which of the following uses commas in a series correctly

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following uses commas in a series correctly?

A. Jericka went to the store for milk, bread, and eggs.
B. For breakfast, Jason wanted to make French toast, bacon, and eggs.
C. Aj had a lot to do the next day, including homework, hockey practice, and chores.
D. Paz's mom, dad, and sister would come to watch his game.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A is the correct answer as it uses commas to separate items in a series ('milk, bread, and eggs'). In option B, the comma after 'bacon' is unnecessary. Option C correctly uses commas to separate the items in the series ('homework, hockey practice, and chores'). Option D incorrectly omits commas between 'mom' and 'dad,' and 'dad' and 'sister,' making it incorrect for a series of three or more items.

2. Julia Robinson, an avid photographer in her spare time, was able to capture stunning shots of the local wildlife on her last business trip to Australia. Which of the following is an adjective in the preceding sentence?

A. Time
B. Capture
C. Avid
D. Photographer

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Avid.' In the sentence, 'avid' describes Julia Robinson as someone who is enthusiastic and passionate about photography in her spare time. Adjectives are words that modify or describe nouns, and in this case, 'avid' modifies the noun 'photographer.' Choice A, 'Time,' is a noun and does not describe or modify any other word in the sentence. Choice B, 'Capture,' is a verb indicating an action taken by Julia Robinson. Choice D, 'Photographer,' is a noun identifying the role or occupation of Julia Robinson, not describing her in this context.

3. Select the meaning of the word 'somnambulist' in the sentence based on the context clues: 'If you wake up outside in your pajamas in the middle of the night, you may be a somnambulist.'

A. Explorer
B. Magician
C. Insomniac
D. Sleepwalker

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: Sleepwalker.' A somnambulist is someone who walks or performs other activities while asleep, commonly known as a sleepwalker. In the given sentence, the context of waking up outside in pajamas in the middle of the night indicates an occurrence associated with sleepwalking. Choice A, 'Explorer,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the behavior described. Choice B, 'Magician,' is not related to the context of sleepwalking. Choice C, 'Insomniac,' refers to a person who has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, which is not the meaning conveyed in the sentence. Therefore, 'D: Sleepwalker' is the most appropriate choice based on the context clues provided.

4. What is a recommended strategy during the drafting phase?

A. List all ideas that come to mind without worrying about whether they are good or on-topic.
B. Note where you got your information; save that step for the end.
C. Avoid stopping frequently to look up grammar rules and words you don't know how to spell.
D. Get the ideas down on paper, even if some sentences sound awkward or contain errors.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct strategy during the drafting phase is to get the ideas down on paper, even if some sentences sound awkward or contain errors. It is essential to focus on capturing thoughts and concepts first, as editing and refining can be done in subsequent stages. Choice A is incorrect because it suggests listing all ideas without worrying about their quality or relevance, which may result in a disorganized draft. Choice B is incorrect as noting sources typically occurs during the research or referencing phase, not drafting. Choice C is incorrect because stopping frequently to look up grammar rules and spellings can disrupt the flow of ideas during drafting, which should prioritize content creation over minor details.

5. The tone of a text is ____________ if the words say the opposite of what they really mean.

A. ironic
B. earnest
C. confused
D. unambiguous

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: ironic.' In literature, irony is when there is a contrast between what is said and what is meant. It is a technique used to convey humor, sarcasm, or to emphasize a point indirectly. 'Earnest' (choice B) refers to being sincere or genuine, which is the opposite of what the question is describing. 'Confused' (choice C) does not accurately capture the concept of words saying the opposite of what they mean. 'Unambiguous' (choice D) means clear and not open to interpretation, which is the opposite of a situation where words have a hidden or opposite meaning.