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.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Neither the surveyor's notes nor the original plan ______ the position of the boundary wall.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Neither the surveyor's notes nor the original plan ______ the position of the boundary wall.
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Answer: showsshows
With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the subject closer to it, and that subject is "the original plan", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "show" correct, which is a good way to check.With "neither ... nor" the verb agrees with the subject closer to it, and that subject is "the original plan", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "show" correct, which is a good way to check.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The museum's three ______ met weekly above a bakery.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The museum's three ______ met weekly above a bakery.
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Answer: founders — a printer, a schoolteacher and a retired sea captain —founders — a printer, a schoolteacher and a retired sea captain —
The inserted description is itself a list separated by commas, so commas around it leave the reader unable to see where the insertion ends. A matched pair of dashes marks both boundaries. A colon cannot open an insertion that the sentence then continues past.The inserted description is itself a list separated by commas, so commas around it leave the reader unable to see where the insertion ends. A matched pair of dashes marks both boundaries. A colon cannot open an insertion that the sentence then continues past.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Embedded in shale and barely two centimeters long, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Embedded in shale and barely two centimeters long, ______
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Answer: the fossil went unidentified for a century.the fossil went unidentified for a century.
An opening phrase of this kind attaches to whatever noun follows the comma, and the thing embedded in shale is the fossil. The other three put palaeontologists, a century and an identification in that position, none of which is two centimeters long.An opening phrase of this kind attaches to whatever noun follows the comma, and the thing embedded in shale is the fossil. The other three put palaeontologists, a century and an identification in that position, none of which is two centimeters long.
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?When the archivist showed the letters to the curator, ______ noticed the watermark.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
When the archivist showed the letters to the curator, ______ noticed the watermark.
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Answer: the curatorthe curator
Two people have been named, so a pronoun has two possible antecedents and the sentence stops saying who noticed. Naming one of them fixes it. The third choice is clear but changes the meaning by making both of them the subject.Two people have been named, so a pronoun has two possible antecedents and the sentence stops saying who noticed. Naming one of them fixes it. The third choice is clear but changes the meaning by making both of them the subject.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The kiln reached temperature at four in the ______ potters had been feeding it since noon the day before.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The kiln reached temperature at four in the ______ potters had been feeding it since noon the day before.
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Answer: morning; themorning; the
Both halves stand alone as sentences, so joining them with a comma alone is a splice and running them together is a fused sentence. A semicolon joins two complete sentences without a conjunction. The last choice adds a conjunction and then separates it from its own clause.Both halves stand alone as sentences, so joining them with a comma alone is a splice and running them together is a fused sentence. A semicolon joins two complete sentences without a conjunction. The last choice adds a conjunction and then separates it from its own clause.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?By the time the survey team arrived in 1954, the last of the cottages ______ empty for a decade.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
By the time the survey team arrived in 1954, the last of the cottages ______ empty for a decade.
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Answer: had stoodhad stood
The standing came before the 1954 arrival, and the past perfect is what places one past event before another. The present perfect would carry the situation up to now, and the plain past would put both events at the same moment.The standing came before the 1954 arrival, and the past perfect is what places one past event before another. The present perfect would carry the situation up to now, and the plain past would put both events at the same moment.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The apprenticeship trains bookbinders to sew signatures, to pare leather, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The apprenticeship trains bookbinders to sew signatures, to pare leather, and ______
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Answer: to tool spines in gold.to tool spines in gold.
The first two items in the list are infinitives, so the third has to be one as well. A noun phrase, a new clause and a passive construction each break the pattern the list has already set.The first two items in the list are infinitives, so the third has to be one as well. A noun phrase, a new clause and a passive construction each break the pattern the list has already set.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The three ______ testimony agreed on every detail but the time.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The three ______ testimony agreed on every detail but the time.
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Answer: witnesses'witnesses'
Three witnesses is plural, and a plural already ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s. "Witness's" is the singular possessive, "witnesses" is a plural with no possessive at all, and "witnesses's" doubles the ending.Three witnesses is plural, and a plural already ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s. "Witness's" is the singular possessive, "witnesses" is a plural with no possessive at all, and "witnesses's" doubles the ending.
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?The society published the diaries alongside the maps, though ______ had been badly damaged by damp.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
The society published the diaries alongside the maps, though ______ had been badly damaged by damp.
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Answer: the mapsthe maps
Two plural nouns have just been named, so any pronoun leaves the reader unable to tell which was damaged. Naming one resolves it, and "it" does not agree with either plural in the first place.Two plural nouns have just been named, so any pronoun leaves the reader unable to tell which was damaged. Naming one resolves it, and "it" does not agree with either plural in the first place.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Good field notes record what was seen, when it was seen, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Good field notes record what was seen, when it was seen, and ______
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Answer: where the observer stood.where the observer stood.
The first two items are clauses beginning with a question word, so the third has to match. A participle, an independent clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has already established twice.The first two items are clauses beginning with a question word, so the third has to match. A participle, an independent clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has already established twice.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Both ______ boards voted to close the line.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Both ______ boards voted to close the line.
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Answer: companies'companies'
"Both" makes the noun plural, and the plural of company is companies, which already ends in s, so the possessive takes only an apostrophe. "Company's" is the singular possessive, which contradicts "both"."Both" makes the noun plural, and the plural of company is companies, which already ends in s, so the possessive takes only an apostrophe. "Company's" is the singular possessive, which contradicts "both".
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Having been sealed since 1912, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Having been sealed since 1912, ______
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Answer: the tomb was opened by archaeologists.the tomb was opened by archaeologists.
The thing sealed since 1912 is the tomb, so the tomb has to be the subject that follows the comma. This is one of the places where the passive is the correct choice rather than a weakness: it puts the right noun in the right position.The thing sealed since 1912 is the tomb, so the tomb has to be the subject that follows the comma. This is one of the places where the passive is the correct choice rather than a weakness: it puts the right noun in the right position.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The glacier ______ about 40 meters a year since monitoring began in 1998.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The glacier ______ about 40 meters a year since monitoring began in 1998.
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Answer: has retreatedhas retreated
"Since 1998" describes a stretch of time running up to the present, and the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the retreat off in the past, and the past perfect needs a later past event to sit before."Since 1998" describes a stretch of time running up to the present, and the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the retreat off in the past, and the past perfect needs a later past event to sit before.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The recipe calls for ______ pinch is enough for six servings.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The recipe calls for ______ pinch is enough for six servings.
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Answer: saffron; asaffron; a
Each half is a complete sentence, so a comma alone splices them and no punctuation fuses them. A semicolon joins two complete sentences directly. The last choice adds a conjunction and then cuts it off from its own clause.Each half is a complete sentence, so a comma alone splices them and no punctuation fuses them. A semicolon joins two complete sentences directly. The last choice adds a conjunction and then cuts it off from its own clause.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The collection of letters, together with a set of photographs, ______ held in the county archive.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The collection of letters, together with a set of photographs, ______ held in the county archive.
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Answer: isis
The subject is "the collection", which is singular. "Of letters" and "together with a set of photographs" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "together with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically, however plural it sounds.The subject is "the collection", which is singular. "Of letters" and "together with a set of photographs" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "together with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically, however plural it sounds.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The survey covered three ______ Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The survey covered three ______ Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
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Answer: counties:counties:
A complete sentence followed by a list that specifies what it announced takes a colon. A comma is too weak to carry the announcement, a semicolon expects another complete sentence after it, and no punctuation runs the list into the clause.A complete sentence followed by a list that specifies what it announced takes a colon. A comma is too weak to carry the announcement, a semicolon expects another complete sentence after it, and no punctuation runs the list into the clause.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?All four ______ hulls were repainted before the season.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
All four ______ hulls were repainted before the season.
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Answer: boats'boats'
"All four" makes the noun plural, and a plural ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s. "Boat's" would be one boat, which contradicts the four, and "boats" alone shows no possession at all."All four" makes the noun plural, and a plural ending in s takes the apostrophe after the s. "Boat's" would be one boat, which contradicts the four, and "boats" alone shows no possession at all.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Rusted through and missing a wheel, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Rusted through and missing a wheel, ______
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Answer: the cart was accepted by the museum anyway.the cart was accepted by the museum anyway.
The thing rusted through is the cart, so the cart has to follow the comma. The other three put the museum, an act of acceptance and an empty "it" in that position, none of which is missing a wheel.The thing rusted through is the cart, so the cart has to follow the comma. The other three put the museum, an act of acceptance and an empty "it" in that position, none of which is missing a wheel.
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?After the editor met the translator, ______ sent a revised glossary.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
After the editor met the translator, ______ sent a revised glossary.
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Answer: the translatorthe translator
Two people have been named and a pronoun could refer to either, so the sentence stops saying who acted. Naming one settles it; "the person" and "that one" are no more specific than the pronoun they replace.Two people have been named and a pronoun could refer to either, so the sentence stops saying who acted. Naming one settles it; "the person" and "that one" are no more specific than the pronoun they replace.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The post calls for someone who can read a balance sheet, chair a meeting and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The post calls for someone who can read a balance sheet, chair a meeting and ______
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Answer: write clearly.write clearly.
The list runs on from "can": read, chair, and write. Each item is a bare verb, so a participle, a noun phrase or an infinitive breaks the pattern the first two items set.The list runs on from "can": read, chair, and write. Each item is a bare verb, so a participle, a noun phrase or an infinitive breaks the pattern the first two items set.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?By the time the ferry docked, the storm ______ for six hours.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
By the time the ferry docked, the storm ______ for six hours.
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Answer: had been blowinghad been blowing
The storm was already six hours old when the ferry docked, and the past perfect continuous is what places an ongoing action before a past event. The present perfect would run the storm up to now, which the docking rules out.The storm was already six hours old when the ferry docked, and the past perfect continuous is what places an ongoing action before a past event. The present perfect would run the storm up to now, which the docking rules out.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The tide was falling ______ the boat could not leave for another two hours.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The tide was falling ______ the boat could not leave for another two hours.
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Answer: , so, so
Two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction take a comma before it and nothing after. Dropping the comma runs them together, and adding a second one cuts the conjunction off from the clause it introduces.Two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction take a comma before it and nothing after. Dropping the comma runs them together, and adding a second one cuts the conjunction off from the clause it introduces.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Each of the twelve villages ______ its own water supply.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Each of the twelve villages ______ its own water supply.
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Answer: hashas
"Each" is the subject and is always singular, however many things follow it. "Of the twelve villages" is a modifier, and the singular "its" later in the sentence is a second signal pointing the same way."Each" is the subject and is always singular, however many things follow it. "Of the twelve villages" is a modifier, and the singular "its" later in the sentence is a second signal pointing the same way.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The kiln was fired for thirty hours ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The kiln was fired for thirty hours ______
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Answer: ; the potters slept in shifts.; the potters slept in shifts.
Both halves are complete sentences with no conjunction between them, which is exactly what a semicolon is for. No punctuation fuses them, a comma alone splices them, and the third choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.Both halves are complete sentences with no conjunction between them, which is exactly what a semicolon is for. No punctuation fuses them, a comma alone splices them, and the third choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?A crate of oranges ______ delivered to the shop every Tuesday.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A crate of oranges ______ delivered to the shop every Tuesday.
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Answer: isis
The subject is "a crate", which is singular; "of oranges" is a modifier and cannot change it. The plural noun sitting right before the verb is what makes the plural forms sound right.The subject is "a crate", which is singular; "of oranges" is a modifier and cannot change it. The plural noun sitting right before the verb is what makes the plural forms sound right.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The ______ in the north gallery.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The ______ in the north gallery.
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Answer: painting, which was cleaned in 1998, hangspainting, which was cleaned in 1998, hangs
A clause beginning "which" adds non-essential information and takes a comma at both ends. Closing it at one end only strands either the subject or the verb, and omitting both commas turns it into a defining clause that would need "that".A clause beginning "which" adds non-essential information and takes a comma at both ends. Closing it at one end only strands either the subject or the verb, and omitting both commas turns it into a defining clause that would need "that".
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Written in a hand nobody has identified, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Written in a hand nobody has identified, ______
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Answer: the marginal note has puzzled scholars for a century.the marginal note has puzzled scholars for a century.
The thing written in an unidentified hand is the note, so the note has to follow the comma. The last choice puts a pronoun there whose referent has not yet appeared, which leaves the phrase attached to nothing.The thing written in an unidentified hand is the note, so the note has to follow the comma. The last choice puts a pronoun there whose referent has not yet appeared, which leaves the phrase attached to nothing.
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?When the surveyor handed the report to the engineer, ______ queried the foundation depths.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
When the surveyor handed the report to the engineer, ______ queried the foundation depths.
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Answer: the engineerthe engineer
Two people appear in the clause before, so a pronoun leaves the reader unable to say who queried anything. "That one" and "the other" are no more specific; naming settles it.Two people appear in the clause before, so a pronoun leaves the reader unable to say who queried anything. "That one" and "the other" are no more specific; naming settles it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The museum ______ the collection since 1976, and it remains on permanent display.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The museum ______ the collection since 1976, and it remains on permanent display.
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Answer: has heldhas held
"Since 1976" runs from a point in the past up to the present, and the second clause confirms the situation continues, so the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the holding off before now."Since 1976" runs from a point in the past up to the present, and the second clause confirms the situation continues, so the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the holding off before now.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The grant covers travel to the archive, accommodation while working there, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The grant covers travel to the archive, accommodation while working there, and ______
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Answer: the cost of photographing documents.the cost of photographing documents.
The list is of things the grant covers, and the first two items are noun phrases. Only one choice supplies a third; the others switch to a clause or an infinitive halfway through.The list is of things the grant covers, and the first two items are noun phrases. Only one choice supplies a third; the others switch to a clause or an infinitive halfway through.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Both ______ reports were published in March.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Both ______ reports were published in March.
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Answer: committees'committees'
"Both" requires the plural committees, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Committee's" is singular and contradicts "both"."Both" requires the plural committees, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Committee's" is singular and contradicts "both".
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The frost lifted at noon ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The frost lifted at noon ______
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Answer: , but the ice on the path stayed until dusk., but the ice on the path stayed until dusk.
Both halves are complete sentences, so joining them takes a comma plus a conjunction. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the third choice ends on a conjunction with nothing following it.Both halves are complete sentences, so joining them takes a comma plus a conjunction. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the third choice ends on a conjunction with nothing following it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The list of participants, revised twice since January, ______ posted on the noticeboard.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The list of participants, revised twice since January, ______ posted on the noticeboard.
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Answer: isis
The subject is "the list", singular. "Of participants" and the clause about revision both sit between the subject and the verb without changing it.The subject is "the list", singular. "Of participants" and the clause about revision both sit between the subject and the verb without changing it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The survey found three ______ subsidence, damp and an unsupported chimney breast.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The survey found three ______ subsidence, damp and an unsupported chimney breast.
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Answer: problems:problems:
A complete clause followed by the list it announces takes a colon. A semicolon expects another complete sentence, a comma is too weak to carry the announcement, and no punctuation runs the list into the clause.A complete clause followed by the list it announces takes a colon. A semicolon expects another complete sentence, a comma is too weak to carry the announcement, and no punctuation runs the list into the clause.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?By the time the archive was cataloged in 1994, the letters ______ in the same crate for sixty years.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
By the time the archive was cataloged in 1994, the letters ______ in the same crate for sixty years.
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Answer: had sathad sat
The sitting happened before the 1994 cataloguing, and the past perfect is what places one past event before another. The present perfect would run the sitting up to the present, which the cataloguing ended.The sitting happened before the 1994 cataloguing, and the past perfect is what places one past event before another. The present perfect would run the sitting up to the present, which the cataloguing ended.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Built of local sandstone and roofed in slate, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Built of local sandstone and roofed in slate, ______
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Answer: the new library drew admiring visitors from the next county.the new library drew admiring visitors from the next county.
What is built of sandstone is the library, so the library has to follow the comma. Beginning with "it" puts a pronoun there before its referent has appeared, which leaves the phrase modifying nothing.What is built of sandstone is the library, so the library has to follow the comma. Beginning with "it" puts a pronoun there before its referent has appeared, which leaves the phrase modifying nothing.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The course teaches students to identify a rock, to describe its formation and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The course teaches students to identify a rock, to describe its formation and ______
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Answer: to date it.to date it.
The first two items are infinitives, so the third must be one too. A gerund, a noun phrase or a clause each break a pattern the sentence has already set twice.The first two items are infinitives, so the third must be one too. A gerund, a noun phrase or a clause each break a pattern the sentence has already set twice.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The ______ handwriting is almost illegible in the later volumes.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The ______ handwriting is almost illegible in the later volumes.
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Answer: diarist'sdiarist's
A single diarist keeps the volumes, so the singular possessive takes an apostrophe before the s. "Diarists" shows no possession, and the remaining forms are plural possessives, which the singular subject rules out.A single diarist keeps the volumes, so the singular possessive takes an apostrophe before the s. "Diarists" shows no possession, and the remaining forms are plural possessives, which the singular subject rules out.
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?The report cites both the 1961 study and the 1974 review, but ______ is now considered unreliable.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
The report cites both the 1961 study and the 1974 review, but ______ is now considered unreliable.
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Answer: the earlier studythe earlier study
Two works have just been named, so a pronoun leaves the reader unable to say which is unreliable. Naming one resolves it; "that" and "this one" are as ambiguous as "it".Two works have just been named, so a pronoun leaves the reader unable to say which is unreliable. Naming one resolves it; "that" and "this one" are as ambiguous as "it".
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The ferry runs only in summer ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The ferry runs only in summer ______
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Answer: ; for the rest of the year the crossing is by air.; for the rest of the year the crossing is by air.
Two complete sentences with no conjunction between them are joined by a semicolon. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the participle version trails off on a conjunction with nothing after it.Two complete sentences with no conjunction between them are joined by a semicolon. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the participle version trails off on a conjunction with nothing after it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Either the two curators or the registrar ______ to sign the loan form.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Either the two curators or the registrar ______ to sign the loan form.
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Answer: hashas
With "either... or" the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, and that is "the registrar", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "have" correct.With "either... or" the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it, and that is "the registrar", which is singular. Reversing the two nouns would make "have" correct.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The ______ a former chapel, a stable and a granary ______ were converted in 2009.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The ______ a former chapel, a stable and a granary ______ were converted in 2009.
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Answer: buildings — ... —buildings — ... —
The insertion is itself a list separated by commas, so commas around it leave the reader unable to see where it ends. A matched pair of dashes marks both boundaries. A colon cannot open an insertion the sentence then continues past.The insertion is itself a list separated by commas, so commas around it leave the reader unable to see where it ends. A matched pair of dashes marks both boundaries. A colon cannot open an insertion the sentence then continues past.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The society ______ the churchyard every spring since 1974, and it plans to continue.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The society ______ the churchyard every spring since 1974, and it plans to continue.
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Answer: has surveyedhas surveyed
"Since 1974" runs up to the present and the second clause confirms it continues, so the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the surveying off before now."Since 1974" runs up to the present and the second clause confirms it continues, so the present perfect is the tense that covers it. The plain past would close the surveying off before now.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Carved from a single block of limestone, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Carved from a single block of limestone, ______
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Answer: the font took months to complete.the font took months to complete.
What is carved from limestone is the font, so the font must follow the comma. The other three put the mason, an act of carving and an empty "it" in that position, none of which is made of stone.What is carved from limestone is the font, so the font must follow the comma. The other three put the mason, an act of carving and an empty "it" in that position, none of which is made of stone.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?A good field guide shows the bird at rest, in flight and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A good field guide shows the bird at rest, in flight and ______
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Answer: in song.in song.
The first two items are prepositional phrases, so the third must be one as well. A clause or a participle breaks a pattern the sentence has already set twice.The first two items are prepositional phrases, so the third must be one as well. A clause or a participle breaks a pattern the sentence has already set twice.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The two ______ accounts of the accident differ on the time.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The two ______ accounts of the accident differ on the time.
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Answer: witnesses'witnesses'
"Two" makes the noun plural, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Witness's" is singular and contradicts "two"."Two" makes the noun plural, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Witness's" is singular and contradicts "two".
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?The letter was found inside the atlas, and ______ has since been rebound.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
The letter was found inside the atlas, and ______ has since been rebound.
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Answer: the atlasthe atlas
Two objects have just been named and either could have been rebound, so any pronoun leaves the sentence ambiguous. Naming one settles it, and an atlas is the thing that gets rebound.Two objects have just been named and either could have been rebound, so any pronoun leaves the sentence ambiguous. Naming one settles it, and an atlas is the thing that gets rebound.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The tunnel was surveyed in 1911 ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The tunnel was surveyed in 1911 ______
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Answer: , but no plan of it survives., but no plan of it survives.
Two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction take a comma before it. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the last choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.Two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction take a comma before it. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the last choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The box of slides, along with the projector, ______ stored in the basement.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The box of slides, along with the projector, ______ stored in the basement.
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Answer: isis
The subject is "the box", singular. "Of slides" and "along with the projector" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "along with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically.The subject is "the box", singular. "Of slides" and "along with the projector" are both modifiers, and a phrase beginning "along with" adds nothing to the subject grammatically.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The expedition had one aim ______ to reach the head of the valley before the thaw.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The expedition had one aim ______ to reach the head of the valley before the thaw.
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Answer: ::
A complete clause followed by the thing it announces takes a colon. A semicolon expects a second complete sentence, and a comma is too weak to carry the announcement the clause has just made.A complete clause followed by the thing it announces takes a colon. A semicolon expects a second complete sentence, and a comma is too weak to carry the announcement the clause has just made.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?By the time the surveyors reached the summit, the cloud ______ for two hours.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
By the time the surveyors reached the summit, the cloud ______ for two hours.
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Answer: had sathad sat
The cloud was already two hours old when they arrived, and the past perfect places an ongoing situation before a past event. The present perfect would run it up to now, which the arrival rules out.The cloud was already two hours old when they arrived, and the past perfect places an ongoing situation before a past event. The present perfect would run it up to now, which the arrival rules out.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Woven from nettle fibre and dyed with woad, ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Woven from nettle fibre and dyed with woad, ______
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Answer: the cloth was dated to the Iron Age.the cloth was dated to the Iron Age.
The thing woven and dyed is the cloth, so the cloth must follow the comma. The last choice puts a pronoun there before its referent has appeared, leaving the phrase attached to nothing.The thing woven and dyed is the cloth, so the cloth must follow the comma. The last choice puts a pronoun there before its referent has appeared, leaving the phrase attached to nothing.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The fellowship covers the cost of travel, the price of materials and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The fellowship covers the cost of travel, the price of materials and ______
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Answer: the expense of accommodation.the expense of accommodation.
The first two items are noun phrases of the form "the [noun] of [noun]", so the third must match. A participle, a clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has set twice.The first two items are noun phrases of the form "the [noun] of [noun]", so the third must match. A participle, a clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has set twice.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Both ______ signatures appear at the foot of the deed.Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Both ______ signatures appear at the foot of the deed.
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Answer: brothers'brothers'
"Both" makes the noun plural, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Brother's" is singular and contradicts "both"."Both" makes the noun plural, and a plural already ending in s takes an apostrophe with nothing after it. "Brother's" is singular and contradicts "both".
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Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?The manuscript was found bound with a printed almanac, and ______ has since been conserved.Which choice completes the text so that its reference is clear?
The manuscript was found bound with a printed almanac, and ______ has since been conserved.
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Answer: the manuscriptthe manuscript
Two objects have just been named and either could have been conserved, so any pronoun leaves the sentence ambiguous. Naming one settles it.Two objects have just been named and either could have been conserved, so any pronoun leaves the sentence ambiguous. Naming one settles it.
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Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The lock gates were replaced in 1972 ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
The lock gates were replaced in 1972 ______
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Answer: ; the original elm gates are displayed in the museum.; the original elm gates are displayed in the museum.
Two complete sentences with no conjunction between them take a semicolon. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the last choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.Two complete sentences with no conjunction between them take a semicolon. A comma alone splices them, no punctuation fuses them, and the last choice ends on a conjunction with nothing after it.
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