PRAXIS Core Academic Skills: Writing Usage and Mechanics 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sentence contains a comma splice?

She studied all night, consequently she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
She studied all night; consequently, she passed the exam.
She studied all night and consequently passed the exam.
Because she studied all night, she passed the exam.

Correct answer: She studied all night, consequently she passed the exam.

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Option A joins two independent clauses ('She studied all night' and 'consequently she passed the exam') with just a comma.

A comma splice is a punctuation error that occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined with only a comma. In option A, 'She studied all night' and 'consequently she passed the exam' are both independent clauses. They cannot be joined by a comma alone. Correct options include using a semicolon (option B), a coordinating conjunction (option C), or converting one clause to a dependent clause (option D).

Question 2: Which of the following correctly uses a semicolon?

I like coffee; but not tea.
She was tired; she went to bed early. (Correct answer)
He brought supplies; such as pencils and paper.
They arrived late; because of traffic.

Correct answer: She was tired; she went to bed early.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses. 'She was tired' and 'she went to bed early' are both complete independent clauses.

Semicolons are used to join two closely related independent clauses. Option B correctly uses a semicolon between 'She was tired' and 'she went to bed early,' both of which are independent clauses. Options A, C, and D all use semicolons before conjunctions or dependent elements, which is incorrect. Conjunctions like 'but' should follow a comma, not a semicolon, and phrases beginning with 'such as' or 'because' are not independent clauses.

Question 3: Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

The student's notebook's were on the desk.
The students' notebooks were on the desk. (Correct answer)
The students notebook's were on the desk.
The student's notebook were on the desk.

Correct answer: The students' notebooks were on the desk.

When a noun is plural and possessive, the apostrophe comes after the 's'. 'Students'' indicates possession by multiple students.

Apostrophes in possessives follow specific rules: for singular nouns, add 's (student's); for plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe (students'). Option B correctly shows that multiple students possess notebooks. Option A incorrectly makes 'notebooks' possessive. Option C omits the apostrophe from the plural possessive. Option D uses a singular possessive with a plural noun.

Question 4: Identify the correct use of a colon in the following sentences.

She packed: her bags before the trip.
She needed three things: a map, a compass, and water. (Correct answer)
She arrived at: the destination on time.
She said: she would be late.

Correct answer: She needed three things: a map, a compass, and water.

A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list. Option B has a complete clause before the colon followed by a list.

Colons are used to introduce lists, explanations, or quotations, but only after a complete independent clause. In option B, 'She needed three things' is a complete clause that leads directly into the list. Options A and C place colons mid-sentence before single items, which is incorrect. Option D uses a colon before a clause introduced by 'she,' which should instead use a comma or a different construction.

Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

Neither the teachers nor the principal were available.
Either the students or the teacher are responsible.
Neither the students nor the teacher was available. (Correct answer)
Both the teacher and the principal is absent.

Correct answer: Neither the students nor the teacher was available.

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the closer subject. 'Teacher' is singular, so 'was' is correct.

The correlative conjunctions 'neither...nor' and 'either...or' follow the proximity rule: the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. In option C, the closer subject is 'teacher' (singular), so 'was' is correct. Option A incorrectly uses 'were' when the closer subject 'principal' is singular. Option B incorrectly uses 'are' when the closer subject 'teacher' is singular. Option D incorrectly uses 'is' when the compound subject joined by 'and' requires a plural verb.

Question 6: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

Running to catch the bus, Maria dropped her phone.
Running to catch the bus, the phone was dropped. (Correct answer)
While running to catch the bus, Maria dropped her phone.
Maria, running to catch the bus, dropped her phone.

Correct answer: Running to catch the bus, the phone was dropped.

In option B, the participial phrase 'Running to catch the bus' has no logical subject — the phone cannot run.

A dangling modifier is a phrase or clause that does not clearly or logically modify the noun it is intended to describe. In option B, the phrase 'Running to catch the bus' implies a subject who is running, but the sentence's subject is 'the phone,' which cannot run. Options A, C, and D all correctly link the participial phrase to 'Maria,' the person who is actually running.

Question 7: Which of the following is a run-on sentence?

The test was hard; however, most students passed.
The test was hard most students still passed. (Correct answer)
Although the test was hard, most students passed.
The test was hard, but most students passed.

Correct answer: The test was hard most students still passed.

Option B joins two independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunction, making it a run-on sentence.

A run-on sentence (also called a fused sentence) occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions. Option B fuses 'The test was hard' and 'most students still passed' without any separator. Option A uses a semicolon correctly, option C uses a subordinating conjunction, and option D uses a coordinating conjunction with a comma — all valid corrections.

Question 8: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

She likes reading, to swim, and hiking.
She likes reading, swimming, and hiking. (Correct answer)
She likes to read, swimming, and to hike.
She likes to read, to swimming, and hiking.

Correct answer: She likes reading, swimming, and hiking.

Parallel structure requires that all items in a series use the same grammatical form. Option B uses gerunds (-ing forms) consistently.

Parallel structure means that elements in a series or list use the same grammatical form. Option B correctly uses gerunds (reading, swimming, hiking) for all three items. Option A mixes a gerund, an infinitive, and a gerund. Option C mixes an infinitive, a gerund, and an infinitive. Option D mixes an infinitive, an incorrect infinitive form, and a gerund. Consistent form is required for clarity and style.

Question 9: In which sentence is the pronoun used correctly?

Between you and I, the plan is flawed.
The award was given to she and her partner.
Everyone should bring their own materials. (Correct answer)
Each of the boys forgot their homework.

Correct answer: Everyone should bring their own materials.

Using 'their' as a singular gender-neutral pronoun with 'everyone' is now accepted in standard usage.

Option C correctly uses 'their' as a gender-neutral singular pronoun with 'everyone,' which is now standard in contemporary usage. Option A incorrectly uses the subject pronoun 'I' after the preposition 'between' — it should be 'me.' Option B uses the subject pronoun 'she' as the object of the preposition 'to' — it should be 'her.' Option D, while similar to C, uses 'each' with 'their,' which is contested but increasingly accepted; however, option C is the clearest correct answer.

Question 10: Which option corrects the following fragment: 'Because the roads were icy.'

Because the roads were icy, and slippery.
The roads were icy because.
Because the roads were icy, the school was closed. (Correct answer)
Because, the roads were icy.

Correct answer: Because the roads were icy, the school was closed.

A sentence fragment lacks an independent clause. Option C adds 'the school was closed' to complete the sentence.

A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a subject, a predicate, or a complete thought. 'Because the roads were icy' is a dependent clause — it cannot stand alone. Option C correctly joins the dependent clause to the independent clause 'the school was closed,' forming a complete sentence. Option A adds another dependent phrase. Option B creates a grammatically awkward statement. Option D incorrectly places a comma after 'Because' with no attached independent clause.

Question 11: Which sentence uses capitalization correctly?

We visited the Smith Museum of Natural history.
She is studying French and mathematics. (Correct answer)
My Uncle Robert works as a doctor.
The President of the club announced new rules.

Correct answer: She is studying French and mathematics.

Proper nouns like 'French' (a language/nationality) are capitalized, while common nouns like 'mathematics' are not.

Option B correctly capitalizes 'French' (a proper adjective derived from the name of a country) while leaving 'mathematics' lowercase as a common noun. Option A should capitalize 'History' as part of a proper name. Option C should not capitalize 'uncle' when it is preceded by 'my' — it functions as a common noun. Option D should not capitalize 'president' unless it refers to a specific title used directly before a name.

Question 12: Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

She is a well known author.
She is a well-known author. (Correct answer)
The author is well-known.
Well known authors inspire readers.

Correct answer: She is a well-known author.

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated. 'Well-known' modifies 'author' and precedes it, so a hyphen is required.

Compound modifiers (adjectives made of two or more words) are hyphenated when they come before the noun they modify. In option B, 'well-known' precedes 'author' and is correctly hyphenated. In option C, 'well-known' follows a linking verb (is), so no hyphen is needed — predicative adjectives are not hyphenated. Options A and D omit the hyphen before the noun, which is incorrect.

Question 13: Identify the correct sentence with respect to comma usage.

Before leaving, the teacher, checked the roster.
Before leaving the teacher checked the roster.
Before leaving, the teacher checked the roster. (Correct answer)
Before, leaving the teacher checked, the roster.

Correct answer: Before leaving, the teacher checked the roster.

An introductory phrase should be followed by a comma. 'Before leaving' introduces the main clause, so a comma after it is correct.

Option C correctly places a comma after the introductory prepositional phrase 'Before leaving.' Introductory elements — whether phrases or clauses — are typically set off from the main clause with a comma. Option A incorrectly adds extra commas around 'the teacher.' Option B omits the needed comma after the introductory phrase. Option D scatters commas illogically.

Question 14: Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?

She almost drove her children to school every day.
She drove her children to school almost every day. (Correct answer)
Almost she drove her children to school every day.
She drove her children almost to school every day.

Correct answer: She drove her children to school almost every day.

In option B, 'almost' correctly modifies 'every day,' indicating frequency rather than implying she barely drove at all.

Misplaced modifiers are words or phrases not positioned next to the word they are meant to modify. In option A, 'almost' appears to modify 'drove,' implying she nearly drove but did not. In option B, 'almost' correctly modifies 'every day,' meaning she drove on most but not all days. Option C places 'almost' before the subject, which is awkward and unclear. Option D implies she drove them partway to school.

Question 15: Which of the following sentences uses the active voice?

The report was submitted by the committee.
The committee submitted the report. (Correct answer)
The report had been submitted.
It was the committee that submitted the report.

Correct answer: The committee submitted the report.

Active voice has the subject performing the action. In option B, 'the committee' (subject) performs 'submitted' (verb).

Active voice constructions place the subject before the verb as the doer of the action. Option B follows this pattern: 'The committee' (subject) + 'submitted' (verb) + 'the report' (object). Options A and C are passive voice — the subject receives the action. Option D, while it names the committee, uses a cleft sentence construction ('It was...that') which emphasizes the subject but is neither the most direct nor the clearest active construction.

Question 16: Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?

She said that 'she was tired.'
She said, 'I am tired.'
She said, "I am tired." (Correct answer)
She said, I am tired.

Correct answer: She said, "I am tired."

Direct speech should use double quotation marks in American English. Option C correctly uses double quotes with a comma before the quoted speech.

In American English, double quotation marks are used for direct quotations. Option C correctly formats direct speech: a comma after the attribution ('She said'), followed by double quotation marks enclosing the exact words spoken. Option A uses single quotation marks, which in American English are used only for quotations within quotations. Option B uses single quotes incorrectly. Option D omits quotation marks entirely, making it unclear whether the words are direct or indirect speech.

Question 17: Which sentence correctly uses the word 'fewer' vs. 'less'?

There are less students in class today.
There are fewer water in the bottle.
There are fewer students in class today. (Correct answer)
There is less books on the shelf.

Correct answer: There are fewer students in class today.

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'students.' 'Less' is used with uncountable nouns.

The distinction between 'fewer' and 'less' depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable. 'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (students, books, items), while 'less' is used with uncountable or mass nouns (water, time, money). Option C correctly uses 'fewer' with 'students,' which is countable. Options A and D incorrectly use 'less' with countable nouns. Option B incorrectly uses 'fewer' with 'water,' which is uncountable.

Question 18: Which of the following demonstrates correct use of a dash (em dash)?

She had one goal - to graduate.
She had one goal—to graduate. (Correct answer)
She had one goal: - to graduate.
She had one goal, - to graduate.

Correct answer: She had one goal—to graduate.

An em dash (—) is used without spaces to set off an explanatory phrase. Option B correctly uses the em dash.

The em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to create emphasis, introduce an explanation, or indicate an abrupt shift. Unlike a hyphen, it is longer and used in different contexts. Option B correctly uses an em dash without spaces to dramatically introduce 'to graduate.' Option A uses a hyphen with spaces — this is sometimes acceptable informally but is not standard. Options C and D combine an em dash with other punctuation unnecessarily.

Question 19: Which verb tense is correct in the following sentence? 'By the time the bell rings, the students _____ their exams.'

will finish
finished
will have finished (Correct answer)
have finished

Correct answer: will have finished

The future perfect tense ('will have finished') is used to show an action that will be completed before a specific future time.

The future perfect tense is formed with 'will have' + past participle and describes an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future. 'By the time the bell rings' signals a future reference point, so the action of finishing must occur before that point — making 'will have finished' correct. 'Will finish' (simple future) does not convey completion before the bell. 'Finished' is past tense. 'Have finished' is present perfect, not future.

Question 20: Which of the following is an example of correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?

Every teacher must submit their grades.
Every teacher must submit his or her grades. (Correct answer)
Every teacher must submit its grades.
Every teacher must submit our grades.

Correct answer: Every teacher must submit his or her grades.

Option B uses 'his or her' to agree with the singular antecedent 'every teacher,' avoiding gender assumptions.

Pronoun-antecedent agreement requires that a pronoun match its antecedent in number and gender. 'Every teacher' is grammatically singular. Option B uses 'his or her,' the traditional singular gender-inclusive form. Option A uses 'their' (plural), which is increasingly accepted but may not be preferred in formal contexts. Option C uses 'its,' which is inappropriate for people. Option D uses 'our,' which introduces a completely different reference.

Question 21: Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' vs. 'effect'?

The weather effected her mood.
The weather affected her mood. (Correct answer)
The effect of rain affected their plans.
She tried to affect a positive effect.

Correct answer: The weather affected her mood.

'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is most commonly a noun meaning result.

The most common uses: 'affect' as a verb meaning to have an impact on, and 'effect' as a noun meaning a result or outcome. Option B correctly uses the verb 'affected.' Option A uses 'effected,' which is incorrect in this context (though 'effect' can be a verb meaning 'to bring about,' it doesn't fit here). Option C is technically correct but awkward. Option D confuses the two words in a single sentence.

Question 22: Which sentence is correctly punctuated with an appositive?

My brother, a teacher is arriving tomorrow.
My brother, a teacher, is arriving tomorrow. (Correct answer)
My brother a teacher, is arriving tomorrow.
My brother a teacher is arriving tomorrow.

Correct answer: My brother, a teacher, is arriving tomorrow.

A non-restrictive appositive is set off by commas on both sides. 'A teacher' is a non-restrictive appositive for 'my brother.'

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or identifies another noun. A non-restrictive appositive (one that adds extra, non-essential information) should be enclosed in commas on both sides. In option B, 'a teacher' renames 'my brother' and is correctly enclosed with commas. Options A, C, and D each omit one or both required commas, making them grammatically incorrect.

Question 23: Which of the following correctly identifies the type of sentence? 'Although she was tired, she continued to work.'

Simple sentence
Compound sentence
Complex sentence (Correct answer)
Compound-complex sentence

Correct answer: Complex sentence

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. 'Although she was tired' is dependent; 'she continued to work' is independent.

Sentence types are classified by clause structure. A simple sentence has one independent clause. A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a conjunction or semicolon. A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. Here, 'Although she was tired' is a dependent clause (subordinated by 'although'), and 'she continued to work' is the independent clause — making it a complex sentence.

Question 24: Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'who' vs. 'whom.'

Who did you speak to?
Whom called the office?
To whom did you speak? (Correct answer)
Who did the teacher recommend?

Correct answer: To whom did you speak?

'Whom' is the object form and is used after a preposition. 'To whom' is the correct form here.

The distinction between 'who' and 'whom' mirrors 'he/she' (subject) vs. 'him/her' (object). 'Who' is a subject pronoun; 'whom' is an object pronoun. In option C, 'whom' correctly functions as the object of the preposition 'to.' Option A uses 'who' as the object of 'to,' which is incorrect in formal writing. Option B uses 'whom' as a subject (replacing 'who called'), which is incorrect. Option D uses 'who' as an object, which is informal but not formally correct.

Question 25: Which sentence correctly uses 'its' vs. 'it's'?

The dog wagged it's tail.
Its raining outside.
The school published it's newsletter.
The cat licked its paws. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The cat licked its paws.

'Its' (no apostrophe) is the possessive pronoun. Option D correctly uses 'its' to show possession.

'It's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.' 'Its' is the possessive form of 'it.' Option D correctly uses 'its' to show that the paws belong to the cat. Option A incorrectly uses 'it's' (it is) in a possessive context. Option B omits the apostrophe from 'it's' (should be 'It's raining'). Option C uses 'it's' instead of 'its' in a possessive context.

Question 26: Which is the best revision of the following wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that he was sick, he did not attend school'?

Because he was sick he did not attend school.
Because he was sick, he did not attend school. (Correct answer)
He was sick due to the fact that he didn't attend.
He did not attend school, he was sick.

Correct answer: Because he was sick, he did not attend school.

'Due to the fact that' is wordy and can be replaced by 'because.' Option B also correctly adds a comma after the introductory clause.

Wordy constructions like 'due to the fact that' can almost always be replaced with the simpler word 'because.' Option B makes this substitution and correctly punctuates the sentence with a comma after the introductory clause. Option A makes the correct word substitution but omits the comma. Option C is a muddled revision. Option D is a comma splice.

Question 27: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of a possessive noun with a plural ending not in 's'?

The childrens' playground was renovated.
The children's playground was renovated. (Correct answer)
The childrens playground was renovated.
The children's' playground was renovated.

Correct answer: The children's playground was renovated.

Irregular plural nouns (like 'children') that don't end in 's' form possessives by adding 's (children's).

Most plural nouns form possessives by adding an apostrophe after the final 's.' However, irregular plurals that do not end in 's' — like children, men, women, geese — form possessives by adding 's (children's, men's, women's). Option B correctly applies this rule. Option A adds an apostrophe after a non-existent 's.' Option C omits the apostrophe entirely. Option D adds both 's and an apostrophe, which is redundant and incorrect.

Question 28: Which sentence correctly uses a transitional phrase?

However, she finished the work before the deadline she was exhausted.
She was exhausted; however, she finished the work before the deadline. (Correct answer)
She was exhausted, however she finished the work before the deadline.
She was exhausted however; she finished the work before the deadline.

Correct answer: She was exhausted; however, she finished the work before the deadline.

When 'however' connects two independent clauses, it follows a semicolon and is followed by a comma.

The conjunctive adverb 'however' must be properly punctuated when used between independent clauses. The correct pattern is: independent clause + semicolon + however + comma + independent clause. Option B follows this pattern correctly. Option A puts 'however' at the start but then creates a run-on. Option C uses a comma before 'however' where a semicolon is needed (this creates a comma splice). Option D puts the semicolon after 'however,' which is incorrect.

Question 29: What error appears in the sentence: 'The data shows that the hypothesis were correct'?

Tense error
Subject-verb agreement error only
Number agreement error only
Both subject-verb and number agreement errors (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Both subject-verb and number agreement errors

'Data' is plural (singular: datum), so the verb should be 'show.' 'Hypothesis' is singular, so 'was' should replace 'were.'

Two errors exist in this sentence. First, 'data' is the plural form of 'datum,' so it requires the plural verb 'show' (not 'shows'). Second, 'hypothesis' is singular, so the verb in the relative clause should be 'was' (not 'were'). Both errors involve number/agreement: one is subject-verb agreement (data/shows), and the other is a number agreement error with the complement (hypothesis/were). Option D correctly identifies both errors.

Question 30: Which of the following correctly demonstrates a restrictive clause?

The teacher, who won an award, retired last year.
The teacher who won an award retired last year. (Correct answer)
The teacher, who won an award retired last year.
The teacher who, won an award, retired last year.

Correct answer: The teacher who won an award retired last year.

A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and should NOT be set off by commas. Option B correctly omits commas.

Restrictive (or defining) clauses provide essential information that identifies which person or thing is being discussed. They are not set off by commas. Non-restrictive clauses add extra information and are enclosed in commas. Option B uses 'who won an award' without commas, indicating that the clause is essential — it identifies which teacher (the one who won an award). Option A uses commas, making it non-restrictive (implying only one teacher exists). Options C and D have incorrect comma placements.

Question 31: Which sentence uses 'lay' vs. 'lie' correctly?

She laid down for a nap.
She lay down for a nap. (Correct answer)
She lied down for a nap.
She lays down for a nap yesterday.

Correct answer: She lay down for a nap.

'Lay' is the past tense of 'lie' (to recline). 'She lay down' is the correct past tense form.

The verbs 'lie' and 'lay' are commonly confused. 'Lie' means to recline (intransitive; no object): present = lie, past = lay, past participle = lain. 'Lay' means to place something (transitive; needs an object): present = lay, past = laid, past participle = laid. In option B, 'lay' is the past tense of 'lie,' correctly indicating she reclined. Option A uses 'laid' as if it were the past tense of 'lie,' which is incorrect. Option C uses 'lied' (to tell an untruth). Option D uses present tense with a past marker ('yesterday').

Question 32: Choose the sentence where the modifier is correctly placed.

I only eat vegetables on Tuesdays.
I eat only vegetables on Tuesdays.
Only I eat vegetables on Tuesdays.
I eat vegetables only on Tuesdays. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I eat vegetables only on Tuesdays.

Option D places 'only' directly before 'on Tuesdays,' clarifying that the restriction is about the day, not the food.

The word 'only' is a limiting modifier and should be placed immediately before the word or phrase it modifies to avoid ambiguity. Option D ('only on Tuesdays') clarifies that the limitation is on the day. Option A ('only eat') implies she does nothing but eat vegetables on Tuesdays. Option B ('only vegetables') implies she eats nothing but vegetables on Tuesdays. Option C ('Only I') implies she is the sole person eating vegetables on Tuesdays. Each placement changes the meaning.

Question 33: Which sentence contains an error in parallel structure within a list?

The report must be accurate, concise, and clearly written. (Correct answer)
The report must be accurate, concise, and clear.
The report must be accurately written, concise, and clear.
The report must be accurate, and it must be concise and clear.

Correct answer: The report must be accurate, concise, and clearly written.

Option A mixes adjectives ('accurate,' 'concise') with an adverb-adjective phrase ('clearly written'), breaking parallel structure.

Parallel structure requires that all items in a series use the same grammatical form. Option A uses two simple adjectives ('accurate,' 'concise') followed by an adverb-adjective phrase ('clearly written'), which is inconsistent. Option B uses three adjectives consistently. Option C uses two adjectives and an adverb-adjective phrase — also inconsistent. Option D avoids a list by using separate clauses and is grammatically acceptable, though not as elegant as option B.

Question 34: What is the function of the underlined word in: 'The test, which was difficult, covered all units'? (underlined: 'which was difficult')

Restrictive relative clause
Non-restrictive relative clause (Correct answer)
Adverbial clause
Noun clause

Correct answer: Non-restrictive relative clause

The clause is set off by commas, meaning it adds extra information and is non-restrictive (non-defining).

Relative clauses can be restrictive or non-restrictive. A non-restrictive clause is enclosed in commas and adds supplemental information that is not essential to identifying the subject. Here, 'which was difficult' is set off by commas, indicating it provides extra detail about the test rather than distinguishing it from other tests. A restrictive clause would not use commas. It is a relative clause (introduced by 'which'), not an adverbial or noun clause.

Question 35: Which sentence correctly demonstrates the use of a conditional mood?

If she studies, she will pass.
If she would study, she will pass.
If she studies, she would pass.
If she studied, she would pass. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: If she studied, she would pass.

For hypothetical (unreal) present/future conditionals, use past tense in the 'if' clause and 'would + base verb' in the result clause.

English has several conditional structures. For real or possible future conditions, use: if + simple present, will + base verb (option A — this is also correct for real conditions). For hypothetical (unlikely or unreal) present/future conditions, use: if + simple past, would + base verb (option D). Option B incorrectly uses 'would' in the 'if' clause. Option C mixes a real condition clause with an unreal result clause inconsistently. The question asks for the conditional mood, which typically refers to the hypothetical construction, making D the best answer.

Question 36: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence?

To provide evidence for the paragraph's argument
To summarize the entire essay
To introduce and state the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
To transition to the next paragraph

Correct answer: To introduce and state the main idea of the paragraph

A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph, orienting the reader to what that paragraph will discuss.

A topic sentence is the controlling sentence of a paragraph that introduces and expresses the paragraph's main idea. All other sentences in the paragraph should support, explain, or elaborate on the topic sentence. It is not the same as a thesis statement (which covers the whole essay), nor is it primarily providing evidence or transitions. Placing the topic sentence at or near the beginning of the paragraph signals to readers what to expect.

Question 37: Which revision improves the following sentence for conciseness: 'In my personal opinion, I think that the novel is interesting.'?

I personally think the novel is interesting in my opinion.
I think the novel is interesting. (Correct answer)
The novel is, in my opinion, very interesting personally.
In my opinion I personally think the novel is interesting.

Correct answer: I think the novel is interesting.

'In my personal opinion' and 'I think' are redundant. 'I think the novel is interesting' conveys the same meaning concisely.

Concise writing avoids redundancy. 'In my personal opinion' and 'I think' both signal subjectivity, so using both is repetitive. 'Personal opinion' is also redundant (opinions are by definition personal). Option B strips away all redundancy while preserving the meaning. Options A, C, and D all retain multiple redundant phrases. Good writing expresses ideas in the fewest necessary words without sacrificing clarity.

PRAXIS Core Academic Skills: Writing Usage and Mechanics 1

Which sentence contains a comma splice?

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