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






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






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


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






5. To draw out






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






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






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






9. Government building






10. 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!






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






12. 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






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






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






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






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






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






18. 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.)






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






20. To receive or say yes






21. 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!)






22. Illegal






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






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






25. 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.






26. 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






27. '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.






28. Left out or an exception






29. 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






30. 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)






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






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






33. 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.






34. '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






35. 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)






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