home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- NEW SET
- A
- Indicate whether each sentence below:
-
- (A) contains an error in diction (word use)
- (B) is wordy or contains unjustifiable repetition of ideas
- (C) contains a mixed metaphor or cliche
- (D) contains an error in sentence structure or grammar
- (E) is correct (contains no error)
- next
- 1
- 1. For hundreds of years, Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES has been a source of
- inspiration for writers from all over the world.
- next
- e
- 0
- 2
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 2
- (E) This sentence is correct.
- next
- 2
- 2. COSMOPOLITAN is a monthly magazine geared or targeted towards what the
- editors would term "the modern woman."
- next
- b
- 0
- 3
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 3
- (B) The phrase "geared or targeted" is repetitious.
- next
- 3
- 3. The first Emily Dickinson poem I ever learned was entitled "I'm
- Nobody, Who Are You?"
- next
- e
- 0
- 4
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 4
- (E) This sentence is correct.
- next
- 4
- 4. Whenever I go to the movies--about twice a month now, I suppose, I
- purchase a large container of popcorn and a small cup of soda.
- next
- d
- 0
- 5
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 5
- (D) After "suppose" a second dash (--) is required, not a comma.
- next
- 5
- 5. He promised that in the future he would attend to the plumbing, caulk
- all the windows and that he would fix all the defective electrical
- outlets.
- next
- d
- 0
- 6
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 6
- (D) "That he would" should be omitted to maintain parallel verb structure.
- next
- 6
- 6. After all of the soccer team's equipment was stolen from the van, the
- coach was a sadder but wiser man.
- next
- c
- 0
- 7
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 7
- (C) The phrase "sadder but wiser" is a cliche.
- next
- 7
- 7. Although she is only fifteen years old, my cousin is going to enter
- college next semester because she is very bright and intelligent.
- next
- b
- 0
- 8
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 8
- (B) "Bright and intelligent" is a redundant phrase.
- next
- 8
- 8. There's an old saying, "Music hath the charm to soothe the savage
- beast," I'm not sure this applies to rock music.
- next
- d
- 0
- B
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- B
- (D) A period or semicolon is needed to correct the comma splice error.
- next
- NEW SET
- B
- Indicate whether each sentence below:
-
- (A) contains an error in diction (word use)
- (B) is wordy or contains unjustifiable repetition of ideas
- (C) contains a mixed metaphor or cliche
- (D) contains an error in sentence structure or grammar
- (E) is correct (contains no error)
- next
- 1
- 9. "If I slipped on a banana peel, you'd probably laugh like hyenas,"
- said the teacher to her class of sixth graders.
- next
- c
- 0
- 2
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 2
- (C) "Laugh like hyenas" is a cliche.
- next
- 2
- 10. I understood that you feel he is the very most special person in the
- group; after all, he is your best friend.
- next
- b
- 0
- 3
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 3
- (B) The sentence is wordy; "very" is not needed to modify "most special."
- next
- 3
- 11. Due to severe budget cuts at my local library, the children's reading
- room is open only three afternoons a week.
- next
- a
- 0
- 4
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 4
- (A) Substitute "Because of" for "Due to."
- next
- 4
- 12. When my brother's nephew first visted New York City many years ago,
- he was as innocent as a new-born babe.
- next
- c
- 0
- 5
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 5
- (C) "Innocent as a new-born babe" is a cliche.
- next
- 5
- 13. There were so many different dictionary's in the bookstore that I
- didn't know which one to purchase.
- next
- d
- 0
- 6
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 6
- (D) The plural "dictionaries," not the possessive, is required.
- next
- 6
- 14. There really are an awful number of errors on this page.
- next
- a
- 0
- 7
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- 7
- (A) The word "awful" is incorrect; the phrase "a great many" is much
- preferred.
- next
- 7
- 15. I like to drink coffee, but never after nine o'clock in the evening.
- next
- e
- 0
- C
- Correct.
- next
- wrong answer explanation
- C
- (E) This sentence is correct.
- end