NYC NYC Civil Service Written Expression and Grammar Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb 'to lie'?
- She laid on the couch all afternoon.
- She lay on the couch all afternoon. (Correct answer)
- She lain on the couch all afternoon.
- She has laid on the couch all afternoon.
Correct answer: She lay on the couch all afternoon.
'Lay' is the past tense of 'lie' (to recline), so 'she lay on the couch' is correct.
Question 2: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- Running quickly, the officer caught the suspect.
- The officer caught the suspect running quickly. (Correct answer)
- The officer, running quickly, caught the suspect.
- Quickly running, the officer caught the suspect.
Correct answer: The officer caught the suspect running quickly.
In 'The officer caught the suspect running quickly,' it is unclear whether the officer or the suspect was running quickly.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of passive voice?
- The supervisor reviewed the report.
- The report was reviewed by the supervisor. (Correct answer)
- The supervisor will review the report tomorrow.
- The supervisor has reviewed several reports.
Correct answer: The report was reviewed by the supervisor.
'The report was reviewed by the supervisor' is passive voice because the subject receives the action rather than performing it.
Question 4: Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement: A collection of reports _____ on the desk.
- are
- were
- is (Correct answer)
- have been
Correct answer: is
'Collection' is a singular noun, so it takes the singular verb 'is.'
Question 5: Which word is used incorrectly in the following sentence? 'The principle reason for the delay was a lack of funding.'
- reason
- delay
- funding
- principle (Correct answer)
Correct answer: principle
'Principal' (meaning main or primary) should be used instead of 'principle' (meaning a rule or belief).
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The meeting was postponed; because the director was absent.
- We completed the audit; and submitted our findings.
- The deadline passed; however, we requested an extension. (Correct answer)
- She filed the report; quickly.
Correct answer: The deadline passed; however, we requested an extension.
A semicolon can connect two independent clauses, especially when using a conjunctive adverb like 'however.'
NYC NYC Civil Service Written Expression and Grammar Questions and Answers 2
Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb 'to lie'?