Nursing Elites

1. What is the function of a colon when used to introduce a list?

• A. A colon joins two related sentences.
• B. A colon sets off direct quotes longer than five words.
• C. A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete sentence.
• D. A colon separates clauses in a compound sentence.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a colon is used to introduce a list, it is placed after a complete sentence and serves to signal that what follows will be a list or an explanation related to the preceding sentence. Choice A is incorrect because a colon doesn't join two related sentences; it introduces what follows after a complete sentence. Choice B is incorrect as a colon is not used to set off direct quotes longer than five words; quotation marks are used for that purpose. Choice D is incorrect because a colon does not separate clauses in a compound sentence; it is used to introduce a list or explanation after a complete sentence.

2. Which of the following sentences contains a homophone error?

• A. Their decision to stay home was vindicated when they heard about what happened.
• B. Jane was given a prescription for oral paste to put on her mouth ulcers.
• C. The team from Cincinnati led the league in scoring last year.
• D. What effect will this new legislation have on hospital policy?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because 'aural' and 'oral' are homophones, but they have different meanings. 'Aural' refers to hearing, while 'oral' refers to the mouth or spoken words. In the context of treating mouth ulcers, the correct term should be 'oral paste.' Choices A, C, and D do not contain homophone errors. In choice A, 'heard' is correctly used in the context of listening. Choice C is grammatically correct and does not involve homophones. Choice D correctly uses 'effect' and does not involve homophones.

3. What is the correct plural form of the noun 'class'?

• A. Class
• B. Class'
• C. Class's
• D. Classes

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct plural form of the noun 'class' is 'classes.' When forming the plural of 'class,' you add 'es' to the singular form. Choices A, B, and C do not correctly represent the plural form of 'class' and are therefore incorrect. Choice A is the singular form, choice B is incorrect as it includes an apostrophe, and choice C shows possession which is not required for pluralization.

4. Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: 'While the chef prepared dinner, the guests chatted and enjoyed the music.'

• A. While the chef prepared dinner
• B. the guests chatted and enjoyed the music
• C. While the chef prepared dinner
• D. the guests chatted and enjoyed

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B' - 'the guests chatted and enjoyed the music.' An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It typically includes a subject and a verb and does not rely on another clause to form a complete sentence. In this sentence, 'the guests chatted and enjoyed the music' fits this criteria, making it the independent clause. Choices A and C are incorrect as they are dependent clauses, starting with a subordinating conjunction 'While,' which shows they cannot stand alone as complete sentences. Choice D is also incorrect as it lacks the word 'the' before 'enjoyed,' making it grammatically incomplete.

5. Fill in the blank with the correct subordinating conjunction: '... the class was difficult, Allison passed with flying colors.'

• A. If
• B. Since
• C. Because
• D. Although

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct conjunction is 'Although.' In this sentence, there is a contrast being made between the difficulty of the class and Allison's success, indicating that despite the class being difficult, she excelled. 'If' implies a condition, 'Since' indicates a reason, and 'Because' shows causation, which do not fit the context of the sentence where a contrast is being expressed.

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