Free CEC Grammar & Syntax Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
- The team of researchers are presenting their findings.
- The team of researchers is presenting their findings. (Correct answer)
- The team of researchers were presenting their findings.
- The team of researchers has been presenting their findings.
Correct answer: The team of researchers is presenting their findings.
In the sentence, 'team' is a collective noun that acts as a singular unit, even though it comprises multiple individuals. Therefore, it requires a singular verb, 'is,' to maintain correct subject-verb agreement. The phrase 'of researchers' modifies 'team' but does not change the singular nature of the subject itself.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses the Oxford comma?
- We need eggs, milk and bread.
- We need eggs, milk, and bread. (Correct answer)
- We need eggs milk and bread.
- We need eggs, milk, bread.
Correct answer: We need eggs, milk, and bread.
The Oxford comma (or serial comma) is the comma placed before the conjunction (e.g., 'and,' 'or') in a list of three or more items. Its primary purpose is to prevent ambiguity and ensure clarity in the enumeration. Many style guides, including APA and Chicago, recommend its consistent use to improve readability.
Question 3: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running late, the taxi was hailed by Sarah.
- After finishing the report, the computer crashed.
- While walking to work, my phone rang. (Correct answer)
- The project was completed by the team before the deadline.
Correct answer: While walking to work, my phone rang.
A dangling modifier occurs when the grammatical subject of the modifying phrase is not the same as the grammatical subject of the main clause. In the sentence 'After finishing the report, the computer crashed,' the phrase 'After finishing the report' implies a person performed the action, but 'the computer' is the subject of the main clause and cannot finish a report. The modifier is 'dangling' because it doesn't logically modify the sentence's subject.
Question 4: Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?
- The new policy will effect all employees positively.
- The medication had no affect on her symptoms.
- The loud noise effected his concentration.
- The weather affected our travel plans, but the effect was minimal. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The weather affected our travel plans, but the effect was minimal.
'Affect' is primarily used as a verb, meaning 'to influence or produce a change in something,' as in 'The weather affected our travel plans.' 'Effect' is most commonly used as a noun, meaning 'the result or consequence of an action,' as in 'the effect was minimal.' The correct sentence uses 'affected' as the verb and 'effect' as the noun, demonstrating proper usage.
Question 5: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- Each student must submit their homework by Friday.
- Everybody has their own opinion about the matter.
- The committee reached its decision unanimously. (Correct answer)
- Someone left their jacket in the conference room.
Correct answer: The committee reached its decision unanimously.
'Committee' is a collective noun. When a collective noun acts as a single, unified entity (as it does when reaching 'its' decision), it takes a singular pronoun. Therefore, 'its' is the correct singular possessive pronoun. Options A, B, and D incorrectly use the plural pronoun 'their' with singular indefinite pronouns ('Each student,' 'Everybody,' 'Someone'), which should take singular pronouns.
Question 6: Which sentence demonstrates proper parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bicycles.
- The project requires creativity, patience, and being organized.
- He excels at writing, editing, and proofreading. (Correct answer)
- Her goals are to graduate, finding a job, and buy a car.
Correct answer: He excels at writing, editing, and proofreading.
Parallel structure (or parallelism) requires that items in a list or series use the same grammatical form. In the correct sentence, 'writing,' 'editing,' and 'proofreading' are all gerunds, maintaining a consistent grammatical pattern. The other options incorrectly mix different grammatical forms, such as gerunds with infinitives, disrupting the parallel structure.
Question 7: Which sentence contains a comma splice?
- The meeting ended early, so we went to lunch.
- The report was thorough, but it lacked visual aids.
- It's raining outside, we should take umbrellas. (Correct answer)
- After the conference, we reviewed our notes.
Correct answer: It's raining outside, we should take umbrellas.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are joined only by a comma, without a coordinating conjunction (such as 'and,' 'but,' 'or') or a semicolon. 'It's raining outside' is an independent clause, and 'we should take umbrellas' is another. Joining them with only a comma creates a comma splice, which is a grammatical error.
Question 8: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- If I was you, I would reconsider the offer.
- She requested that he brings the documents.
- It's essential that he be on time for the interview. (Correct answer)
- I wish I was able to attend the event.
Correct answer: It's essential that he be on time for the interview.
The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, demands, suggestions, or conditions contrary to fact. It often appears in 'that' clauses following verbs like 'request,' 'demand,' 'suggest,' or adjectives like 'essential,' 'important.' In this sentence, 'be' is the correct subjunctive form of the verb 'to be' after the phrase 'It's essential that he,' indicating a necessity or requirement.
Question 9: Which sentence demonstrates correct apostrophe use?
- The dogs' bowls are in the kitchen.
- Its a beautiful day for a picnic.
- The company's profits increased this quarter. (Correct answer)
- The Jones's are coming to dinner.
Correct answer: The company's profits increased this quarter.
The apostrophe is used to show possession. In 'company's,' the apostrophe correctly indicates that the profits belong to the singular company. Option A ('dogs' bowls') would imply multiple dogs, while 'dog's' would be for a single dog. Option B ('Its a beautiful day') incorrectly uses the possessive 'its' instead of the contraction 'it's' (it is). Option D ('Jones's') is often handled differently for plural names, but 'The Jones's are coming' is grammatically incorrect for a plural family name.
Free CEC Grammar & Syntax Questions and Answers
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?