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. The plump old white cat basked in the warm sunlight. Which of the following options correctly punctuates the above?

A. The plump, old, white cat basked in the warm sunlight.
B. The plump, old, white, cat basked in the warm sunlight.
C. The plump, old white cat basked in the warm sunlight.
D. The plump old white cat, basked in the warm sunlight.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'The plump, old, white cat basked in the warm sunlight.' Commas should be used to separate coordinate adjectives describing the cat. In this sentence, 'plump,' 'old,' and 'white' are coordinate adjectives, each providing distinct information about the cat. Option B incorrectly places a comma after 'white,' creating a nonessential element. Option C lacks commas to separate the coordinate adjectives. Option D incorrectly places a comma after 'cat,' causing a punctuation error.

3. Identify the sentence component of the underlined portion in the sentence: New students should report to the student center.

A. Dependent clause
B. Adverbial phrase
C. Adjective clause
D. Noun phrase

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The underlined portion 'New students' is a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'New students' acts as the subject of the sentence, making it a noun phrase. A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence. An adverbial phrase modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb in a sentence. An adjective clause is a group of words that describes a noun in the sentence. None of these definitions apply to the underlined portion in the sentence provided, making 'Noun phrase' the correct identification.

4. Write a research report about a national park in the United States that is experiencing threats.

A. Florida's Everglades National Park is threatened with a rising sea level as restoration efforts lag.
B. The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States.
C. Every year someone falls over the edge of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park.
D. My visit to Acadia National Park last summer was one of the most interesting trips I've ever taken.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as it directly addresses the writing prompt by focusing on a specific threat faced by a national park in the United States, which is the rising sea level affecting Florida's Everglades National Park. This choice provides a clear thesis statement for a research report on the topic. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B provides general information about the Grand Canyon but does not discuss any threats it is facing. Choice C is not relevant to the prompt as it talks about accidents on a specific highway within Glacier National Park rather than broader threats to the park itself. Choice D is about a personal experience at Acadia National Park and does not address any threats the park may be experiencing.

5. John Smith was the man ____ photographed the landscape.

A. Who
B. Which
C. Whom
D. That

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this sentence, 'who' is the correct relative pronoun to refer to a person, John Smith. 'Who' is used for subjects, while 'whom' is used for objects. 'Which' is used for things or animals, and 'that' can refer to both people and things, but 'who' is the most appropriate choice here as it refers specifically to a person, John Smith, who is the one performing the action of photographing the landscape.