CAEC Writing Preparation Course: Sentence structure and flow

1. Pytanie 1 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: C. The council approved the plan.

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

2. Pytanie 2 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 3 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: B. Many people take the bus because parking downtown is expensive.

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

4. Pytanie 4 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 5 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 6 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: C. The arena needs repairs; the town has set aside funds.

   A semicolon joins two complete, closely related sentences.

7. Pytanie 7 z 16

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

   • Abecause
   • Bso
   • Cor
   • Dbut
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   Odpowiedź: D. but

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

8. Pytanie 8 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: B. The program helps students read, write and solve problems.

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

9. Pytanie 9 z 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.
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   Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 10 z 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.
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    Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 11 z 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.
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    Odpowiedź: A. Trucks use the old, narrow bridge every day.

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

12. Pytanie 12 z 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.
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    Odpowiedź: D. The council approved the budget.

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

13. Pytanie 13 z 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
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    Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 14 z 16

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

    • AAlthough
    • BAnd
    • CBecause
    • DTherefore
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    Odpowiedź: A. Although

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

15. Pytanie 15 z 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.
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    Odpowiedź: 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. Pytanie 16 z 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.
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    Odpowiedź: 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.

Klawiatura: 1–4, aby odpowiedzieć, Enter – następne pytanie.

Prawdziwy egzamin: 55% on each CAEC test