1. Standardized Test Prep
Grammar and Usage
Grammar and Usage: Section 1
Grammar and Usage: Section 2
Handout

2. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: Read the paragraph below. On the following slides, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
The platypus is __1__ very unusual mammal. It __2__ external ears, __3__ feet are webbed, and it has thick fur. A broad tail and a fleshy bill __4_ to the platypus’s odd appearance. Platypuses use __5__ bills to catch water worms and insects. Besides having a bill like a duck’s, a platypus is __6__ like a bird than a mammal in another important way. Like a duck, the platypus __7__ eggs. The mother deposits __8__ in a nest, __9__ she has dug in a riverbank. If you get to Australia, you may see a platypus making its nest __10__ a burrow.

3. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
1. (A) an
(B) a
(C) the
(D) some
The platypus is __1__ very unusual mammal. It __2__ external ears, __3__ feet are webbed, and it has thick fur. A broad tail and a fleshy bill __4_ to the platypus’s odd appearance. Platypuses use __5__ bills to catch water worms and insects.
2. (A) don’t have no
(B) doesn’t have no
(C) has any
(D) has no

4. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
3. (A) its
(B) it’s
(C) its’
(D) their
The platypus is __1__ very unusual mammal. It __2__ external ears, __3__ feet are webbed, and it has thick fur. A broad tail and a fleshy bill __4_ to the platypus’s odd appearance. Platypuses use __5__ bills to catch water worms and insects.
4. (A) adds
(B) add
(C) added
(D) adding

5. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
5. (A) its
(B) it’s
(C) they’re
(D) their
The platypus is __1__ very unusual mammal. It __2__ external ears, __3__ feet are webbed, and it has thick fur. A broad tail and a fleshy bill __4_ to the platypus’s odd appearance. Platypuses use __5__ bills to catch water worms and insects.

6. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
6. (A) more
(B) most
(C) mostly
(D) least
Besides having a bill like a duck’s, a platypus is __6__ like a bird than a mammal in another important way. Like a duck, the platypus __7__ eggs. The mother deposits __8__ in a nest, __9__ she has dug in a riverbank. If you get to Australia, you may see a platypus making its nest __10__ a burrow.
7. (A) lays
(B) lies
(C) is lying
(D) has lain

7. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
8. (A) it
(B) they
(C) them
(D) their
Besides having a bill like a duck’s, a platypus is __6__ like a bird than a mammal in another important way. Like a duck, the platypus __7__ eggs. The mother deposits __8__ in a nest, __9__ she has dug in a riverbank. If you get to Australia, you may see a platypus making its nest __10__ a burrow.
9. (A) which
(B) it
(C) who
(D) whom

8. Grammar and Usage: Section 1
DIRECTIONS: For each numbered blank, select the word or word group that best completes the sentence.
10. (A) inside of
(B) outside of
(C) a ways from
(D) inside
Besides having a bill like a duck’s, a platypus is __6__ like a bird than a mammal in another important way. Like a duck, the platypus __7__ eggs. The mother deposits __8__ in a nest, __9__ she has dug in a riverbank. If you get to Australia, you may see a platypus making its nest __10__ a burrow.
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9. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
EXAMPLE
1. The chopsticks that my aunt sent us made of bamboo.
(A) The chopsticks that my aunt sent us made of bamboo.
(B) The chopsticks that my aunt sent us are made of bamboo.
(C) The chopsticks are made of bamboo, that my aunt sent us.
(D) That my aunt sent us chopsticks made of bamboo.
(B) The chopsticks that my aunt sent us are made of bamboo.

10. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
1. Don’t buy none of that ripe fruit if you don’t plan to eat it soon.
(A) Don’t buy none of that ripe fruit if you don’t plan to eat it soon.
(B) Do buy none of that ripe fruit if you don’t plan to eat it soon.
(C) Don’t buy none of that ripe fruit if you do plan to eat it soon.
(D) Don’t buy any of that ripe fruit if you don’t plan to eat it soon.

11. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
2. The study group meeting in the library on Wednesday?
(A) The study group meeting in the library on Wednesday?
(B) The study group that will be meeting in the library on Wednesday?
(C) Is the study group meeting in the library on Wednesday?
(D) Will the study group meeting in the library on Wednesday?

12. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
3. Some visitors to the park enjoy rock climbing others prefer kayaking.
(A) climbing others prefer kayaking
(B) climbing, others prefer kayaking
(C) climbing, others, who prefer kayaking
(D) climbing, and others prefer kayaking

13. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
4. Martin prepares the salad, Justine sets the table.
(A) prepares the salad, Justine sets the table
(B) prepares the salad, and Justine sets the table
(C) prepares the salad Justine sets the table
(D) preparing the salad, and Justine sets the table

14. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
5. Many Cherokee now live in Oklahoma, but this area were not their original home.
(A) this area were not their original home
(B) this area was not their original home
(C) this area was not they’re original home
(D) this area were not they’re original home

15. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
6. Pulling weeds in the garden, a tiny toad was discovered by Ernie.
(A) Pulling weeds in the garden, a tiny toad was discovered by Ernie.
(B) A tiny toad was discovered pulling weeds in the garden by Ernie.
(C) While pulling weeds in the garden, a tiny toad was discovered by Ernie.
(D) Pulling weeds in the garden, Ernie discovered a tiny toad.

16. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
7. Will rehearse together for the class play.
(A) Will rehearse together for the class play.
(B) Will be rehearsing together for the class play.
(C) We will rehearse together for the class play.
(D) Because we will rehearse together for the class play.

17. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
8. Some people are more afraider of snakes than of any other kind of animal.
(A) more afraider
(B) afraider
(C) more afraid
(D) most afraid

18. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
9. Several important African kingdoms developed between Lake Chad and the Atlantic Ocean.
(A) Several important African kingdoms developed between Lake Chad and the Atlantic Ocean.
(B) Several important African kingdoms that developed between Lake Chad and the Atlantic Ocean.
(C) Several important African kingdoms between Lake Chad and the Atlantic Ocean.
(D) Several important African kingdoms developing between Lake Chad and the Atlantic ocean.

19. Grammar and Usage: Section 2
DIRECTIONS: Using the rules of formal, standard English, choose the revision that most clearly expresses the meaning of the underlined part of each item. If there is no error, choose A.
10. The singer waved to some people he knew in the audience from the stage.
(A) The singer waved to some people he knew in the audience from the stage.
(B) The singer waved to some people from the stage he knew in the audience.
(C) The singer waved to some people from the stage in the audience he knew.
(D) The singer waved from the stage to some people he knew in the audience.

20. The End