The day was cold and wet. Jesse was worried that he would not beat his best time. Jesse had trained for the marathon for 6 months. Which of the following options uses correct grammar to combine the sentences for clarity?
- A. The day was cold and wet, and Jesse was worried that he would not beat his best time. Jesse had trained for the marathon for 6 months.
- B. Jesse was worried that he would not beat his best time because the day was cold and wet, and he had trained for the marathon for 6 months.
- C. Because Jesse had trained for the marathon for 6 months, he was worried that he would not beat his best time. The day was cold and wet.
- D. Jesse had trained for the marathon for 6 months, but because the day was cold and wet, Jesse was worried that he would not beat his best time.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sentence D is the correct choice as it combines the sentences logically and clearly, showing cause and effect. It effectively connects the reason for Jesse's worry (the cold and wet day) with his training for the marathon. Choice A lacks a conjunction before 'Jesse was worried,' making it less clear. Choice B changes the sequence of events and weakens the cause-effect relationship. Choice C incorrectly places the reason for worry after the effect, leading to confusion in the sentence structure.
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Identify the genre of writing in the following brief passage: I am asking each department supervisor to identify the advantages of reconfiguring our internal accounting system. Indicate to me by next Friday if you feel this change would improve the DPD program. Which of the following genres of writing does the passage represent?
- A. Literary
- B. Professional
- C. Colloquial
- D. Scientific
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage represents professional writing because it is formal, work-related communication involving a request for input on a specific business-related matter. The passage's focus on internal accounting system reconfiguration and improvement of a specific program aligns with professional communication in a workplace setting. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect: A) 'Literary' writing typically focuses on creative expression and storytelling, which is not evident in this passage; C) 'Colloquial' writing is informal and conversational, unlike the formal tone of the passage; D) 'Scientific' writing involves research, data analysis, and objective facts, which are not present in the passage.
Xan was worried about the epidemic she heard about on the news. In the word 'epidemic,' the prefix 'epi-' most closely means:
- A. Badly
- B. On
- C. A lot
- D. A little
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: On.' The prefix 'epi-' means 'on' or 'upon,' as seen in the word 'epidemic.' An epidemic refers to a situation where a disease spreads rapidly and affects many people. Choice 'A: Badly' is incorrect as it does not accurately represent the meaning of the prefix 'epi-.' Choices 'C: A lot' and 'D: A little' are also incorrect as they are not related to the prefix 'epi-' in the context of the word 'epidemic.'
The swirling snow drifted down all afternoon. Which of the following parts of speech is 'swirling' as used in the sentence above?
- A. Interjection
- B. Article
- C. Adjective
- D. Adverb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the sentence 'The swirling snow drifted down all afternoon,' 'swirling' is functioning as an adjective. Adjectives modify or describe nouns, and in this case, 'swirling' describes the noun 'snow.' The word 'swirling' is giving more information about the nature or quality of the snow, indicating that it is moving in a circular motion. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. An interjection is a word or phrase used to express strong emotions or sentiments, which 'swirling' does not do in this context. An article is a determiner that introduces a noun, and 'swirling' is not serving this function. An adverb typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, but in this sentence, 'swirling' is not modifying a verb, making it an incorrect choice.
Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation for a possessive noun?
- A. The baby's bibs were covered in pureed food.
- B. Sarah's and Claire's business was thriving in its new location.
- C. A multitude of clients' complaints filled the comment box.
- D. A busy worker's best tool is a good plan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C, 'A multitude of clients' complaints filled the comment box,' is the correct answer. 'Clients'' is the plural possessive form to indicate that the complaints belong to the clients. In Choice A, 'baby's' is correctly punctuated to show the bibs belong to the baby. Choice B, 'Sarah's and Claire's business was thriving in its new location,' incorrectly uses an apostrophe before 'business,' making it possessive twice. Choice D, 'A busy worker's best tool is a good plan,' correctly shows possession of the best tool by the busy worker.
What is the main purpose of a thesis statement?
- A. To summarize the essay
- B. To state the main idea of the essay
- C. To ask a question
- D. To provide evidence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main purpose of a thesis statement is to clearly state the main idea or argument of the essay. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining the central point that the essay will address. Choice A, 'To summarize the essay,' is incorrect because while a thesis statement does provide a concise summary of the main point, its primary function is to present the main idea, not summarize the entire essay. Choice C, 'To ask a question,' is incorrect as a thesis statement is a declarative statement that asserts a position or argument rather than posing a question. Choice D, 'To provide evidence,' is incorrect because a thesis statement does not offer evidence but rather sets the direction and focus for the evidence that will be presented in the essay.