Nursing Elites

1. Identify the participial phrase in the following sentence: 'Running through the park, she spotted a squirrel.'

• A. Running
• B. Through the park
• C. She spotted
• D. A squirrel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Through the park.' A participial phrase acts as an adjective and is formed from a verb. In this sentence, 'Running through the park' describes 'she' and functions as an adjective modifying the subject. Choice A 'Running' is incorrect because it is just the present participle without additional context to form a phrase. Choice C 'She spotted' is incorrect as it is a subject and a verb, not a participial phrase. Choice D 'A squirrel' is incorrect as it is a noun phrase, not a participial phrase.

2. Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation?

• A. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
• B. Graham still needs the following items for his class, a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
• C. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.
• D. Graham still needs the following items for his class – a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A demonstrates correct punctuation. The sentence uses a colon to introduce a list, which is the most appropriate punctuation in this context. A colon is typically used to signal that a list or explanation follows, making it the suitable choice here. Choices B, C, and D either use a comma, semi-colon, or dash incorrectly to introduce the list, deviating from the standard punctuation rule for listing items. Therefore, they are incorrect in the context of this sentence.

3. Read the following passage and answer the question: The thesis of this paper will be on the development of an experiment designed to detect flaws in how a golf ball is hit. Sometimes it can be hit perfectly, but sometimes it can be a bust. Based on the language in the passage, which of the following scenarios is correct?

• A. The writer is a professional in a business environment.
• B. The writer is a researcher writing for a scientific journal.
• C. The writer is a student writing a first draft of a paper.
• D. The writer is an author of literature.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The passage indicates that the writer is a student writing a first draft of a paper. The language used in the passage is informal and lacks precision, suggesting it is not written by a professional in a business environment or a researcher for a scientific journal. The focus on experimenting with hitting a golf ball also aligns more with a student exploring a topic rather than an established author of literature.

4. Which of the following sentences has correct subject-verb agreement?

• A. The crowd standing outside the club is getting restless.
• B. Most of the cookies we left out on the counter were eaten by the dog.
• C. The upholstered couch and rocking chair we bought together look great in the living room.
• D. Ricotta cheese and pesto taste great on pizza.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'The upholstered couch and rocking chair we bought together look great in the living room.' This sentence has correct subject-verb agreement with a compound subject. 'The crowd standing outside the club are getting restless' (Choice A) has incorrect agreement as 'crowd' is singular and should be paired with 'is'. 'Most of the cookies we left out on the counter was eaten by the dog' (Choice B) has incorrect agreement as 'cookies' is plural and should be paired with 'were'. 'Ricotta cheese and pesto tastes great on pizza' (Choice D) has incorrect agreement as 'cheese' and 'pesto' form a compound subject that is plural and should be paired with 'taste'.

5. After a twelve-hour workday, James was exhausted when he heard the news.

• A. .
• B. ;
• C. ,
• D. —

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The comma (,) is used to separate the introductory clause 'After a twelve-hour workday' from the main clause 'James was exhausted when he heard the news.' This punctuation correctly indicates the relationship between the two clauses without interrupting the flow of the sentence. Choice A (.), a period, would create two separate sentences, which is not appropriate in this context. Choice B (;) is too strong of a pause and semicolons are typically used to connect closely related independent clauses. Choice D (—) is an em dash, which is used to set off an abrupt break or interruption in the sentence, not to separate an introductory clause from the main clause.

Similar Questions