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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. 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.






2. 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.)






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






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






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






6. 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)






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






8. 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)






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


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






11. 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!)






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






13. '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.






14. 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.






15. '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






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






17. Left out or an exception






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






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






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






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






22. To receive or say yes






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






24. 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






25. To draw out






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






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






28. Government building






29. 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






30. 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






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






32. Illegal






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






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






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






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!