ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Stamp collecting being a hobby that is sometimes used in the schools to teach economics and social studies.

being a hobby that is
is a hobby because it is
which is a hobby
is a hobby (Correct answer)

Correct answer: is a hobby

The original sentence is a fragment because 'being' does not function as the main verb of the sentence. Replacing 'being a hobby that is' with 'is a hobby' provides a proper main verb ('is'), completing the sentence and making it grammatically correct and complete. This correction transforms the fragment into a full sentence.

Question 2: Knocked sideways, the statue looked as if it would fall.

Knocked sideways, the statue looked (Correct answer)
The statue was knocked sideways, looked
The statue looked knocked sideways
The statue, looking knocked sideways,

Correct answer: Knocked sideways, the statue looked

The original sentence correctly uses the participial phrase 'Knocked sideways' to modify the subject 'the statue.' This construction is grammatically sound and clearly indicates that the statue was in a sideways position. The other options introduce grammatical errors or awkward phrasing.

Question 3: To walk, biking, and driving are Pat’s favorite ways of getting around.

To walk, biking, and driving
Walking, biking, and driving (Correct answer)
To walk, biking, and to drive
To walk, to bike, and also driving

Correct answer: Walking, biking, and driving

The original sentence lacks parallel structure, mixing an infinitive ('To walk') with two gerunds ('biking,' 'driving'). To achieve parallelism, all items in a list should be in the same grammatical form. Changing 'To walk' to 'Walking' creates a consistent list of gerunds, making the sentence grammatically correct and balanced.

Question 4: When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this is an example of jaywalking.

When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this
You cross the street in the middle of the block, this
Crossing the street in the middle of the block (Correct answer)
The fact that you cross the street in the middle of the block

Correct answer: Crossing the street in the middle of the block

The original sentence is wordy and somewhat indirect. Replacing the clause 'When you cross the street in the middle of the block, this' with the concise gerund phrase 'Crossing the street in the middle of the block' makes the sentence more direct and grammatically efficient. It clearly identifies the action as jaywalking without unnecessary words.

Question 5: Walking by the corner the other day, a child, I noticed, was watching for the light to change.

a child, I noticed, was watching
I noticed a child watching (Correct answer)
a child was watching, I noticed,
there was, I noticed, a child watching

Correct answer: I noticed a child watching

The original sentence contains a dangling modifier: 'Walking by the corner the other day' incorrectly implies that 'a child' was walking. The corrected option clarifies that 'I' (the narrator) was the one walking and observing the child. This revision properly attributes the action of walking to the correct subject, resolving the dangling modifier.

Question 6: Going back to his old school, everything there looked smaller than Don remembered.

Going back to his old school,
When he went back to his old school, (Correct answer)
\tTo go back to his old school,
As he went back to his old school,

Correct answer: When he went back to his old school,

The original sentence has a dangling modifier: 'Going back to his old school' incorrectly modifies 'everything,' implying that 'everything' was going back to school. The corrected option clarifies that 'he' (Don) was the one going back to school. This revision properly attributes the action to the correct subject, making the sentence grammatically sound and logical.

Question 7: Painting, drawing and to sculpt are some of the techniques artists such as Picasso used to express themselves.

Painting, drawing and to sculpt
To paint, to draw, and sculpting
Painting, drawing, and sculpting (Correct answer)
To paint, draw, and sculpting

Correct answer: Painting, drawing, and sculpting

The original sentence lacks parallel structure, mixing gerunds ('Painting,' 'drawing') with an infinitive ('to sculpt'). To maintain consistency and proper grammar in a list, all items should be in the same grammatical form. Changing 'to sculpt' to 'sculpting' ensures all three items are gerunds, creating a grammatically parallel structure.

Question 8: \t Playing sports in school which is an activity meant to teach teamwork and leadership skills students can use later in life.

which is an activity
is an activity because it is
being an activity which is
is an activity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: is an activity

The original sentence is a fragment because 'which is an activity' introduces a subordinate clause without a main verb for the subject 'Playing sports in school.' Replacing 'which is an activity' with 'is an activity' provides the necessary main verb ('is'), transforming the fragment into a complete and grammatically correct sentence.

Question 9: Glancing at his watch, Daniel picked up his speed.

Glancing at his watch, (Correct answer)
He glanced at his watch, and
To glance at his watch,
He glanced at his watch,

Correct answer: Glancing at his watch,

The original sentence uses a participial phrase, 'Glancing at his watch,' which correctly modifies the subject 'Daniel.' This construction is grammatically sound and avoids a dangling modifier, clearly indicating that Daniel is the one performing the action of glancing. It creates a concise and effective way to combine two related actions performed by the same subject.

Question 10: For a snake, shedding their skin up to eight times a year is part of a natural process

For a snake, shedding their skin
A snake’s shedding its skin (Correct answer)
When a snake sheds its skin
To shed its skin, for snakes

Correct answer: A snake’s shedding its skin

The original sentence contains a pronoun-antecedent agreement error: 'snake' is singular, but 'their' is plural. The correct answer, 'A snake’s shedding its skin,' resolves this by using the singular possessive 'snake’s' before the gerund 'shedding,' and the singular possessive pronoun 'its' to refer to the snake's skin. This ensures proper agreement and correct grammatical structure for the subject of the sentence.

Question 11: I was surprised by the noise peering through the window to see who was at the door

I was surprised by the noise peering
I was surprised by the noise, peered
The noise surprised me, peering
Surprised by the noise, I peered (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Surprised by the noise, I peered

The original sentence suffers from a dangling modifier because 'peering' incorrectly seems to modify 'the noise.' The correct answer, 'Surprised by the noise, I peered,' fixes this by placing the participial phrase 'Surprised by the noise' at the beginning, clearly modifying the subject 'I.' This structure ensures that the person who was surprised is also the one who peered through the window, making the sentence grammatically clear and logical.

Question 12: It is easy to carry solid objects without spilling them, but the same cannot be said of liquids. Rewrite, beginning with Unlike liquids, The next words will be

it is easy to
we can easily
solid objects can easily be (Correct answer)
solid objects are easy to be

Correct answer: solid objects can easily be

When rewriting the sentence starting with 'Unlike liquids,' the next phrase must directly contrast with liquids by introducing the subject 'solid objects.' Option C, 'solid objects can easily be,' maintains parallel structure and logically completes the comparison. It clearly states what is true for solid objects in contrast to liquids, making the sentence grammatically correct and coherent.

Question 13: Although the sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light, it will bravely resist any force that threatens its nest. Rewrite, beginning with - The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light, The next words will be

but it will bravely resist (Correct answer)
nevertheless bravely resisting
and it will bravely resist
even if bravely resisting

Correct answer: but it will bravely resist

The original sentence uses 'Although' to introduce a contrast between the sandpiper's fear and its bravery. When the sentence is rewritten starting with 'The sandpiper is easily frightened by noise and light,' a conjunction is needed to maintain this contrast. 'But it will bravely resist' correctly introduces the opposing idea, creating a grammatically sound and logically connected sentence.

Question 14: If he had enough strength, Todd would move the boulder. Rewrite, beginning with - Todd cannot move the boulder The next words will be

when lacking
because he (Correct answer)
although there
without enough

Correct answer: because he

The original conditional sentence implies that Todd lacks the strength to move the boulder. When rewriting to 'Todd cannot move the boulder,' a causal conjunction is needed to explain *why* he cannot. 'Because he' correctly introduces the reason, leading to a complete thought like 'because he lacks enough strength,' which aligns with the original meaning.

Question 15: The band began to play, and then the real party started. Rewrite, beginning with - The real party started The next words will be

after the band began (Correct answer)
\t and the band began
although the band began
the band beginning

Correct answer: after the band began

The original sentence describes a sequence of events. When rewriting to begin with 'The real party started,' a temporal conjunction is needed to indicate when this event occurred relative to the band playing. 'After the band began' correctly establishes this chronological relationship, making the rewritten sentence grammatically sound and logically consistent with the original meaning.

Question 16: Chris heard no unusual noises when he listened in the park. Rewrite, beginning with - Listening in the park, The next words will be

no unusual noises could be heard
then Chris heard no unusual noises
and hearing no unusual noises
Chris heard no unusual noises (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Chris heard no unusual noises

The introductory participial phrase 'Listening in the park' must logically modify the subject performing the action of listening. In the original sentence, 'Chris' is the one who listened. Therefore, 'Chris heard no unusual noises' correctly follows the participial phrase, ensuring that the subject of the main clause is clearly identified as the one performing the action in the introductory phrase.

Question 17: \t It is unusual to see owls during the daytime, since they are nocturnal animals. Rewrite, beginning with - Being nocturnal animals, The next words will be

\t it is unusual to see owls
owls are not usually seen (Correct answer)
owls during the daytime are
it is during the daytime that

Correct answer: owls are not usually seen

The introductory participial phrase 'Being nocturnal animals' must logically modify the subject of the main clause, which in this case is 'owls.' Therefore, the sentence must continue by stating what happens with owls. 'Owls are not usually seen' correctly follows, making the sentence grammatically sound and clearly attributing the characteristic of being nocturnal to owls.

Question 18: If I want your opinion, I will ask for it. Rewrite, beginning with - I won’t ask for your opinion The next words will be

if I want it
when I want it
although I want it
unless I want it (Correct answer)

Correct answer: unless I want it

The original sentence establishes a conditional relationship: 'If I want your opinion, I will ask for it.' When rewriting to 'I won’t ask for your opinion,' the logical inverse condition is required. 'Unless I want it' correctly expresses this, meaning 'I will not ask for your opinion *except if* I want it,' which maintains the original meaning.

Question 19: It began to rain, and everyone at the picnic ran to the trees to take shelter. Rewrite, beginning - with Everyone at the picnic ran to the trees to take shelter The next words will be

beginning to rain
when it began to rain (Correct answer)
although it began to rain
and it began to rain

Correct answer: when it began to rain

The original sentence describes a sequence of events: first it rained, then people ran for shelter. When rewriting to begin with 'Everyone at the picnic ran to the trees to take shelter,' a temporal clause is needed to indicate *when* this action occurred. 'When it began to rain' correctly establishes this chronological relationship, making the sentence grammatically sound and logically consistent.

Question 20: Lucy saw an amazing sight when she witnessed her first sunrise. Rewrite, beginning with - Witnessing her first sunrise, The next words will be

an amazing sight was seen
when Lucy saw an amazing sight
Lucy saw an amazing sight (Correct answer)
seeing an amazing sight

Correct answer: Lucy saw an amazing sight

The introductory participial phrase 'Witnessing her first sunrise' must logically modify the subject performing the action of witnessing. In the original sentence, 'Lucy' is the one who witnessed the sunrise. Therefore, 'Lucy saw an amazing sight' correctly follows the participial phrase, ensuring that the subject of the main clause is clearly identified as the one performing the action in the introductory phrase.

Question 21: After three hours of walking the museum, the entire family felt in need of a rest. Rewrite, beginning with - The entire family felt in need of a rest The next words will be

walking through the museum for three hours
having walked through the museum for three hours (Correct answer)
and they walked through the museum for three hours
\t despite having walked through the museum for three hours

Correct answer: having walked through the museum for three hours

The original sentence implies that the family felt tired *because* they had walked for three hours. When rewriting to begin with 'The entire family felt in need of a rest,' a perfect participial phrase is needed to indicate the completed action that caused their need for rest. 'Having walked through the museum for three hours' correctly expresses this prior, completed action, making the sentence grammatically sound and logical.

Question 22: The big celebration meal was over, and everyone began to feel sleepy. Rewrite, beginning with - Everyone began to feel sleepy The next words will be

and the big celebration meal
before the big celebration meal
after the big celebration meal (Correct answer)
although the big celebration meal

Correct answer: after the big celebration meal

The original sentence describes a sequence of events: the meal ended, then everyone felt sleepy. When rewriting to begin with 'Everyone began to feel sleepy,' a temporal clause is needed to indicate *when* this feeling occurred relative to the meal. 'After the big celebration meal' correctly establishes this chronological relationship, making the sentence grammatically sound and logically consistent.

ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills Test 1

Stamp collecting being a hobby that is sometimes used in the schools to teach economics and social studies.