Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following sentences best represents style and clarity of expression?

• A. Without adequate preparation, the test was likely to be a failure for Zara.
• B. The test was likely to be a failure for Zara without adequate preparation.
• C. Without adequate preparation, Zara expected to fail the test.
• D. Zara expected to fail the test without adequate preparation.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'Without adequate preparation, Zara expected to fail the test,' is the best option as it maintains clarity and conciseness. The subject 'Zara' is directly linked to the action 'expected to fail the test' with the cause 'Without adequate preparation' clearly stated at the beginning. This structure enhances the flow of the sentence and makes it easier to understand. Choices A, B, and D are less clear as they place the cause and effect in less optimal positions, resulting in a less effective and concise expression of the idea.

2. When writing a letter to the school board of a public school, which of the following greetings would be most appropriate?

• A. Dearest School Board,
• B. To Whom It May Concern,
• C. Dear Sir and/or Ma’am,
• D. Hello all,

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When addressing a formal letter to the school board, 'Dear Sir and/or Ma’am' is the most appropriate greeting as it shows respect and professionalism. Choice A, 'Dearest School Board,' is too informal and overly personal for a professional communication. Choice B, 'To Whom It May Concern,' is more suitable for general inquiries when the recipient is unknown, not for addressing a specific group like a school board. Choice D, 'Hello all,' is too casual and lacks the formality required when addressing a school board.

3. Where should a semicolon be placed in the following sentence: 'He loves reading comics, playing video games, and spending time with friends'?

• A. He loves reading comics; playing video games, and spending time with friends.
• B. He loves reading comics, playing video games; and spending time with friends.
• C. He loves reading comics, playing video games, and spending time with friends.
• D. No semicolon needed.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A semicolon is used to separate items in a list when the items themselves contain commas. In the sentence provided, 'playing video games' and 'spending time with friends' are the items that contain commas. Therefore, the correct placement of the semicolon is before the conjunction 'and,' as shown in option (B). Choice (A) incorrectly places the semicolon after 'comics,' disrupting the parallel structure. Choice (C) does not use a semicolon where needed. Choice (D) is incorrect as a semicolon is required in this context to maintain proper punctuation in the list.

4. Which of the following substitutions best captures the meaning of the word 'egregious' in the sentence: 'The errors were becoming so frequent and egregious that the company had no choice but to force the humbled administrator into early retirement'?

• A. thoughtless
• B. bizarre
• C. minor
• D. flagrant

Correct answer: A

Rationale: 'Egregious' means outstandingly bad or shocking. Among the given choices, 'thoughtless' is the best substitution that captures a similar meaning. This is because 'thoughtless' implies actions or errors committed without careful consideration, which aligns with the negative connotation of the word 'egregious' in the sentence. 'Bizarre' (choice B) means strange or unusual, not necessarily bad. 'Minor' (choice C) means of lesser importance or seriousness, which contrasts with the strong negativity of 'egregious.' 'Flagrant' (choice D) means obviously offensive or bad, but it does not fully capture the sense of shock and outstandingly bad conveyed by 'egregious.'

5. Choose the sentence that most effectively follows the conventions of standard written English:

• A. Wilbur and Orville Wright were two brothers who tested their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
• B. The two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, tested their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
• C. The two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, were testing their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
• D. The beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was where the two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, came to test their prototype airplane.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. This sentence effectively follows the conventions of standard written English by clearly presenting the subject ('The two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright') and the verb ('tested') with appropriate punctuation. Choice A introduces an unnecessary comma and could be more concise. Choice C changes the tense of the verb to 'were testing,' which is not required for the context provided. Choice D creates a more awkward sentence structure by placing the location at the beginning and using 'came and tested,' which is less direct than 'tested'. Thus, Choice B is the most effective and grammatically correct option.

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