Response to the following multiple choice grammar & or writing questions:
1. Which one of the following items is a complete sentence?
A. The receptionist, who was away last week.
B. The receptionist returning to work today.
C. The receptionist returns today.
D. The receptionist, who was away last week and returns to work.
2. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Since I no longer maintain an office downtown for working on this kind of project.
A. Dangler
B. Misplaced part
C. Properly constructed sentence
D. Fragment
3. Which one of the following sentences is a comma splice?
A. While the lawyer prepared the case, her assistant checked the report she found no mistakes.
B. Because all the members were early, the meeting got underway ahead of schedule.
C. Dr. Matheson, speaking as head of the hospital's medical council.
D. The secretary handed the report to the supervisor, he read it quickly.
4. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Noah Webster supported himself through sales of his spelling book over 100 million copies of the book were sold.
A. Properly constructed sentence
B. Run-on
C. Dangler
D. Misplaced part
5. Identify the grammatical error in the following sentence?
Helen went to work, Bob went home.
A. This sentence is a fragment.
B. This sentence is a dangler.
C. This sentence contains a comma splice.
D. This sentence lacks parallel parts.
6. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Noah Webster, author of the original Webster's Dictionary, believed that a dictionary should contain more than the definitions of words: therefore, he included their etymologies as well.
A. Comma splice
B. Dangler
C. Run-on
D. Properly constructed sentence.
7. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
The new drug proved to be highly effective, it has no side effects.
A. Comma splice
B. Properly constructed sentence
C. Lacks parallel parts
D. Has unclear pronoun.
8. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Do you see the pretty girl standing next to the car with the red boots on?
A. Run-on
B. Misplaced part
C. Properly constructed sentence
D. Fragment
9. Which one of the following sentences contains parallel parts?
A. In the business world, you must write clearly and with conciseness.
B. I would rather drive a car than ride a bike.
C. Joan is a member of the internal audit committee, a team leader, and plays on the company softball team.
D. The seminar speaker's talk was motivating and challenged us.
10. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Do you advise me to go to college or that I should get a job after high school?
A. Run-on
B. Misplaced part
C. Lacks parallel parts
D. Properly constructed sentence
11. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
To be fit, you should get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.
A. Properly constructed sentence
B. Comma splice
C. Lacks parallel parts
D. Unclear pronoun
12. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Carmen is tall, slender, and a woman of great beauty.
A. Comma splice
B. Dangler
C. Properly constructed
D. Lacks parallel parts
13. Examine the following sentence and choose the appropriate description.
This material has been tested by our engineers, and they like it.
A. Both clauses are in active voice.
B. Both clauses are in passive voice.
C. The first clause is active; the second clause is passive.
D. The first clause is passive: the second clause is active.
14. Examine the following sentence and choose the appropriate description.
Your machine has been repaired, and it will be returned to you today.
A. Both clauses are in active voice
B. Both clauses are in passive voice.
C. The first clause is active; the second clause is passive.
D. The first clause is passive: the second clause is active.
15. Which one of the following sentences contains active voice?
A. The compositions were corrected by the teacher.
B. The patient's C-Ray was read by the radiologist.
C. Too many mistakes were found in this document.
D. The supervisor announced the new work schedule.
16. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Being unable to type the letter, the boss fired me.
A. Properly constructed sentence
B. Comma splice
C. Dangler
D. Fragment
17. What, if anything, is wrong with the following sentence?
Arriving at the circus early, seats could be selected near the center ring.
A. Lacks parallel parts
B. Properly constructed sentence
C. Dangler
D. Comma Splice
18. Which one of the following sentences contains a dangling modifier?
A. Sitting on the windowsill, the geraniums got lots of sunshine.
B. Before going home, this account must be audited.
C. Jogging quickly around the track, Janice was becoming breathless.
D. To get the best results, follow the directions on the label closely.
19. When you construct a bulleted list, you should:
A. Being with an -ing word
B. Begin with a command verb
C. Make the items parallel in form.
D. Mix bullet types to attract attention to crucial points.
20. Proofreading is a process that:
A. All writers should do.
B. You don't need to do if you are a good writer
C. Only inexperienced writers need to do.
D. You can only do for yourself.
21. The Governor spoke from the steps of the ________ about the ________ of the strike.
A. Capitol, affects
B. Capital, affects
C. Capitol, effects
D. Capital, effects
22. I cannot _________ your report as valid unless you __________more evidence.
A. Accept, site
B. Except, site
C. Accept, cite
D. Except, cite
23. The City __________voted to pay for both the __________and the interest.
A. Council, principal
B. Counsel, principal
C. Council, principle
D. Counsel, principle
24. All things considered, ________not a bad day, since ________ is excellent.
A. Its, moral
B. It's, morale
C. Its, morale
D. It's, moral
25. Don't __________ rights to citizenship.
A. Wave your
B. Wave you're
C. Waive you're
D. Waive your
26. I'll __________ a plan based on your __________.
A. Devise, advise
B. Device, advice
C. Device, advise
D. Devise, advice
27. Which one of the following sentences has a preposition-related error?
A. There was a fight between the two men.
B. The Cerritos Center is near my office.
C. They gave a party for Mary and me.
D. The report was sent to everyone except her.
28. Which one of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
A. She should of typed the report.
B. Would you get a pencil off her?
C. The new salesclerk waited on me.
D. They had to wait for John and I.
29. A business letter is usually written on __________letterhead and signed in _______ ink. The body paragraphs are __________-spaced.
A. White, blue, double
B. White or off-white, blue or black, single
C. White, black, single or double
D. White or off-white, blue, single or double
30. Which one of the following entries is an example of correct form for a date on an American business letter?
A. 2 June, 2001
B. June 2, ‘01
C. 6/2/01
D. June 2, 2001
31. Which one of the following salutations is not suitable for a business letter?
A. Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
B. Dear Mr. Johnson:
C. Dear Credit Department:
D. Dear Director of Operations:
32. Which one of the following elements is always included in a well-written business letter?
A. Handwritten signature
B. Attention Line
C. Postscript
D. Identification initials
33. When signing a business letter, you should:
A. Include the professional or courtesy title by which you wish to be address.
B. Omit your job title to avoid appearing pretentious.
C. Spell out your full name if you go by a gender-neutral name, sauch as Chris or Pat.
D. Sign only you initials for the sake of brevity.
34. A "bc" notation is typed:
A. On the original and the copies.
B. On the original only.
C. Pm the copies only.
D. Without a name after it.
35. The most frequently used business letter style(s) is/are the __________ style(s).
A. Block and modified block.
B. Simplified
C. Modified block
D. Block and simplified
36. Which one of the following statements about writing business letters is true?
A. If you forget one of the crucial points of your letter, provide the information in a postscript.
B. "Respectfully yours" is usually the most appropriate complimentary close for business correspondence.
C. If the professional title and gender of your recipient are unknown, the courtesy title "Mr/s." is the safest way to begin the inside address and salutation.
D. Block style gives your letter a contemporary appearance, and it is fast to key.
37. An e-mail should:
A. Includee all perttinent topics to avoid sending many separate messages.
B. Convery a large part of its message through the use of abbreviations and emoticons.
C. Include an inside address and a businesslike salutation and complimentary close, just like a paper letter.
D. Preferably be about one topic, which should be summed up in the subject line.
38. Which one of the following examples illustrates the style of language appropriate for modern business letters?
A. "Appreciating your patronage, we remain...."
B. "If I can be of service, kindly advise...."
C. "This company sincerely regrets...."
D. "We're sorry about the mistake...."
39. It is absolutely essential that each and every package be square in shape.
The preceding sentence is an example of business writing that is:
A. Positive
B. Negative
C. Too formal
D. redundant
40. Which one of the following statements about paragraphing in business letters is most accurate?
A. The opening paragraph should cut to the chase and demand immediate action from the reader.
B. The first and last paragraphs are often the longest and most detailed.
C. The closing paragraph should suggest a specific action.
D. Longer body paragraphs are more inviting for readers to "sink their teeth" into.