English Conventions practice questions
Sentence boundaries, punctuation, agreement, verb tense, modifiers, and possessives. Find the subject and the main verb first; most errors here are visible the moment those two are identified.
English Conventions questions
- 1Subject-verb agreementFoundation
The collection of early maps _____ stored in a climate-controlled room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awere
- Bis
- Chave
- Dare
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: is
The subject is "collection," which is singular. The phrase "of early maps" modifies collection and does not change the verb to plural.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 2PunctuationFoundation
The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. Participants should bring the following _____ a notebook and a pencil. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A.
- B;
- C,
- D:
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause that introduces a list, so a colon is the correct punctuation.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 3ModifiersStandard
_____ across the bridge, the hikers saw a heron standing near the water. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AThere was walking
- BWalking
- CThe bridge was walked
- DA heron walked
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Walking
The opening modifier must clearly describe the hikers, the subject of the main clause. "Walking" creates that direct and logical connection.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 4Pronoun clarityFoundation
When Maya spoke with Elena about the exhibit, Maya showed Elena _____ revised sketch. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ashe
- BMaya's
- Cher
- Dtheir
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Maya's
Using Maya's name makes ownership clear. "Her" could refer to either Maya or Elena, and the other choices do not fit grammatically or clearly.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 5Sentence boundariesStandard
The seed library lends packets to residents. _____ it also offers short classes on saving seeds. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AAlso,
- BAlso
- C; also,
- D, also
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Also,
"Also" introduces the second independent clause and is followed by a comma. The other choices create a comma splice or incorrect punctuation.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 6Verb tenseFoundation
By the time the concert began, the volunteers _____ every chair in the hall. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aarrange
- Bhad arranged
- Cwill arrange
- Dare arranging
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: had arranged
The arranging was completed before another past event, the concert's beginning. The past perfect "had arranged" shows that sequence.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 7PunctuationStandard
The recipe requires three common ingredients _____ flour, water, and salt. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A, and
- B;
- C-
- D:
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause that introduces a list, so a colon is the correct punctuation.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 8Parallel structureStandard
The internship asks students to research a question, to draft a proposal, and _____ their findings. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Apresenting
- Bto present
- Cthey present
- Dpresent
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: to present
The series uses infinitives: "to research," "to draft," and "to present." Matching that form creates parallel structure.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 9Subject-verb agreementStandard
Neither the lamps nor the ceiling fan _____ working after the storm. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awas
- Bhave been
- Care
- Dwere
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: was
With "neither...nor," the verb generally agrees with the nearer subject. "Ceiling fan" is singular, so "was" is correct in this past-time sentence.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 10PossessivesFoundation
The two _____ research appears in the journal's spring issue. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ascientist's'
- Bscientists
- Cscientist's
- Dscientists'
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: scientists'
The research belongs to two scientists, so a plural possessive is needed: plural "scientists" followed by an apostrophe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 11Sentence boundariesStandard
The chef tested the sauce several times _____ the final version used less salt. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A:
- B;
- C, and
- D. Therefore,
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: , and
The sentence contains two independent clauses. A comma followed by "and" joins them correctly: the chef tested the sauce, and the final version used less salt.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 12PunctuationFoundation
The kit contains everything a beginner needs _____ a cutting mat, two brushes, and a small jar of glue. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A'
- B:
- C, and
- D;
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause that introduces a list, and a colon is the punctuation used to introduce a list after a complete clause.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 13Verb tenseStandard
Since the observatory opened in 2018, more than forty thousand visitors _____ through its doors. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ahave passed
- Bwere passing
- Cwill pass
- Dpassed
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: have passed
"Since" describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present, which is what the present perfect "have passed" expresses.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 14ModifiersStandard
_____, the recipe calls for the dough to rest for an hour. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AAfter the flour and water are combined
- BHaving combined the flour and water
- CCombining the flour and water
- DAfter combining the flour and water
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: After the flour and water are combined
The subject of the main clause is "the recipe," which cannot combine anything. Only the choice with its own subject and verb avoids attaching the action to the recipe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 15PunctuationStandard
The archivist _____ who had catalogued the collection for eleven years, retired in the spring. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A,
- B-
- C;
- D:
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: ,
"Who had catalogued the collection for eleven years" is a nonessential clause, and a nonessential clause is set off by a pair of commas. The closing comma is already in place.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 16Subject-verb agreementStandard
Each of the three proposals _____ a different approach to funding the repairs. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ahave described
- Bdescribes
- Cdescribe
- Dwere describing
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: describes
The subject is "each," which is singular and takes a singular verb. The phrase "of the three proposals" does not change the number of the subject.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 17Pronoun clarityStandard
The museum returned the fossil to the university because _____ had documented its discovery site. Which choice completes the sentence so that its meaning is clear and it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athe university
- Bthe institution
- Cthey
- Dit
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: the university
Two singular nouns precede the blank, so a pronoun would leave the reference ambiguous. Naming the university makes the sentence clear.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 18Parallel structureStandard
The apprenticeship trains carpenters to read plans, to select timber, and _____ their own joints. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ato cut
- Bfor cutting
- Ccutting
- Dthey cut
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: to cut
The first two items in the list use the infinitive form, so the third must match: to read, to select, to cut.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 19Sentence boundariesStandard
The tide pools are easiest to reach at dawn _____ the water is lowest then and the rocks are least slippery. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aand,
- B,
- C;
- Dwhich
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: ;
Both halves are complete sentences. A semicolon joins them correctly, while a comma alone would create a comma splice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 20PossessivesFoundation
The _____ nesting sites are monitored each spring by a team of volunteers. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aheron's
- Bherons'
- Cherons
- Dherons's
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: herons'
More than one heron shares the sites, so the plural possessive is required: the plural "herons" followed by an apostrophe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 21Verb tenseFoundation
Last summer the crew _____ the trail markers before the first hikers arrived. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Areplace
- Bhad replaced
- Cwill replace
- Dhave replaced
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: had replaced
Both events are in the past, and the replacing finished before the hikers arrived. The past perfect "had replaced" marks the earlier of two past actions.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 22ModifiersChallenge
The curator described the vase, _____ in a market outside the city, as the collection's most puzzling object. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awhich had been found
- Bfinding it
- Cand found it
- Dhaving found it
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: which had been found
The modifier describes the vase, not the curator. A relative clause beginning with "which" attaches to the noun it follows; the participial choices would make the curator the one doing the finding.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 23PunctuationStandard
The festival features three kinds of performance _____ music, dance, and spoken word. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A-,
- B:
- C,
- D;
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause introducing a list, which is exactly where a colon belongs.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 24Subject-verb agreementChallenge
Neither the director nor the two producers _____ willing to comment before the premiere. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awere
- Bis
- Chas been
- Dwas
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: were
With "neither ... nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The two producers" is plural and sits closest to the verb, so the plural "were" is correct.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 25Verb tenseStandard
By the time the results are published next spring, the team _____ the experiment three times. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ahad repeated
- Bhas repeated
- Cwill have repeated
- Drepeated
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: will have repeated
The repetitions will be complete before a future moment, which is what the future perfect expresses. The past forms place the action before now rather than before next spring.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 26ModifiersStandard
Restored over three winters by a team of volunteers, _____ now draws visitors from across the county. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athe windmill
- Bthe restoration
- Cvisiting it
- Dthey
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: the windmill
The opening phrase describes whatever noun follows the comma, and only the windmill can have been restored over three winters. The volunteers, the restoration, and a gerund phrase all break that link.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 27PunctuationStandard
The survey covered three districts _____ Ashfield, Bexley, and Carlow _____ over a period of six weeks. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A; and ;
- B, and ,
- C: and :
- D— and —
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: — and —
A list inserted inside a sentence that already contains commas is set off by a pair of dashes. A second pair of commas would make the sentence impossible to parse.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 28Sentence boundariesFoundation
The kiln reached temperature overnight _____ the glaze had still not melted by morning. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Abut
- B,
- Cwhich
- Dand then
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: but
Both halves are complete sentences with contrasting content, so a coordinating conjunction joins them. A comma alone would create a comma splice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 29Pronoun clarityStandard
The archive lent three manuscripts to the university, and _____ were returned within a month. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athem
- Bthese ones
- Cthey
- Dit
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: they
The subject of the second clause is plural and performs no action on anything, so it takes the plural subject pronoun "they". "Them" is an object form and cannot be the subject.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 30Subject-verb agreementStandard
There _____ a bench and two lamps along the far wall of the reading room. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ais
- Bwas
- Care
- Dhas been
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: are
In a sentence beginning with "there", the verb agrees with what follows it. The compound subject "a bench and two lamps" is plural, so the plural verb is correct.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 31PossessivesChallenge
The society published _____ findings alongside two other _____ reports. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ait's ... societies
- Bits ... society's
- Cits ... societies'
- Dit's ... societies'
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: its ... societies'
The first blank needs the possessive "its", which takes no apostrophe; "it's" means "it is". The second refers to reports belonging to more than one society, which is the plural possessive "societies'".
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 32Parallel structureStandard
The course covers reading maps, estimating distances, and _____ a compass. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ausing
- Buse of
- Chow to use
- Dto use
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: using
The first two items are gerunds, so the third must be one too: reading, estimating, using.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 33PunctuationStandard
The museum acquired three works this year _____ a drawing, a woodcut, and a small bronze. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A,
- B'
- C;
- D:
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause introducing a list, which is where a colon belongs.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 34Subject-verb agreementStandard
A row of tall poplars _____ the northern edge of the field. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awere marking
- Bmark
- Chave marked
- Dmarks
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: marks
The subject is "row", which is singular; "of tall poplars" is a modifier and cannot change the verb, even though "poplars" sits closest to it.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 35Verb tenseChallenge
By the time the inspectors arrive next week, the workshop _____ its safety review. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ahas completed
- Bwill have completed
- Chad completed
- Dcompleted
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: will have completed
The review will be finished before a stated future moment, which is exactly what the future perfect expresses. The past forms place it before now instead.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 36ModifiersStandard
_____, the recipe becomes much easier to follow. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AHaving weighed the ingredients in advance
- BWeighing the ingredients in advance
- COnce the ingredients are weighed in advance
- DTo weigh the ingredients in advance
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Once the ingredients are weighed in advance
The main clause's subject is "the recipe", which cannot weigh anything. Only the choice with its own subject and verb avoids attaching the action to the recipe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 37Parallel structureStandard
The programme trains guides to identify birdsong, to read tide tables, and _____ visitors safely across the mudflats. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athey lead
- Bleading
- Cto lead
- Dfor leading
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: to lead
The first two items use the infinitive, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to lead.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 38Sentence boundariesStandard
The path floods every spring _____ the council has never closed it. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awhich
- B,
- Cand then
- Dyet
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: yet
Both halves are complete sentences standing in contrast, so a coordinating conjunction joins them. A comma alone would create a splice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 39PossessivesStandard
The three _____ signatures appear at the foot of the agreement. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awitnesses
- Bwitness's
- Cwitnesses's
- Dwitnesses'
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: witnesses'
"Three" fixes the number: the signatures belong to more than one witness, so the plural possessive applies — plural "witnesses" followed by an apostrophe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 40Pronoun clarityChallenge
The foundation awarded the grant to the trust because _____ had already surveyed the site. Which choice completes the sentence so that its meaning is clear and it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athey
- Bit
- Cthe trust
- Dthe organisation
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: the trust
Two singular nouns precede the blank, so any pronoun would be ambiguous. Naming the trust is clumsy and correct, which is the trade this rule always makes.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 41PunctuationStandard
The expedition carried supplies for six weeks _____ flour, dried fish, and lamp oil. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A;
- B:
- C,
- D'
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause introducing a list, which is where a colon belongs.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 42Subject-verb agreementChallenge
Neither the two curators nor the director _____ seen the newly acquired painting. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awere
- Bhave
- Care
- Dhas
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: has
With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the nearer subject. "The director" is singular and sits closest, so the singular "has" is correct — the reverse of the usual case, where the plural is nearer.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 43Verb tenseStandard
The kiln had cooled for six hours before the potters _____ the door. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awill open
- Bopen
- Chave opened
- Dopened
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: opened
The cooling is already marked as earlier with the past perfect "had cooled", so the later past action takes the simple past.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 44ModifiersChallenge
_____, the survey results were far more consistent than expected. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AOnce the responses were weighted by region
- BHaving weighted the responses by region
- CWeighting the responses by region
- DTo weight the responses by region
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Once the responses were weighted by region
The main clause's subject is "the survey results", which cannot weight anything. Only the clause with its own subject and verb avoids attaching the weighting to the results.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 45Parallel structureStandard
The apprenticeship involves shadowing a technician, keeping a daily log, and _____ a final assessment. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Ato sit
- Bfor sitting
- Cthey sit
- Dsitting
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: sitting
The first two items are gerunds, so the third must match: shadowing, keeping, sitting.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 46Sentence boundariesStandard
The bridge was rebuilt in 1978 _____ the original stone piers were kept. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aand then
- Bwhich
- Cbut
- D,
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: but
Both halves are complete sentences standing in mild contrast, so a coordinating conjunction joins them. A comma alone would be a splice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 47PossessivesStandard
The two _____ accounts of the same night differ in several details. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awitnesses
- Bwitnesses's
- Cwitnesses'
- Dwitness's
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: witnesses'
"Two" fixes the number: the accounts belong to more than one witness, so the plural possessive applies — plural "witnesses" followed by an apostrophe.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 48Pronoun clarityChallenge
The archive lent the diary to the museum because _____ had the equipment to display it safely. Which choice completes the sentence so that its meaning is clear and it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athey
- Bthe institution
- Cthe museum
- Dit
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: the museum
Two singular nouns precede the blank, so any pronoun would be ambiguous. Naming the museum is the clear choice, clumsy as repetition can feel.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 49PunctuationStandard
The workshop covers three techniques _____ throwing, trimming, and glazing. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A'
- B:
- C;
- D,
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: :
The words before the blank form a complete clause introducing a list, which is where a colon belongs.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 50Subject-verb agreementStandard
Each of the four proposals _____ a different timetable for the work. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aset out
- Bsets out
- Cwere setting out
- Dhave set out
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: sets out
"Each" is singular and takes a singular verb; "of the four proposals" is a modifier that cannot change it.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 51Verb tenseStandard
Since the footpath was resurfaced, walker numbers _____ steadily. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Awere rising
- Brose
- Chave risen
- Dwill rise
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: have risen
"Since" marks a change that began in the past and continues, which is what the present perfect expresses.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 52ModifiersChallenge
_____, the report reads far more clearly than the earlier draft. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- AHaving renumbered the tables
- BRenumbering the tables
- CNow that the tables have been renumbered
- DTo renumber the tables
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: Now that the tables have been renumbered
The main clause's subject is "the report", which cannot renumber anything. Only the clause with its own subject and verb avoids attaching the action to the report.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 53Parallel structureStandard
The course teaches students to identify rock types, to read a geological map, and _____ a field notebook. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Afor keeping
- Bthey keep
- Ckeeping
- Dto keep
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: to keep
The first two items are infinitives, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to keep.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 54Sentence boundariesStandard
The mill closed in 1974 _____ its water wheel still turns for visitors. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- A,
- Bwhich
- Cand then
- Dyet
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: yet
Both halves are complete sentences standing in contrast, so a coordinating conjunction joins them; a comma alone would create a splice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 55PossessivesStandard
The four _____ instruments are stored in a single case. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Aplayers
- Bplayer's
- Cplayers's
- Dplayers'
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: players'
"Four" fixes the number: the instruments belong to more than one player, so the plural possessive applies.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill. - 56Pronoun clarityChallenge
The gallery lent the sculpture to the college because _____ had a courtyard large enough to show it. Which choice completes the sentence so that its meaning is clear and it conforms to Standard English conventions?
- Athe college
- Bthe institution
- Cit
- Dthey
Show the answer and explanationHide the explanation
Answer: the college
Two singular nouns precede the blank, so a pronoun would be ambiguous. Naming the college is the clear choice.
How did you do?Saved in this browser. Weak Skills will replay this skill.
SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which does not endorse this study guide.