   • Dbut
   Show answer

   Answer: D. but

   'But' shows the contrast between being popular and lacking washrooms.

8. Question 8 of 16

   Which sentence has parallel structure?

   • AThe program helps students read, writing and to solve problems.
   • BThe program helps students read, write and solve problems.
   • CThe program helps students reading, to write and solving problems.
   • DThe program helps students to read, writing and problems solved.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The program helps students read, write and solve problems.

   Items in a list should have the same grammatical form: read, write, solve.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?

   • AThe clerk sold a bike with a flat tire to the woman.
   • BThe woman bought a bike that had a flat tire.
   • CThe clerk sold the woman a bike with a flat tire.
   • DThe clerk sold a bike to the woman with a flat tire.
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The clerk sold a bike to the woman with a flat tire.

   'With a flat tire' seems to describe the woman, not the bike. Put a modifier next to the word it describes.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

    • AThe rain soaked my shoes as I walked to work.
    • BWalking to work, I got my shoes soaked by the rain.
    • CWhile I was walking to work, the rain soaked my shoes.
    • DWalking to work, the rain soaked my shoes.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Walking to work, the rain soaked my shoes.

    The rain was not walking to work. The opening phrase must describe the subject that follows it.

11. Question 11 of 16

    Which revision best combines these short sentences? 'The bridge is old. It is narrow. Trucks use it every day.'

    • ATrucks use the old, narrow bridge every day.
    • BThe bridge is old, it is narrow, trucks use it every day.
    • CThe bridge is old and it is narrow and trucks use it and every day.
    • DOld. Narrow. Trucks use the bridge every day.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Trucks use the old, narrow bridge every day.

    Combining choppy sentences into one smooth sentence improves flow (outcome 3.3).

12. Question 12 of 16

    Which sentence is written in the active voice?

    • AThe budget was approved by the council.
    • BThe budget has been approved by them.
    • CThe budget was approved.
    • DThe council approved the budget.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The council approved the budget.

    In the active voice, the subject does the action. It is usually clearer and more direct.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Why should you vary the length and pattern of your sentences?

    • AShort sentences are always wrong in a persuasive essay
    • BScorers count how many commas and semicolons you use
    • CLong sentences are always wrong in a persuasive essay
    • DIt makes your writing flow and keeps the reader interested
    Show answer

    Answer: D. It makes your writing flow and keeps the reader interested

    Sentence variety is part of controlling sentence structure and flow. Too little variation can impede clarity.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Which word best introduces the dependent clause? '___ the plan costs more at first, it will save money over time.'

    • AAlthough
    • BAnd
    • CBecause
    • DTherefore
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Although

    'Although' shows a contrast between costing more at first and saving money later.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Which sentence is clearest?

    • AThe town should fix the potholes on Elm Street before winter.
    • BPotholes, Elm Street, winter, the town should fix.
    • CThe thing is that the town, before the winter, which comes soon, should be fixing the potholes, which are on Elm Street.
    • DBefore winter the potholes the town should fix on Elm Street.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The town should fix the potholes on Elm Street before winter.

    It is direct and in a natural order. The others are wordy or scrambled, which impedes clarity.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Which sentence correctly uses a comma before a joining word to connect two complete sentences?

    • AThe pool is closed and, the gym is open.
    • BThe pool is closed, and the gym is open.
    • CThe pool is closed, and, the gym is open.
    • DThe pool, is closed and the gym is open.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The pool is closed, and the gym is open.

    Put a comma before 'and', 'but', 'or' or 'so' when it joins two complete sentences.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

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