Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following uses a conjunction to combine the sentences below so the focus is on puppies requiring a lot of work? 'Puppies are fun-loving animals. They do require a lot of work.'

• A. Puppies are fun-loving animals; they do require a lot of work.
• B. Puppies are fun-loving animals, so they do require a lot of work.
• C. Since puppies are fun-loving animals, they do require a lot of work.
• D. Although puppies are fun-loving animals, they do require a lot of work.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D' because the conjunction 'Although' conveys contrast and shifts the focus to emphasize that puppies require a lot of work despite being fun-loving. Choice A uses a semicolon, which does not emphasize the contrast needed in the context. Choice B introduces a causal relationship, not the intended contrast. Choice C uses 'Since,' which implies a causal connection rather than the desired contrast, making it incorrect.

2. Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to set off a non-essential element?

• A. The teacher, who lives next door, will visit our class next week.
• B. The teacher who lives next door will visit our class next week.
• C. The teacher, who, by the way, lives next door, will visit our class next week.
• D. The teacher will visit our class next week, who lives next door.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. In this sentence, the phrase 'who lives next door' is a non-essential element providing additional information about the teacher. It is correctly set off by commas. Choice B does not use any commas to set off the non-essential element, making the information essential to the sentence. Choice C uses an unnecessary comma before 'who,' which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Choice D incorrectly places the non-essential element at the end of the sentence without appropriate commas, making it less clear and concise.

3. What is true about a strong academic thesis?

• A. It is a viewpoint endorsed by one's professor.
• B. It directly states the argument.
• C. It reflects the opinions of most people.
• D. A reasonable argument cannot be made against it.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A strong thesis statement is a crucial element in academic writing as it clearly states the argument that will be supported throughout the paper. This statement serves as a roadmap for the reader to understand the main point of the paper. Choice A is incorrect because a strong thesis is not necessarily endorsed by a professor but is based on the writer's perspective. Choice C is incorrect as a thesis should reflect the writer's position, not necessarily the opinions of most people. Choice D is incorrect because a strong thesis should invite critical thinking and argumentation, rather than being immune to reasonable counterarguments.

4. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct use of an apostrophe?

• A. In one version of the story, there are seven fairies invited to the christening, while in another version there are twelve fairies.
• B. Some historians believe that the number twelve represents the shift from a lunar year of thirteen months to a solar year of twelve months.
• C. Other historians claim that the symbolism in the fairy tale is more about nature and the shifting seasons.
• D. Regardless of its meaning, the fairy tale remains popular and has been immortalized in Tchaikovsky's music for the ballet.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'Other historians claim that the symbolism in the fairy tale is more about nature and the shifting seasons,' demonstrates the correct use of an apostrophe. The apostrophe in 'season’s' indicates the possessive form of 'seasons,' correctly showing ownership by the shifting seasons. Choices A, B, and D do not showcase the correct use of an apostrophe. Choice A incorrectly uses 'fairy’s' instead of 'fairies,' which is the plural form of 'fairy.' Choice B uses 'historians’' which is correct for the possessive form but does not relate to the use of an apostrophe. Choice D correctly uses 'Tchaikovsky's' to indicate possession by Tchaikovsky.

5. A teacher wants to counsel a student about using the word ain’t in a research paper for a high school English class. What advice should the teacher give?

• A. Ain’t is not in the dictionary, so it isn’t a word.
• B. Because the student isn’t in college yet, ain’t is an appropriate expression for a high school writer.
• C. Ain’t is incorrect English and should not be part of a serious student’s vocabulary because it sounds uneducated.
• D. Ain’t is a colloquial expression, and while it may be appropriate in a conversational setting, it is not standard in academic writing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The teacher should advise the student that 'ain’t' is a colloquial expression, and while it may be suitable in informal or conversational settings, it is not standard in academic writing. Using colloquialisms like 'ain’t' in formal research papers can diminish the professionalism and clarity of the writing. Choice A is incorrect as the presence of a word in the dictionary does not solely determine its appropriateness in formal writing. Choice B is incorrect because the student's academic level does not justify the use of non-standard English. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on the perceived uneducated sound of 'ain’t' rather than its appropriateness in formal writing, which is the key concern for the research paper in question.

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