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. 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.

3. John Smith was the man ____ photographed the landscape.

A. Who
B. Which
C. Whom
D. That

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this sentence, 'who' is the correct relative pronoun to refer to a person, John Smith. 'Who' is used for subjects, while 'whom' is used for objects. 'Which' is used for things or animals, and 'that' can refer to both people and things, but 'who' is the most appropriate choice here as it refers specifically to a person, John Smith, who is the one performing the action of photographing the landscape.

4. After graduating from Proviso East High School in 1966, he later went on to study law at Triton Junior College. Which of these sentences, if any, should begin a new paragraph?

A. There should be no new paragraph.
B. After graduating from Proviso East High School in 1966, he later went on to study law at Triton Junior College.
C. While studying at Triton, Hampton joined and became a leader of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
D. As a result of his leadership, the NAACP gained more than 500 members.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The sentence 'After graduating from Proviso East High School in 1966, he later went on to study law at Triton Junior College' marks a shift in the narrative as it introduces a new stage in the individual's journey. This change in focus warrants starting a new paragraph to clearly separate different events or developments in the person's life. Choices C and D are related to Hampton's actions during or after his time at Triton College but do not necessitate a new paragraph. Choice A is incorrect because the sentence provided is a suitable candidate for starting a new paragraph due to the change in the main topic it introduces.

5. Which of the following best explains the purpose of the parentheses in the sentence?

A. to indicate the page numbers in the book where this information might be found
B. to tell the reader when the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed
C. to identify information that was located using another source
D. to set off useful information that does not fit directly into the flow of the sentence

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The purpose of the parentheses in the sentence is to set off useful information that does not fit directly into the flow of the sentence. Parentheses are commonly used to provide additional details, explanations, or examples that are helpful but not essential to the main point of the sentence. In this case, the information about the Austro-Hungarian Empire is presented in parentheses to offer context but is not crucial to the main idea being communicated. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the function of parentheses in this context.