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Harrison had math test last Wednesday. He studied really well and thought that he did really good. When he walked into school today, Harrison’s teacher looked at him strangely. Harrison started to sweat, because he assumed the teacher’s expression meant he did poorly on the test. Harrison began to wonder wear he went wrong. The teacher walks around the room and handed out the graded assessments. Then the teacher, who had been walking around the room, paused in front of Harrison’s desk, and Harrison thought that he must of performed worst on the test than the rest of the class had. Then, to Harrison’s surprise, the teacher smiled, exclaiming that Harrison had scored one hundred percent.
What is the best way to correct the bolded and underlined section of the passage?
There is a problem in the initial statement. The word "wear" refers to the act of having an article of clothing on one's body. As such, it does not fit logically into a sentence discussing the place at which Harrison made mistakes on his math test. The word "where" refers to the position or place at which an action occurs. The answer choice "began to wonder from where" is incorrect because the terms "from where" indicate a specific starting point. Harrison wants to know generally "where" he went wrong, because there is not necessarily a specific starting an end point, so much as a general misinterpretation of his performance.
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Sarah and Naba played soccer together as children. They remember one game during which their team had less players than the other team. Sarah thought that her team should forfeit, as they could not possibly win in light of such a disadvantage. However, Naba convinced Sarah that if they made an effort, they could succeed. The girls fought well during the match and beat the other team. (no error)
Choose the answer choice corresponding to an error in usage within the passage.
The word "less" corresponds to an indeterminate quantity. As such, it cannot be used to describe a finite, and countable number such as the number of players on a soccer team. The word fewer is appropriate when discussing countable numbers. The rest of the answer choices are grammatically correct.
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(1) Yoga is an ancient practice. (2) It is a practice that originated in India. (3) Although many modern yoga practitioners think that yoga is mostly about stretching and exercise, its origins are much more closely related to meditation and spirituality. (4) One major text that forms a large portion of what we now know about yoga is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. (5) Hatha is the name of one style of yoga. (6) In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, eight different components or “limbs” of yoga are introduced. (7) Only one of these “limbs” pertains to a physical yoga practice. (8) The other seven are related to moral virtuous behavior, breathing, and inward focus. (9) Yoga was first introduced to the west in the 19th century and gained major mainstream popularity in the 20th century. (10) In the United States and around the world, a wide variety of yoga styles have taken hold. (11) A few current popular yoga styles include vinyasa, ashtanga, bikram, and many others. (12) Many of these styles are quite different from the earlier forms of yoga. (13) In fact, many of the poses in contemporary yoga were actually influenced by calisthenics done by the British army. (14) Krishnamacharya, the yogi-in-residence in Mysore, India for much of the twentieth century, combined the earlier mystic elements of yoga with movements borrowed from gymnastics and military conditioning routines. (15) Often called “The Father of Modern Yoga,” Krishnamacharya personally instructed some of the most influential teachers who then went on to establish their own styles of teaching.
In sentence (7) "pertains" most nearly means ________________.
The word "pertains" means to be related, appropriate, or applicable. The clue in the following sentence is the phrase "are related to." Even if you are unsure of exactly what "pertains" means, the parallel between the two sentences signals might give you a hint. Since these two sentences set up a contrasting relationship between the limb that relates to the physical body and the limbs that relate to less physical aspects of the practice, you can surmise that "pertains" would have the same meaning as "are related to."
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(1) I’m completely convinced that the little hole in the wall with the green awning is the best coffee shop in the city. (2) Right on the corner of 89th Street and 2nd Avenue next to the bus stop. (3) I grew up just a couple of blocks away, and this place has been around since before I was born. (4) I’m sure you’ve never heard of it, but it is definitely the best. (5) Their coffee is delicious and always the perfect temperature—not too hot, and not too cold. (6) They get their coffee beans from a local coffee roaster about ten blocks north. (7) Believe me when I tell you that the pastries are out of this world. (8) You’ve got to try their chocolate croissants. (9) One would be remiss not to mention that all aforementioned pastries are made daily in-house. (10) The chef, a woman named Julie, supposedly trained in Paris and learned from some of the best French pastry chefs. (11) I’d have expected that a chef like that would wind up in some fancy bakery instead of an unassuming little neighborhood spot like this. (12) Julie lives in the apartment right above the shop. (13) She’s hired a few local kids to work at the counter, but she bakes every weekday. (14) It’s rare that tourists make it this far north in the city, so most of the customers are locals who live nearby. (15) A few other coffee shops and bakeries have come and gone over the years, but none of them are anywhere near as good as this one. (16) I’ll take you tomorrow morning, and you can see for yourself.
In sentence (9), what is the meaning of "aforementioned"?
"Aforementioned" means previously mentioned or introduced. If you don't know the meaning of this word already, there are a couple of clues right in the word itself. It contains the word "mention," so that suggests that it is related to that word. You might also notice "fore," like "before." Combine those two elements, and you've broken down the meaning of the word—mentioned before. Another clue is that this sentence is talking about pastries, which first come up in sentence (7).
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(1) The film shows us the cultural phenomenon of rumspringa, a time in which Amish teens can metaphorically “run around” and explore the ways of the outside world without being punished for betraying their communities and families’ strict rules. (2) We see several young Amish partaking in unusual behavior, including drinking and smoking. As disturbing as some of the film are, the tumultuous period of rumspringa is educative because it results in education and is an enlightening experience. It gives the Amish a time to explore the “English” world and gain an understanding of what they will have to forego if they choose to join the Amish Church. (3) Amish teenagers get a chance to experience the clothes, music and lifestyles of the “English” and can judge for themselves how well suited they feel in those contexts.
Which of the following words would best replace the word “unusual” in sentence 2?
The correct choice is “uncharacteristic.” This is the best choice because it specifically addresses the idea that the Amish do not typically drink or smoke, and so this behavior is uncharacteristic of them as a group. The other choices do not address the fact that it is unlike the Amish to do these things, or are either judgmental or inaccurate.
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The rules of English grammar and writing are important to some poets. Proper grammar can help get the meaning of writing across to a wide audience. That is why many people were shocked with the inventive poetry of E.E. Cummings. He took risks and did all he could not to write in a single comprehensible English sentence. He E.E. Cummings lived an interesting and productive life. He is most widely known as “the poet who didn’t capitalize his name,” and his life, like his poetic style, was unique.
Edward Estlin Cummings was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1894. He grew up with lenient, liberal parents. They supported his writing at an early age. Unlike many poets, he liked his parents and enjoyed his childhood. He attend public schools in Cambridge fore attending Harvard University, like his father. At Harvard, Cummings received a M.A. for English and Classical studies and graduated magna cum laude. He also helped found the Harvard Poetry Society.
Which of the following words is closest to the meaning of "lenient" as it is used in this passage?
The best choice is "tolerant" because the passage tells us that his parents supported his writing from a young age, permitting him to explore his creativity. "Harsh" does not make sense, since this might imply that they would have criticized him. "Uninvolved" would imply that they did not care about his writing. "Cordial" means friendly, a trait that does not necessarily imply support for someone's writing.
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Its \[10\] not always easy to find fresh ingredients. But it is important to break \[11\] the cycle of eating junk food through a way that is creative. \[12\] If you don't have easy access to fruits and vegetables in your hometown, try to join a program to learn how to grow your own produce! Replacing potato chips with potatoes is a good investment for your future health.
Choose the option that is the most grammatically correct.
In this case, a bulky phrase, "a way that is creative" was changed into "creatively", which makes the sentence flow more smoothly and eliminates excess words.
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(1) Yoga is an ancient practice. (2) It is a practice that originated in India. (3) Although many modern yoga practitioners think that yoga is mostly about stretching and exercise, its origins are much more closely related to meditation and spirituality. (4) One major text that forms a large portion of what we now know about yoga is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. (5) Hatha is the name of one style of yoga. (6) In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, eight different components or “limbs” of yoga are introduced. (7) Only one of these “limbs” pertains to a physical yoga practice. (8) The other seven are related to moral virtuous behavior, breathing, and inward focus. (9) Yoga was first introduced to the west in the 19th century and gained major mainstream popularity in the 20th century. (10) In the United States and around the world, a wide variety of yoga styles have taken hold. (11) A few current popular yoga styles include vinyasa, ashtanga, bikram, and many others. (12) Many of these styles are quite different from the earlier forms of yoga. (13) In fact, many of the poses in contemporary yoga were actually influenced by calisthenics done by the British army. (14) Krishnamacharya, the yogi-in-residence in Mysore, India for much of the twentieth century, combined the earlier mystic elements of yoga with movements borrowed from gymnastics and military conditioning routines. (15) Often called “The Father of Modern Yoga,” Krishnamacharya personally instructed some of the most influential teachers who then went on to establish their own styles of teaching.
What would be the best way to combine sentences (1) and (2)?
This answer combines the meaning of both sentences: a) that yoga is an ancient practice, and b) that it originated in India most efficiently. The way it is written in the passage is redundant, repeating the word "practice" and utilizing the same sentence structure. Combining these sentences into one ("Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India.") is the most efficient way to communicate the information given in sentences (1) and (2).
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(1) Leo Tolstoy was a Russian author widely regarded as one of the greatest writers of all time. (2) His great works include lengthy novels like _War and Peace_and _Anna Karenina_as well as short stories, novellas, plays, and essays. (3) Tolstoy being born in 1828 in the southwest of Russia. (4) Although he had the good fortune of being born into a privileged family, his parents died while he was very young. (5) As a young man, he spent most of his time in Moscow and St. Petersburg. (6) What he was doing in Moscow and St. Petersburg was gambling. (7) In 1851, Tolstoy joined the Russian army. (8) This was also around the time that he began his writing career. (9) It might be inferred that his military service accounts for the dramatic transition from irresponsible youth to virtuosic literary giant. (10) In the 1870s, Tolstoy underwent a serious ideological shift. (11) During this period he began a dedicated study of biblical teachings and became an avid Christian pacifist. (12) Even though he was born to an aristocratic family, he believed that the aristocracy was a burden to the poor. (13) His political writings influenced much Christian anarchist thought that followed. (14) Tolstoy also became a staunch believer in the economic theory of Georgism. (15) Georgism holds that the natural resources of the land should belong to the community, rather than to a single private owner. (16) Many of these philosophies are evident in his fiction, which often includes characters who work the land and long, rhapsodic passages celebrating the natural world.
What is the best way to combine sentences (5) and (6)?
This answer combines the meaning of both sentences without being redundant. As they are written in the passage, sentences (5) and (6) repeat the names of the Russian cities Moscow and St. Petersburg. This is an indication that they are redundant, or overly repetitive. This revision effectively combines where he was and what he was doing there without unnecessary repetition or clunky sentence structure.
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Jimmy is annoyed at the video game that he was playing. For one thing, there was not nearly enough interesting characters suspenseful moments or exciting escapes in the game to satisfy him. For another, it was incredibly hard while playing the game to control the cars. It always wanted to veer to the left when he tried to steer to the right. But the ending of the game was worst. By the time he got to the end, the hero had decided to stop chasing rogue spies and therefore marry his girlfriend, a surprise attack resulted in her being kidnapped, and the hero must go on a final mission to save her before the game can be completed. That would of been fine, except it involved tracking the enemy using a helicopter, and Jimmy much to his chagrin never mastered flying the helicopter.
Choose the option that best corrects the bolded and underlined section of the text.
Often people think they hear the phrase "would of," what they're actually hearing is "would've," the contracted form of "would have," which is the appropriate choice here. There is a verb needed after "would" in these cases, "of" will never suffice.
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1 The recruitment of elite athletes by American universities has recently reached new levels of both sophistication and it is very competitive. The benefits of having top-quality athletic programs are obvious: massive television revenues, marketing deals with major corporate sponsors, and increased alumni donations. However, the desire to achieve these riches led many colleges to sanction practices that are both ethically and legally questionable.
2 Colleges have traditionally made allowances in their admission standards for athletes who might not have otherwise been academically qualified. In recent years, however, several cases of outright academic fraud have been uncovered at major American universities. These include fraudulent transcripts, fictitious online coursework, and the increasingly common practice of having a star athlete repeat a grade or two in order to achieve a higher grade point average.
3 The recruitment of potential college athletes is also starting at a much earlier age as it was before. Some football and basketball players have been given scholarship offers before they enroll in high school. The presence of various types of social media also plays a large role in the recruiting process. Of course, the offers are non-binding, and oftentimes, the athletes in question do not actually attend the school at all.
4. It would be a good idea for the leaders of American universities to remind themselves of the academic mission of their institutions before they allow the pursuit of money and fame to corrupt them. Success on the playing fields is a noble goal, but not if it comes at the cost ignoring the true purpose of higher education.
Which choice best replaces the bolded and underlined phrase?
The word "earlier" signals a comparison of inequality, making "than" necessary to complete the comparison correctly. Since the sentence compares "the recruitment", which is singular, "it" is the appropriate pronoun for this sentence.
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After attending a performance of a local jazz band, a blogger wrote the following article.
1 The Mahoney Performing Arts Center played host to a truly inspiring performance by the William Eastwood Quintet last Saturday evening. Although Mr. Eastwood and his fellow musicians have a songbook comprised solely of jazz standards, many of them are over 50 years old, the Quintet breathes new life into each song they play. The works of jazz legends such as Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington were certainly in competent hands throughout the two-hour performance.
2 Eastwood departed from jazz tradition by beginning his set with a ballad, You Must Believe In Spring. While this choice meant that the audience was not as energetic as it might be had he chosen a more upbeat number, it also gave listeners a chance to appreciate the outstanding interplay between the members of the Quintet. Audience members who wanted to snap their fingers or clap along with the beat were rewarded by several livelier songs in the middle of the performance, climaxing with an incendiary rendition of Gillespie’s classic, Salt Peanuts.
3While the focus of the show was clearly the outstanding saxophone playing of the band’s leader, Eastwood gave ample opportunities for his fellow musicians to shine. In particular, pianist Devon Semien, who took the spotlight for a 5 minute solo during the classic _Body and Soul._The entire band were in synch throughout the performance, signaling that William Eastwood is going to a force in the jazz world for years to come.
Which choice best replaces the bolded and underlined phrase?
"From" is the correct idiomatic complement for the verb "departed" in this sentence.
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Harrison had math test last Wednesday. He studied really well and thought that he did really good. When he walked into school today, Harrison’s teacher looked at him strangely. Harrison started to sweat, because he assumed the teacher’s expression meant he did poorly on the test. Harrison began to wonder wear he went wrong. The teacher walks around the room and handed out the graded assessments. Then the teacher, who had been walking around the room, paused in front of Harrison’s desk, and Harrison thought that he must of performed worst on the test than the rest of the class had. Then, to Harrison’s surprise, the teacher smiled, exclaiming that Harrison had scored one hundred percent.
What is the best way to revise the bolded and underlined phrase from the passage?
The problem with the original phrasing is that the idiomatic phrase meaning "had to have done" is "must have". People often get confused with this idiom, thinking that the idiom is "must of". This confusion is the same with the idioms "would have" and "could have". Any answer choices using the words "would", "could", "should", or "must" followed by "of" are incorrect. The answer choice "Harrison thought he could have" is also incorrect because it changes the sentiment of the phrase from Harrison thinking he indubitably messed up to Harrison thinking that he may possibly have made a mistake.
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In one small town in California, \[5\] community leaders were worried about the next generation of kids growing up overweight because of the unhealthy food options. Local leaders decided to create a program in which \[6\] farmers taught kids how to cook healthy meals. In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables. In the newly-dug school gardens. \[7\] The kids were proud to eat tomatoes, lettuce, and beans that they had grown in their \[8\] own gardens. Plus, these vegetables can make delicious meals from all different cultures. \[9\]
Choose the most grammatically correct option.
Correct Examples of Using Their/There/They're
-Their dog was sitting under the tree.
-Look at the dog over there!
-They're (They are) going to take the dog for a walk.
Them's and They's are never used in formal academic writing.
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Its \[10\] not always easy to find fresh ingredients. But it is important to break \[11\] the cycle of eating junk food through a way that is creative. \[12\] If you don't have easy access to fruits and vegetables in your hometown, try to join a program to learn how to grow your own produce! Replacing potato chips with potatoes is a good investment for your future health.
Choose the most grammatically correct option.
In this case, the correct answer "It's" can be deconstructed as "It is".
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Its \[10\] not always easy to find fresh ingredients. But it is important to break \[11\] the cycle of eating junk food through a way that is creative. \[12\] If you don't have easy access to fruits and vegetables in your hometown, try to join a program to learn how to grow your own produce! Replacing potato chips with potatoes is a good investment for your future health.
Choose the option that is the most grammatically correct.
The correct answer connects the two related ideas with a correctly placed comma to construct one fluid sentence.
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Jimmy is annoyed at the video game that he was playing. For one thing, there was not nearly enough interesting characters suspenseful moments or exciting escapes in the game to satisfy him. For another, it was incredibly hard while playing the game to control the cars. It always wanted to veer to the left when he tried to steer to the right. But the ending of the game was worst. By the time he got to the end, the hero had decided to stop chasing rogue spies and therefore marry his girlfriend, a surprise attack resulted in her being kidnapped, and the hero must go on a final mission to save her before the game can be completed. That would of been fine, except it involved tracking the enemy using a helicopter, and Jimmy much to his chagrin never mastered flying the helicopter.
Which of the following is a redundant phrase that could be removed from the bolded and underlined sentence?
The phrase "while playing the game" is not needed since there would be no other circumstances under which Jimmy would have trouble controlling a car in the context of this passage.
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Harrison had math test last Wednesday. He studied really well and thought that he did really good. When he walked into school today, Harrison’s teacher looked at him strangely. Harrison started to sweat, because he assumed the teacher’s expression meant he did poorly on the test. Harrison began to wonder wear he went wrong. The teacher walks around the room and handed out the graded assessments. Then the teacher, who had been walking around the room, paused in front of Harrison’s desk, and Harrison thought that he must of performed worst on the test than the rest of the class had. Then, to Harrison’s surprise, the teacher smiled, exclaiming that Harrison had scored one hundred percent.
What is the best way to revise the bolded phrase to improve the flow of the passage?
The sentence prior to the bolded section of the passage is "The teacher walks around the room and handed out the graded assessments." As such, the highlighted section contains a redundancy because it states for a second time that the teacher had been walking around the room. So, you can discard all answer choices where this fact is restated. The correct answer does not restate this simple fact, and instead moves on in a simple way that moves the plot forward and removes repetitiveness.
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(1) I’m completely convinced that the little hole in the wall with the green awning is the best coffee shop in the city. (2) Right on the corner of 89th Street and 2nd Avenue next to the bus stop. (3) I grew up just a couple of blocks away, and this place has been around since before I was born. (4) I’m sure you’ve never heard of it, but it is definitely the best. (5) Their coffee is delicious and always the perfect temperature—not too hot, and not too cold. (6) They get their coffee beans from a local coffee roaster about ten blocks north. (7) Believe me when I tell you that the pastries are out of this world. (8) You’ve got to try their chocolate croissants. (9) One would be remiss not to mention that all aforementioned pastries are made daily in-house. (10) The chef, a woman named Julie, supposedly trained in Paris and learned from some of the best French pastry chefs. (11) I’d have expected that a chef like that would wind up in some fancy bakery instead of an unassuming little neighborhood spot like this. (12) Julie lives in the apartment right above the shop. (13) She’s hired a few local kids to work at the counter, but she bakes every weekday. (14) It’s rare that tourists make it this far north in the city, so most of the customers are locals who live nearby. (15) A few other coffee shops and bakeries have come and gone over the years, but none of them are anywhere near as good as this one. (16) I’ll take you tomorrow morning, and you can see for yourself.
Which sentence does not match the overall tone of the rest of the passage?
The tone of the passage is very conversational and informal. A few clues that the passage is written in an informal tone are the frequent use of contractions, and use of the personal pronouns "I" and "you," none of which would be correct to use in more formal writing. Sentence (9) is much more formal in its tone and word choice and uses the impersonal pronoun "one" instead of the more personal "I" and "you" used throughout the rest of the passage. Words like "remiss" and "aforementioned" also suggest a higher register than the one used throughout the rest of the passage.
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(1) The recent years have provided an increase in what many are calling “disruptive technologies:” applications and websites that allow the average person to circumvent the traditional means of doing business with taxis, hotels, and other services. These businesses are appealing because they cost much less, on average, than traditional services and can provide equal experiences. (2) The people who use them and the people who profit from them are passionate about these companies. (3) They have created millions of entrepreneurs who get what they put into their enterprise, while making traditional businesses rethink customer service and stuff like that. The question isn’t whether these disruptive technologies will last, but what other companies and industries are waiting to be disrupted. (4) Some of the most prominent examples of disruptive companies include Soooper, the driving service, Stay'nLay, the house-sharing service, and DogVacationland, a dog-sitting service.
Which of the following sentences contains a word/words that are inappropriate for the formal tone of the paragraph?
Sentence 3 is the correct choice because the phrase “stuff like that” is not appropriate for this passage's formal informational/argumentative style. The other sentences have vocabulary that is appropriately formal and matches the rest of the paragraph’s tone. The phrase "stuff like that" undermines the credibility of the speaker and sounds too casual.
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