English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following sentences has an error in capitalization?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The error in capitalization is in option B. 'Uncle' should not be capitalized because it is not used as a proper noun in this context. It should be written as 'uncle.' In the other options, capitalization is correctly used for proper nouns like 'East Coast,' 'English Composition II,' and 'Jersey Shore,' making them the correct choices.

2. Julia Robinson, an avid photographer in her spare time, was able to capture stunning shots of the local wildlife on her last business trip to Australia. Which of the following is an adjective in the preceding sentence?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Avid.' In the sentence, 'avid' describes Julia Robinson as someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about photography in her spare time. Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns, and in this case, 'avid' modifies the noun 'photographer.' Choice A, 'Time,' is a noun and does not describe or modify any other word in the sentence. Choice B, 'Capture,' is a verb indicating an action taken by Julia Robinson. Choice D, 'Photographer,' is a noun identifying the role or occupation of Julia Robinson, not describing her in this context.

3. Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Option A uses correct punctuation by correctly utilizing the semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. This punctuation choice effectively conveys the relationship between the two ideas presented in the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it uses a comma without a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as it lacks the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma to connect the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it lacks any punctuation or conjunction to properly separate the two independent clauses, leading to a run-on sentence.

4. Which of these examples is a compound sentence?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Option C is a compound sentence because it consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ('and then'). The first independent clause is 'Alex and Shane spent the morning coloring,' and the second independent clause is 'they took a walk down to the park.' Choices A, B, and D are not compound sentences. In choice A, although there are two actions mentioned, they are not independent clauses; they are part of a single sentence. Choice B is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ('After coloring all morning') and an independent clause. Choice D is a complex sentence with a compound predicate ('After coloring all morning and spending part of the day at the park') followed by an independent clause.

5. Which of these examples shows incorrect use of subject-verb agreement?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The sentence 'Neither of the cars is parked on the street' is incorrect in terms of subject-verb agreement. The subject 'Neither' is singular, so the verb should also be singular, which should be 'is' instead of 'are.' The correct sentence should be 'Neither of the cars is parked on the street.' Choices B, C, and D demonstrate correct subject-verb agreement. In choice B, 'Both' is plural and agrees with the plural verb 'are.' In choice C, 'Any' is singular and agrees with the singular verb 'are.' In choice D, 'Each' is singular and agrees with the singular verb 'is.'

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