Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation?

• A. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
• B. Graham still needs the following items for his class, a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
• C. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.
• D. Graham still needs the following items for his class – a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A demonstrates correct punctuation. The sentence uses a colon to introduce a list, which is the most appropriate punctuation in this context. A colon is typically used to signal that a list or explanation follows, making it the suitable choice here. Choices B, C, and D either use a comma, semi-colon, or dash incorrectly to introduce the list, deviating from the standard punctuation rule for listing items. Therefore, they are incorrect in the context of this sentence.

2. Which of the following examples is a compound sentence?

• A. Shawn and Jerome played soccer in the backyard for two hours.
• B. Marissa last saw Elena and talked to her this morning.
• C. The baby was sick, so I decided to stay home from work.
• D. Denise, Kurt, and Eric went for a run after dinner.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction (such as 'and,' 'but,' 'so,' etc.) or a semicolon. In this case, 'The baby was sick' and 'I decided to stay home from work' are two independent clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction 'so.' Choice A is a simple sentence with one independent clause. Choice B is a complex sentence with an independent clause 'Marissa last saw Elena' and a dependent clause 'and talked to her this morning.' Choice D is also a simple sentence with one independent clause.

3. If you go to the market, please pick up some beef, carrots, and celery, and I will make some of that delicious stew we had last week. Which comma should be removed in the sentence above?

• A. The comma after the word 'market'
• B. The comma after the word 'beef'
• C. The comma after the word 'celery'
• D. The comma after the word 'delicious'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The comma after 'delicious' is unnecessary as it separates the adjective 'delicious' from the noun 'stew'. In this case, 'delicious' is describing the type of stew, so the comma should be removed to maintain correct sentence structure. The other commas in the sentence are correctly used to separate items in a list and after introductory phrases, making them necessary for clarity and grammatical correctness.

4. Which of the following punctuation marks is used incorrectly in the sentence? "Otto, somewhat abruptly, got up out of his chair, and just like that, headed into the next room."

• A. The comma after "somewhat"
• B. The comma after "Otto"
• C. The semicolon after "that"
• D. The comma after "chair"

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The semicolon after "that" is used incorrectly; a comma should be used instead. Semicolons are typically used to join two independent clauses without a conjunction. In this sentence, the phrase "just like that" is not an independent clause, so a comma is more appropriate for separating it from the rest of the sentence. Choices A, B, and D all use commas correctly within the sentence.

5. What is the most effective way to combine the following sentences? 1. The colonists refused to buy stamps. 2. They were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.

• A. The colonists refused to buy stamps and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
• B. The colonists refused to buy stamps, and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
• C. The colonists refused to buy stamps, and were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.
• D. The colonists refused to buy stamps, were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The conjunction 'and' is used to connect the two independent clauses in the most effective and grammatically correct way. This choice maintains the clarity of the sentence and the relationship between the two ideas. Choice A is incorrect as it lacks the necessary conjunction to properly connect the two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as it misses the subject 'they' before 'were determined.' Choice D is incorrect as it lacks the necessary coordinating conjunction 'and' before 'were determined,' resulting in a run-on sentence.

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