Nursing Elites

1. In the phrase 'a drop in the bucket,' what does 'bucket' represent?

• A. A literal container
• B. A large quantity
• C. A specific goal
• D. An obstacle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The phrase 'a drop in the bucket' is an idiom that means a very small or insignificant amount in comparison to a much larger total. In this context, 'bucket' symbolizes a large quantity, emphasizing the idea that the 'drop' is minimal or inconsequential when considering the overall amount. Choice A, 'A literal container,' is incorrect as 'bucket' in this phrase is not meant to be taken literally but rather symbolically. Choice C, 'A specific goal,' is incorrect as the phrase does not refer to achieving a specific target. Choice D, 'An obstacle,' is incorrect as 'bucket' is not presented as a hindrance or barrier in this idiom.

2. Identify the clause that acts as an adverbial modifier in the sentence: 'While the movie was playing, I snuck out to get popcorn.'

• A. While the movie was playing
• B. I snuck out
• C. to get popcorn
• D. the movie was playing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The clause 'While the movie was playing' acts as an adverbial modifier because it describes the time when the action of 'I snuck out' occurred, making it an adverbial clause. Choice A is correct as it is a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb to provide information about the time of the main action. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not serve as adverbial modifiers in the context of the sentence.

3. It's really time for me to leave, and yet there are still so many things I'd like to do; next year I think I'll spend an extra week. Which of the following punctuation marks is used incorrectly in the sentence above?

• A. The comma after the word 'think'
• B. The semicolon after the word 'do'
• C. The period at the end of the sentence
• D. The comma after 'and yet'

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The comma after 'think' is unnecessary and incorrect. It should be removed to correct the sentence. The semicolon after 'do' is correct as it separates two independent clauses. The period at the end of the sentence is necessary to indicate the end of the sentence. The comma after 'and yet' is correctly used to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

4. Which sentence uses the word 'literally' correctly?

• A. I literally died laughing at that joke.
• B. He literally climbed a mountain of paperwork.
• C. Her eyes were literally sparkling with excitement.
• D. The house was literally haunted by ghosts.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it uses 'literally' to emphasize the magnitude of work, not to exaggerate a simple action. In this sentence, 'literally' is used to convey the idea that the person climbed a significant amount of paperwork, highlighting the challenging and overwhelming nature of the task. Choices A, C, and D use 'literally' inappropriately by exaggerating or using the word in a non-literal sense. In choice A, 'died laughing' is a common expression and not meant to be taken literally. Choice C describes a figurative expression, not a literal one. Choice D involves the supernatural, which is not a literal occurrence.

5. Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

• A. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
• B. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
• C. I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.
• D. I have a big test tomorrow; but I can't go out tonight.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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