Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. Identify the type of error in the sentence, 'They went to the store, bought groceries, then went home.'

• A. Run-on sentence
• B. Comma splice
• C. Dangling modifier
• D. Subject-verb agreement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The given sentence combines multiple independent clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions, creating a run-on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without the necessary punctuation or coordination. In this case, the sentence lacks the proper conjunction or punctuation between 'store' and 'bought,' resulting in a run-on sentence. Choice B, 'Comma splice,' is incorrect because a comma splice involves joining two independent clauses with just a comma, which is not the case in the given sentence. Choice C, 'Dangling modifier,' is incorrect as there are no misplaced modifiers in the sentence. Choice D, 'Subject-verb agreement,' is also incorrect as the error in the sentence does not involve subject-verb agreement but rather the incorrect combination of independent clauses.

3. Which of the following sentences follows the rules of punctuation and capitalization?

• A. That was amazing," She said. "I can't believe we almost missed it."
• B. "That was amazing," she said; "I can't believe we almost missed it."
• C. "That was amazing." She said. "I can't believe we almost missed it."
• D. "That was amazing," she said. "I can't believe we almost missed it."

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The sentence follows the rules of punctuation and capitalization for dialogue.

4. Which example uses correct punctuation?

• A. "I really can't make it," he answered, "you should probably go without me."
• B. "I really can't make it," he answered. "you should probably go without me."
• C. "I really can't make it," he answered. "You should probably go without me."
• D. "I really can't make it," he answered, "you should probably go without me."

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A uses proper dialogue punctuation. The comma appears inside the closing quotation mark after 'make it,' and 'you' remains lowercase because it continues the same sentence. In Choice B, there is a period instead of a comma after 'answered,' breaking the sentence incorrectly. Choice C incorrectly places the comma outside the quotation mark after 'make it.' Choice D, similar to Choice B, uses a period instead of a comma after 'answered,' leading to incorrect punctuation.

5. What is the best way to punctuate the dialogue, 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.

• A. 'Are you coming?' she asked? 'Maybe,' I replied.
• B. 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.
• C. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.
• D. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct way to punctuate dialogue is to enclose each speaker's words in quotation marks. Additionally, the question mark should be placed inside the closing quotation mark of the question. In this case, the correct answer is B as it adheres to the punctuation rules for dialogue. Each character's dialogue is correctly enclosed in quotation marks, and the question mark is appropriately positioned inside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice A is incorrect as the question mark is placed outside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice C is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked.' Choice D is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked' and incorrectly places the comma inside the closing quotation mark of the question.

Similar Questions