As the tour group approached the bottom of Chichen Itza, the prodigious Mayan pyramid, they became nervous about climbing its distant peak. Based on the context of the sentence, which of the following words shows the correct meaning of the word prodigious?
- A. Very large
- B. Famous
- C. Very old
- D. Fancy
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In this context, the word 'prodigious' is used to describe the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza. The tour group's nervousness about climbing its distant peak indicates that the pyramid is impressive in size and scale, invoking a sense of awe or grandeur. Therefore, the correct meaning of 'prodigious' in this context would be 'very large.' Choice B, 'Famous,' is incorrect as the sentence focuses on the size rather than the fame of the pyramid. Choice C, 'Very old,' and choice D, 'Fancy,' do not accurately capture the intended meaning of 'prodigious' as used in this context.
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Usually I take a walk every day after breakfast, ____________ it was raining today.
- A. While
- B. Because
- C. But
- D. When
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is 'But.' In this sentence, the conjunction 'but' is used to show a contrast between the usual routine of taking a walk after breakfast and the fact that it was raining today. 'While' suggests a concurrent action, 'Because' implies causation, and 'When' introduces a time relationship, none of which are suitable in this context.
Which of the following is a correct thesis statement?
- A. President Perez pledged to improve living conditions for all during her well-attended inauguration speech, which drew thunderous applause.
- B. President Perez graduated first in her class at Harvard University after defending a capstone project on inequality.
- C. President Perez is our greatest leader because her proposal of a universal income will eradicate inequity among citizens.
- D. President Perez was interviewed on television in February, where she spoke without commercial interruption for 1 hour.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the correct thesis statement because it presents a clear argument or claim, making it a strong thesis statement. The thesis statement asserts President Perez as the greatest leader based on her proposal of a universal income to eradicate inequity among citizens. This statement sets a specific focus and direction for the essay or discussion that follows. Choices A, B, and D do not function as thesis statements. Choice A provides a descriptive event but lacks a clear argument. Choice B highlights an achievement but does not establish a central claim. Choice D mentions an interview but does not present a focused argument as required in a thesis statement.
Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation?
- A. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
- B. Carole is not currently working, and her focus is on her children at the moment.
- C. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
- D. Carole is not currently working, her focus is on her children at the moment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Option A uses correct punctuation by correctly utilizing the semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. This punctuation choice effectively conveys the relationship between the two ideas presented in the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it uses a comma without a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as it lacks the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma to connect the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it lacks any punctuation or conjunction to properly separate the two independent clauses, leading to a run-on sentence.
Which of the following examples is a compound-complex sentence?
- A. The puppy and his mother both had dark brown eyes and long, floppy ears.
- B. The puppy and his mother looked exactly the same; both had shiny, dark brown eyes and long, floppy ears.
- C. The puppy, who had dark brown, shiny eyes and long, floppy ears, looked just like his mother.
- D. Even though the puppy was much smaller than his mother, his eyes were dark brown and shiny just like hers, and his ears were long and floppy, too.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sentence D is a compound-complex sentence because it contains two independent clauses ('Even though the puppy was much smaller than his mother' and 'his eyes were dark brown and shiny just like hers') and one dependent clause ('and his ears were long and floppy, too'). Choices A, B, and C do not meet the criteria for a compound-complex sentence as they lack a combination of independent and dependent clauses.
Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement?
- A. There are two constellations that can be seen from the back of the house.
- B. At least four of the sheep need to be sheared before the end of summer.
- C. Lots of people were auditioning for the singing competition on Saturday.
- D. Everyone in the group has completed the assignment on time.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer as it demonstrates proper subject-verb agreement. 'Lots of people' is a plural subject, requiring the plural verb 'were.' The verb 'auditioning' is also in the correct tense to match the subject. Choices A, B, and D contain errors in subject-verb agreement. In Choice A, 'There is two constellations' should be corrected to 'There are two constellations' to match the plural subject. In Choice B, 'four of the sheep needs' should be 'four of the sheep need' to agree with the plural subject. In Choice D, 'Everyone in the group have completed' should be 'Everyone in the group has completed' to match the singular subject 'Everyone.'