Deck 6: Expanding Language Skills

Question 1

Explain the differences between the three types of conjunctions. Illustrate each type with an example.

Answer 1

Students' answers will vary.
a) Coordinating conjunctions connect only like elements of grammar: two or more words, two or more phrases, or two or more clauses. The four coordinating conjunctions are "and," "but," "or," and "nor." For example, Pepperoni and beef are on your pizza. (The conjunction "and" connects two words, pepperoni and beef.)
b) Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that are used together to link like elements. Some common correlative conjunctions are "both…and," "either…or," and "not only…but also." For example, Jack will work on our electrical system either during the week or during the weekend. (Two phrases, during the week and during the weekend, are joined.)
c) Subordinating conjunctions join clauses of unequal rank. A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate, or dependent, clause and connects it to a main, or independent, clause. Some common subordinating conjunctions are "until," "since," "if," "whenever," and "before." For example, "You should submit a $200 deposit if you plan to go to London with our group." (The subordinating conjunction "if" introduces the subordinate clause "If you plan to go to London with our group" and connects this clause to the main clause.)

Question 2

What are the two major conjunction pitfalls?

Answer 2

Students' answers will vary. There are two major conjunction pitfalls:
a) Choosing a conjunction that does not accurately convey the meaning intended. Common errors within this pitfall are with regard to using "but" or "and"; using "who," "which," or "that"; using "since" or "because" instead of "being that"; and using "the reason is that" or "pretend that."
b) Choosing a preposition when a conjunction is needed. Common errors within this pitfall are with regard to using "without," "except," and "unless"; or "as," "as if," "as though," and not "like."

Question 3

Explain how parallel structure in writing can be followed with coordinating conjunctions and with correlative conjunctions. Illustrate each one with an example.

Answer 3

Students' answers will vary. Observing the rules of parallel structure will provide balance to your writing. Parallel structure expresses parallel ideas in parallel form.
a) Coordinating conjunctions connect like elements: an adjective with an adjective, a prepositional phrase with a prepositional phrase, and so on. Therefore, make sure that the elements before and after a coordinating conjunction match. For example, "Our security system is checked carefully and regularly." (An adverb, "carefully," appears before the coordinating conjunction "and"; therefore, the adverb "regularly" should follow "and.")
b) To achieve parallelism with correlative conjunctions, simply make sure that the element that follows the first conjunction is the same part of speech as the element that follows the second conjunction. For example, "Katie wants either Adam or me to select the carpet for the reception area." (The elements that follow "either . . . or" are the noun "Adam" and a pronoun "me." Nouns and pronouns are considered like elements because pronouns are substitutes for nouns. Thus the phrase "either Adam or me" is parallel.)

Question 4

Descriptive adjectives can be compared. Name and define the three forms of comparison, providing examples for each.

Question 5

What is the significance of idiomatic usage in the English language? Mention the idiomatic expressions that are often misused.

Question 6

Describe three pitfalls of using prepositions. Explain with examples.

Question 7

With the help of examples, differentiate between possessive adjectives and limiting adjectives.

Question 8

Explain the difference between an adjective and an adverb.

Question 9

Explain adverbial clauses. Illustrate with examples.

Question 10

Discuss any two pitfalls of adverb use? Illustrate with examples.

Question 11

Pairs of conjunctions that are regularly used together to connect like elements are called _____ conjunctions.

Question 12

The phrase "in order that" is an example of a(n) _____ conjunction.

Question 13

The noun or pronoun that follows the preposition in a phrase is the _____ of the preposition.

Question 14

Through years of use, certain expressions have come to be considered "correct" even though there may be no rule or logical reason to make them so. Such usage, called _____, governs many expressions in our language.

Question 15

Possessive personal pronouns are possessive _____ that modify nouns.

Question 16

The most commonly used adjectives are _____ adjectives. These adjectives tell "what kind of."

Question 17

Two or more words used together to modify one noun or pronoun form a(n) _____ adjective.

Question 18

Conjunctive adverbs join two _____ clauses.

Question 19

The word "furthermore" is an example of a(n) _____ adverb.

Question 20

A sentence reads "Jonathan hasn't never traveled to another country." In this sentence, the phrase "hasn't never" is a(n) _____.

Question 21

A sentence reads "Casey not only has the respect of his teammates but also has the respect of his fans." In this sentence, the type of conjunction used is the:

A) correlative conjunction.
B) independent conjunction.
C) subordinating conjunction.
D) subjunctive conjunction.

Question 22

A sentence reads "If you want more information, please call me." In this sentence, "if" is the _____.

A) coordinating conjunction
B) subordinating conjunction
C) adverbial conjunction
D) correlative conjunction

Question 23

Which of the following sentences uses conjunctions correctly?

A) Shelley is a good employee.
B) The reason for Alex's absence is because his mother is unwell.
C) Sam pretended like he was unaffected by the news.
D) Jennifer acted as if her life was going to change.

Question 24

The words "although", "because", "how", and "whenever" are examples of:

A) Coordinating conjunctions.
B) Adjectives.
C) Subordinating conjunctions.
D) Correlative conjunctions.

Question 25

The part of speech that connects a noun or a pronoun to the rest of the sentence is a(n):

A) adverb.
B) verb.
C) adjective.
D) preposition.

Question 26

The italicized words in which of the following sentences is a correctly used idiomatic preposition?

A) Mary isangryat her mother for not waiting for her.
B) Lauraagreesto her family's decision to move to another city.
C) There is a huge discrepancyamong the population statistics of Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
D) It was hard for Harry topart with his Captain Marvel's action figure.

Question 27

Which of the following sentences uses the prepositions "between" or "among" correctly?

A) An organization divided the financial resources between its four departments.
B) The work load was divided between six team members working in the organization.
C) A winning team had to divide its prize money among eleven players.
D) There was a huge difference of opinion among Ralph and Lex.

Question 28

Which of the following sentences uses the prepositions "of" and "off" correctly?

A) Louisa told her dog to get off the couch immediately.
B) David couldn't think off another idea.
C) Lee and Scott were tired off their schedules.
D) Walker wanted to get of the steep slope but couldn't do it.

Question 29

Which of the following words is NOT an adjective?

A) A
B) The
C) An
D) On

Question 30

The italicized words in which of the following sentences correctly illustrates the use of a proper adjective?

A) TheCEO reluctantly signed the contract from Germany.
B) Paul's favorite vacation spot is in Venice.
C) Mark and his wife are proud to beNew Yorkers.
D) Susan could never forget the experience she had inEgypt.

Question 31

Which of the following is the superlative degree of the word "decisive"?

A) More decisive
B) Most decisive
C) Much decisive
D) Indecisive

Question 32

Which of the following adjectives is absolute and cannot be compared?

A) True
B) Great
C) Funny
D) Happy

Question 33

Which of the following sentences uses the adjectives "each other" and "one another" correctly?

A) Allen and Tim are good to each other.
B) Helen and Ruth are always in disagreement with one another.
C) The four friends could not see eye-to-eye with each other.
D) The two sisters looked exactly like one another.

Question 34

An adjective that follows a being verb and modifies or describes the subject of a sentence is known as a(n) _____.

A) proper adjective
B) demonstrative adjective
C) absolute adjective
D) predicate adjective

Question 35

Words that answer questions such as "Why?" "When?" "Where?" "How?" "How much?" and "To what extent?" are called:

A) adjectives.
B) adverbs.
C) verbs.
D) appositives.

Question 36

A sentence reads "The report must be finished by Monday; therefore, we must work on a Saturday." In this sentence, the word "therefore" is a:

A) simple adverb.
B) conjunctive adverb.
C) correlative adverb.
D) subjunctive adverb.

Question 37

Which of the following is True about adjectives and adverbs?

A) Adjectives, not adverbs, must follow linking verbs.
B) Adjectives must never follow linking verbs, adverbs must.
C) Both adjectives and adverbs must follow linking verbs.
D) Neither adjectives nor adverbs should follow linking verbs.

Question 38

Which of the following sentences uses the adverbs "some" and "somewhat" correctly?

A) Dr. Hahn was some surprised with the results of the study.
B) The group listed somewhat of its demands on paper.
C) She was somewhat critical of the architect's plan.
D) Mrs. Arnold felt some bad about the way she acted.

Question 39

The four coordinating conjunctions are "for," "on," "off," and "so."

Question 40

Correlative conjunctions join elements of unequal rank.

Question 41

A sentence reads "Even if she is qualified for the job, we cannot hire her because she is asking for too much money." In this sentence, "even if" is the coordinating conjunction.

Question 42

Parallel structure expresses parallel ideas in parallel form.

Question 43

A sentence reads "The family that lives in the apartment above ours is friendly." In this sentence, "above ours" is the prepositional phrase.

Question 44

A sentence reads "Mr. Davis was angry with the person responsible for the practical joke." In this sentence, "was" is the preposition.

Question 45

A sentence reads "James and Madison are very different than each other." In this sentence, the use of the prepositional phrase "different than" is correct.

Question 46

Adjectives that tell "how many," "how much," or "in what order" are called demonstrative adjectives.

Question 47

With regard to adjectives, the comparative degree compares three or more persons or things.

Question 48

The comparative degree of an adjective is formed by adding "er" to the positive form or by inserting the word "more" or "less" before it.

Question 49

A sentence reads "Alex believed that Mr. Phelps was the most greatest mentor in the college." In this sentence, "most greatest" correctly illustrates the superlative degree of the word "great."

Question 50

Some words can be adjectives or adverbs, depending on their position in the sentence.

Question 51

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses that serve as adverbs modifying an adjective, verb, or adverb in the main clause.

Question 52

A sentence reads "Angela could hardly never remember to check her incoming e-mail." In this sentence, "hardly never" is a double negative.