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Basics Of Composition

Subject : english
Instructions:
  • Answer 36 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Plural subject needs singular verb and vice versa (The boxes were carried or the box was carried - verb changes to agree with number of subject.)






2. Conjunction for comparasin 'I run faster THAN you.' Usu preceded by and '-er' word






3. Both...and/ - either...or/ - just as...so/ - neither...nor/ - the more...the more/ - whether...or






4. Left out or an exception






5. The pronoun must be in first - second or third person in agreement with the noun (I am an American and you are an Australian and he is a Turk NOT 'If one wants to go home - you must ask first' b/c you does not agree with one which is third person whi






6. To put or place something - I lay it down or I have laid it down or I am laying it down NOT I have lain it down.






7. Refers to a physical distance (we have 15 miles farther to go)






8. Rules for order of words and phrases - meaning changes if order changes






9. Must use proper pronoun - Don't use nominative pronoun in objective form (He gave it to I NOR Ricky and me jump up - I can't be used as a IO and me can't be a subject/nominative)






10. Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANGIRL) (Ind+ ind)






11. Draw a conclusion from evidence (the one giving the evidence in NOT inferring - the one hearing the evidence is inferring.)






12. Government building






13. A sentence with just one subject and one predicate (no D.O and verb is NOT linking)






14. To draw out






15. Between subject and pronoun ('Either Jack or Annie will give his or her report' and NOT 'Either Jack or Annie will give his report b/c the pronoun 'his' does not agree with Annie - can't just add 'her' either...must say 'Either Jack will give his rep






16. Next; in addition; at that point in time; next; therefore - e.g. He ran faster then he stopped. This refers to what happened at a certain point in time and is not comparing.






17. There = place; Their = belongs to them; They're = they are


18. Hint at something negative (the one making the remark in insinuating NOT the one hearing it.)






19. 'Suddenly - he walked - talked and jumped' has the same subject noun doing all the actions BUT 'He walked - talked and then there was a loud noise.' is not parallel b/c the subject is not doing the third item on the list.






20. Two independent clauses joined by a (FANBOY) coordinating conjunction that are then joined by a (www.asia.b) subordinating conjunction one or more dependent clauses. (ind + ind + dep)






21. When using 'a series' construction - you have to stay with the pattern.






22. Between subject and verb (He is leaving NOT He are leaving.)






23. Who refers to people; that/which refer to groups or things or events. Use in the who/which IEW dress up!






24. Who refers to a subject while whom refers to object (replace who with he and whom with him to test!)






25. Illegal






26. To receive or say yes






27. An independent clause joined to one or more dependent clauses by a subordinating clause (www.asia.b) (ind + dep)






28. To recline - I lay down is correct or I have lain down NOT I have laid down!






29. 'Either you will love this movie - or you will be refunded.' is parallel BUT 'Either you will love this movie or obtain a refund for your ticket.' is NOT b/c after the or there should be the subject noun just like the SN followed the 'either' in the






30. The city where the government is located OR money/valuable resource used to invest






31. Hint at something (this is done by person making the remark NOT by the one hearing it.)






32. List person; each; every; no one; everyone; anyone; either






33. Two or more independent sentences that LACK a conjunction (FANGIRL) but are incorrectly joined by a comma. (if joined by a semi-colon it is OK!)






34. Difference in quantity or extent - 'further from the truth' or studies are moving further along' are correct






35. A series of verbs in a sentence must stay in same tense (like present - past - future - but okay to change tenses from one clause to the next if the events require it: 'He fell and now he is hurt changes tenses from past to present but the events req






36. Has either a subject or a predicate but not both or is a dependent clause without an independent clause - FRAGMENTS ARE NEVER ACCEPTABLE AS A SENTENCE ON THE CLEP EXAM - though they might be ok in a paper!