EIAT Grammar and Sentence Structure 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
- The technician inspected, the cable and found damage.
- The technician inspected the cable, and found it was damaged.
- The technician, inspected the cable and found damage.
- The technician inspected the cable and found damage. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The technician inspected the cable and found damage.
No comma is needed when two verbs share the same subject and the sentence flows clearly without one.
Question 2: Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- The set of instructions are on the workbench.
- Each of the elevator components need to be inspected.
- Neither the motor nor the cables were functioning properly. (Correct answer)
- The team of mechanics was needing more supplies.
Correct answer: Neither the motor nor the cables were functioning properly.
With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it; 'cables' is plural so 'were' is correct.
Question 3: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The elevator had _____ reached the lobby before the alarm sounded.'?
- barely (Correct answer)
- hard
- scarce
- tight
Correct answer: barely
'Barely' is the correct adverb meaning 'only just,' fitting the context of the sentence.
Question 4: Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.
- After testing the brakes, the mechanic filed his report.
- Walking to the machine room, the noise became louder. (Correct answer)
- Having completed the inspection, he submitted the form.
- Before starting the lift, the operator checked the doors.
Correct answer: Walking to the machine room, the noise became louder.
In the second sentence, 'walking to the machine room' has no clear subject — it seems the noise was walking.
Question 5: Which sentence is written in the active voice?
- The safety report was filed by the inspector.
- The cables were replaced by the crew.
- The supervisor approved the maintenance schedule. (Correct answer)
- Maintenance was performed on the elevator.
Correct answer: The supervisor approved the maintenance schedule.
In an active voice sentence, the subject performs the action; 'the supervisor' acts as the doer.
Question 6: Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
- We need the following: tools, oil, and new cables. (Correct answer)
- We need: the following tools oil and new cables.
- We need the following tools, oil, and, new cables.
- We need the following tools oil, and new cables.
Correct answer: We need the following: tools, oil, and new cables.
A colon is correct after 'following' to introduce a list, and commas separate each item.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The elevator was out of service; because the cable snapped.
- The maintenance log was updated; and filed with the supervisor.
- The inspection passed; the elevator returned to service the next day. (Correct answer)
- She ordered the parts; but they arrived late.
Correct answer: The inspection passed; the elevator returned to service the next day.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
EIAT Grammar and Sentence Structure 2
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?