ALCPT Grammar and Sentence Correction — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Select the sentence that is grammatically correct.
- The soldiers was marching in formation.
- The soldiers were marching in formation. (Correct answer)
- The soldiers is marching in formation.
- The soldiers am marching in formation.
Correct answer: The soldiers were marching in formation.
'Soldiers' is a plural noun and requires the plural verb 'were.' The other options use singular verb forms (was, is, am) that do not agree with the plural subject.
Question 2: Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The commander _______ the troops before the mission.'
- briefed (Correct answer)
- brief
- briefing
- briefs
Correct answer: briefed
The sentence describes a completed past action, so the past tense 'briefed' is correct. 'Brief' is the base form, 'briefing' is a gerund, and 'briefs' is present tense.
Question 3: Identify the error in this sentence: 'Neither the captain nor the lieutenants was available for the meeting.'
- 'Neither' should be 'Either'
- 'nor' should be 'or'
- 'was' should be 'were' (Correct answer)
- There is no error
Correct answer: 'was' should be 'were'
When 'neither...nor' connects a singular and a plural subject, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Lieutenants' (plural) is closer to the verb, so 'were' is correct.
Question 4: Select the correct sentence.
- Him and me went to the training exercise.
- He and I went to the training exercise. (Correct answer)
- He and me went to the training exercise.
- Him and I went to the training exercise.
Correct answer: He and I went to the training exercise.
'He and I' are both subject pronouns, which is correct because they are the subjects performing the action 'went.' Object pronouns like 'him' and 'me' cannot be used as subjects.
Question 5: Choose the correct word: 'The recruits performed _______ on the fitness test than expected.'
- good
- better (Correct answer)
- best
- well
Correct answer: better
'Better' is the comparative form needed when comparing performance to an expectation. 'Good' is the base adjective, 'best' is superlative, and 'well' is an adverb without comparison.
Question 6: Which sentence uses the correct form of 'their/there/they're'?
- Their going to the range tomorrow.
- They're equipment needs to be inspected.
- They're going to the range tomorrow. (Correct answer)
- There going to the range tomorrow.
Correct answer: They're going to the range tomorrow.
'They're' is a contraction of 'they are,' which correctly completes 'They are going to the range tomorrow.' 'Their' shows possession, and 'there' indicates location.
ALCPT Grammar and Sentence Correction
Select the sentence that is grammatically correct.