- The diner near the dorms that (houses/house) the students (serves/serve) breakfast all day.
- The widely recognized red coloring of stop signs everywhere (alerts/alert) people who can’t even read them to stop.
- Each team made up of one girl and one boy (has/have) to reenact a scene from Romeo and Juliet.
- Her jewelry, in addition to her pokemon cards, (was/were) stolen by the robber.
- Neither the employees nor the owner (cares/care) about the customer.
- Beside the bins, where one could smell the stench of rotten eggs, (was/were) a pack of philosophy majors gathering cans for recycling.
ANSWERS:
- The diner near the dorms that house the students serves breakfast all day.
- The widely recognized red coloring of stop signs everywhere alerts people who can’t even read them to stop.
- Each team made up of one girl and one boy has to reenact a scene from Romeo and Juliet.
- Her jewelry, in addition to her pokemon cards, was stolen by the robber.
- Neither the employees nor the owner cares about the customer.
- Beside the bins, where one could smell the stench of rotten eggs, was a pack of philosophy majors gathering cans for recycling.
1. According to industry analysts, the recent growth in the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are likely to accelerate in the future.
A. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
B. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
C. the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
D. the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
E. hybrid motor vehicles’ numbers in major metropolitan areas are
ANSWER: (C) 'The Number of is a singular entity, so 'is' is used here.
2. Before the Civil War, Harriet Tubman, along with other former slaves and white abolitionists, helped create what had become known as the Underground Railroad, and were responsible for leading hundreds, if not thousands, of slaves to freedom.
(A) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
(B) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
(C) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and was
(D) has been becoming known as the Underground Railroad, and was
(E) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and was
ANSWER: (E) When 'along with' is used, the verb is to follow the subject immediately PRECEDING 'along with’, so A & B is wrong. And C is wrong because it means that when it was getting constructed, it had become known. Changing the meaning of the sentence. Been becoming is wrong, so D is also wrong.
3. Since 1929, when the global telegraph business peaked, the number of tellegrams delivered annually have decreased from 200 million to only 21,000 last year.
A. have decreased from 200 million
B. have been reduced from 200 million
C. has decreased from 200 million
D. has been reduced from 200 million down
E. has decreased from 200 million down
ANSWER:. (C) 'The Number of' is a singular entity, so AB is wrong. 'down to' is redundant, so E is wrong. D is wrong because been is misused here; also, down to is redundant.
4. According to a recent study conducted at over 100 American universities, the number of college graduates interested in pursuing a career in financial services is likely to double by 2010.
A. is likely to double
B. are likely to increase by twice
C. are likely to double
D. will double
E. will increase by twice
ANSWER: (A) 'The Number of' is a singular entity, so BC is wrong. D makes the event certain, so it changes the meaning. The same goes for E
5. Since 1989, after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans, who have had to acclimate to an entirely different political system.
A. after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified German, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans
B. after the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in cultural terms as well as those of economic assimilation, were the former East Germans
C. when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the reunified Germany's most problematic ethnic groups, in terms of cultural and economic assimilation, was the former East Germans
D. when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in terms of cultural and economic assimilation, has been the former East Germans
E. after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the reunified Germany, in both terms of cultural and economic assimilation, have been the former East Germans
ANSWER: (D) This choice uses the singular "has been," which is also in the present perfect tense, indicating the ongoing nature of the problem. Moreover, "in terms of cultural and economic assimilation" is a more idiomatic and elegant phrasing than that of the original.
6. Since the last election, the lobbying effort initiated by environmental organizations, homeowners, and small business owners have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation.
(A) have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
(B) have increased awareness about pending legislation dealing with the environment
(C) has increased awareness about pending environmental legislation
(D) has increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
(E) has increased awareness of environmental legislation that is still pending
ANSWER: (D) Here, the subject is “The Lobbying Effort” which will take singular verb “has”
7. In comparison with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically have a less symmetric wind field.
A. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically have
B. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically has
C. with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone located farther from the center of maximum winds, and typically have
D. to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically have
E. to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically has
ANSWER: (A) The sentence is correct as written.
- Whenever Jason and Alexander sit down at a buffet, he eats way more food.
- Even if a student gets in early, they still have to maintain good grades during senior year.
- At the police station, they found a pile of cash stashed in her bra.
- She always takes an hour in the bathroom, and this completely ticks me off!
- Although it is small and furry, koalas are able to protect themselves from predators by quickly climbing trees.
ANSWERS:
- Whenever Jason and Alexander sit down at a buffet, Jason eats way more food.
- Even if a student gets in early, he or she still has to maintain good grades during senior year.
- At the police station, the officers found a pile of cash stashed in her bra.
- She always takes an hour in the bathroom, and this habit of hers completely ticks me off!
- Although they are small and furry, koalas are able to protect themselves from predators by quickly climbing trees.
- He was hungry, he bought a Chipotle burrito.
- In New York, the train system is difficult to learn, however, the food is fantastic and diverse.
- He believed that a career in nursing would guarantee a stable job, Joseph applied to medical school.
ANSWERS
- He was hungry, so he bought a Chipotle burrito.
- In New York, the train system is difficult to learn; however, the food is fantastic and diverse.
- Because he believed that a career in nursing would guarantee a stable job, Joseph applied to medical school.
- The magician dazzled and surprised the audience members wearing a cloak and top hat.
- Decorated with colorful ornaments and stars, we took pictures by the Christmas tree.
- After missing an easy goal, the crowd booed the soccer player.
ANSWERS
- Wearing a cloak and top hat, the magician dazzled and surprised the audience members.
- We took pictures by the Christmas tree, which was decorated with colorful ornaments and stars.
- After he missed an easy goal, the crowd booed the soccer player.
- I respect his eloquence and that he is brave.
- In chess, remember these three goals: get your pieces to the center, capture the opposing pieces, and attacking the opposing king.
- To learn what it means to love someone is accepting the flaws of others.
HIDE ANSWERS
- I respect his eloquence and bravery.
- In chess, remember these three goals: get your pieces to the center, capture the opposing pieces, and attack the opposing king.
- To learn what it means to love someone is to accept the flaws of others.
- Although the cheetah holds the record for the fastest land animal, many other mammals outlasted it.
- Whenever we stopped by the market, my mom always tries to negotiate the prices.
- Every Sunday, Jane cleans the house and does the laundry at the same time her dad could have mowed the lawn.
ANSWERS
- Although the cheetah holds the record for the fastest land animal, many other mammals outlast it.
- Whenever we stop by the market, my mom always tries to negotiate the prices.
- Every Sunday, Jane cleans the house and does the laundry at the same time her dad mows the lawn.
- In the middle of the night, when most people are sleeping while I sneak to the kitchen to eat.
- Although pandas are one of the most likable mammals but are one of the most rare.
HIDE ANSWERS
- In the middle of the night, when most people are sleeping,
while I sneak to the kitchen to eat.
- Although pandas are one of the most likable mammals, they are one of the most rare.
- Even when we arrive ahead of time at the doctor's office, he makes you wait at least 15 minutes.
- If someone wants to play tennis, you should know how to serve.
- If one does not believe, you will not succeed.
ANSWERS
- Even when we arrive ahead of time at the doctor's office, he makes us wait at least 15 minutes.
- If someone wants to play tennis, he or she should know how to serve.
- If one does not believe, one will not succeed.
- The Olympic athlete was capable in climbing Mt. Everest.
- The public was opposed against the war.
- The children were prohibited against playing outside in dark.
- Unless you comply to those food safety standards, we will shut you down.
ANSWERS
- The Olympic athlete was capable of climbing Mt. Everest.
- The public was opposed to the war.
- The children were prohibited from playing outside in dark.
- Unless you comply with those food safety standards, we will shut you down.
- The reason why red pandas have ringed tails is because they are relatives of both the giant panda and the raccoon.
- After hearing the spy's information, the general knew that an attack was imminent in the future.
- It's only on the night before the test that I wish my notes had been more clearer.
- The legal documents were reviewed in a way that was deemed thorough.
- We should evacuate the building immediately in the hypothetical event that a fire occurs.
ANSWERS
The reason why Red pandas have ringed tails is because they are relatives of both the giant panda and the raccoon.- After hearing the spy's information, the general knew that an attack was imminent
in the future.
- It's only on the night before the test that I wish my notes had been
more clearer.
- The legal documents were reviewed thoroughly.
- We should evacuate the building immediately if a fire occurs.
- The startup didn’t become financially beneficial until it reached a critical mass of customers using the app on a daily basis.
- A recently passed law requires that public transportation meet new safety standards, forcing state governments to foot the bill for the construction of new railroads.
- Be careful when driving under averse weather conditions.
- It's easy to fool your brain with a few cleverly drawn diagrams called optical allusions.
- Please be discrete with what I tell you because you don't want these dark secrets to ever come out.
ANSWERS
- The startup didn’t become profitable until it reached a critical mass of customers using the app on a daily basis.
- A recently passed law requires that public transportation meet new safety standards, forcing state governments to pay for the construction of new railroads.
- Be careful when driving under adverse weather conditions.
- It's easy to fool your brain with a few cleverly drawn diagrams called optical illusions.
- Please be discreet with what I tell you because you don't want these dark secrets to ever come out.
- Because she's been so busy I haven’t seen her in a month.
- His hobbies included jumping off planes, crashing helicopters and eating jellyfish.
- Great white sharks the most fearsome creatures of the sea are actually less dangerous than they appear.
- Stephen King's first novel Carrie was a surprise success.
- Crowds stood in line to see author, J.K. Rowling, at the bookstore in London.
- Lions are carnivorous or meat-eating mammals.
- Penguins unlike most other birds cannot fly.
- Most bats are blind. Their sense of hearing however is amazing.
ANSWERS
- Because she’s been so busy, I haven’t seen her in a month.
- His hobbies included jumping off planes, crashing helicopters, and eating jellyfish.
- Great white sharks, the most fearsome creatures of the sea, are actually less dangerous than they appear.
- Stephen King’s first novel, Carrie, was a surprise success.
- Crowds stood in line to see author, J.K. Rowling, at the bookstore in London.
- Lions are carnivorous, or meat-eating, mammals.
- Penguins, unlike most other birds, cannot fly.
- Most bats are blind. Their sense of hearing, however, is amazing.
- When my teacher found the cookies I was hiding; all 154 of them; she ate them all herself.
- The city is full of people you would never meet in my hometown bums, actors, models, the crazy, the oddly dressed.
- I like to walk every day—not for exercise—but for alone time.
ANSWERS
- When my teacher found the cookies I was hiding—all 154 of them—she ate them all herself.
- The city is full of people you would never meet in my hometown—bums, actors, models, the crazy, the oddly dressed.
- I like to walk every day—not for exercise, but for alone time.
- Tokyo is one of the cleanest cities in Asia, the street cleaners sometimes have no work to do.
- Cambridge is home to two of the best universities in the world MIT and Harvard.
- The dangerous animals you have to watch out for are: lions, tigers, and pythons.
- The evidence consists of: emails, text messages, and phone calls.
ANSWERS
- Tokyo is one of the cleanest cities in Asia: the street cleaners sometimes have no work to do.
- Cambridge is home to two of the best universities in the world: MIT and Harvard.
- The dangerous animals you have to watch out for are lions, tigers, and pythons.
- The evidence consists of emails, text messages, and phone calls.
- Tonys hat is on the floor.
- Louis' scarf is 3 feet long.
- Both players's jerseys were soaked with sweat.
- The book has a cool picture on it's cover.
- He is the actor whose most known for his role in Batman.
- Jake wasn't at the office, so he must of gone to the store.
ANSWERS
- Tony's hat is on the floor.
- Louis's scarf is 3 feet long.
- Both players' jerseys were soaked with sweat.
- The book has a cool picture on its cover.
- He is the actor who's most known for his role in Batman.
- Jake wasn't at the office, so he must've (must have) gone to the store.
- Although women in cities from New York to Boston demanded equality in academic opportunities, most East Coast universities did not yield to such demands. In fact, coeducational balance did not become a prominent issue for East Coast admissions officers until the 1960s.
A) NO CHANGE
B) In addition,
C) For example,
D) Be that as it may,
- As it turned out, Senator Aldrich did not plan his Jekyll Island trip for relaxation purposes. Therefore, he confidentially planned the weeklong affair to confer with Wall Street executives for a specific purpose—to draft a banking reform bill that would create a centralized American banking system.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Nevertheless,
C) Instead,
D) Afterwards,
- Some conservatives claim that America was founded as a Christian nation by devout men who sought to establish a system of law and governance based on the Bible. More secular voices, in summary, have argued that the "Christian nation" concept is a misnomer.
A) NO CHANGE
B) likewise,
C) for instance,
D) on the other hand,
ANSWERS
- A
- C
- D
- Since Joan took office as governor, some public issues have been solved in very clever ways. Others have been completely ignored.
A) ways, whereas others
B) ways, since others
C) ways, provided that others
D) ways, considering that others
- Jojoba oil is made from the seeds of jojoba plants. These plants are sometimes mistaken for boxwood shrubs.
A) plants; these
B) plants, for they
C) plants, which
D) plants as they
- Located near the abundant coasts of Maine, the town of Portland is a famous fishing port. That is where lobstermen set their traps in the early morning.
A) port, which is where
B) port, the location where
C) port, a place at which
D) port where
- The online retailer Amazon completely has changed how many consumers purchase goods. They managed to make the whole online buying and selling experience trustworthy and easy.
A) goods; they made
B) goods by making
C) goods to make
D) goods, and this made
ANSWERS
- A
- C
- D
- B
- Jane is the girl for who I brought these gifts.
- The chaperones who the students were assigned to made sure they walked in a single file.
- The librarian yelled at the boy whom never returned his books.
ANSWERS
- Jane is the girl for whom I brought these gifts.
- The chaperones whom the students were assigned to made sure they walked in a single file.
- The librarian yelled at the boy who never returned his books.
S1: For some time in his youth Abraham Lincoln was manager for a shop.
P : Then a chance Customer would come.
Q : Young Lincoln way of keeping shop was entirely unlike anyone else's
R : Lincoln would jump up and attend to his needs and then revert to his reading.
S : He used to lie full length on the counter of the shop eagerly reading a book.
S6: Never before had Lincoln had so much time for reading as had then.
The Proper sequence should be:
A. SRQP
B. QSPR
C. SQRP
D. QPSR
S1: Smoke oozed up between the planks.
P : Passengers were told to be ready to quit the ship.
Q : The rising gale fanned the smoldering fire.
R : Everyone now knew there was a fire on board.
S : Flames broke out here and there.
S6: Most people bore the shock bravely.
The Proper sequence should be:
A. SRQP
B. QPSR
C. RSPQ
D. QSRP
S1: While talking to a group, one should feel self-confident and courageous.
P : Nor is it a gift bestowed by providence on only a few.
Q : One should also learn how to think calmly and clearly.
R : It is like the ability to play golf.
S : It is not as difficult as most men imagine.
S6: Any man can develop his capacity if he has the desire to do so.
The Proper sequence should be:
A. SQPR
B. QSPR
C. QRSP
D. RSQP
S1: A man can be physically confined within stone walls.
P : But his mind and spirit will still be free.
Q : Thus his freedom of action may be restricted.
R : However, his hopes and aspirations still remain with him.
S : Hence, he will be free spiritually if not physically.
S6: No tyranny can intimidate a lover of liberty.
The Proper sequence should be:
A. PQRS
B. SRQP
C. QPRS
D. QPSR
ANSWER KEY: B, A , B, A
1
A. Good writers use more verbs.
B. However, it is rather hard to write without verbs.
C. The reason is that if unnecessary words are reduced, the verb percentage goes up as a mathematical necessity.
D. So “use verbs” is not really good advice; writers have to use verbs, and trying to add extra ones would not turn out well.
- ABCD
- ACBD
- ABDC
- DBCA
2
A. According to scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the current melting of ice in Greenland is already causing the tilt to change at a rate of approximately 2.6 cm each year.
B. While a natural event such as this could bring about major changes to the climate, some scientists are warning that there is a possibility for reverse feedback.
C. The Earth's orbital tilt is said to vary between 22 and 25 degrees roughly every 41,000 years.
D. In other words, instead of an orbital tilt causing climate change, current changes in climate could end up causing changes in the Earth's axial tilt.
- ABCD
- CDBA
- CBDA
- ABDC
Answer Key:
- ACBD
2. CBDA