LEAB Written Expression and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?
- Officer Davis, who was on duty, responded to the call. (Correct answer)
- Officer Davis who was on duty responded to the call.
- Officer Davis; who was on duty, responded to the call.
- Officer Davis who was on duty, responded to the call.
Correct answer: Officer Davis, who was on duty, responded to the call.
A nonrestrictive clause like 'who was on duty' must be set off by commas on both sides.
Question 2: Select the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.
- Running toward the suspect, Officer Lee gained on him quickly.
- Running toward the suspect, the alley was dark and narrow. (Correct answer)
- The suspect ran down the alley while Officer Lee pursued him.
- After the chase ended, the suspect was apprehended.
Correct answer: Running toward the suspect, the alley was dark and narrow.
The participial phrase 'Running toward the suspect' incorrectly modifies 'the alley' rather than a person.
Question 3: Which word is spelled correctly?
- occurance
- occurence
- occurrance
- occurrence (Correct answer)
Correct answer: occurrence
'Occurrence' is spelled with a double 'c' and double 'r' followed by 'ence.'
Question 4: Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- The list of stolen items were recovered.
- The list of stolen items was recovered. (Correct answer)
- The list of stolen items have been recovered.
- The list of stolen items are being recovered.
Correct answer: The list of stolen items was recovered.
The subject is 'list' (singular), so the verb must be 'was,' not 'were' or 'have been.'
Question 5: Which sentence is written in active voice?
- The report was filed by Detective Martinez.
- The evidence was collected at the scene.
- Detective Martinez filed the report. (Correct answer)
- The arrest warrant had been signed.
Correct answer: Detective Martinez filed the report.
In active voice, the subject ('Detective Martinez') performs the action ('filed').
Question 6: Identify the sentence with a misplaced modifier.
- The officer only found one witness at the scene. (Correct answer)
- Only the officer found one witness at the scene.
- The officer found only one witness at the scene.
- The officer found one witness only at the scene.
Correct answer: The officer only found one witness at the scene.
Placing 'only' before 'found' implies the officer did nothing else, when the intended meaning is that just one witness was found.
Question 7: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- The suspect fled; but was caught.
- The suspect fled; however, he was caught shortly after. (Correct answer)
- The suspect fled; when the officer arrived.
- The suspect fled; and the officer pursued him.
Correct answer: The suspect fled; however, he was caught shortly after.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when using a conjunctive adverb like 'however.'
LEAB Written Expression and Grammar 2
Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?