1. College Prep Alabama English
Section Breakdown
College Prep Alabama
English
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2. English Test 5 passages with 75 questions in 45 minutes
9 minutes / passage OR 30 seconds / question
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3. Sample English
English Passage
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4. How to Test
As you read the passages, take note of mistakes that “jump out at you.” Answer these immediately.
Try to comprehend the passage as you read since some questions will pertain to sentence placement.
No skipping around on this section. Test straight through (passages 1-5).
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5. English Content No change option Redundancy Fragments/Run-ons
When can’t decide, choose shortest option.
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6. Commas Items in a series Introductory phrases
Separates two complete sentences (must have conjunction)
Sets off nonessential parts of a sentence
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7. Apostrophes: Ownership
Shows ownership (know difference between plural and possession)
Singular nouns: child’s toy
Plural nouns ending in -s: ladies’ hats
Pl. nouns not ending in –s: children’s toys
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8. Apostrophes: Contractions
Substitutes for missing letters
It is = it’s (missing 2nd i)
They are = they’re (missing a)
NOTE:
Its, it’s
Their, there, they’re
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9. Colons
Separates two complete sentences when the second sentence explains or summarizes the first.
The man did something no one else had done: he jumped off a cliff.
Introduces a list
I have three items: brush, toothpaste, and deodorant.
Introduces a quote related to the clause before it
She comforted herself with an old saying: “This too shall pass.”
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10. Semicolons Links two related complete sentences without a conjunction
Shaquille is a powerful player; his size makes him powerful on the court.
Separates items in a series if commas are too confusing
I went to Miami, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; and San Francisco, California.
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11. Semicolons
Used before a conjunctive adverb or parenthetical expression such as however, in fact, and therefore.
Pompeii was destroyed in 79 A.D.; however, many relics and human remains were preserved throughout the city.
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12. Dashes Used to set off an interruption of thought.
Ex: The concert – an imitation of the first one – was an overpriced fiasco.
Emphasizes sentence elements
Ex: Most people have one thing in common – a love for chocolate.
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