IPC Grammar & Syntax 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
- The committee are divided on the issue.
- Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.
- Each of the reports has been reviewed. (Correct answer)
- The news are surprising to everyone.
Correct answer: Each of the reports has been reviewed.
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and requires the singular verb 'has been reviewed.'
Question 2: Identify the correct use of a subordinating conjunction in the following options:
- She studied hard, however she passed the exam.
- Although she studied hard, she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- She studied hard, therefore, she passed the exam.
- She studied hard; she passed the exam, because.
Correct answer: Although she studied hard, she passed the exam.
'Although' is a subordinating conjunction that correctly introduces a dependent clause before an independent clause.
Question 3: Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?
- The report was writing by the analyst.
- The analyst has wrote the report.
- The report was written by the analyst. (Correct answer)
- The analyst written the report.
Correct answer: The report was written by the analyst.
Passive voice requires 'was/were + past participle'; 'written' is the correct past participle of 'write.'
Question 4: Which option correctly uses a relative clause?
- The book, which I borrowed it, was excellent.
- The book that I borrowed was excellent. (Correct answer)
- The book, whom I borrowed, was excellent.
- The book which I borrowed it was excellent.
Correct answer: The book that I borrowed was excellent.
'That' introduces a restrictive relative clause correctly without a redundant pronoun ('it').
Question 5: Choose the sentence that avoids a dangling modifier:
- Walking to the office, the rain started suddenly.
- After finishing the project, the deadline was extended.
- Having reviewed the data, the analyst submitted her findings. (Correct answer)
- Tired from the conference, the presentation was postponed.
Correct answer: Having reviewed the data, the analyst submitted her findings.
The participial phrase 'having reviewed the data' correctly modifies 'the analyst,' the subject of the main clause.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a conditional (if-clause) in its standard form?
- If she would study more, she will pass.
- If she studies more, she will pass. (Correct answer)
- If she studied more, she will passed.
- If she would have studied, she will pass.
Correct answer: If she studies more, she will pass.
A Type 1 (real) conditional uses simple present in the if-clause and 'will + base verb' in the result clause.
Question 7: Which sentence contains a correctly placed restrictive appositive?
- My brother, John, lives abroad.
- My brother John lives abroad. (Correct answer)
- My brother; John lives abroad.
- My, brother John lives abroad.
Correct answer: My brother John lives abroad.
A restrictive appositive ('John') is not set off by commas because it identifies which brother is meant.
IPC Grammar & Syntax 1
Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?