NYC Civil Service Written Expression and Grammar Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Choose the version of the sentence that is grammatically correct and most clearly written.
- Each of the proposed city ordinances, which address issues from zoning to public health, are controversial.
- Each of the proposed city ordinances, which address issues from zoning to public health, is controversial. (Correct answer)
- Each of the proposed city ordinances, which address issues from zoning to public health, have been controversial.
- Each of the proposed city ordinances, addressing issues from zoning to public health, were controversial.
Correct answer: Each of the proposed city ordinances, which address issues from zoning to public health, is controversial.
The subject of the sentence is 'Each,' which is a singular pronoun. Therefore, it requires a singular verb, 'is.' The phrases 'of the proposed city ordinances' and 'which address issues...' modify the subject but do not change its number.
Question 2: A city inspector is writing a report. Which of the following sentences uses correct parallel structure?
- The new policy requires employees to attend a safety seminar, completing a follow-up quiz, and that they submit a signed acknowledgment form.
- The new policy requires employees to attend a safety seminar, to complete a follow-up quiz, and submitting a signed acknowledgment form.
- The new policy requires employees attending a safety seminar, completing a follow-up quiz, and submitting a signed acknowledgment form.
- The new policy requires employees to attend a safety seminar, complete a follow-up quiz, and submit a signed acknowledgment form. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The new policy requires employees to attend a safety seminar, complete a follow-up quiz, and submit a signed acknowledgment form.
This sentence correctly uses parallel structure by making all three items in the series infinitive verbs ('to attend,' '[to] complete,' and '[to] submit'). The other options mix different grammatical forms (gerunds, infinitives, clauses), which violates the rule of parallelism.
Question 3: Read the following sentence and determine if there is a grammatical error in the underlined portions. 'The director gave the new assignment to my colleague and I (A) because the project required (B) someone with our (C) specific set of skills (D).'
- A (Correct answer)
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer: A
The error is in section (A). The pronoun 'I' is used as an object of the preposition 'to.' The objective case pronoun, 'me,' should be used instead. A simple way to check is to remove 'my colleague and,' which leaves the incorrect phrase 'gave the new assignment to I.'
Question 4: Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
- The sanitation department purchased new trucks; however, they will not be in service until next month. (Correct answer)
- The sanitation department purchased new trucks, however, they will not be in service until next month.
- The sanitation department purchased new trucks, however they will not be in service until next month.
- The sanitation department purchased new trucks; however they will not be in service until next month.
Correct answer: The sanitation department purchased new trucks; however, they will not be in service until next month.
This sentence correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses connected by a conjunctive adverb ('however'). A comma must also follow the conjunctive adverb. Using only a comma before 'however' creates a comma splice.
Question 5: Which of the following sentences is the clearest and most logical combination of the ideas below? 'The city is launching a new recycling program. It aims to reduce landfill waste. The program will begin on June 1st.'
- The city is launching a new recycling program to reduce landfill waste, it will begin on June 1st.
- To reduce landfill waste, the city is launching a new recycling program, which will begin on June 1st. (Correct answer)
- Beginning June 1st and aiming to reduce landfill waste, the city is launching a new recycling program.
- The city's new recycling program will begin on June 1st, and it aims to reduce landfill waste and is launching.
Correct answer: To reduce landfill waste, the city is launching a new recycling program, which will begin on June 1st.
This option correctly subordinates the information, creating a clear and concise sentence. It establishes the main idea (launching the program) and uses clauses to explain the purpose ('to reduce...') and the start date ('which will begin...'). Option A is a comma splice, while C and D are awkwardly constructed.
Question 6: Which of the following sentences contains a dangling or misplaced modifier?
- After reviewing the budget, the committee chairperson called for a vote.
- The documents, which were stored in the city archive, were retrieved for the audit.
- To apply for the permit, a completed form must be submitted by the applicant. (Correct answer)
- The mayor spoke to the reporters who had gathered in the press room.
Correct answer: To apply for the permit, a completed form must be submitted by the applicant.
This sentence contains a dangling modifier. The introductory phrase 'To apply for the permit' has no subject to logically modify. It implies that the 'completed form' is the one applying for the permit. A correct version would be: 'To apply for the permit, the applicant must submit a completed form.'
NYC Civil Service Written Expression and Grammar Questions and Answers
Choose the version of the sentence that is grammatically correct and most clearly written.