Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. Which sentence uses the colon correctly?

• A. I brought snacks: chips, salsa, and guacamole.
• B. The winner is Sarah!
• C. He loves all things chocolate: cake, ice cream, and candy bars.
• D. Please bring the following items: pen, paper, and stapler.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Colons are used to introduce a list or explanation that follows an independent clause. In this case, option A correctly uses a colon to introduce a list of snacks after an independent clause. Choice B lacks an independent clause before the colon, making it incorrect. Choice C is incorrect as it should have an independent clause before the colon. Choice D incorrectly uses a colon as a comma would be more appropriate to introduce the list of items.

3. 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.

4. Which of the following is an example of a correctly punctuated sentence?

• A. Beatrice is very intelligent; however, she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
• B. Beatrice is very intelligent: she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
• C. Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
• D. Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the correct answer as it uses a semicolon to correctly separate two independent clauses. In this sentence, 'Beatrice is very intelligent' and 'she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades' are two independent clauses that are related but can stand alone as separate sentences. The semicolon is the appropriate punctuation mark to link these two closely related ideas. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they either use a comma splice (A), a colon (B), or lack appropriate punctuation (C) to separate the independent clauses.

5. The term anaesthetic refers to medication that causes a temporary loss of feeling or sensation. Based on the meaning of the word in medical usage, what is the most likely meaning of the prefix an-?

• A. without
• B. against
• C. away
• D. before

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In medical terminology, the prefix 'an-' is commonly used to indicate 'without' or 'lack of.' In the word 'anaesthetic,' the prefix 'an-' combined with 'aesthetic' signifies the absence of sensation or feeling. Therefore, based on its meaning in medical usage, the most likely meaning of the prefix 'an-' is 'without.' Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: 'against,' 'away,' and 'before' do not align with the prefix 'an-' as used in medical terms.

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