choose the sentence that demonstrates correct use of the semicolon

ATI TEAS 7

Practice English TEAS TEST

1. Choose the sentence that demonstrates correct use of the semicolon.

A. I have a test tomorrow; I need to study.
B. I have a test; tomorrow I need to study.
C. I have a test tomorrow.
D. I have a test tomorrow; and I need to study.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is demonstrated in sentence A: 'I have a test tomorrow; I need to study.' Semicolons are used to connect closely related independent clauses. In this sentence, the semicolon correctly separates the two independent clauses 'I have a test tomorrow' and 'I need to study.' Choice B is incorrect because it separates the clauses improperly by using the semicolon after 'test' instead of after 'tomorrow.' Choice C is incorrect as it lacks a second independent clause to be connected using a semicolon. Choice D is incorrect as it inappropriately adds 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct use of the punctuation mark to link independent clauses.

2. Which sentence uses the present perfect continuous tense correctly?

A. I have been working on this project since morning.
B. She has finished the book already.
C. They will be leaving for vacation tomorrow.
D. He had been living in the city for ten years.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A, 'I have been working on this project since morning,' uses the present perfect continuous tense correctly. This structure implies an action that started in the past (working on the project) and is still ongoing up to the present moment. Choice B is incorrect as it uses the present perfect tense ('has finished'), which indicates a completed action with relevance to the present. Choice C uses the future continuous tense ('will be leaving'), and Choice D uses the past perfect continuous tense ('had been living'). Therefore, only Choice A fits the criteria for the present perfect continuous tense.

3. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

A. Maya, my pet bird, can say “hello” in three languages.
B. Jason, Peter, Alice, and Soojin all wanted to visit the new museum.
C. Don’t forget to bring your violin, music book, and music stand to the lessons.
D. If you bring all of the supplies for the project, I will provide the workspace.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: This sentence correctly uses commas to set off the nonrestrictive phrase 'my pet bird' in between the name 'Maya' and the rest of the sentence. Nonrestrictive phrases provide additional information but are not essential to the sentence's meaning. Choice B has a missing comma after 'Peter' to separate the list of names correctly. Choice C should use commas, not dashes, to separate the items in the list. Choice D lacks a comma after 'project' to separate the clauses in a compound sentence.

4. Select the correct definition of the underlined word having multiple meanings in the sentence: 'Natalie’s fingers were calloused after practicing her bass.'

A. Kind of fish
B. Low and deep sound
C. Lowest male singing voice
D. A guitar with four strings that makes low sounds

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this sentence, 'bass' refers to a guitar with four strings that makes low sounds. The context of Natalie practicing suggests that it is referring to a musical instrument, specifically the bass guitar, rather than a fish, sound, or voice. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choice A, 'Kind of fish,' is incorrect as the sentence context does not relate to fish. Choice B, 'Low and deep sound,' is incorrect because the sentence refers to practicing an instrument, not just a sound. Choice C, 'Lowest male singing voice,' is also incorrect as the sentence context is not related to singing but to playing an instrument.

5. The patient’s preoperative evaluation is scheduled for next Wednesday. In the sentence, the prefix pre- indicates that the evaluation will take place at which of the following times?

A. before the operation
B. after the operation
C. during the operation
D. outside of the operation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The prefix 'pre-' typically means before. In this case, 'preoperative' refers to activities that occur before an operation. Therefore, the patient's preoperative evaluation, scheduled for next Wednesday, will take place before the operation. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the prefix 'pre-' specifically indicates a time before the operation, not after, during, or outside of it.