Nursing Elites

1. What is the main purpose of a thesis statement?

• A. To summarize the essay
• B. To state the main idea of the essay
• C. To ask a question
• D. To provide evidence

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main purpose of a thesis statement is to clearly state the main idea or argument of the essay. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining the central point that the essay will address. Choice A, 'To summarize the essay,' is incorrect because while a thesis statement does provide a concise summary of the main point, its primary function is to present the main idea, not summarize the entire essay. Choice C, 'To ask a question,' is incorrect as a thesis statement is a declarative statement that asserts a position or argument rather than posing a question. Choice D, 'To provide evidence,' is incorrect because a thesis statement does not offer evidence but rather sets the direction and focus for the evidence that will be presented in the essay.

2. 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.

3. Which of the following sentences is written in the active voice?

• A. John threw the ball.
• B. The ball was thrown by John.
• C. The ball had been thrown by John.
• D. The ball is thrown by John.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'John threw the ball.' Active voice sentences have the subject performing the action, which is the case in this sentence where 'John' is the subject performing the action 'threw.' Choices A, C, and D are in passive voice where the subject receives the action rather than performing it.

4. In the words proactive, progress, and projecting, pro- is a(n) _______ and means _______.

• A. suffix; good/on top of/over
• B. prefix; before/forward/front
• C. affix; after/behind/in back of
• D. prefix; against/under/below

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the words proactive, progress, and projecting, 'pro-' is a prefix. A prefix is a morpheme added at the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. In this case, 'pro-' means before, forward, or front, indicating a sense of being proactive, making progress, or projecting ahead. Choice A is incorrect as 'pro-' is not a suffix. Choice C is incorrect as 'pro-' is not an affix that goes at the end or in the middle of a word. Choice D is incorrect as 'pro-' does not mean against, under, or below in the given context.

5. Which sentence avoids a comma splice?

• A. The wind howled, the branches swayed, and rain lashed against the windows.
• B. He packed his bags, checked the weather forecast, and then hit the road.
• C. The movie was entertaining; it was also thought-provoking.
• D. Tired and hungry, she stopped for a quick bite at the cafe.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Option C uses a semicolon to correctly separate the two independent clauses 'The movie was entertaining' and 'it was also thought-provoking.' This usage of a semicolon avoids a comma splice, which occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction or appropriate punctuation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they all contain comma splices. In choice A, the comma splice is present between 'The wind howled' and 'the branches swayed.' In choice B, the comma splice occurs between 'He packed his bags' and 'checked the weather forecast.' Choice D has a comma splice between 'Tired and hungry' and 'she stopped for a quick bite at the cafe.'

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