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 Printable Version
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Title - Writing and Grammar Unit - Writing and Grammar Test
By - John Foley
Primary Subject - Language Arts
Grade Level - 9-12
Unit Contents:
Writing and Grammar Test
Name______________________________
Part I. Multiple Choice. 36 points (1.5 pts each).
Circle the best answer.
1. Many grammatical errors can be avoided – and flow improved – by reading your written work aloud and listening for the sound. This is called
a) busy work;
b) writing by ear;
c) writing by feel;
d) peer editing.
2. Shorter sentences are a good idea for beginning writers because they are
a) in shorter paragraphs;
b) fragments;
c) what Hemingway wrote;
d) easier to control.
3. Words at the beginning of sentences in a piece of writing should be a) varied;
b) the same;
c) nouns;
d) verbs.
4. A phrase is a group of related words that a) function as a single part of speech;
b) are nouns;
c) has both a subject and predicate;
b) has both an adjective and adverb.
5. A clause is a group of related words that a) function as a single part of speech;
b) are verbs;
c) has both a subject and predicate;
d) has both a preposition and interjection.
6. Commas are used in all of these instances EXCEPT a) to separate items in a series;
b) to separate clauses joined by a conjunction;
c) to separate prepositional phrases;
d) to separate parenthetical phrases in a sentence.
7. The flow of writing can be improved by a) combining sentences;
b) writing run-on sentences;
c) eliminating unnecessary words;
d) both a and c.
8. Paragraphs are connected by _________________ a) declarative sentences;
b) transitions;
c) conjunctions;
d) antecedents.
9. Strong writing will include all of these EXCEPT a) vivid verbs;
b) precise descriptions;
c) many adjectives in each sentence;
d) a narrative that flows smoothly.
10. Pronouns must have _________________, which are the nouns they refer to.
a) antecedents;
b) clauses;
c) adjectives;
d) pre-nouns.
11. Attribution is necessary to show a) possession or ownership;
b) who is speaking in dialogue;
c) who is the subject of the sentence;
d) the setting of the story.
12. The kinds of sentences include all of these EXCEPT a) declarative;
b) interrogative;
c) imperative;
d) mandatory.
13. The subject is the part of a sentence a) that shows action;
b) about which something is said;
c) shows a relationship between words;
d) is a group of related words that have a theme.
14. The predicate is the part of the sentence a) about which something is said;
b) which ends it;
c) that shows action or says something about the subject;
d) that modifies a verb.
| 15. | (1) "I will always remember my first visit to Portland." |
| | (2) "My first visit to Portland will always be memorable to me." |
a) 2 is better because you should avoid starting sentences with "I";
b) 1 is better because it uses the active voice and is therefore more vigorous;
c) 2 is better because the passive voice is more creative;
d) either sentence is fine.
16. The topic sentence a) tells readers what the paragraph is about;
b) provides supporting details;
c) connects one paragraph to another;
d) presents a picture of a person, place or thing.
17. Types of paragraphs include all of these EXCEPT a) expository;
b) descriptive;
c) persuasive;
d) classified.
18. Writing should be a) ambiguous;
b) clear;
c) heavily modified;
d) clichéd.
19. A closing sentence in a paragraph a) always ends the essay;
b) can link to the next paragraph;
c) can review the subject of the sentence;
d) both b & c.
20. A sentence with one independent clause and no dependent clauses is a) simple;
b) compound;
c) complex;
d) compound-complex.
21. Dialogue is a) characters talking in a story;
b) the same as narrative;
c) sentence fragments;
d) complex attribution.
22. An apostrophe is used for all these reasons EXCEPT a) to form some plurals;
b) to show possession;
c) to form contractions;
d) to indicate dialogue.
23. A complex sentence will have a) one independent clause only;
b) two independent clauses.
c) two simple phrases;
d) one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
24. An expository paragraph will primarily a) persuade;
b) tell a story;
c) inform;
d) describe.
Part II. Matching. 36 points (2 pts each).
Match the term at left with its definition.
| __1. Noun | | a. | Often follows an interjection; shows strong feelings |
| __2. Question mark | | b. | Indicates an explanation follows; introduces lists, etc. |
| __3. Verb | | c. | Used to emphasize a point – can also set off explanations |
| __4. Comma | | d. | Connects related ideas in a sentence; very useful |
| __5. Preposition | | e. | Part of speech that shows surprise or strong feeling |
| __6. Semicolon | | f. | Used in place of a noun |
| __7. Conjunction | | g. | Indicates dialogue; word-for-word; emphasis
| | __8. Adverb | | h. | Modifies a noun or pronoun
| | __9. Exclamation Point | | i. | A word that shows action or being
| | __10. Adjective | | j. | A person, place, thing or idea
| | __11. Pronoun | | k. | Shows a relationship between words in a sentence
| | __12. Period | | m. | Used following an inquiry
| | __13. Ellipsis | | n. | Used to show possession or missing letters in contractions
| | __14. Interjection | | o. | Indicates a pause or missing words
| | __15. Colon | | p. | Separates clauses, items in a series – a pause
| | __16. Quotation Marks | | r. | Placed at the end of a sentence
| | __17. Apostrophes. | | s. | Modifies a verb, adjective or an adverb
| | __18. Dash | | t. | Part of speech that connects words, sentences, phrases, etc. |
Part III. Comma usage. 10 points (1 pt. each).
Indicate the reason commas are used:
A. To separate the elements in a series.
B. To connect two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
C. To set off introductory elements.
D. To set off parenthetical elements.
__1. Once the rain washed the air clean, we could smell the piney woods.
__2. She threw the rocks hard, fast, accurately and with delight.
__3. He walked the transit center, and decided to board the next bus and see where he ended up.
__4. Rossellini Bridge, which spans Lake Washington, is the longest floating bridge in the world.
__5. After jumping out of the plane, Alex spread his arms and tried to enjoy the free fall.
__6. The cat was grumpy, lazy, demanding, gluttonous and hairy.
__7. Paul Newman, the late actor, was also a race car driver and philanthropist.
__8. On the way to Mount St. Helen’s, they stopped and purchased some binoculars.
__9. She road her bicycle to work, but swimming was her favorite form of exercise.
__10. The Redwoods, majestically soaring into the clouds, were the highlight of the vacation.
Part IV. Punctuation. 18 points.
Punctuate the following passage. You will use periods, commas, question marks, semicolons, exclamation points, quotation marks, dashes and apostrophes.
Note: "Expotition" is intentionally misspelled by author A.A. Milne; he was having fun, showing how youngsters might mistakenly spell Expedition -- a journey of discovery.
Hint: Many lines are dialogue and thus include quotation marks.
Each line is worth 1 point; you will get 0 points, ½ point or 1 point per line.
Oh Piglet said Pooh excitedly we re going on an Expotition all of us with things to eat To discover something
To discover what asked Piglet anxiously
Oh just something
Nothing fierce
Christopher Robin didn t say anything about fierce He just said it had an x
It isn t their necks I mind said Piglet earnestly It s their teeth But if Christopher Robin is coming I don t mind anything
In a little while they were all ready at the top of the Forest and the Expotition started First came Christopher Robin and Rabbit then Piglet and Pooh then Kanga with Roo in her pocket and Owl then Eeyore and at the end in a long line all Rabbit s friends and relations
I didn t ask them explained Rabbit carelessly They just came They always do They can march at the end after Eeyore
What I say said Eeyore is that it s unsettling I didn t want to come on this what Pooh said I only came to oblige But here I am and if I am the end of the Expo what we re talking about then let me be the end But if every time I want to sit down for a little rest I have to brush away half a dozen of Rabbit s smaller friends and relations first then this isn t an Expo whatever it is at all it s simply a Confused Noise That s what I say
E-Mail John Foley!
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