Mrs. Crawford
Grammar Review Sheet
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE GDT: A REVIEW
· TSWE Type questions (The Standard Test of Written English)
1.Use of basic grammar - for example, subject-verb agreement, agreement of pronouns with the nouns to which they refer, and the correct use of verb tense.
2.Sentence structure - for example, distinguishing between complete and incomplete sentences and recognizing when the connections between parts of a sentence are clear and when they are not.
3.Choice of words - for example, recognizing when words or phrases should be revised to make the meaning of a sentence clear to make the language consistent with what is normally expected of careful writers.
· SAMPLE TSWE QUESTIONS
DIRECTIONS: The following sentences contain problems in grammar, usage, diction (choice of words), and idiom. Some sentences are correct. No sentence contains more than one error.
You will find that the error, if there is one, is bracketed and lettered. Assume that elements of the sentence that are not bracketed are correct and cannot be changed. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
If there is an error, select the {bracketed part} that must be changed to make the sentence correct and fill in the corresponding space on your answer sheet. If there is no error, mark answer space (E).
The Secretary of State, as well as the other members of the
cabinet {were summoned} {suddenly} {to} the bedside
A B C
of the {ailing} President.
D
{No error}
E
The correct answer to the question is (A). The problem is one of agreement. In standard written English, the sentence would read: "The Secretary of State, as well as the other members of the cabinet, was summoned..." It is important to remember that "as well as" does not link words in the same ways as "and" does. The bracketed words at (B), (C), and (D) are used correctly.
DIRECTIONS: In each of the following sentences, some part or all of the sentence is {bracketed}. Below each sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the {bracketed} part. Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity, and fill in the corresponding space on your answer sheet. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
Choose the answer sheet that best expresses the meaning of the original sentence.
Answer (A) is always the same as the {bracketed} part. Choose answer (A)
if you think the original sentence needs no revision.
{Eddie was as angry as Linda was} when he discovered
that thieves had stripped her car.
(A) Eddie was as angry as Linda was
(B) Eddie had anger like Linda's
(C) Eddie's anger was like Linda was
(D) Eddie's anger was as great as Linda
(E) Eddie had an anger as great as Linda
This question tests your ability to recognize that, logically, only similar things should be compared with each other. The best choice is (A) because it compares one person with another, as logic demands. (C), (D), and (E) are incorrect answers because they compare a person with an emotion. (B) does compare one person with another, but it uses language
not ordinarily used in standard written English ("had anger" for "was angry").
· PSAT II Writing Style Questions
· IDENTIFYING SENTENCE ERRORS
Directions:
These sentences test your knowledge of grammar, usage, word choice, and idiom. Some sentences are correct. No sentence contains more than one error.
· IMPROVING SENTENCES
Directions:
In each of these type of sentences, some part or all of the sentence is underlined. Below each sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English. Choose the answer that best expresses the meaning of the original sentence.
Answer (A) is always the same as the underlined part. Choose answer (A)
if you think the original sentence needs no revision.
Example: The Dutch had been trading with Asia since the sixteenth century, their ships have visited Persia and Japan.
(A) century, their ships have visited
(B) century, while their ships had visited
(C) century, but their ships had been visiting
(D) century, when their ships visited
(E) century, where their ships were visiting
Correct answer: D
· IMPROVING PARAGRAPHS
Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure and word choice. Other questions refer to parts of the essay or the entire essay and ask you to consider organization and development. In making your decisions, follow the conventions of standard written English.
Example: (1) Barbara Hendricks had been pursuing a degree in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Nebraska with the intention of fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. (2) In 1968, however, the direction of her life changed when she decided that her
future was in singing classical music.(3) Hendricks is always enjoying music, and so her decision to change was not completely unexpected. (4) When she was a child in Stephens, Arkansas, she often sang in the Methodist church.
In context, which of the following revisions is necessary in sentence 3?
(A) Replace “Hendricks” with “she”.
(B) Replace “is always enjoying” with “had always enjoyed”.
(C) Replace “and so” with “but”.
(D) Replace “decision” with “decisions”.
(E) Replace “to change” with “of changing”.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: This question asks you to make the one necessary correction in sentence 3. Choice (B) is the correct answer because the past perfect tense “had always enjoyed” is consistent with the tenses used elsewhere in the passage.
· IDENTIFYING PARTS OF SPEECH, PHRASES, CLAUSES, AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE
· MECHANICS: Punctuation and Capitalization
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS...
1. Read over the “commonly misspelled words section” in your grammar book.
DeFINITely, ConfidENCE, etc..
2. Look over rules on plural/singular: Correct: EveryONE wants HIS book. WAITRESS’S tray
The MESSAGE at the meetings was clear.
3. Look over adjectives/adverbs: I did WELL (adv) on the test / A GOOD (adj) book
I did REALLY well on the test. (not real well)
4. As is a conjunction: I did as well as SHE (nominative form)
John looks like HIM (objective)
5. Family names are capitalized when used as a persons name:
I told Dad to give me my allowance.
My dad looks like Kevin Bacon.
6. Internal prepositions are not capitalized: A Tale of Two Cities
7. Whole (books, plays, albums, etc..) are italicized or underlined: Animal Farm
Part (song, poem, article, etc..) are quoted: “A Second Coming”
8. The following is a COMMA SPLICE (an error): I like him, however he doesn’t know.
Correct: I like him; however, he doesn’t know.
The following is a FRAGMENT: The boat that went sailing on the Adriatic Sea.
Correct: I saw the boat that went sailing on the Adriatic Sea.
9.Avoid CHOPPY sentences (too many short sentences): I am a girl. I have red hair. I go to school at Pine Crest; and MISPLACED MODIFIERS: Sailing to the south of France, the wind was frigid.
10. Don’t shift from FIRST to THIRD persons: When I ski, you can see everything at the top of the mountain.
11. Don’t repeat subjects: In Dickinson’s poetry, she often uses dashes.
Correct: Dickinson often uses dashes in her poetry.
12. THEN is an adverb: I THEN took the plunge.
THAN is a conjunction: She has more pie THAN I. (followed by nominative)
13. NON ESSENTIAL NEEDS A COMMA: I want to go to the Jane’s party, which
will be hosted by Madonna.
14. USE A COMMA AFTER THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION:
I like milk, and he likes cream. She is going to school, but he is staying home.
15. COMMAS between Dates/Years April 21, 1995 AND between city/states N.Y, N.Y
16. Use commas between two adjectives modifying a noun: hot, pungent food
17. Make sure to put ADVERBS before the words they modify.
INCORRECT: I only want the ice-cream. I will not even accept a 98%.
CORRECT: I want only the ice-cream. I will not accept even a 98%.
18. Avoid Double Negatives: She does not hardly wear make-up.
19. Look over Verb Tenses:
INCORRECT: Bill had DRANK five cups of coffee.
CORRECT: Bill had DRUNK five cups of coffee.
20. ITS=possessive (the dog has its collar on); IT’S= a contraction (it’s a nice day)
21. Numbers BELOW 100 should be written out.
INCORRECT: I have 55 pairs of jeans. I have 10 dimes.
CORRECT: I have fifty-five pairs of jeans. I have ten dimes.
SOME MORE PRACTICE:
Correct any mistakes in grammar, punctuation and usage that you find. Remember, you must CORRECT the errors, not merely identify them. You might need to rewrite parts of one or two sentences to correct errors, but most sentences do not need to be rewritten. Don't change the wording of any material in quotes. You can change punctuation inside quotes if it is incorrect. Some of the sentences might have no errors. Some have more than one error.
1. "That is a reckless charge." Bruggere said, defending himself against Smith's accusation.
2. "I'm only repeating what I read in the paper," Smith replied.
3. Bruggere said that "You need to respond with the truth if your going to respond."
4. Both candidates are millionaires. Bruggere is the founder of the software company Mentor Graphics and Smith runs his family's frozen-food business.
5. Smith emphasized his experience as Senate president and Bruggere's lack of public service. While Bruggere focused on their political differences.
6. Each of the students in J203 had written up their own one-page outline of the final feature assignment.
7. Walking down the corridors of Roosevelt School, the distinctive blare of a television commercial stands out against the normal patter of classroom noise.
8. "Politicians often dance around issues," Jim said, "but only the very best can do the macarena."
9. Taco Time, which has signed marketing agreements with the University of Florida, Willamette University and several other schools is trying to persuade college students to become loyal to their brand of fast food.
10. The worse thing you could do is forget that the rest of the questions are on the back of this page.
11. "The people here are all caught up in the Grateful Dead", she said, "If you're an outsider, you're not accepted."
12. The professor told Jasper, an Honors College applicant, that high-quality research and critical thinking was expected in the program.
13. For example, informative fliers and pamphlets, should be posted in areas of the campus where students congregate.
14. After winning the Koussevitzky Conducting Prize in 1989; Marin Alsop's status as one of America's finest young conductors was secured.
15. "I don't think its a question of belief, they believe in what they're doing," Mike Bellotti said. "The problem is we're not getting it done."
16. After the Estonian ferry capsized small rescue vessels and helicopters arrived to pick up passengers.
17. She doesn't like to admit it, but she has been an admirer of the Kennedy's since she was 13.
18. He was working at the Florida Coast Aquarium when Keiko, the star of the movie, "Free Willy," was flown from Mexico City to Florida in a United Parcel Service cargo jet.
19. If the community wants to know which toxic chemicals are in their air and water, they should vote for the ballot measure.
20. Jeremy is Mr. Aggressive in three sports. He enjoys smashing a tennis serve past his opponent, driving through defenders to reach the basket and to blast a soccer ball through a goalie's outstretched arms.
21. "The only good thing I have to say about the test," Joe said, "is that its over".