What Will I Find

on the Language Arts,

Writing Test?
The GED Language Arts, Writing Test is Test One of the the verb doesn’t agree in number with the subject.
GED Tests. It measures your knowledge of written Choice (4), therefore, is the correct answer. The plural
English and your ability to write. The GED Language Arts, verb evaluate agrees with the plural subject Dorothy and
Writing Test is an opportunity for you to demonstrate her assistant.
how well you read and that you can think logically and Note: If you are offered an answer choice that says
express yourself clearly. It is not a measure of how many no correction is necessary, do not assume that it is the
grammar rules you know. correct choice. Occasionally it will be, but it will not
always. You must consider all answer choices as
Part I possibilities.
Part I of the GED Language Arts, Writing Test measures
your ability to use the conventions of standard written SENTENCE REVISION QUESTIONS
English. These conventions include sentence structure, These questions have a specific portion of a sentence
usage, and mechanics. underlined. Your task is to choose the answer that best
All items in Part I are multiple-choice questions. improves the underlined portion:
Each question has five answer choices. You are first asked
2. Sentence 4: After they attended the technology
to read a paragraph or two. Then, you respond to a series
workshop the accounting clerks felt more
of questions that focus on certain sentences within those
confident about using computers.
paragraphs.
Three types of multiple-choice questions appear on Which of the following is the best way to write
the test: sentence correction questions (45 percent of all the underlined portion of the sentence? If you
items), sentence revision questions (35 percent), and think the original is the best way, choose op-
construction shift questions (20 percent). tion (1).
(1) workshop the accounting clerks felt
SENTENCE CORRECTION QUESTIONS (2) workshop, the accounting clerks felt
These questions ask you to find what is wrong with a (3) workshop the Accounting Clerks felt
sentence and to determine how it can be corrected. Here (4) workshop the accounting clerks will feel
is a sample: (5) workshop. The accounting clerks felt
1. Sentence 2: Dorothy and her assistant evalu- The correct answer is (2). To find the correct answer
ates 20 applications every day. to this sample, you need to know something about
punctuation, capitalization, and verb tense because those
What correction should be made to this sentence?
are the kinds of changes offered by the choices. The
(1) Insert a comma after Dorothy correct answer is choice (2). It inserts a comma after the
(2) Insert a comma after assistant dependent clause that introduces the sentence.
(3) Change the spelling of assistant to assistent
(4) Change evaluates to evaluate
CONSTRUCTION SHIFT QUESTIONS
(5) No correction is necessary
These questions ask you to choose a better way to write a
The correct answer is (4). To find the correct answer sentence that contains no mechanical errors but may be
to this sample, you need to know something about awkwardly written. The same idea must be expressed in a
commas, spelling, and verbs because those are the kinds clearer, smoother way, or you may be asked to combine
of changes covered by the choices. If you know when two sentences more effectively. Either way, to find the
and why to use commas, you will know that choices (1) correct answer, you must understand the meaning of the
and (2) are not correct. Choice (3) has a misspelled word. original sentence (or sentences). Here is a sample:
Looking back at the sample sentence, you can see that

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 WHAT WILL I FIND ON THE LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING TEST?

3. Sentence 5: Schools all across America are Part II

seeking ways to address the needs of children Part II of the GED Language Arts, Writing Test measures
who have a wide range of ethnic back- your ability to state an opinion on a given topic or to
grounds, which is a major problem that explain something. You will need to write an essay that
educators struggle to solve. clearly states ideas and supports them effectively with
If you rewrote sentence 5 beginning with Ameri- detailed reasons and examples. Your essay will be
can educators seek ways to, the next word should evaluated on how clear, well organized, and free of
be mechanical errors it is. It will need to be about 250 words
in length.
(1) struggle.
You will not have a choice of topics. You will make
(2) need.
decisions, however, on how to respond to the topic that
(3) help.
is given to you. Notice in the example that follows that
(4) separate.
the GED essay topic has two parts. The first part
(5) employ.
introduces the topic by giving you some background
The correct answer is (3). Here, the original sentence information about it. The second part tells what the topic
tells you that educators want to find ways to meet the is; that is, it tells you what you must write about.
needs of students with varying ethnic backgrounds. The
answer that most closely expresses this idea is choice (3): SAMPLE ESSAY TOPIC
help. More and more homes have electronic devices like
Note: It is in your best interest to answer every compact disc players, computerized games, and personal
question on the test whether or not you know the computers. One of the most popular electronic inven-
answer. There is no penalty for guessing. When you are tions is the videocassette recorder (VCR). In an essay of
stuck, relax and then make your best guess. 250 words, discuss the advantages, disadvantages, or both
of owning a VCR. Be sure to support your ideas with
details and examples.
For this sample topic, you might choose to discuss
as advantages the convenience of recording television
shows to watch later and the wide choice of movies a
VCR owner can watch comfortably at home.

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Unit 1
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Avoiding Sentence Fragments Here is another word group that looks like a
When we speak to each other, we don’t worry about sentence but isn’t:
complete sentences. Even if we hear only pieces or Five dogs in our neighborhood.
fragments of sentences, the situation in which we hear
the words fills in for the sentence’s missing words. These words don’t make sense because you don’t know
When we write, complete sentences help our anything about the five dogs. You don’t know who they
readers understand us. are or what they are doing because there is no verb.
A complete sentence must meet three require- The verb in a sentence tells what the subject does or
ments: what it is.
Action verbs show that the subject is doing
1. It must have a subject. something. To correct this fragment, add a verb.
2. It must have a complete verb. Five dogs in our neighborhood growled.
3. It must express a complete thought. Linking verbs show no action, but they tell what
A fragment is a word group that may look like a the subject seems like, what it is, or how it feels.
sentence because it begins with a capital letter and ends The five dogs in our neighborhood seem ferocious.
with a period. However, a fragment is not a sentence Actually, they are harmless unless they feel
because it lacks either a subject, a verb, or a verb part or threatened.
because it does not express a complete thought.
Usually, if you read a word group out loud, you can Sometimes fragments occur because the verb is not
tell if it’s not a complete sentence because it won’t sound complete.
finished. Something will be missing, and you will have Music blaring outside my window.
questions like Who? or What? or What about it?
Because blaring expresses an action, you may see it as a
Being late to work. verb. But it really is only part of a verb, and without the
What about being late to work? To complete the other part, the word group doesn’t make sense. To
sentence, we have to answer the question: Being late to correct this fragment, complete the verb by adding is.
work can cost you your job. Music is blaring outside my window.
It’s true that we often can figure out what a
fragment means because of the preceding sentence or
sentences. But a complete sentence must have meaning
on its own, regardless of what the sentences before and
after it say.
A fragment may lack a subject. The following words
look like a sentence:
Fell off the horse.
However, the words make no sense because we can’t tell
who or what fell off the horse. There’s no subject. The
subject of a sentence tells us who or what the sentence
is about. To correct this fragment, add a subject:
The jockey fell off the horse.
When you’re looking for the subject of a sentence, look
for the doer or the actor. Ask yourself who or what is
doing something in the sentence. If you can’t find an
answer, there probably is no subject, and you’re probably
looking at a sentence fragment.

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 UNIT 1: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

Exercise 1 3. Sentence 9: Leaving the AIDS victim defense-

less against infection and tumors.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each What correction should be made to this sentence?
item. (1) Change Leaving to Leaves
(2) Replace Leaving with This leaves
(3) Replace victim defenseless with victim.
Defenseless
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
(4) Insert is after victim
(5) Replace defenseless against with defenseless.
(1) AIDS is a devastating disease that the medical Against
profession has trouble. (2) Understanding or treating.
(3) The name is an abbreviation for acquired immuno-
deficiency syndrome. (4) People with AIDS suffer a Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
breakdown. (5) In their bodies’ immune systems. item.
(6) In a healthy body, a certain type of white blood
cell attacks foreign substances that enter it. (7) That
type of cell protects us from disease. (8) Scientists
Items 4 and 5 refer to the following paragraph.
believe that AIDS is caused by a virus that kills this
particular type of blood cell. (9) Leaving the AIDS
victim defenseless against infection and tumors. (1) After becoming concerned about the environ-
(10) Researchers hope to produce a vaccine against ment, many people have decided to try recycling.
AIDS. (2) Most commonly, newspapers, glass, and aluminum
cans. (3) However, automotive oil, cardboard, and
1. Sentences 1 and 2: AIDS is a devastating disease plastic can be recycled too. (4) In most communities,
that the medical profession has trouble. several recycling centers taking these materials.
Understanding or treating. (5) Some are private operations, and others are public.
Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of these sentences? If you 4. Sentence 2: Most commonly, newspapers,
think the original is the best way, select glass, and aluminum cans.
choice (1). What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) trouble. Understanding or (1) Insert they before newspapers
(2) trouble. To understand or (2) Insert collect before newspapers
(3) trouble understanding or (3) Insert they collect before newspapers
(4) trouble understanding. Or (4) Insert collecting before newspapers
(5) trouble. With understanding or (5) Insert collected before newspapers
2. Sentences 4 and 5: People with AIDS suffer a 5. Sentence 4: In most communities, several
breakdown. In their bodies’ immune systems. recycling centers taking these materials.
Which of the following is the best way to write What correction should be made to this sentence?
the underlined portion of these sentences? If you
(1) Replace communities, several with communi-
think the original is the best way, select
ties. Several
choice (1).
(2) Replace centers taking with centers. Taking
(1) breakdown. In their (3) Remove taking
(2) breakdown in their (4) Change taking to take
(3) breakdown in. Their (5) No correction is necessary
(4) breakdown. That’s in
(5) breakdown that’s also in Check your answers on page 128.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

CLAUSES 1. Sentences 1 and 2: While she prepares to

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a become an American citizen. Kimiko attends
verb. a class once a week.
Which of the following is the best way to rewrite
Independent clauses the underlined portion of these sentences? If you
Independent clauses can stand alone. They can also be think the original is the best way, select
combined with other clauses to make longer sentences. choice (1).
Example: I have a headache. (1) American citizen. Kimiko
(2) American citizen, Kimiko
(3) American citizen: Kimiko
Dependent Clauses (4) American citizen Kimiko
Some clauses have no meaning by themselves. (5) American citizen; Kimiko
Example: Whenever I drink milk. 2. Sentences 3 and 4: In the class, students from
They depend on another word group for their meaning all over the world. Studying U.S. government.
and, therefore, are called dependent clauses. Which of the following is the best way to write
Example: When the lions entered the circus ring. the underlined portion of these sentences? If you
think the original is the best way, select
A dependent clause is a sentence fragment. One way to choice (1).
correct this kind of fragment is to attach the dependent
(1) world. Studying
clause to an independent clause:
(2) world studying
The crowd roared with excitement when the lions (3) world that studying
entered the circus ring. (4) world are studying
(5) world have studying
Another way is to eliminate the word that makes the
clause dependent: 3. Sentence 5: Kimiko will be ready to pass the
naturalization examination after completing
The lions entered the circus ring.
the class.
These words often begin a dependent clause: If you rewrote sentence 5 beginning with After
after even though until she completes the class, the next word should be
although if when (1) they.
as since whenever (2) everyone.
because though where (3) Kimiko.
before unless wherever (4) students.
(5) citizens.
Exercise 2 Check your answers on page 128.

Directions: Choose the one best answer for each AVOIDING RUN-ON SENTENCES AND
item. COMMA SPLICES
A run-on sentence is simply a string of two or more
sentences written as a single sentence.
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph. Incorrect: Charles worked late last night he didn’t
get enough sleep he fell asleep in class today.
(1) While she prepares to become an American Correct: Charles worked late last night, and he didn’t
citizen. (2) Kimiko attends a class once a week. (3) In get enough sleep. He fell asleep in class today.
the class, students from all over the world. (4) Study-
When you write, if you have more than one complete
ing U.S. government. (5) Kimiko will be ready to pass
thought to express, you must take care to separate the
the naturalization examination after completing the
thoughts with proper punctuation and connecting words.
class. (6) It will be a proud day for her and the others
Sometimes writers try to avoid run-ons by inserting
when they receive their U.S. citizenship.
commas after each complete thought. Then it becomes a
list of ideas rather than a sentence.

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 UNIT 1: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

A series of complete thoughts separated by commas Exercise 3

only is called a comma splice.
Incorrect: The lawn mower made too much noise in Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
the early morning, it annoyed Dorothy, she asked item.
the neighbor to mow the lawn later in the day, the
neighbor agreed, Dorothy felt better, it was quiet
for a while.
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
Correct: The lawn mower made too much noise in
the early morning, and it annoyed Dorothy. She
asked the neighbor to mow the lawn later in the (1) Although the reunification of Germany and
day. The neighbor agreed. Dorothy felt better. It the breakdown of the Soviet Union held out hope for
was quiet for a while. a more peaceful world, the ending of the Cold War
has had a serious economic impact on Americans.
To correct a run-on or comma splice: (2) As the defense industry cut back, many people
• Write the thoughts as separate sentences. found themselves unemployed highly skilled workers
suddenly faced an uncertain future. (3) Military
• Separate closely related thoughts using a personnel no longer felt secure about their career
semicolon. choice. (4) The government closed bases at home and
• Connect the thoughts using a comma and a abroad this affected service people and also hurt the
conjunction. Some common conjunctions are civilians who worked on these bases. (5) We must find
and, or, but, for, yet, and so. ways to turn defense industries to peaceful endeavors
it’s tragic to waste the skills of former defense workers.
• Connect the thoughts using a semicolon and a
transitional word or phrase followed by a 1. Sentence 2: As the defense industry cut back,
comma. many people found themselves unemployed
Incorrect: The movie was sold out, we didn’t get in. highly skilled workers suddenly faced an
uncertain future.
Corrections: The movie was sold out. We didn’t
get in. What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Replace back, many with back. Many
The movie was sold out; we didn’t get in.
(2) Replace people found with people. Found
The movie was sold out, so we didn’t get in. (3) Rremove many
(4) Insert a semicolon after unemployed
The movie was sold out; as a result, we didn’t
(5) Insert a semicolon after workers
get in.
2. Sentence 4: The government closed bases at
If either of the independent clauses in a run-on already
home and abroad this affected service people
contains commas, you should always use a semicolon to
and also hurt the civilians who worked on
separate the independent clauses.
these bases.
Akemi, Maria, Lucas, and Tom enjoyed the movie; Which of the following is the best way to write
but Sumio, Mario, and Irene didn’t like it. the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).
(1) home and abroad this affected
(2) home and abroad. This affected
(3) home. And abroad this affected
(4) home and abroad this affecting
(5) home and abroad affected

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

3. Sentence 5: We must find ways to turn defense 6. Sentence 6: For example, the media refers to
industries to peaceful endeavors it’s tragic to those who advocate negotiated settlements as
waste the skills of former defense workers. doves those who believe military force is the
If you rewrote sentence 5 beginning with Because answer are called hawks.
it’s tragic to waste the skills of former defense Which of the following is the best way to write
workers, the next word would be the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
(1) skills. think the original is the best way, select
(2) peaceful. choice (1).
(3) endeavors. (1) doves those
(4) we. (2) doves, because those
(5) there. (3) doves, or those
(4) doves, those
(5) doves; those
Items 4–6 refer to the following paragraph.
Check your answers on page 128.

(1) “Doves” and “hawks” are terms that came LINKING IDEAS OF EQUAL
into use during the Vietnam War. (2) Doves are birds IMPORTANCE
that symbolize peace, but that became the name A simple sentence contains one subject and one verb
applied to people who opposed the war. (3) They and expresses a complete thought, but a string of simple
wanted the United States to negotiate peace. sentences is not very interesting to read. To make your
(4) Hawks are more aggressive birds their name was writing more appealing, you should occasionally combine
applied to those who wanted to step up the fighting. two or more ideas into one sentence.
(5) The terms continue to be used to identify people
according to their attitudes toward global conflict. Charles was thirsty. He poured a glass of juice.
(6) For example, the media refers to those who Charles was thirsty, so he poured a glass of juice.
advocate negotiated settlements as doves those who
believe military force is the answer are called hawks. Both examples express the same ideas, but the second
flows more smoothly.
4. Sentence 2: Doves are birds that symbolize When you combine independent clauses into single
peace, but that became the name applied to sentences, you’re writing compound sentences. A com-
people who opposed the war. pound sentence links ideas of equal importance. That is,
What correction should be made to this sentence? each idea could stand by itself and make sense.
(1) Remove the comma However, not all independent clauses can be
(2) Replace peace, but with peace. But combined effectively into compound sentences. Be sure
(3) Replace the comma with a semicolon to link only those ideas that are closely related.
(4) Replace but with yet The following two ideas, for example, would not
(5) Replace but with so make an effective compound sentence, since they have
little to do with each other:
5. Sentence 4: Hawks are more aggressive birds
their name was applied to those who wanted Armando borrowed three books from the library.
to step up the fighting. Leah has always enjoyed browsing in libraries.
Which of the following is the best way to write But the following two ideas are so closely related that it
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you does make sense to link them into one sentence:
think the original is the best way, select Armando borrowed three books from the library,
choice (1). but Leah was unable to find the books she wanted.
(1) birds their
To clarify the relationship between two ideas, you must
(2) birds, but their
use connecting words.
(3) birds, so their
(4) birds; and their
(5) birds, their

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 UNIT 1: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

To choose the proper connecting words, you must 1. Sentence 2: It seems like a fair tax because
understand the relationship between the ideas in the two everyone has to buy food everyone pays
independent clauses. For example, it would be senseless the tax.
to say: Which of the following is the best way to write
Milton was ill; however, he had to stay home from the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
work. think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).
The writer really means:
(1) food everyone
Milton was ill; consequently, he had to stay home (2) food, everyone
from work. (3) food but everyone
In this case, however is an inappropriate connector (4) food and everyone
because it shows contrast between ideas. Consequently (5) food. Everyone
makes more sense because it shows that the second idea 2. Sentence 7: Income taxes are called progres-
is the result of the first. sive taxes they increase proportionately as
Some common connectors are however, therefore, the taxpayer’s income goes up.
for example, furthermore, and then.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Replace progressive taxes with progressive.
Exercise 4 Taxes
(2) Insert a comma after the second taxes
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each (3) Insert a semicolon after the second taxes
item. (4) Replace proportionately as with proportion-
ately. As
(5) Remove as
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraphs. 3. Sentence 10: On the other hand, some states
collect no state income tax they rely instead
on other taxes, including sales tax on food.
(1) Some states charge a sales tax on food. (2) It
seems like a fair tax because everyone has to buy food What correction should be made to this sentence?
everyone pays the tax. (3) There are those, however, (1) Replace hand, some with hand. Some
who think this kind of tax is unfair. (4) They point (2) Replace income tax they with income tax.
out that people with little money have to buy just as They
much food as people with lots of money. (5) These (3) Insert a comma after income tax
people spend a larger portion of their income on food, (4) Remove they
so they also pay a larger portion of their income on (5) Replace taxes, including with taxes. Including
the taxes.
(6) Taxes that cost some people a higher propor-
tion of their income than others are called regressive Items 4–6 refer to the following paragraph.
taxes. (7) Income taxes are called progressive taxes
they increase proportionately as the taxpayer’s income
goes up. (8) Thus, a person earning $60,000 a year (1) Advertising is an essential feature of our
pays a higher tax than someone earning $18,000. economy. (2) Clever ads can entertain the public as
(9) Because sales tax is regressive, many states do not they introduce them to goods and services. (3) Adver-
apply it to food. (10) On the other hand, some states tising gives consumers useful information on new
collect no state income tax they rely instead on other products, so it also makes consumers want things they
taxes, including sales tax on food. don’t need. (4) Ads are everywhere; however, they
appear on television, on the radio, in magazines, and
in newspapers. (5) Some ads are misleading, so they
cause people to spend money unwisely. (6) The wise
consumer approaches advertising claims carefully.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

4. Sentence 3: Advertising gives consumers useful is followed by a comma. If the dependent clause appears
information on new products, so it also at the end of the sentence, a comma is not needed.
makes consumers want things they don’t
Because it was 102 degrees in the shade, they
need.
stayed in the house all day.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
They stayed in the house all day because it was 102
(1) Remove the comma after products degrees in the shade.
(2) Replace so with but
(3) Change products, so to products. So The connectors in complex sentences must accurately
(4) Replace so with then express the relationship between the ideas in the two
(5) No correction is necessary clauses. Complex sentences relate ideas in several
different ways.
5. Sentence 4: Ads are everywhere; however, they
appear on television, on the radio, in maga- • cause and effect
zines, and in newspapers. Since the house was dark, they didn’t ring the
doorbell.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Replace however with for example • contrast
(2) Replace however with nevertheless Leona turned down the invitation despite the
(3) Replace the comma after however with a fact that she loved parties.
semicolon • time
(4) Remove the comma after however They screamed until their throats hurt.
(5) No correction is necessary
• place
6. Sentence 5: Some ads are misleading, so they They put the key where no one would see it.
cause people to spend money unwisely.
• condition
If you rewrote sentence 5 beginning with Mislead- If you work hard, you’ll get good grades.
ing ads, the next word should be
• similarity between the ideas in the two clauses
(1) and.
Terry felt as if he could eat a horse.
(2) people.
(3) cause.
(4) prevent. Exercise 5
(5) help.
Check your answers on page 128. Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
LINKING IDEAS OF UNEQUAL
IMPORTANCE
Besides combining two equally important ideas into one Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
sentence, you can vary your sentence structure and make
your writing more interesting with complex sentences.
(1) The history of ice cream, perhaps America’s
Like a compound sentence, a complex sentence
favorite dessert, goes back to colonial times. (2) It was
links two ideas into one sentence. However, in a complex
enjoyed by people like George Washington and Dolly
sentence, one of the ideas is less important than the other
Madison. (3) Although ice cream is delicious by itself.
and depends on the main idea for its meaning. The main
(4) It also forms the basis for other wonderful treats.
idea appears in the independent clause.
(5) According to legend, in 1874 a businessman in
Because he was late, Jeff decided not to stop at the Philadelphia combined ice cream with a carbonated
cleaners on the way to work. beverage to create the ice-cream soda. (6) Laws were
passed prohibiting the sale of ice-cream sodas on
You see that, by itself, Because he was late doesn’t make
Sundays. (7) Because the drink was so sinfully
sense. When it’s added to the independent clause Jeff
delicious. (8) This led to a new creation. (9) A druggist
decided not to stop at the cleaners on the way to work
in Illinois put noncarbonated syrup over ice cream
you understand it.
and called it a Sunday. (10) The spelling changed over
Dependent clauses may precede the main clause or
the years, and the ice-cream sundae became a favorite
they may follow it. If the dependent clause comes first, it
dessert.

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 UNIT 1: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

1. Sentences 3 and 4: Although ice cream is 4. Sentence 2: Some people use calendars or
delicious by itself. It also forms the basis for appointment books, although others just use
other wonderful treats. a piece of paper.
Which of the following is the best way to write What correction should be made to this sentence?
the underlined portion of these sentences? If you (1) Replace books, although with books.
think the original is the best way, select Although
choice (1). (2) Replace the comma with a semicolon
(1) itself. It (3) Remove the comma after books
(2) itself, it (4) Replace although with in order that
(3) itself, and it (5) Replace although with whenever
(4) itself, so it
5. Sentences 4 and 5: Jean forgot to look at her
(5) itself because it
calendar. She missed her dental appointment.
2. Sentence 5: According to legend, in 1874 a The most effective combination of sentences 4
businessman in Philadelphia combined ice and 5 would begin with which of the following
cream with a carbonated beverage to create words?
the ice-cream soda.
(1) Unless
What correction should be made to this sentence? (2) As soon as
(1) Insert a period after legend (3) Until
(2) Insert a comma after Philadelphia (4) Because
(3) Insert a period after beverage (5) Although
(4) Insert a comma after create
Check your answers on page 128.
(5) No correction is necessary
3. Sentences 6 and 7: Laws were passed prohibit- USING MODIFIERS
ing the sale of ice-cream sodas on Sundays. A modifier is a word or word group that describes
Because the drink was so sinfully delicious. another word or word group in a sentence. Single-word
What correction should be made to these sen- modifiers (adjectives and adverbs) don’t usually cause
tences? many problems with sentence structure, but it’s impor-
(1) Insert a semicolon after passed tant to be able to recognize them. Adjectives describe
(2) Replace sodas on Sundays with sodas. On nouns, which are words that often represent people,
Sundays places, or things (angry citizens). Adverbs describe
(3) Replace Sundays. Because with Sundays, but verbs (meet regularly), adjectives (very angry), and other
(4) Replace Sundays. Because with Sundays adverbs (quite regularly).
because Prepositional phrases and verb phrases are the
(5) Insert a comma after drink modifiers most likely to cause problems in writing.
When writers are careless about where they put
modifiers, they confuse readers with unclear sentences.
Items 4 and 5 refer to the following paragraph. The police officer spoke about heroic crime
stoppers at the local high school.
(1) We can remember things more easily if we The sentence suggests that the crime stoppers were from
write them down. (2) Some people use calendars or the local high school. The modifier at the local high
appointment books, although others just use a piece of school seems to be modifying crime stoppers because it
paper. (3) Then we have to remember to look at the appears next to it.
reminder we wrote. (4) Jean forgot to look at her
The police officer spoke at the local high school
calendar. (5) She missed her dental appointment.
about heroic crime stoppers.
This time the modifier is next to spoke, the word it
modifies.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Some sentences are unclear because of dangling 2. Sentence 6: Tired from working late, missing
modifiers. These phrases are confusing because there is the bus can be extremely annoying.
nothing in the sentence they could logically modify. If you rewrote sentence 6 beginning with Because
Diving into the pool, the tension was extreme. Carmela is tired from working late, the next word
should be
Who was diving into the pool? Who was feeling the
tension? (1) missing.
To correct dangling modifiers, you must change the (2) annoying.
main part of the sentence so that it includes something (3) working.
for the modifier to describe: (4) the.
(5) while.
Diving into the pool, the athlete felt extreme
tension. 3. Sentence 8: Out of patience, another bus is
seen coming down the street.
You may turn the modifier into a prepositional phrase:
Which of the following is the best way to write
Before diving into the pool, the athlete felt extreme the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
tension. think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).
You may also turn the modifier into a dependent clause:
(1) another bus is seen coming
The athlete felt extreme tension before she dove (2) the bus is coming
into the pool. (3) the bus sees
(4) Carmela sees another bus coming
Exercise 6 (5) Carmela is seen coming
Check your answers on page 128.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item. PARALLEL STRUCTURE
You’ve already learned about compound sentences,
which contain two or more complete thoughts. Many
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph. sentences also contain compound elements. This means
parts within the sentence are linked with connecting
words, such as and, but, and or. To maintain clarity in
(1) Counting on public transportation, schedules your writing, it’s important to put elements that play
are very important. (2) People who ride buses count similar roles within a sentence into the same form.
on them to be on time. (3) Most buses and commuter Consider the following sentences:
trains do stick closely to the advertised schedule.
(4) Missing a bus is often the fault of the rider. Incorrect: JoAnn does billing for a dentist, a law
(5) Carmela often gets last-minute phone calls at work firm, and one doctor’s office also employs her.
that force her to miss her bus. (6) Tired from working Correct: JoAnn does billing for a dental group, a law
late, missing the bus can be extremely annoying. firm, and a doctor’s office.
(7) Carmela wonders whether it’s any worse to be
stuck in a traffic jam in her car. (8) Out of patience, The sentence names three businesses for which JoAnn
another bus is seen coming down the street. (9) Once does billing, so all three play the same role in the
she boards the bus, she settles down and reads or naps. sentence. They should be written in the same form,
which we call parallel structure. As you can see, a
1. Sentence 1: Counting on public transportation, sentence that lacks parallel structure does not flow
schedules are very important. smoothly.
If you rewrote sentence 1 beginning with For Sometimes sentences lack parallel structure because
people who count on, the next word(s) should be the writer adds an entire clause when a single word is
better. For example:
(1) schedules.
(2) public transportation. Dogs require food, shelter, and you have to bathe
(3) work. them.
(4) importance.
The sentence above tells us three things about dogs. Two
(5) advertised.
of those things are expressed as nouns (food and shelter),

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 UNIT 1: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

but the third is expressed as a clause, with a subject (you) 1. Sentence 2: That year, about three thousand
and a verb (have). volunteers worked in Asia, in Africa, and
Parallel structure expresses each requirement as a countries in Latin America to help the natives
noun and changes the sentence: improve their standard of living.
Dogs require food, shelter, and baths. Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
Sometimes sentences lack parallel structure because the think the original is the best way, select
writer switches subjects in midsentence. Think about this choice (1).
example:
(1) and countries in Latin America
At parks, people play baseball, toss Frisbees, and (2) and other countries in Latin America
parks are good places to talk to friends. (3) and in Latin America
This sentence has three word groups, but the third one (4) and the many countries of Latin America
changes subjects from people to parks, which spoils the (5) and countries that are in Latin America
parallel structure. A better sentence would be: 2. Sentence 3: Peace Corps workers live among
At parks, people play baseball, toss Frisbees, and the natives, learn their language, and their
talk to friends. standard of living is just like that of the
natives.
Which of the following is the best way to write
Exercise 7 the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best, select choice (1).
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item. (1) their standard of living is just like that of the
natives
(2) share their standard of living
(3) their standard of living is the same
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraphs. (4) their standard of living matches that of the
natives
(5) standard of living goes down
(1) The Peace Corps was established in 1961,
during President John F. Kennedy’s administration. 3. Sentence 7: Some people believe all Ameri-
(2) That year, about three thousand volunteers cans, when they reach the age of eighteen,
worked in Asia, in Africa, and countries in Latin should be required to serve for two years
America to help the natives improve their standard of either at home or go to foreign countries.
living. (3) Peace Corps workers live among the What correction should be made to this sentence?
natives, learn their language, and their standard of
(1) Replace of eighteen, should with of eighteen.
living is just like that of the natives. (4) Their pay,
Should
about $75 a month, is deposited for them in the
(2) Replace years either with years. Either
United States, and they receive travel and living
(3) Remove at
expenses. (5) Although most Peace Corps volunteers
(4) Replace go to with in
are young men and women, the age range is from
(5) No correction is necessary
eighteen to sixty.
(6) Not only has this program developed good
will between the United States and underdeveloped
countries, it has taught people in hundreds of commu-
nities to help themselves improve their lives. (7) Some
people believe all Americans, when they reach the age
of eighteen, should be required to serve for two years
either at home or go to foreign countries.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

6. Sentence 6: Many types of cameras help

Items 4–9 refer to the following paragraph. people record family events, capture vacation
highlights, and remembering all kinds of
things.
(1) One way to give children a sense of family
history is to share memories with them. (2) Through What correction should be made to this sentence?
memories, children can learn about relatives they may (1) Change record to recording
not see often, such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or even (2) Insert to before capture
grandparents. (3) It can be fun for parents to share (3) Change remembering to to remember
family memories with their children. (4) They can do (4) Change remembering to remember
this through photographs, scrapbooks, and the (5) No correction is necessary
children ask questions. (5) Modern technology makes
7. Sentence 8: With the help of cameras, tape
it easier than ever to capture the past. (6) Many types
recorders, and by keeping diaries, parents
of cameras help people record family events, capture
can easily look back on their children’s
vacation highlights, and remembering all kinds of
growing up.
things. (7) Cameras come in a wide range of prices
and sophistication, from video cameras that record What correction should be made to this sentence?
sound to disposable cameras that are used once and (1) Replace by keeping diaries with diaries
turned in with the film. (8) With the help of cameras, (2) Replace With the help of with By
tape recorders, and by keeping diaries, parents can (3) Remove can easily
easily look back on their children’s growing up. (4) Replace can easily look with by looking
(9) Adults are often amused by their own childhood (5) No correction is necessary
photos, drawings, report cards, and to remember
special times from years back. (10) To record your 8. Sentence 9: Adults are often amused by their
children’s growing up is giving them a precious gift own childhood photos, drawings, report
for their later years. cards, and to remember special times from
years back.
4. Sentence 2: Through memories, children can What correction should be made to this sentence?
learn about relatives they may not see often, (1) Replace photos with pictures
such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or even (2) Replace drawings with they drew pictures
grandparents. (3) Replace to remember with memories of
What correction should be made to this sentence? (4) Remove report cards
(1) Replace relatives they with relatives. They (5) Remove from years back
(2) Replace often, such as with often. Such as 9. Sentence 10: To record your children’s grow-
(3) Insert including before cousins ing up is giving them a precious gift for their
(4) Insert their before grandparents later years.
(5) No correction is necessary
What correction should be made to this sentence?
5. Sentence 4: They can do this through photo- (1) Replace To with Parents who
graphs, scrapbooks, and the children ask (2) Replace To record with When you record
questions. (3) Insert like before giving
Which of the following is the best way to write (4) Change giving to to give
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you (5) Remove their
think the original is the best way, select
Check your answers on page 128.
choice (1).
(1) the children ask questions
(2) when the children ask questions
(3) children’s questions
(4) whenever the children ask questions
(5) the parents answer questions

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Unit 2
USAGE AND GRAMMAR
Subject-Verb Agreement Exercise 1
You already know that subjects and verbs are the basic
components of a complete sentence. To do well on the Directions: Choose the correct verb from the pair
GED Language Arts, Writing Test, you must also in each of the following sentences.
understand how to write those subjects and verbs in their
correct forms.
Can you tell that something is wrong with the 1. Bruce Lee (was/were) a good actor.
following sentence? 2. They (cheer/cheers) for different teams.
Lee and Melva lives in a mountain community 65 3. Flashing yellow lights (warn/warns) drivers of road
miles from the nearest city. hazards.
The problem is that the verb lives doesn’t match the 4. Four-way stops (confuse/confuses) some drivers.
subject Lee and Melva. And is the key word here. In 5. Elsa (take/takes) the bus everywhere.
discussing language, when we talk about one thing, we
call it singular.
A tree grows in the park. Directions: Correct the following sentences for
subject-verb agreement. Some sentences may not
This sentence contains two singular nouns: tree and park. contain errors.
One of those nouns, tree, is the subject of the sentence.
We can say this sentence has a singular subject. But if
there is more than one tree in the park, the subject would 6. Charles play card games with his friends and
be plural: sometimes he win.
Several trees grow in the park. 7. Michelle seem to win every time she play.

Subject-verb agreement means that singular subjects 8. Carla enjoys her job at the hardware store.
take singular verbs and plural subjects take plural verbs. 9. Computers scare my mother.
In English, we usually make a noun plural by adding s or 10. Mr. Chan hate long lines and becomes impatient
es to it: tree becomes trees. A plural verb, however, never in them.
ends in s.
Here is a sentence with a singular subject and verb:
He goes to night school. Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
This sentence has a plural subject and verb:
Mark and Hakeem go to night school.
Remember that compound subjects are two words linked Items 11–13 refer to the following paragraph.
by and. They always take plural verbs:
Naomi and Judson sell hot dogs from a corner (1) Strikes is the most powerful weapon workers
stand. have against unfair treatment by employers. (2)
If the sentence has one subject and two verbs, be sure Strikes usually occur over wages, but working condi-
both verbs agree with the subject: tions can also be a source of dissatisfaction for
laborers. (3) When all negotiation attempts fails, labor
Every month, a firefighter speaks to our club and union members may vote to strike. (4) This means
shows slides. they stop work so that the employer will lose money.
(5) The hope are that this tactic will force the em-
ployer to meet their demands. (6) They gamble that
the employer would rather give in to them than risk

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

the financial ruin of the company. (7) Strikes can last There are also nouns that appear to be plural because
for weeks or even months and can be a severe they end in s, but they are actually singular and require a
hardship to the striking workers as well as to the singular verb:
company they work for. (8) The economic impact of
No news is good news.
these battles of will between labor and management
can be felt in communities or across the nation for a Here are some other nouns that appear to be plural but
long time. take a singular verb:
physics measles athletics economics series
11. Sentence 1: Strikes is the most powerful
weapon workers have against unfair treat- When a sentence has two subjects that are connected by
ment by employers. either/or or neither/nor, the verb must agree with the
What correction should be made to this sentence? subject closest to it. Compare the following two
sentences:
(1) Change is to are
(2) Change weapon to weapons Either the doctor or the nurses answer questions.
(3) Change have to has Either the nurses or the doctor answers questions.
(4) Replace have against with have. Against
(5) Replace treatment by with treatment. By Personal pronouns (I, we, you, he, she, they, and it) have
their own set of subject-verb agreement rules. He, she,
12. Sentence 3: When all negotiation attempts and it take a singular verb, while all the others (including
fails, labor union members may vote to the singular I and the singular you) take a plural verb:
strike.
• He/she/it (singular) goes.
Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you • They (plural) go.
think the original is the best way, select
• I (singular) go.
choice (1).
(1) negotiation attempts fails • We (plural) go.
(2) negotiation attempts fail • You (singular or plural) go.
(3) negotiation attempt fail
(4) negotiations attempt to fail Sometimes beginning writers have trouble with subject-
(5) negotiation fails to attempt verb agreement when they work with the verb to be. You
must learn the correct forms of that verb to avoid
13. Sentence 5: The hope are that this tactic will problems.
force the employer to meet their demands.
Incorrect: They be late again.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
Correct: They are late again.
(1) Replace The with They
(2) Replace The with Their Here are the personal pronouns with correct forms for
(3) Change hope are to hopes is the verb to be:
(4) Change are to is
(5) No correction is necessary I am you are he/she/it is we/they are
I was you were he/she/it was we/they were
Check your answers on page 129.
To learn other tricky singular and plural subjects, study
the list below. These words always take singular verbs:
Recognizing Singular and
Plural Subjects another either one nothing
There are some nouns that seem to be plural because anyone everybody other somebody
they refer to groups of individuals. However, these words anybody everyone either someone
usually take a singular verb: anything everything nobody something
each much no one
The team practices daily.
Example: Everything costs too much these days.
Here are some other nouns that take a singular verb:
These words always take plural verbs:
group congress choir audience
both few many several
Example: Few put forth their best effort.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

Exercise 2 11. Sentence 4: Holly fears bad weather, so she

suggest staying home instead.
Directions: Determine whether the subjects in the What correction should be made to this sentence?
following sentences are singular or plural and (1) Change fears to fear
choose the correct verb from each pair. (2) Remove the comma
(3) Change weather, so to weather. She
(4) Change suggest to suggests
1. Congress (vote/votes) on every tax law.
(5) Replace staying with they stays
2. You (go/goes) first.
Check your answers on page 129.
3. Today’s news (look/looks) good.
4. The city council (choose/chooses) the site for When Subjects Are Separated from
games. Their Verbs
Matching a verb to a plural or a singular subject isn’t
5. They (ask/asks) too many questions.
difficult if you know what the subject is. Occasionally,
however, you may be confused by phrases that appear
between the subject and the verb. For example, can you
Directions: Choose the correct verb form for the
select the correct verb in the following sentence?
following sentences.
Millie, like her sisters and her mother, (has/have)
small feet.
6. She (say/says) to hurry back from the store.
To choose the correct verb, you must first determine
7. No one (know/knows) the park rules. who or what the subject is. Is Millie the subject in this
8. I (am/be) too tired for a movie tonight. sentence? Or is it Millie and her mother and sisters?
Remember: Two or more words must be joined by
9. Most (run/runs) on regular gasoline. and to be a plural subject. In the sentence above, only
Millie is the subject. The verb form must be the singular,
has. To take a plural verb, the subjects would have to be
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each linked by and:
item.
Millie, her sisters, and her mother have small feet.
Notice that in the original sentence, the interrupting
Items 10 and 11 refer to the following paragraph. words like her sisters and her mother are set off by
commas. Sometimes, however, words that separate the
subject and verb are not set apart by commas, so it’s
(1) A three-day weekend is coming up. (2) No easier to mistake them for the subject. These interrupters
one wants to waste a weekend, but Holly and Kent are the prepositional phrases. One way to be certain of
has no particular plans. (3) Kent thinks about going the subject is to identify the prepositional phrase and see
to the beach for at least one day. (4) Holly fears bad how the sentence sounds without it. Try this sentence:
weather, so she suggest staying home instead. (5) Kent
One of the dancers (is/are) especially graceful.
doesn’t mind, as long as they find something relaxing
to do. If you set aside the prepositional phrase of the dancers,
you can see the subject next to the verb:
10. Sentence 2: No one wants to waste a weekend,
One . . . is.
but Holly and Kent has no particular plans.
What correction should be made to this sentence? Verb phrases can sometimes be subjects of sentences.
(1) Change wants to want Studying for three straight hours (make/makes) me
(2) Remove the comma tired.
(3) Replace has with be without To identify the subject of this sentence, you might look at
(4) Change has to have the verb and ask who or what makes me tired. You’ll see
(5) Change Kent has to Kent. Has that studying, not hours, is the subject of the sentence.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Exercise 3 2. Sentence 5: Once they filled a fishbowl with

marbles, asked people to guess how many
marbles there was, and awarded a free lunch
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
to the winner.
item.
Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best way, select
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraphs. choice (1).
(1) asked people to guess how many marbles
(1) Mr. Brewer wants his adult education there was
students to learn math in the context of real life. (2) asked people to guess how many marbles
(2) He feels it’s not enough for them just to work was there
problems from a book. (3) To show his class how (3) asked how many could guess the right
math can really help them, he holds or has them enter number
several contests during the year. (4) The contests allow (4) asked people to guess how many marbles
his students to have fun while they practice math and there were
raises money. (5) asked people how many marbles there was
(5) Once they filled a fishbowl with marbles, 3. Sentence 9: The class thinks the best thing
asked people to guess how many marbles there was, about entering contests are winning.
and awarded a free lunch to the winner. (6) Another
time they entered and won a contest to guess how What correction should be made to this sentence?
many soda cans the back of a pickup truck held. (1) Change thinks to think
(7) To win, they had to practice their skills at estimat- (2) Remove entering
ing, multiplying, dividing, and measuring. (8) They (3) Change are to is
used most of the prize money for an end-of-the-year (4) Change contests are to contests. Are
field trip. (9) The class thinks the best thing about (5) No correction is necessary
entering contests are winning.
Check your answers on page 129.
1. Sentence 4: The contests allow his students to
have fun while they practice math and raises When the Verb Comes before
money. the Subject
What correction should be made to this sentence? As you have seen in this lesson, sometimes the structure
of the sentence can make it difficult to spot errors in
(1) Change allow to allows subject-verb agreement. This is especially true when the
(2) Change fun while to fun. While verb comes before the subject.
(3) Change fun while to fun, while In sentences that begin with There or Here, the
(4) Change practice to practices verb comes before the subject: Here come the clowns.
(5) Change raises to raise The verb in the preceding sentence is come, but when
we ask who or what comes, we see the subject is the
clowns, which appears after the verb. As always, the
subject must agree with the verb. It would be incorrect to
write Here comes the clowns because that would put a
singular verb with a plural subject.
Questions pose an additional problem for subject-
verb agreement because they often split the verb into
two parts with the subject in between: Does Judith have
her shoes? The singular verb, does, must agree with the
singular subject, Judith. It would be incorrect to write:
Do Judith have her shoes?
Both the subject and the verb sometimes appear at
the ends of sentences, which can cause some confusion:
In the backyard are two peach trees.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

The subject of the sentence above, peach trees, is plural, 6. Sentence 2: There is many ways to learn to
so it must take a plural verb: are. If you think back yard is cook.
the subject, you will use a singular verb, which would be What correction should be made to this sentence?
incorrect. Backyard is part of the prepositional phrase.
Follow these tips to ensure subject-verb agreement: (1) Replace There with Here
(2) Change is to are
• Find the verb. (3) Replace to learn with for learn
• Ask who or what is performing the action. (4) Change learn to learning
(5) Change cook to cooking
• Make the verb agree in number (singular or
plural) with the subject. 7. Sentence 3: One of the best ways are watching
other people do it.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
Exercise 4
(1) Change are to is
Directions: Choose the correct verb from the (2) Change are to be
pairs in the sentences below. (3) Insert to before watching
(4) Change watching to to watch
(5) Change do to did
1. There (is/are) too many leaves to rake in one
8. Sentence 7: Others prefers to create as they
afternoon.
go, tasting and testing along the way.
2. (Does/Do) both of them want to go to the game? What correction should be made to this sentence?
3. In the cupboard (is/are) all the things you need to (1) Replace Others with Other people
bake a cake. (2) Change prefers to prefer
4. Upstairs (is/are) two more bedrooms. (3) Replace to create with creating
(4) Insert they are before tasting
5. Here (is/are) the information you asked for. (5) Insert everything before along
9. Sentence 8: Cooks, especially when modifying
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each recipes, has to use some basic math skills,
item. such as estimating amounts.
If you rewrote sentence 8 beginning with When
modifying recipes, cooks, the next word should be

Items 6–11 refer to the following paragraph. (1) has.

(2) uses.
(3) use.
(1) Many people hate to cook, but others find (4) estimates.
cooking is a good way to relax. (2) There is many (5) modify.
ways to learn to cook. (3) One of the best ways are
10. Sentence 9: In a well-stocked kitchen is many
watching other people do it. (4) This can be done in
kinds of ingredients.
an actual kitchen, in a cooking class, or by watching
cooking programs on television. (5) There are all Which of the following is the best way to write
kinds of cooks. (6) Some people follow recipes care- the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
fully, measuring and counting with precision. (7) Oth- think the original is the best way, select
ers prefers to create as they go, tasting and testing choice (1).
along the way. (8) Cooks, especially when modifying (1) In a well-stocked kitchen is many kinds
recipes, has to use some basic math skills, such as (2) In a well-stocked kitchen many kinds
estimating amounts. (9) In a well-stocked kitchen is (3) A well-stocked kitchen have many kinds
many kinds of ingredients. (10) A creative cook must (4) A well-stocked kitchen has many kinds
also be familiar with them all. (11) Otherwise, it (5) Many kinds of well-stocked kitchens
would be difficult to know which herbs and spices
goes best with different foods. (12) The kitchen is a
place where creative people can experiment and
expand their talents.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

11. Sentence 11: Otherwise, it would be difficult to When we add -ing to a verb to show action that is
know which herbs and spices goes best with occurring in the present, we form a present participle.
different foods. This form of the verb also requires a helping verb, like is.
What correction should be made to this sentence? Gerunds are present participles that are used in
sentences as nouns rather than as parts of verb phrases.
(1) Remove would
(2) Change to know to knowing Her dancing on the table shocked everyone.
(3) Replace know which with know. Which Compare the following sentences:
(4) Change goes to go
(5) Insert kinds of after different Their working extra hours impressed the boss.

Check your answers on page 129. Because of the new project, they are working extra
hours this month.
Using Verb Phrases In the first sentence, working is a gerund that is the
Understanding subject-verb agreement is important for subject of the sentence. The verb is impressed. In the
clear writing. Verbs tell us not only what the subject does second sentence working is part of a verb phrase. They is
or is, but also when—past, present, or future. The form of the subject of the sentence; are working is the verb.
the verb changes to show an action’s place in time. Those
forms indicate verb tense.
Notice that some tenses require more than one
Exercise 5
word in the verb form:
Directions: Identify the participles in the following
The relatives have arrived for the wedding. sentences, paying attention to the meaning of the
A verb form with more than one word is called a verb sentence, and determine whether the participle is
phrase, containing a helping verb (have) and some form past or present.
of the main verb (arrive).
To see how verb phrases affect meaning, look at the 1. Jill and Evan are planning a party for next week.
two sentences below:
2. Maurice had helped with the presentation.
Jake and Brigitte have gone to the store.
3. The boss is sitting at Eva’s table.
Jake and Brigitte went to the store.
From the first sentence we learn that the action (going to
the store) happened at some unclear time in the past, but Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
it was not too long ago. They are probably still at the item.
store. That is, the action began in the past and continues
into the present. Notice that the verb form includes two
words, or a verb phrase.
Items 4–6 refer to the following paragraph.
The second sentence tells us something slightly
different. We learn from that sentence that Jake and
Brigitte went to the store at a particular time in the past, (1) Although much of the country suffers from
perhaps this morning, and the action is complete. crippling snowstorms, Californians usually have to
(Presumably, they are back.) This verb form is in the drive to the mountains to see snow. (2) The California
simple past tense and uses only one word (went). Highway Patrol knows that many people will be plan
In the first sentence, the word gone is a participle. trips to the snow during wet winters. (3) The authori-
Because the action started in the past, it is a past ties warn people to prepare well for trips to the
participle. Participles may not be used alone as verbs. mountains. (4) A sudden storm could close roads and
They must appear with a helping verb, such as have. tie up traffic for hours. (5) Traveling without tire
Participles can also be used to show action taking chains, good windshield wipers, plenty of gasoline,
place in the present: and antifreeze in your radiator is foolish. (6) Start out
Ruth is mowing the lawn. on a mountain drive without blankets and extra food
and water could also be regrettable. (7) If you get
stuck in the snow, you’ll know you should have pay
attention to the highway patrol’s advice.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

4. Sentence 2: The California Highway Patrol Unfortunately, English contains numerous irregular
knows that many people will be plan trips to verbs that have past participles that differ from their
the snow during wet winters. past-tense forms. There is, for example, the I, A, U group
What correction should be made to this sentence? of verbs:

(1) Change knows that to knows. That sing, sang, sung

(2) Change plan to planning ring, rang, rung
(3) Change plan to planned
(4) Change snow during to snow. During But watch out for these exceptions:
(5) No correction is necessary bring, brought, brought
5. Sentence 6: Start out on a mountain drive swing, swung, swung
without blankets and extra food and water
could also be regrettable. Because there are so many irregular verbs in English, you
must listen and read carefully to become alert to them.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
The chart below shows you the forms of some frequently
(1) Change Start to Starting used irregular verbs.
(2) Change drive to driven
(3) Insert take before blankets Past Participle
(4) Change be to been Present Tense Past Tense (Many times
(5) Change regrettable to regretting (Today I . . .) (Yesterday I . . .) I have . . .)
am was been
6. Sentence 7: If you get stuck in the snow, you’ll
bring brought brought
know you should have pay attention to the
choose chose chosen
highway patrol’s advice.
come came come
Which of the following is the best way to write the do did done
underlined portion of this sentence? If you think the eat ate eaten
original is the best way, select choice (1). forget forgot forgotten
(1) you should have pay attention go went gone
(2) you should have paying attention know knew known
(3) you should have been pay attention see saw seen
(4) you should have attention take took taken
(5) you should have paid attention throw threw thrown
write wrote written
Check your answers on page 129.
Be careful not to use participles alone, as if they were
Using the Correct Verb Form complete verbs. “I seen you at the restaurant” is
For most verbs in English, the past participle looks incorrect. The writer means either “I saw you at the
exactly like the simple past tense form of the verb. We restaurant” (past tense) or “I have seen you at the
merely place a helper in front of it: restaurant” (verb phrase).
One other verb form to consider is the infini-
The ponies trotted around the track. tive—a verb form with to in front of it: to go, to stare, to
The ponies have trotted around the track many study. Infinitives function as nouns in sentences. It is
times before. important not to split an infinitive (separate its parts) in a
sentence.
Here are some frequently used regular verbs.
Incorrect: She didn’t mean to rudely stare at the
Past Participle woman’s unusual hat.
Present Tense Past Tense (Many times
(Today I . . .) (Yesterday I . . .) I have . . .) Correct: She didn’t mean to stare rudely at the
woman’s unusual hat.
sit sat sat
walk walked walked
play played played

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Exercise 6 3. Sentence 7: Actually, it had been the butter,

sour cream, and rich sauces that people were
put on them.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item. What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Change been to being
(2) Replace had been with be
(3) Remove had
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
(4) Change put to putting
(5) Change put to putten
(1) Not long ago, people thought the way to lose Check your answers on page 130.
weight was to cutting out starchy foods like potatoes,
pasta, and bread. (2) Believing that protein was better
for them than carbohydrates, weight-conscious Using Verb Tenses
individuals ate extra meat. (3) High-protein diets When you use verbs, their tense tells your reader when
made the dieters feel hungry and frustrated with their the action in a sentence or paragraph takes place. It is
failed efforts to lose weight. (4) They would give up important to know whether an event happened in the
counting calories and go on eating binges, which past, is happening right now, happens all the time, or will
caused them to gain back whatever pounds they had happen later. Verb tense affects a reader’s reaction to
lose. (5) Nutritionists now understand the best way to information.
reach and maintain a healthful weight is to cut fat When you write, you must be careful not to change
rather than carbohydrates out of the diet. (6) It had tenses in midsentence or midparagraph. The following
not been the bread, potatoes, and pasta that caused sentence is confusing because it changes from past to
weight problems. (7) Actually, it had been the butter, future tense:
sour cream, and rich sauces that people were put on The crowd went wild when the team will enter the
them. (8) Pasta and fresh vegetables has become one stadium.
of the most popular meals among health-conscious
people. Does the writer mean the crowd will go wild or that the
team entered the stadium?
1. Sentence 1: Not long ago, people thought the The verb tense that uses a present tense helping
way to lose weight was to cutting out starchy verb with a past participle (has gone) is called present
foods like potatoes, pasta, and bread. perfect. It may mean the action occurred over a period of
time in the past, or that it occurred in the past but
What correction should be made to this sentence? continues into the present.
(1) Change thought to thinked A past tense helping verb with a past participle
(2) Change thought to thinking (had gone) is called past perfect, and it indicates that an
(3) Change lose to losing action was completed in the past after another past
(4) Change lose to lost action occurred:
(5) Change cutting to cut
By the time the sun came up, the street cleaners had
2. Sentence 4: They would give up counting finished their work.
calories and go on eating binges, which
Sometimes verbs use a past participle with the verb to be
caused them to gain back whatever pounds
rather than to have. We call these verbs passive. They
they had lose.
occur in sentences where the subject doesn’t perform the
If you rewrote sentence 4 beginning with Any action:
weight they had, the next word should be
The ladder was placed against the fence.
(1) lose.
(2) losing. In the sentence above, we don’t see the actor—whoever
(3) lost. placed the ladder against the fence. We see only the
(4) gained. ladder that someone has placed against the fence. In
(5) eaten. passive sentences, the subject doesn’t perform action; it
receives it. Compare the following two sentences.
The telephone pole was hit hard.
The truck hit the telephone pole hard.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

In the first sentence, no actor is apparent. Instead, the 8. Sentence 3: Included among workplace skills
subject (the telephone pole) receives action. In the are being able to listen, speak, and work well
second sentence, the subject (the truck) appears and with others.
performs an action (hits the telephone pole). Good If you rewrote sentence 3 beginning with Work-
writing tends most often to use active, rather than place skills, the next word should be
passive, verb structure.
(1) will.
(2) had.
Exercise 7 (3) meant.
(4) include.
Directions: Circle the time clues in the following (5) were.
sentences and then choose the correct verb tense.
9. Sentence 5: Knowing how to handle informa-
tion and modern technology also will help in
1. When she heard thunder, the kitten (will crawl/ the workplace.
crawled) under the chair. What correction should be made to this sentence?
2. Whenever it rains, I (feel/felt) cold all over. (1) Change Knowing to Know
(2) Change handle to handling
3. By the time his roommate arrived, Guy (walks/had
(3) Change will help to helps
walked) home.
(4) Change will help to helped
4. Now Jonathan loves cross-country skiing, but last (5) Change help in to help. In
year he (refuses/refused) to try it.
10. Sentence 6: Equally important were a sense of
5. Currently, we (receive/received) only one newspa- personal responsibility.
per, but next fall we will subscribe to two. What correction should be made to this sentence?
6. Now that school has started, I (am/was) ready to (1) Change important were to important. Were
study. (2) Change were to is
7. Last year, Ken and Lucille (will have/had) a long (3) Change were to are
vacation. (4) Change were to was
(5) No correction is necessary
Check your answers on page 130.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
Keeping Verb Tense Consistent
Throughout a Paragraph
Within paragraphs, the clue for tense in one sentence
Items 8–10 refer to the following passage. often comes from the other sentences. This is an
important concept to know for the multiple-choice
section of the GED Language Arts, Writing Test. For
(1) Schools are frequently under attack for not example, if the first three sentences in a paragraph are
teaching basic reading, writing, and math skills. written in the present tense, the fourth sentence should
(2) But even those children who do acquire basic skills also be in the present tense. In the paragraph below, you
in school may be poorly prepared for the world of can see what happens when tense changes unnecessarily:
work. (3) Included among workplace skills are being
able to listen, speak, and work well with others. (4) A Kim’s parents watch the news every evening. They
successful worker needs critical thinking skills, too. like to keep up with current events. Kim watches
(5) Knowing how to handle information and modern with them, but she preferred game shows.
technology also will help in the workplace. (6) Equally The sudden shift to past tense in the last sentence is
important were a sense of personal responsibility. incorrect and confusing. The writer probably meant that
(7) Business and labor are working with educators to Kim prefers game shows.
close the skills gap between the classroom and the job.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

There are times, however, when one sentence in a

paragraph could require a different tense from the others. Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
When this is the case, there will be a clue, as in the item.
following example:
Last year the school parking lot was a disaster. Cars
parked in no-parking zones, blocked driveways, and Items 12–15 refer to the following paragraphs.
hemmed in other cars. No one paid attention to
signs or directions. People came in and went out
the same driveways, and there were several (1) For generations, the United States has been a
accidents. Finally, the police were called in to direct haven for people from vastly different cultures. (2) The
traffic and give tickets to illegally parked cars. This first wave of immigrants, who came primarily from
year, our parking lot is easy to use. Europe, poured into the country, learned American
ways, and become part of the huge American “melting
All the italicized clues call for past-tense verbs except for pot.” (3) The idea of a melting pot suggests that
the last one, which calls for a present-tense verb. everyone became the same, adopting the same
attitudes, language, and customs.
Exercise 8 (4) A new wave of immigration in the 1970s
and 1980s has change this view of America. (5) While
Directions: Write the word present, past, or people continue to seek freedom and opportunity in
future to indicate which verb tense would follow the United States, they clung with pride to the culture
each of the clues below. of their homelands. (6) No longer wanting to be like
everyone else, American citizens are taking renewed
pride in their heritage. (7) It’s common to hear a
1. yesterday variety of languages in American schools. (8) Restau-
2. when I get old rants and food stores offer many kinds of ethnic
foods. (9) Cultural fairs and festivals gave Americans
3. the other day an opportunity to learn about the music, stories, and
4. next summer costumes of one another’s native countries.
5. right now
12. Sentence 2: The first wave of immigrants, who
6. when I was at my brother’s house came primarily from Europe, poured into the
7. whenever I hear loud noises country, learned American ways, and become
8. at this time tomorrow part of the huge American “melting pot.”

9. for the next three months Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
10. last time think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).

Directions: Correct the following paragraph for (1) poured into the country, learned American
appropriate verb tense. All the verbs appear in ways, and become part of
italics. Not all the verbs are incorrect. (2) pour into the country, learn American ways,
and become part of
(3) poured into the country, learned American
11. Last summer, the Orangerie Produce Co. had an ways, and became part of
employee picnic. The picnic is a great success, (4) poured into the country, learn American
thanks to the Planning Committee. The committee ways, and become part of
members will work for weeks by the time picnic (5) pour into the country, learn American ways,
day arrived. The employees had played games, and became part of
danced, swam, and ate hot dogs and apple pie by
the end of the day. Everyone will hope there was
another picnic next year.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

13. Sentence 4: A new wave of immigration in the Three repetitions of the subjects’ names would confuse
1970s and 1980s has change this view of the reader and sound very strange. Here’s how pronouns
America. improve writing:
What correction should be made to this sentence? Jason and Peter were longtime friends who worked
(1) Replace has change with is changing together in construction and shared their tools.
(2) Replace has change with has changed English has a variety of pronouns for several different
(3) Change has to had purposes. The most common group of pronouns refers to
(4) Remove has specific people or things:
(5) No correction is necessary
I you he she
14. Sentence 5: While people continue to seek it me him her
freedom and opportunity in the United States, we they us them
they clung with pride to the culture of their
homelands. Example: The lifeguard said we can swim today.
Which of the following is the best way to write Another group of pronouns refers to nonspecific people
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you or things; that is, nouns that are not specified elsewhere
think the original is the best way, select in the sentence:
choice (1).
anyone everybody no one anything
(1) they clung with pride to each one both nothing
(2) they clinged with pride to many others one
(3) they clang with pride to
(4) they cling with pride to Example: Many disagreed.
(5) they were proud of Some pronouns suggest ownership:
15. Sentence 9: Cultural fairs and festivals gave yours his hers its
Americans an opportunity to learn about the mine theirs ours
music, stories, and costumes of one another’s
native countries. Example: Joel said to keep your hands off his car.
What correction should be made to this sentence? Others are used for emphasis or to reflect back on the
(1) Change gave to give noun:
(2) Change gave to had given myself ourselves yourself itself
(3) Replace to with for himself herself themselves
(4) Remove to
(5) Replace to with and Examples: The children can tie their shoes by
themselves. I, myself, wouldn’t do that.
Check your answers on page 130.

Using Pronouns
Writing stays both interesting and clear when we use
pronouns. Pronouns are words used to refer to nouns,
where otherwise we would have to repeat the noun.
Without them, both speech and writing would not only
sound ridiculous but would be difficult to understand.
This is what would happen if we eliminated
pronouns from our writing:
Jason and Peter were longtime friends, Jason and
Peter worked together in construction, and Jason
and Peter shared Jason’s and Peter’s tools.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Exercise 9 3. Sentence 8: To control the symptoms for

many people.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each Which of the following is the best way to write
item. the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).
(1) To control the symptoms
Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph.
(2) They control the symptoms
(3) Their control the symptoms
(1) About 35 million Americans suffer from an (4) Its control of the symptoms
illness called Seasonal Affective Disorder. (2) These 35 (5) They themselves control the symptoms
million Americans lack energy and feel sad and 4. Sentence 9: Anyone who suffers from SAD
hopeless during the long nights and dreary days of should consult a physician for advice and
winter. (3) Victims of SAD, as the disorder is called by treatment.
psychiatrists, often overeat, gain weight, lose interest
in his jobs, and have trouble with their relationships. What correction should be made to this sentence?
(4) Children and adolescents, who suffer from SAD (1) Replace Anyone with They
just like adults, exhibit disruptive behavior in school, (2) Change suffers to suffer
have short attention spans, and lack interest in (3) Change consult to consulted
learning. (5) The illness affects more women than (4) Change physician for to physician. For
men. (6) Researchers think the dim light of winter (5) No correction is necessary
causes a reduction in certain brain chemicals and
Check your answers on page 130.
that people who are sensitive to this deprivation feel
the symptoms of SAD. (7) It’s possible to buy special
lights that are twenty times brighter than ordinary Choosing the Correct Pronoun
indoor lights. (8) To control the symptoms for many The form of personal pronouns, those that substitute for
people. (9) Anyone who suffers from SAD should specific people, is determined by the role the pronoun
consult a physician for advice and treatment. plays in the sentence in which it appears. That means if
the pronoun is the actor in the sentence, it must be in the
1. Sentence 2: These 35 million Americans lack subject form (we, he, she, they). If it’s the receiver of the
energy and feel sad and hopeless during the action, it must be in the object form (us, him, her, them).
long nights and dreary days of winter. Just as verbs must agree with the nouns they go
with in a sentence, pronouns must agree with the nouns
Which of the following is the best way to write
they replace. The noun that is replaced by a pronoun is
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
called an antecedent, and pronouns must agree with
think the original is the best way, select
their antecedents in two ways.
choice (1).
First, the pronoun and antecedent must agree in
(1) These 35 million Americans number. That is, if the noun is plural, the pronoun must
(2) Everyone be plural, and if the noun is singular, the pronoun must
(3) Because they be singular. The most common mistake with pronoun
(4) Sometimes agreement in number is to confuse their with his or her
(5) They and them with him or her.
2. Sentence 3: Victims of SAD, as the disorder is Incorrect: Each applicant must turn in their cards.
called by psychiatrists, often overeat, gain
weight, lose interest in his jobs, and have This sentence is incorrect because the antecedent,
trouble with their relationships. applicant, is singular, but the pronoun, their, is plural.
The sentence should read:
What correction should be made to this sentence?
Correct: Each applicant must turn in his or her card.
(1) Change called to call
(2) Change psychiatrists, often to psychiatrists. You can make the pronoun and antecedent agree in
Often number in the above sentence by rewriting it and by
(3) Change overeat to overeats changing the antecedent:
(4) Change gains to gained
Correct: All applicants must turn in their cards.
(5) Change his to their

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

This construction actually is preferable because it avoids great clothing for yourself and gifts for your friends.
the awkwardness of using his or her. (5) Consignment items might come from people who
The following table shows that pronouns and need new clothes because they have gained or lost
antecedents must also agree by person. weight. (6) Some people just get tired of their perfectly
good clothes and want to sell them. (7) After selling an
Type of Pronoun Pronoun
item, the owner of the store gives a portion of the
First-person pronouns (re- I, we, me, us, my, mine, money to the original owner and keeps the rest.
fer to me) our, ours, myself, and our- (8) They make money, and you get our bargain.
selves
Second-person pronouns you, your, yourself, and 4. Sentence 1: If you’re looking for a bargain,
(refer to you) yourselves many people love to shop in consignment
stores.
Third-person pronouns (re- he, she, it, they, him, her,
Which of the following is the best way to write
fer to everyone and every- them, his, hers, its, theirs,
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
thing other than me or himself, herself, and them-
think the original is the best way, select
you) selves
choice (1).
If you write one part of a sentence or a paragraph in the (1) many people love to shop
third person, it would be incorrect to shift suddenly to (2) they love to shop
first- or second-person pronouns. For example, if you’re (3) you might like to shop
talking about Marjorie (third person), do not shift to you (4) everyone loves to shop
for the pronoun: (5) I would prefer to shop
Incorrect: Marjorie knows that if she wants to win, 5. Sentence 4: One might find great clothing for
you must practice every day. yourself and gifts for your friends.
Correct: Marjorie knows that if she wants to win, What correction should be made to this sentence?
she must practice every day. (1) Replace One with I
(2) Replace One with We
Exercise 10 (3) Replace One with They
(4) Replace One with You
Directions: Correct the pronouns in the following (5) Replace One with It
sentences, making sure they agree with the nouns 6. Sentence 8: They make money, and you get
and are in the proper form. our bargain.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
1. Manuel and Umeki agreed to share one’s study (1) Replace They with We
notes with each other. (2) Replace They with You
2. A baby seal can swim by themselves right away. (3) Replace you with we
(4) Replace you with they
3. The basketball team lost their third game in a row. (5) Replace our with your
Check your answers on page 130.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.

Items 4–6 refer to the following paragraph.

(1) If you’re looking for a bargain, many people

love to shop in consignment stores. (2) For low prices,
these stores sell used clothing and other items that are
in good condition. (3) It’s possible to find wonderful
bargains and hidden treasures. (4) One might find

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Does the Pronoun Fit the Rest of Exercise 11

the Sentence?
In some GED Writing Skills Test items, you will need to Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
correct the use of pronouns and their antecedents. You’ve item.
seen how confusing it can be when pronouns do not agree
with their antecedents in number and person. Sometimes,
antecedents are so unclear that readers can’t tell whether
or not the pronouns agree with them. Can you tell what all Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
the pronouns refer to in the following passage?
A group of us had hoped to go fishing over the (1) Historians and sociologists study periods of
weekend. We had gathered several times at one time and attach labels to them. (2) Some decades, for
person’s house to plan the trip. We agreed that example, carry names that suggest their main charac-
some of us would have to go to the store to teristics. (3) We refer to the last decade of the 1800s as
purchase supplies, while the others would get the the Gay Nineties because of its general prosperity.
boat and fishing gear ready. The day before the trip, (4) These were years when people had jobs. (5) They
when it was time to buy the food, they were so were industrially productive. (6) The Roaring Twenties
tired that we decided to forget it. suggests a time of wild behavior, when women cut her
hair short and smoked cigarettes. (7) Wild dances like
The last sentence above raises a few questions: Who are
the Charleston were popular, and young people drove
they? Are they the people who were going on the trip?
fast cars and partied a great deal. (8) Student protest,
Are they the people who sold supplies? What is it they
the sexual revolution, and feminism characterize the
decided to forget? Is it shopping for supplies, or is it the
radical ’60s and ’70s. (9) The 1980s are seen as a time
entire fishing trip?
of greed, when selfish pursuit of money is what drove
When you use pronouns, you must make sure the
them.
antecedents are clear. Otherwise, the reader can’t tell
what the pronoun refers to and probably won’t be able to
1. Sentences 4 and 5: These were years when
understand what you mean.
people had jobs. They were industrially
Unclear pronoun references usually occur for one
productive.
of three reasons:
The most effective combination of sentences 4
1. There are two possible antecedents for a single and 5 would include which of the following
pronoun. groups of words?
Mario told Albert he was wrong. (1) Although people had jobs
Because either Mario or Albert could be the antecedent (2) Although they were industrially productive
for the pronoun he, the reader can’t tell who was wrong. (3) During these industrially productive years
(4) Despite their productivity
2. The antecedent is placed too far away from the (5) Even though most people had jobs
pronoun.
2. Sentence 6: The Roaring Twenties suggests a
At the bottom of the hill was a huge forest. Hundreds
time of wild behavior, when women cut her
of trees crowded together to hide the sky. Pine needles
hair short and smoked cigarettes.
covered up the paths, and overgrown shrubs and vines
blocked the view. Hiking to the other side was diffi- What correction should be made to this sentence?
cult. The campers were frightened by it. (1) Replace her with our
The pronoun it is so far from its antecedent forest that a (2) Replace her with their
reader might wonder what it is. (3) Replace her with its
(4) Replace her with hers
3. There is no antecedent. (5) No correction is necessary
Patricia always loved school, which made her want
to become a teacher.
The pronoun which doesn’t refer to any particular noun.
You might rewrite the sentence to read: The fact that
Patricia always loved school made her want to become
a teacher.

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 UNIT 2: USAGE AND GRAMMAR

3. Sentence 9: The 1980s are seen as a time of Make the he/him substitution, and you find that only he
greed, when selfish pursuit of money is what makes sense:
drove them. The officer told the jury (he/who) was at the scene
Which of the following is the best way to write of the crime.
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best way, select Exercise 12
choice (1).
(1) selfish pursuit of money is what drove them Directions: Choose the correct relative pronouns
(2) they were driven by selfish pursuit of money in the following sentences.
(3) selfish pursuit of money motivated them
(4) people selfishly pursued money
(5) they were selfish and drove big cars 1. All the dogs (who/that) went to obedience school
can perform tricks.
Check your answers on page 130.
2. Everyone (who/that) asked received an announce-
ment.
Using Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are a special kind of pronoun; they 3. Mrs. Doak, (who/which) lives next door, travels
don’t actually replace a noun but refer to it. every summer.

who whom which 4. (Who/Whom) shall I ask to help?

whoever whomever that 5. They finally fixed the car (who/that) had broken
Relative pronouns give you another way to combine ideas down four times.
into a single sentence. 6. (Whoever/Whomever) wants to come is welcome.
Simple sentence with a relative pronoun clause:
People who want muscular bodies work out
regularly. Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
When we refer to animals or things, we use that or which,
but when we refer to people, we use who or whom.
The birds that sing all morning have built a nest in
Items 7–11 refer to the following paragraph.
our tree.
The people who sing in the choir have nice voices.
(1) Because of their convenience, more and more
Many people are troubled by who and whom because people are running businesses out of their homes.
they can’t figure out which one to use. You can solve this (2) A home-based business is good for anyone who
problem by remembering that who is used in the subject can discipline themselves. (3) Some companies allow
or actor position in a sentence or clause, and whom is employees to work at home, so they can have a home
used in the object or receiver position. office without owning their own business. (4) People
In the sentence below, the relative pronoun who is that work at home might miss the company of other
used as the subject of a clause. Is going is the verb. workers and become lonely. (5) However, some people
do very well on your own. (6) Working at home
Give a ticket to everyone who is going.
means one must be careful not to get caught up in the
In the following sentence, the relative pronoun whom is distractions of family, housework, or watching
used as an object: television instead of working; it can be a problem.
(7) Some people who work at home find they snack all
The man whom the police suspected was proved
day long and gain weight. (8) Some home-based
innocent.
workers work late into the night and fail to get
When you’re not sure whether to use who or whom, enough sleep, but others find the quiet of night hours
look only at the words in the clause. Mentally substitute the most appealing part of working in a home office.
he or him for the pronoun, and if he fits, use who; if him
fits, use whom.
The officer told the jury (who/whom) was at the
scene of the crime.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

7. Sentence 1: Because of their convenience, more 10. Sentence 5: However, some people do very
and more people are running businesses out of well on your own.
their homes. What correction should be made to this sentence?
Which of the following is the best way to write the (1) Replace your with his or her
underlined portion of this sentence? If you think the (2) Replace your with our
original is the best way, select choice (1). (3) Replace your with their
(1) Because of their convenience, (4) Replace your with one’s
(2) Because they find it convenient, (5) No correction is necessary
(3) Being convenient,
11. Sentence 6: Working at home means one must
(4) For your convenience,
be careful not to get caught up in the distrac-
(5) Because of your convenience,
tions of family, housework, or watching
8. Sentence 2: A home-based business is good for television instead of working; it can be a
anyone who can discipline themselves. problem.
What correction should be made to this sentence? If you rewrote sentence 6 beginning with Home-
(1) Replace anyone with someone based workers must beware of, the next word
(2) Replace anyone with people should be
(3) Replace anyone with a person (1) working.
(4) Change themselves to themself (2) them.
(5) No correction is necessary (3) it.
(4) him or her.
9. Sentence 4: People that work at home might miss
(5) distractions.
the company of other workers and become
lonely. Check your answers on page 131.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Replace People with Someone
(2) Replace People with Anyone
(3) Replace that with whom
(4) Replace that with who
(5) Replace that with which

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Unit 3
MECHANICS
Capitalization Exercise 1
When you refer to general items, like cities, you don’t
capitalize the word. But if you refer to a specific city, like Directions: Some of the specific names in the
Dallas, you must capitalize its name. following sentences lack capitalization. Correct the
Examples of specific and general names appear in sentences by capitalizing those words. Not all the
the table below. sentences contain errors.
Names of Specific People, Places,
People, Places, and Things in General
1. The notice says dr. Juanita Moreno will speak
and Things
tonight.
Governor Pataki will The governor will speak.
speak. 2. We heard a deputy sheriff at the july meeting.
We live at 2511 Oak Our street is shady. 3. The governor answered questions for more than
Street. an hour.
I’m reading War and There could be a war.
Peace. 4. Ryan likes old movies; his favorite is casablanca.
They went rafting on They went rafting on 5. Chidori speaks several languages, including
the Colorado River. the river. japanese, english, and french.
He lives in the West. She lives on the west
side of the street.
They enjoyed Gone with They enjoyed last night’s Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
the Wind. movie. item.
The following paragraph, which contains no capitaliza-
tion errors, shows the distinction between general and
specific words: Items 6 and 7 refer to the following paragraph.
When Jim decided to open a bank account with
some money his aunt had given him, he looked for (1) Our legislator is senator Sperling. (2) He
a bank that was both open on Saturdays and located shows a genuine interest in his constituents. (3) Every
close to his home. Looking in the phone book’s
month he sends out a newsletter and a questionnaire
yellow pages, he discovered First Continental Bank
to survey voters’ opinions on several issues. (4) He
had a branch near his house on Olive Street. His
occasionally holds meetings at a public library.
Aunt Millie’s check was large enough for him to
(5) Last month he spoke about health care at the
open the account and still have some extra cash to
Brownsville public library. (6) This is one politician
buy A Tale of Two Cities, the book he needed for
who understands the need for voters to be informed.
his class on the French Revolution. At the bank, he
(7) He wants to keep in touch with the people.
was assisted by Mr. Collier, an account clerk.
You see that words that name specific people or places 6. Sentence 1: Our legislator is senator Sperling.
are capitalized, while more general words are not.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
We learn that Jim received money from his aunt,
which could be any of his aunts. Later in the paragraph, (1) Change Our to our
we learn that the money came from Aunt Millie. In this (2) Change legislator to Legislator
instance, Aunt is part of someone’s name. It refers to a (3) Change senator to Senator
specific person, so it must be capitalized. Jim was assisted (4) Change Sperling to sperling
by an account clerk, which could be any unnamed (5) No correction is necessary
account clerk. But the writer could have said, “Jim was
assisted by Account Clerk Collier.” In this case, Account
Clerk is capitalized because it is someone’s title.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

7. Sentence 5: Last month he spoke about health 7. Languages or nationalities

care at the Brownsville public library. He speaks Spanish and loves Mexican food.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Change month to Month 8. Direction words when used as the name of a
(2) Change health to Health place
(3) Change Brownsville to brownsville They moved to the West. Our cousins live in
(4) Change public library to Public Library Northern Ireland.
(5) No correction is necessary Do not capitalize directions when they are
Check your answers on page 131. used to describe something:
The southern side of the house needs shade.
Some Words Are Always Their house faces east.
Capitalized
Distinguishing between the general and the specific helps
you determine when to capitalize many words. Certain
Exercise 2
words, however, always need to be capitalized. The best
way to recognize them is to learn the following rules of Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
capitalization. item.
Always capitalize:

1. Names of people and places Items 1–5 refer to the following paragraph.
Shirley Chisholm, John F. Kennedy, Lincoln Cen-
ter, Museum of Modern Art, Grand Canyon
(1) The United States has almost fifty National
2. Titles of works (books, movies, paintings) Note: Parks ranging from the western edge of the continent
Do not capitalize and, or, the, a, an, or prepo- to the eastern edge. (2) Some, like yellowstone, cover
sitions of fewer than five letters in titles unless territory in more than one state. (3) Each park boasts
they are the first or last word of the title. something beautiful and special. (4) For example, the
Great Smoky Mountains are the largest eastern
For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Witches of Mountain Range. (5) California’s Yosemite national
Eastwick, Jurassic Park, Leonardo da Vinci’s park is famous for having the nation’s highest
The Last Supper waterfall. (6) Mammoth cave in Kentucky has 144
miles of underground passages. (7) Our national
3. Names of streets, cities, states, and countries parks preserve the scenic wonders of our land.
They live in the United States, at 555 Elm
Street, Montgomery, Alabama. 1. Sentence 1: The United States has almost fifty
National Parks ranging from the western
4. Titles of people edge of the continent to the eastern edge.
Doctor (Dr.) Hobart, Mayor Wallace, Princess What correction should be made to this sentence?
Diana, Aunt Ethel, the President of the United (1) Change United States to united states
States (2) Change National Parks to national parks
A person may serve up to eight years as (3) Change western to Western
President of the United States. (4) Change continent to Continent
(5) Change eastern to Eastern
5. Days of the week, months, and holidays (but
not seasons)
The third Saturday in August is when we
begin our vacation every summer, and we
return after Labor Day.

6. Historic eras or events

the Renaissance, World War II, the Stone Age

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

2. Sentence 2: Some, like yellowstone, cover Linking Ideas into One Sentence
territory in more than one state. To add variety to your writing, you will sometimes join
What correction should be made to this sentence? two or more ideas together into one sentence.
You must use a comma between independent
(1) Change Some to some
clauses when you join the clauses with the connecting
(2) Change yellowstone to Yellowstone
words (conjunctions) and, so, but, and or. The connect-
(3) Change territory to Territory
ing word in compound sentences always appears in
(4) Change state to State
between the two clauses.
(5) No correction is necessary
Late movies on television put me to sleep, so I don’t
3. Sentence 4: For example, the Great Smoky
watch them.
Mountains are the largest eastern Mountain
Range. Certain connecting words in compound sentences take a
What correction should be made to this sentence? semicolon and a comma. The semicolon precedes the
connector, and the comma follows:
(1) Change example to Example
(2) Change Great Smoky Mountains to great Movies on television put me to sleep; however, I
smoky mountains never fall asleep in a movie theater.
(3) Change largest to Largest These connectors are usually preceded by a semicolon
(4) Change eastern to Eastern and followed by a comma:
(5) Change Mountain Range to mountain range
however nevertheless otherwise on the other
4. Sentence 5: California’s Yosemite national hand
park is famous for having the nation’s finally instead likewise moreover
highest waterfall. besides furthermore in addition consequently
What correction should be made to this sentence? thus therefore as a result for example
(1) Change Yosemite to yosemite Writing complex sentences is another way to link ideas
(2) Change national park to National Park into a single sentence. In complex sentences, one of the
(3) Change nation’s to Nation’s ideas will have a connecting word attached to it that
(4) Change highest to Highest makes it dependent upon the rest of the sentence for its
(5) Change waterfall to Waterfall meaning. That dependent clause, with the connecting
5. Sentence 6: Mammoth cave in Kentucky has word attached, can appear at the beginning or at the end
144 miles of underground passages. of the sentence.
If the dependent clause appears at the beginning,
What correction should be made to this sentence?
before the independent clause, you must follow it with a
(1) Change Mammoth to mammoth comma:
(2) Change cave to Cave
(3) Change Kentucky to kentucky Whenever I drink tea, I put lemon in it.
(4) Change underground to Underground If the dependent clause appears at the end, after the
(5) Change passages to Passages independent clause, you do not use a comma:
Check your answers on page 131. I add lemon whenever I drink tea.

Punctuation
In writing, punctuation is essential to make the meaning
clear. Periods, question marks, and exclamation points
appear at the ends of sentences and rarely present
problems.
Commas, on the other hand, are used internally in
sentences for a variety of reasons. They indicate pauses
in thought, and they show relationships among the ideas
in a sentence.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Exercise 3 3. Sentences 4 and 5: Parking in these spots

requires a special license plate. It’s not
uncommon to find these spaces illegally
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
occupied.
item.
The most effective combination of sentences 4
and 5 would include which of the following
groups of words?
Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) Parking is not uncommon
(2) Illegally parked cars occupy
(1) Enormous parking lots near shopping malls, (3) Even though spaces are illegal
hospitals, business districts, supermarkets, and movie (4) Special license plates require
theaters attest to the vast numbers of cars in America (5) Cars without spaces
and the amount of time people spend in them. 4. Sentence 8: These volunteers cite illegally
(2) Once people buck traffic jams to get to these parked cars, inform the driver and report the
parking lots they face the problem of finding a car to the authorities.
convenient parking place. (3) Because physical
disabilities make it truly difficult for some people to What correction should be made to this sentence?
walk long distances a few spaces for the disabled are (1) Insert a comma after volunteers
often reserved close to the buildings. (4) Parking in (2) Remove the comma after cars
these spots requires a special license plate. (5) It’s not (3) Insert a comma after driver
uncommon to find these spaces illegally occupied. (4) Insert a comma after and
(6) Parking in these spaces illegally carries a heavy (5) Insert a comma after report
fine. (7) Law enforcement officers have little time to
Check your answers on page 131.
patrol parking lots, but some communities have solved
that problem with volunteers. (8) These volunteers cite
illegally parked cars, inform the driver and report the Using Commas to Set Off Parts
car to the authorities. of Sentences
Commas help readers understand your writing. Commas
1. Sentence 2: Once people buck traffic jams to can indicate a pause in thought, or they may tell the
get to these parking lots they face the prob- reader that some information is set apart from the main
lem of finding a convenient parking place. part of the sentence.
Which of the following is the best way to write Single words or word groups (called phrases)
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you sometimes appear at the beginning of sentences to give
think the original is the best way, select the reader additional information. Introductory words,
choice (1). phrases, and clauses must be followed by a comma:
(1) to get to these parking lots they face Across town, crowds watched the Fourth of July
(2) to get to these parking lots. They face parade.
(3) to get to these, parking lots they face Hoping for a miracle, Louis searched the house for
(4) to get to these parking lots, they face his lost keys.
(5) to get, to these parking lots they face
Eagerly, Yolanda opened the letter from her
2. Sentence 3: Because physical disabilities make brother.
it truly difficult for some people to walk long
distances a few spaces for the disabled are Before the car started, the passengers fastened their
often reserved close to the buildings. seat belts.
What correction should be made to this sentence? When addressing someone directly in a sentence, you use
(1) Insert a comma after difficult a comma:
(2) Insert a comma after distances Mother, please don’t tell me what to wear.
(3) Insert a comma after spaces
(4) Insert a comma after disabled
(5) No correction is necessary

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

Occasionally a word or a phrase interrupts the main 1. Sentence 2: When he was alive his novels
thought. If you remove the word or phrase, you still have appeared in magazines in serial form.
a sentence that makes sense. What correction should be made to this sentence?
Roy attended night school, exhausting himself in (1) Change was to were
the process, to become a car mechanic. (2) Insert a comma after alive
The main idea of the sentence is that Roy attended school (3) Change appeared to will appear
at night to become a car mechanic. The fact that he was (4) Change the spelling of magazines to mag-
exhausting himself in the process is informative, but it is isines
not necessary to make the sentence clear. (5) No correction is necessary
Another kind of interrupter describes a noun in the 2. Sentence 3: People read the stories in monthly
sentence: installments, and had to wait for the next
Dmitri, a Russian immigrant, was eager to master issue to find out about the next plot twist.
English. Which of the following is the best way to write
the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
Common interrupters that are set off by commas include
think the original is the best way, select
such expressions as for example and I believe, as well as
choice (1).
people’s names:
(1) monthly installments, and had to wait
Consider, for example, yesterday’s discussion. (2) monthly installments, and have to wait
Their favorite cousins, Jeff and Lee, were coming to (3) monthly installments, and will wait
visit. (4) monthly installments and had to wait
(5) Monthly Installments, and had to wait
You must not use commas to set apart information in the
middle of a sentence if that information is essential to the 3. Sentence 5: Among his books are the well-
meaning of the sentence. If you’re tempted to set off known titles, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist,
some words or phrases with commas, try reading the A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol.
sentence without those words to be sure it still makes What correction should be made to this sentence?
sense. Remember, the commas mean you can omit the
(1) Insert a comma after are
words between them without changing the meaning of
(2) Change titles to Titles
the sentence.
(3) Remove the comma after titles
(4) Change of to Of
Exercise 4 (5) Remove the comma after Cities
Check your answers on page 131.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
Overcoming Spelling Problems
A good essay can be marred by misspelled words. You
will need to know some basic rules, memorize excep-
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph. tions to the rules, and practice. Study the list on pages
114–117. A dictionary can also help you with difficult
words.
(1) One of the most famous English writers of the It’s easier to spell words if you divide them into
last century was Charles Dickens, a novelist who lived syllables. A syllable is a part of a word that is
from 1812 to 1870. (2) When he was alive his novels pronounced as a single unit: go 1 ing 5 going; fe 1 ver
appeared in magazines in serial form. (3) People read 1 ish 5 feverish. Say the word first, to hear how many
the stories in monthly installments, and had to wait syllables there are, and spell each one as you write.
for the next issue to find out about the next plot twist. Notice that each syllable contains at least one vowel.
(4) Acclaimed during his lifetime, Dickens remains a
popular novelist whose offbeat characters and satiric con 1 cen 1 trate 5 concentrate
plots are well known to people around the world. op 1 por 1 tu 1 ni 1 ty 5 opportunity
(5) Among his books are the well-known titles, David
Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, and A
Christmas Carol.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

ADDING -ING OR -ED TO A VERB Exercise 5

When you change verb tense or use verb phrases, you
change the form of the verb, frequently by adding -ed or Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
-ing to the main part of the verb. item.
1. If the verb ends in e, drop the e before adding -ing:
use becomes using
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
ride becomes riding

2. If the verb has one syllable and a single consonant (1) To encourage recycling, some service stations
preceded by a single vowel, double the final and oil-changing facilities are begining to accept used
consonant before adding -ed or -ing: motor oil from people who change the oil in their own
let becomes letting cars. (2) Stations that recieve used oil have to pass
government standards to obtain certification to
hit becomes hitting recycle it. (3) Oil must not be contaminated, and there
must be arrangements with waste-oil haulers to take
3. If the word does not meet these criteria, do not the oil to recycling plants. (4) Many people, unsure of
double the consonant: how to dispose of their used motor oil, pour it down
listen becomes listened storm drains, into garbage cans, or directly into the
ground. (5) Each gallon of oil has the potential to
sleep becomes sleeping damage one million gallons of groundwater, but it is
important that oil be disposed of properly.
WORDS WITH IE AND EI
1. Sentence 1: To encourage recycling, some
1. If the vowel sound is ee, put the i first, except after c: service stations and oil-changing facilities are
begining to accept used motor oil from
believe, thief, niece, receive
people who change the oil in their own cars.
Exceptions to this rule include seize, either, neither, What correction should be made to this sentence?
leisure, weird.
(1) Change begining to beginning
2. If the vowel sound is a or i, put the e before the i: (2) Change accept to acept
(3) Change facilities to facillities
neighbor, freight, height (4) Replace people with people’s
(5) Change people to People
WORDS THAT END IN -CEDE, -SEDE, 2. Sentence 2: Stations that recieve used oil have
-CEED to pass government standards to obtain
certification to recycle it.
1. Only one word ends in -sede:
What correction should be made to this sentence?
supersede
(1) Change recieve to reccieve
(2) Change recieve to receive
2. Only three words end in -ceed:
(3) Replace obtain with obtains
exceed, proceed, succeed (4) Change certification to certafication
(5) No correction is necessary
3. All the others end in -cede:
precede, recede, secede, concede

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

3. Sentence 5: Each gallon of oil has the potential 4. Some nouns that end in f change the f to v and add
to damage one million gallons of groundwa- es for the plural:
ter, but it is important that oil be disposed of leaf becomes leaves
properly.
wolf becomes wolves
What correction should be made to this sentence?
calf becomes calves
(1) Change has to had
(2) Remove to half becomes halves
(3) Change damage to damaged
(4) Replace but with or 5. Some nouns that end in fe change the f to v and add s:
(5) Replace but with so knife becomes knives
Check your answers on page 132. wife becomes wives
life becomes lives
Changing Nouns: Singular to Plural
If you write that Lorenzo drives a truck, you are using a 6. Some nouns don’t change at all when they become
singular noun. But if Lorenzo drives several trucks, you plural:
change the noun to plural.
You change words from singular to plural all the The deer were hiding among the trees.
time, both in speaking and in writing. In English, nouns I saw a deer by the side of the road.
change to their plural form in several ways, so the trick is On a trip to Alaska, several moose crossed the street
to spell the plural correctly. The following six rules will in front of us.
help you.
To see a moose up close is an amazing sight.
1. Most nouns can be made plural by adding s. If the noun
ends in s, x, ch, or sh, make it plural by adding es: Exercise 6
loss becomes losses
fox becomes foxes Directions: Circle and correct the misspelled
words in the sentences that follow.
wrench becomes wrenches
lash becomes lashes
1. They had hopped to find more clues at the scene
of the crime.
2. Nouns that end in a consonant plus y become plural
by changing the y to i and adding es: 2. Some adults think there are no heros for young-
city becomes cities sters to admire.
penny becomes pennies 3. Guido’s directions were so good, we found both
address in less than an hour.
party becomes parties
doily becomes doilies 4. There were too many boxs to fit into the back of
the car.
3. Some nouns that end in a consonant plus o add es: 5. Marguerita planted tomatos and carrots in her
hero becomes heroes garden.
potato becomes potatoes 6. After three trys, Madeline got the basketball
tomato becomes tomatoes through the hoop.
halo becomes haloes

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

9. Sentence 6: Newspapers and magazines also

Directions: Choose the one best answer for each publish ideas for saving money; there are
item. plenty of tips for anyone who is serious
about financiel cutbacks.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
Items 7–9 refer to the following paragraph. (1) Change the spelling of magazines to magez-
ines
(2) Insert a comma after ideas
(1) With a weak economy and a high rate of (3) Replace the semicolon with a comma
unemployment, people seek ways to save money. (4) Change who to whom
(2) Several books and articles have been written to (5) Change the spelling of financiel to financial
help people save money and change bad spending
habits. (3) There are even classes available for Check your answers on page 132.
helpping people reduce their debts. (4) Some people
have started newsletters that show how to save Adding Suffixes
money. (5) Among a variety of ways to avoid exorbit- A suffix is one or more letters or syllables added to the
ent prices, they suggest cutting out coupons, buying end of a word. You have already learned the common
food in bulk, making your own bread, and growing suffixes -ed and -ing.
vegetables in a home garden. (6) Newspapers and Some words change their spelling when a suffix is
magazines also publish ideas for saving money; there added to them; others don’t. A few rules will help you
are plenty of tips for anyone who is serious about correctly spell words that have suffixes.
financiel cutbacks.
1. When a word ends in a consonant and the suffix
7. Sentence 3: There are even classes available begins with a consonant, just add the suffix:
for helpping people reduce their debts.
fear 1 ful 5 fearful; mind 1 less 5 mindless
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Change classes to class’s 2. When a word ends with the letter e and the suffix
(2) Change the spelling of helpping to helping begins with a consonant, just add the suffix:
(3) Change their to thier care 1 ful 5 careful; sense 1 less 5 senseless
(4) Change the spelling of debts to debtes
Exceptions include truly, argument, ninth, wholly,
(5) No correction is necessary
and judgment.
8. Sentence 5: Among a variety of ways to avoid
exorbitent prices, they suggest cutting out 3. When a word ends with the letter e and the suffix
coupons, buying food in bulk, making your begins with a vowel, drop the final e:
own bread, and growing vegetables in a value 1 able 5 valuable; confuse 1 ion 5 confusion
home garden.
Words that end in ce or ge are often exceptions to
What correction should be made to this sentence? this rule:
(1) Change the spelling of variety to vareity advantageous, replaceable, courageous, noticeable
(2) Change the spelling of exorbitent to exorbi-
tant 4. Add -ly and -ness without changing the spelling of
(3) Change the spelling of making to makeing the main word:
(4) Change the spelling of vegetables to vegeta-
bels final 1 ly 5 finally; eager 1 ly 5 eagerly; careless 1
(5) No correction is necessary ness 5 carelessness

5. If a word ends in y following a consonant, change

the y to i before adding a suffix:
silly 1 er 5 sillier; forty 1 eth 5 fortieth

6. Don’t change the y before adding -ing:

cry 1 ing 5 crying

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

7. If a word ends in y following a vowel, do not 2. Sentence 2: If doctors see that a fetus is not
change the y: developing normaly, they may be able to fix
pay 1 ment 5 payment; annoy 1 ed 5 annoyed it surgically.

Exceptions include paid and said. What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Change the spelling of developing to
developeing
Exercise 7 (2) Change the spelling of normaly to normally
(3) Remove the comma after normaly
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each (4) Change the spelling of surgically to surgicaly
item. (5) No correction is necessary
3. Sentence 8: It takes couragous parents and
highly skilled doctors to give babies this
Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph. chance at a healthy life.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Medical technology is so far advanced that (1) Change couragous to courageous
it’s possible for a team of surgeons to operate on an (2) Change couragous to courrageous
unborn baby with out removing it from the mother’s (3) Change highly to highlly
body. (2) If doctors see that a fetus is not developing (4) Change skilled to skilld
normaly, they may be able to fix it surgically. (3) If, (5) No correction is necessary
for example, a fetus’s organs are not in the proper
location, doctors can relocate the organs within the Check your answers on page 132.
tiny body of the fetus. (4) Fetal surgery involves
operating on the mother, too. (5) To reach the fetus, Using Apostrophes
the surgeons have to make one incision in the mother The apostrophe is the punctuation mark that looks like
to reach the womb, and then they have to open the a comma but appears at the top of a word (’).
womb to reach the fetus. (6) After the fetal operation, Apostrophes are used in only two situations: to form
they seal the uterus with staples and a material like contractions and to show possession.
glue. (7) Then they stitch the mother’s incision. (8) It A contraction combines two words into one by
takes couragous parents and highly skilled doctors to omitting one or more letters. The apostrophe takes the
give babies this chance at a healthy life. place of the missing letter or letters.
are 1 not becomes aren’t
1. Sentence 1: Medical technology is so far
advanced that it’s possible for a team of it 1 is becomes it’s
surgeons to operate on an unborn baby with
The second reason to use an apostrophe is to show that
out removing it from the mother’s body.
one thing belongs to another:
What correction should be made to this sentence?
the soldier’s weapon
(1) Change possible to posible
(2) Change the spelling of operate to oporate the truck’s front wheel
(3) Change with out to without Note, however, that we use apostrophes to show
(4) Change the spelling of removing to remove- possession only with nouns. Pronouns that show
ing possession (yours, hers, his, theirs, ours, its, whose) do
(5) No correction is necessary not take apostrophes:
Her house is around the corner.
Their values are different from ours.
To show possession with a singular noun, add an
apostrophe 1 s:
Marci’s coat looks warm.
The boss’s car was stolen yesterday.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

With nouns that become plural by adding s or es, put the

apostrophe after the s: Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
The bosses’ privileges seemed more numerous than
ours.
The sentence above shows that there was more than one
boss. Items 11–13 refer to the following paragraph.
With nouns that become plural in other ways, add
apostrophe 1 s to show possession: (1) Nutritionists agree that snacks are an
Women’s fashions change more dramatically than important part of our food intake. (2) Snacks keep us
men’s fashions. from feeling hungry before the next meal. (3) It’s also
fun to eat. (4) However, most people who work all day
The oxen’s strength made them essential on farms depend on vending machines for snacks, and there
before tractors were invented. more likely to buy candy bars than a more healthful
snack like pretzels. (5) Apparently, its necessary to
Exercise 8 bring something from home if we want a healthful
snack during the workday.

Directions: Place apostrophes in the contractions 11. Sentence 3: It’s also fun to eat.
in the following sentences. Identify the missing What correction should be made to this sentence?
letters. (1) Change It’s to Its
(2) Change It’s to They’re
1. Being late so often, youre going to have trouble (3) Insert a comma after fun
keeping the job. (4) Change fun to to fun. To
(5) No correction is necessary
2. Itll be hard to find any place open at this hour.
12. Sentence 4: However, most people who work
3. They arent selling that item any longer. all day depend on vending machines for
4. He hasnt missed a single game all season. snacks, and there more likely to buy candy
bars than a more healthful snack like pret-
5. Youll have to wait until the report is published. zels.
6. Sam saw that theyd been there already. What correction should be made to this sentence?
7. Shes completely dependable. (1) Remove the comma after However
(2) Remove the comma after snacks
8. Take whatever theyll give you. (3) Change there to they’re
9. It really isnt hard to understand. (4) Change there to theyr’e
(5) Change the spelling of healthful to healthfull
10. By now, its too late to get tickets.
13. Sentence 5: Apparently, its necessary to bring
something from home if we want a healthful
snack during the workday.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Remove the comma after Apparently
(2) Change its to its’
(3) Change its to it’s
(4) Insert a comma after home
(5) Change snack during to snack. During

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

17. Sentence 8: The projects conclusions not only

Directions: Choose the one best answer for each led to information about jump rope rhymes,
item. but show the similarity among people, no
matter where they live or when they lived.
Which of the following is the best way to write
Items 14–17 refer to the following paragraph. the underlined portion of this sentence? If you
think the original is the best way, select
choice (1).
(1) A college computer students’ project led to a (1) the projects conclusions
fascinating discovery about jump rope rhymes. (2) the projects’ conclusions
(2) While watching some children jumping rope on a (3) the project’s conclusion
school playground, the student decided to research the (4) the project’s conclusions
origins of their jingles. (3) Children who jump rope (5) the projects conclusion’s
and chant jingles while they jump usually think they
invented the rhymes. (4) Their older brothers and Check your answers on page 132.
sisters claim the rhymes are their’s. (5) However, the
project revealed that the same or similar rhymes are Homophones
sung by rope-jumping children all over the world. One special class of words to look out for is homo-
(6) Not only do the rhymes cross national boundaries, phones, pairs or groups of words that sound the same
they cross generations. (7) They’re the same rhymes but have different meanings and usually different spelling.
that have been sung by children for decade’s. (8) The For example, the words there, their, and they’re are
projects conclusions not only led to information about pronounced exactly the same, but they mean very
jump rope rhymes, but show the similarity among different things.
people, no matter where they live or when they lived. When you are writing, it is important to use the
right homophone. For example, they’re means “they are.”
14. Sentence 1: A college computer students’ In the sentence, “They’re waiting for you in the
project led to a fascinating discovery about cafeteria,” you would not use their or there.
jump rope rhymes. Here is a list of some common homophones. A
What correction should be made to this sentence? longer list is on page 111.
(1) Change students’ to students They’re is a contraction that means “they are.”
(2) Change students’ to student’s There is an adverb that shows position (“over
(3) Change the spelling of fascinating to there”).
fasinating Their is a possessive adjective.
(4) Insert a comma after discovery
It’s is a contraction that means “it is.”
(5) No correction is necessary
Its is a possessive adjective.
15. Sentence 4: Their older brothers and sisters
One is a number.
claim the rhymes are their’s.
Won is a past-tense verb.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
Two is a number.
(1) Change brothers to brother’s Too means “also.”
(2) Change sisters to sister’s To is a preposition.
(3) Change claim to claims
(4) Change their’s to theirs Which is a pronoun.
(5) Change their’s to theirs’ Witch is a supernatural being.
16. Sentence 7: They’re the same rhymes that Lose is the present tense of “lost.”
have been sung by children for decade’s. Loose means “not tight.”
What correction should be made to this sentence? Been is a form of the verb “to be.”
(1) Change They’re to Theyre Bean is a seed that you can eat.
(2) Change sung to sang
There are many other homonyms in English, and you
(3) Change sung to singed
should watch for them in your writing.
(4) Change children to children’s
(5) Change decade’s to decades

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

COMMONLY CONFUSED HOMOPHONES

Word Pair Meaning Example

affect verb meaning to have an impact How did the exercise affect you?
effect noun meaning a result Did it have the effect you hoped for?
already previously He had already filled the gas tank.
all ready entirely prepared The class was all ready for the field trip.
altogether entirely She was altogether confused by the map.
all together everyone or everything in the same place The books were all together on the correct
shelves.
capitol the building in which government officials work Pictures on the capitol walls show all of the
governors.
capital the city that serves as the seat of government; The capital of the United States is Washington,
also wealth or money owned or used in busi- DC.
ness
desert a dry, arid place The desert blooms in the spring.
dessert the last course of a meal Ice cream is a popular dessert.
lead a metal; the graphite in a pencil A lead weight is hard to move.
led past tense of the verb to lead The captain led his team to victory.
passed past tense of the verb to pass She passed the exam easily.
past time that has gone by In the past, dress was more formal.
principal head of a school; most important The principal kept the school running smoothly.
It was our principal demand.
principle basic law or rule He liked to study the principles of chemistry.
role a part in a play She wanted to play the role of the detective.
roll to turn over and over; a single-serving loaf of The car would roll down the hill if the brake
bread; a list of names slipped. A roll and butter make a good snack.
After roll call, the class started.
stationary not moving Riding a stationary bicycle is good exercise.
stationery paper She found note cards at the stationery store.
there in that place The ball is over there.
their belonging to them It’s their problem.
they’re contraction of they are They’re able to solve it.
to indicates direction Turn to the left.
too also; excessive I’ll go too. Too many movies are sad.
two a number Two people lost their cameras.
who’s contraction of who is or who has Who’s riding in the station wagon?
whose possessive pronoun Whose jacket is this?

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

Exercise 9 4. Sentence 6: “Its a present in return for your

excellent work in social studies,” she said.
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each What correction should be made to this sentence?
item. (1) Change “Its to “It’s
(2) Add a comma after in return
(3) Change excellent to eccellent
(4) Delete the comma after social studies
Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph. (5) No correction is necessary
Check your answers on page 132.

(1) My sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Gastwirth, was

one of the nicest teachers I have ever had. (2) I had a
Words to Watch Out For
Memory and practice are essential tools for mastering
hard time that year, but Mrs. Gastwirth was always
spelling. In this lesson, you’ll find a list of word pairs or
their for me. (3) I wanted to buy a yearbook like all
groups that sound the same but have different meanings
the other sixth graders, but my family didn’t have
and different spellings. Study the list and use it for
much money. (4) I couldn’t effort the yearbook, and I
reference.
was embarrassed. (5) Mrs. Gastwirth realized how I
felt, and she told me in private that she would buy me
the yearbook. (6) “Its a present in return for your Exercise 10
excellent work in social studies,” she said. (7) She
made me feel really good. Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
item.
1. Sentence 1: My sixth-grade teacher, Mrs.
Gastwirth, was one of the nicest teachers I
have ever had.
What correction should be made to this sentence? Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph.
(1) Change sixth-grade to sixth grade
(2) Delete the comma after teacher (1) The seen of the collision was a four-way-stop
(3) Change one to won intersection. (2) It was hard to tell whose fault it was.
(4) Change nicest to nice (3) Three cars were involved, but their were no other
(5) No correction is necessary witnesses to the accident. (4) Even after questioning
the three drivers, the police were not sure what had
2. Sentence 2: I had a hard time that year, but
happened. (5) One driver claimed neither of the other
Mrs. Gastwirth was always their for me.
two applied the breaks. (6) Another driver said he was
What correction should be made to this sentence? already to go when the other one ran the stop sign.
(1) Change had to been having
(2) Delete the comma after year 1. Sentence 1: The seen of the collision was a
(3) Add a comma after Mrs. Gastwirth four-way-stop intersection.
(4) Change their to there What correction should be made to this sentence?
(5) No correction is necessary
(1) Change the spelling of seen to scene
3. Sentence 4: I couldn’t effort the yearbook, and (2) Change collision to Collision
I was embarrassed. (3) Change four-way to for-way
What correction should be made to this sentence? (4) Change four-way to fore-way
(5) Change intersection to inter section
(1) Change couldn’t to couldnt
(2) Change effort to afford
(3) Delete the comma after yearbook
(4) Change embarrassed to embarassed
(5) No correction is necessary

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

2. Sentence 3: Three cars were involved, but 4. Sentence 6: Another driver said he was already
their were no other witnesses to the accident. to go when the other one ran the stop sign.
What correction should be made to this sentence? What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Replace their with there (1) Insert a comma after said
(2) Replace their with they’re (2) Change already to all ready
(3) Replace no with know (3) Change ran to run
(4) Replace to with too (4) Change stop sign to Stop Sign
(5) Replace to with two (5) No correction is necessary
3. Sentence 5: One driver claimed neither of the Check your answers on page 133.
other two applied the breaks.
What correction should be made to this sentence? Frequently Misspelled Words
(1) Replace one with won Here is a list of commonly misspelled words. Some of
(2) Change the spelling of neither to niether these follow the spelling rules you have already learned,
(3) Replace two with to but some are exceptions to the rules and must simply be
(4) Replace breaks with brakes memorized. To find out which words on this list you
(5) No correction is necessary need to study, ask someone to quiz you.

MASTER LIST OF FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED WORDS

a lot affect application awful buried
ability affectionate apply awkward bury
absence again appreciate bachelor bushes
absent against appreciation balance business
abundance aggravate approach balloon cafeteria
accept aggressive appropriate bargain calculator
acceptable agree approval basic calendar
accident aisle approve beautiful campaign
accommodate all right approximate because capital
accompanied almost argue become capitol
accomplish already arguing before captain
accumulation although argument beginning career
accuse altogether arouse being careful
accustomed always arrange believe careless
ache amateur arrangement benefit carriage
achieve American article benefited carrying
achievement among artificial between category
acknowledge amount ascend bicycle ceiling
acquaintance analysis assistance board cemetery
acquire analyze assistant bored cereal
across angel associate borrow certain
address angle association bottle changeable
addressed annual attempt bottom characteristic
adequate another attendance boundary charity
advantage answer attention brake chief
advantageous antiseptic audience breadth choose
advertise anxious August breath chose
advertisement apologize author breathe cigarette
advice apparatus automobile brilliant circumstance
advisable apparent autumn building citizen
advise appear auxiliary bulletin clothes
advisor appearance available bureau clothing
aerial appetite avenue burial coarse

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

MASTER LIST OF FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED WORDS—continued

coffee criticize dissipate existence height
collect crystal distance exorbitant heroes
college curiosity distinction expense heroine
column cylinder division experience hideous
comedy daily doctor experiment himself
comfortable daughter dollar explanation hoarse
commitment daybreak doubt extreme holiday
committed death dozen facility hopeless
committee deceive earnest factory hospital
communicate December easy familiar humorous
company deception ecstasy fascinate hurried
comparative decide ecstatic fascinating hurrying
compel decision education fatigue ignorance
competent decisive effect February imaginary
competition deed efficiency financial imbecile
compliment definite efficient financier imitation
conceal delicious eight flourish immediately
conceit dependent either forcibly immigrant
conceivable deposit eligibility forehead incidental
conceive derelict eligible foreign increase
concentration descend eliminate formal independence
conception descent embarrass former independent
condition describe embarrassment fortunate indispensable
conference description emergency fourteen inevitable
confident desert emphasis fourth influence
congratulate desirable emphasize frequent influential
conquer despair enclosure friend initiate
conscience desperate encouraging frightening innocence
conscientious dessert endeavor fundamental inoculate
conscious destruction engineer further inquiry
consequence determine English gallon insistent
consequently develop enormous garden instead
considerable development enough gardener instinct
consistency device entrance general integrity
consistent dictator envelope genius intellectual
continual died environment government intelligence
continuous difference equipment governor intercede
controlled different equipped grammar interest
controversy dilemma especially grateful interfere
convenience dinner essential great interference
convenient direction evening grievance interpreted
conversation disappear evident grievous interrupt
corporal disappoint exaggerate grocery invitation
corroborate disappointment exaggeration guarantee irrelevant
council disapproval examine guess irresistible
counsel disapprove exceed guidance irritable
counselor disastrous excellent half island
courage discipline except hammer its
courageous discover exceptional handkerchief it’s
course discriminate exercise happiness itself
courteous disease exhausted healthy January
courtesy dissatisfied exhaustion heard jealous
criticism dissection exhilaration heavy judgment

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

MASTER LIST OF FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED WORDS—continued

journal momentous particular precise referred
kindergarten monkey partner predictable rehearsal
kitchen monotonous pastime prefer reign
knew moral patience preference relevant
knock morale peace preferential relieve
know mortgage peaceable preferred remedy
knowledge mountain pear prejudice renovate
labor mournful peculiar preparation repeat
laboratory muscle pencil prepare repetition
laid mysterious people prescription representative
language mystery perceive presence requirements
later narrative perception president resemblance
latter natural perfect prevalent resistance
laugh necessary perform primitive resource
leisure needle performance principal respectability
length negligence perhaps principle responsibility
lesson neighbor period privilege restaurant
library neither permanence probably rhythm
license newspaper permanent procedure rhythmical
light newsstand perpendicular proceed ridiculous
lightning niece perseverance produce right
likelihood noticeable persevere professional role
likely obedient persistent professor roll
literal obstacle personal profitable roommate
literature occasion personality prominent sandwich
livelihood occasional personnel promise Saturday
loaf occur persuade pronounce scarcely
loneliness occurred persuasion pronunciation scene
loose occurrence pertain propeller schedule
lose ocean picture prophet science
losing o’clock piece prospect scientific
loyal offer plain psychology scissors
loyalty often playwright pursue season
magazine omission pleasant pursuit secretary
maintenance omit please quality seize
maneuver once pleasure quantity seminar
marriage operate pocket quarreling sense
married opinion poison quart separate
marry opportune policeman quarter service
match opportunity political quiet several
material optimist population quite severely
mathematics optimistic portrayal raise shepherd
measure origin positive realistic sheriff
medicine original possess realize shining
million oscillate possession reason shoulder
miniature ought possessive rebellion shriek
minimum ounce possible recede siege
miracle overcoat post office receipt sight
miscellaneous paid potatoes receive signal
mischief pamphlet practical recipe significance
mischievous panicky prairie recognize significant
misspelled parallel precede recommend similar
mistake parallelism preceding recuperate similarity

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 UNIT 3: MECHANICS

MASTER LIST OF FREQUENTLY MISSPELLED WORDS—continued

sincerely striking temperament twelve village
site studying temperature tyranny villain
soldier substantial tenant undoubtedly visitor
solemn succeed tendency United States voice
sophomore successful tenement university volume
soul sudden therefore unnecessary waist
source superintendent thorough unusual weak
souvenir suppress through useful wear
special surely title usual weather
specified surprise together vacuum Wednesday
specimen suspense tomorrow valley week
speech sweat tongue valuable weigh
stationary sweet toward variety weird
stationery syllable tragedy vegetable whether
statue symmetrical transferred vein which
stockings sympathy treasury vengeance while
stomach synonym tremendous versatile whole
straight technical tries vicinity wholly
strength telegram truly vicious whose
strenuous telephone twelfth view wretched
stretch

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Unit 4
ORGANIZATION
Organization in writing means a logical flow of ideas. A Exercise 1
piece of writing is well organized if the ideas flow clearly
and the writer’s argument is easy to follow. Writers make
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
their organization clear by incorporating transitional
item.
words and phrases, by marking divisions within their
work, by including clear topic sentences, and by making
the sequence of ideas flow clearly.
Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph.
Transitions within Paragraphs
Transitions are links between ideas. Transitional words
and phrases show how the ideas in a paragraph are
(1) Solving math problems is not difficult if you
related to one another. They help the writer and the
follow a logical sequence of steps. (2) The first thing
reader move smoothly from the main idea of a paragraph
you should always due is read the problem carefully.
to the details that support it.
(3) Ask yourself, “What do I have to find?” (4) Next,
The most important type of paragraph structure is
ask yourself, “How do I find the answer?” (5) After
the main idea and supporting details. In a paragraph of
that, find the numbers given in the problem that you
this type, the writer usually begins by stating a topic
need to find the answer write them in the form of an
sentence, or main idea, and then states details that
equation. (6) Solve the equation, and you’re done!
support this main idea. Here is an example of this type of
paragraph. Notice the transition words the author has
1. All of the sentences in this paragraph state
used to connect the ideas:
supporting details EXCEPT for
There are several things you can do to make a good (1) Sentence 1.
first impression on a job interview. Probably the (2) Sentence 2.
most important is to be on time. Another tactic is to (3) Sentence 3.
be well prepared for the job by finding out about (4) Sentence 4.
the company and the specific opening ahead of (5) Sentence 6.
time. You should always carry a copy of your
resume, in case the interviewer has lost it. And 2. Sentence 2: The first thing you should always
finally, you should dress appropriately, be well- due is read the problem carefully.
groomed, and wear a confident and natural smile. What correction should be made to this sentence?
The main idea of this paragraph is stated in the first (1) Add a comma after the first thing
sentence. All the other sentences state details that (2) Change due to do
support the main idea. (3) Change read to red
Writers use many words and phrases to signal (4) Add for example to the end of the sentence
transition. Probably the most common is for example, (5) No correction is necessary
which tells you that something is a supporting detail. 3. Sentence 3: Ask yourself, “What do I have to
Other such words and phrases are in addition, similarly, find?”
such as, for instance, because, and therefore. Number
words, such as first, second, then, next, and finally, What correction is necessary to this sentence?
signal that the writer is providing a list of details. (1) Add Then at the beginning of the sentence
(2) Delete the comma after yourself
(3) Add a comma after I
(4) Change find to fined
(5) No correction is necessary

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 UNIT 4: ORGANIZATION

4. Sentence 5: After that, find the numbers given Exercise 2

in the problem that you need to find the
answer write them in the form of an equa-
Directions: Choose the one best answer for each
tion.
item.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
(1) Delete the comma after that
(2) Add a comma after need
(3) Change need to knead Items 1–3 refer to the following paragraph.
(4) Change answer write to answer. Write
(5) No correction is necessary
Check your answers on page 133. (1) An old saying goes, “Dress for the job you
want, not the job you have.” (2) In other words, dress
like an executive, and someday you may be one. (3)
Marking Divisions within a Work Of course, in today’s business world, it’s sometimes
Marking divisions within a work is another way that
hard to tell whose the boss. (4) Everyone, supervisors
writers make the organization of their writing clear. The
and workers alike, tends to dress casually. (5) But
most important way that writers do this is by including
there are occasions, such as meetings with important
appropriate headings within a chapter or section.
clients, when executives still dress quite formally.
Another way to mark divisions is to number the sections
(6) Those are the occasions on which you should take
or paragraphs. For example, the chapter you are reading
pains to emulate your boss’s style of dress. (7) Your
is divided into numbered units, each of which covers one
sharp appearance may just work in you’re favor at
important topic.
your next performance review.

Topic Sentences 1. Which sentence in the paragraph is the topic

A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph or sentence?
longer piece of writing. The topic sentence is usually the (1) Sentence 1
first sentence in a paragraph, but it may also come at the (2) Sentence 3
end to provide emphasis. Less commonly, the topic (3) Sentence 4
sentence is embedded within the paragraph. Find the (4) Sentence 5
topic sentence in the following paragraph: (5) Sentence 7
Maymark Corporation offers tuition assistance to all 2. Sentence 3: Of course, in today’s business
employees and makes substantial efforts to promote world, it’s sometimes hard to tell whose the
from within the company. We provide a generous boss.
benefits package, including company-paid health
insurance. Child-care facilities are available at What correction is necessary in this sentence?
selected locations. Finally, we fund a generous (1) Change Of course to for example
401(K) plan. All of these benefits make Maymark an (2) Delete the apostrophe in today’s
excellent place to work. (3) Change it’s to its
(4) Change whose to who’s
As you probably realized, the last sentence is the topic (5) No correction is necessary
sentence of this paragraph. All of the other sentences are
details that support this main idea. 3. Sentence 7: Your sharp appearance may just
work in you’re favor at your next perfor-
mance review.
What correction is necessary in this sentence?
(1) Add For example to the beginning of the
sentence
(2) Change you’re to your
(3) Add a comma after favor
(4) Change your to you’re
(5) No correction is necessary
Check your answers on page 133.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Coherence professional whose services may be available at your

When writing is coherent, it is clear. The ideas flow school. (8) Conversely, you should also consider tasks
logically with no extraneous or tangential material. For you absolutely hate, and which you are probably not
example, one of the sentences in the following paragraph good at. (9) Your choice should be feasible within
does not belong there. Can you find it? your allowances of time and money. (10) For ex-
ample, if you need to support yourself right away, you
When the dogwood berries ripen in early fall, birds should probably not plan on becoming a concert
seem to come from miles around to gobble them violinist, which requires many years of study and
up. The bright-red, football-shaped berries are high practice. (11) You might, however, earn your living as
in fat and therefore provide excellent nutrition for a musician by playing at weddings and other events.
migrating birds. Sassafras berries, which are purple, (12) Considering both your aptitudes and the circum-
are also highly nutritious for birds. When the stances of your life will allow you to find the career
dogwood berries ripen, the foliage turns red, that is right for you.
providing a visual marker that helps birds find the
tree and its healthful berries. 1. The organization of this paragraph would be
You probably guessed that the sentence about the improved by
sassafras berries is a tangent, an unrelated idea that does (1) placing sentence 1 at the end.
not belong in the paragraph. (2) placing sentence 2 after sentence 3.
Coherent writing has a logical structure. As we have (3) placing sentence 7 after sentence 8.
seen, one of the most important kinds of structures is the (4) placing sentence 9 after sentence 10.
main idea and supporting details. Other structures of (5) No correction is necessary.
coherent writing include comparison-contrast, chronologi-
2. The structure of this paragraph is
cal (time) order, cause and effect, or visual description.
Whatever structure the author chooses, coherent writing (1) main idea and supporting details.
is logical and contains no unnecessary details. (2) comparison and contrast.
(3) chronological order.
(4) cause and effect.
Exercise 3 (5) visual description.

Directions: Choose the one best answer for each 3. Deleting which sentence would improve the
item. organization of the paragraph?
(1) Sentence 1
(2) Sentence 3
(3) Sentence 5
Items 1–4 refer to the following paragraph. (4) Sentence 8
(5) Sentence 10
4. Sentence 9: Your choice should be feasible
(1) Choosing a career is one of the most impor- within your allowances of time and money.
tant decisions a person will ever make. (2) Although it
Which correction should be made to this sen-
is possible to change careers later in life, this often tence?
requires retraining and lost income, so it is a good
idea to choose carefully. (3) A careful choice should be (1) Add In addition to the beginning of the
based on your aptitudes, or likes and dislikes. (4) A sentence
person who hates details and record keeping should (2) Add Similarly to the beginning of the
probably not choose to become a nurse! (5) My sentence
mother is a nurse, and I have great respect for this (3) Change Your to You’re
noble profession. (6) You can determine your apti- (4) Add a comma after allowances
tudes by thinking about the things you like to do and (5) No correction is necessary
do well. (7) You can obtain a formal evaluation of Check your answers on page 133.
your aptitudes by seeing a vocational counselor, a

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Unit 5
ESSAY WRITING
In Part II of the GED Langugage Arts, Writing Test, you Use Your Time Well
are given 45 minutes to write an essay approximately 250 In order to write a good essay in 45 minutes, you will
words in length. An essay is a written argument or need to use your time well. The following time frame is
discussion. Its purpose is to say something about an issue suggested:
or a topic in a clear, logical way so that the reader
understands the writer’s points and is convinced that 5 Minutes
they make sense. Think about your essay.
Like the sample in Figure 1, your GED essay needs a Understand the essay topic.
clear beginning, middle, and end. You can achieve this by Brainstorm ideas.
planning four or five paragraphs. The first paragraph is 5 Minutes
the introduction. The middle two or three paragraphs Organize your ideas.
are the body of the essay. The last paragraph contains the Group your ideas.
conclusion. Create a brief outline.
Each paragraph in your essay serves only one
purpose. The introduction tells the reader what your 30 Minutes
essay will do. It introduces the main idea of your essay Write your essay.
and each of your main supporting points. Each paragraph Introduce the subject in the first paragraph.
of the body discusses one of those supporting points and Develop the body.
gives details and examples. Finally, the concluding Tie up your ideas in the conclusion.
paragraph briefly sums up the discussion to end the 5 Minutes
essay. Revise and edit your work.
Look at the sample essay in Figure 1. The Check your sentence structure.
introduction briefly states three ways in which animals Make grammar, spelling, capitalization, and
are useful to people. Notice that no specific examples or punctuation corrections.
details are given in the introduction.
The second paragraph opens with a topic sentence,
or a general statement, about animals as friends. Then the
Understanding the Topic
In Part II of the GED Language Arts, Writing Test, a series
entire paragraph illustrates this point. The next two
of paragraphs, called the prompt, will give you a topic on
paragraphs begin in a similar way, each with a topic
which you must write your essay. GED essay prompts
sentence (one about animals that assist disabled people
contain two parts:
and the other about animals as workers). Each goes on to
discuss only that one main idea. • The topic itself
The fifth paragraph is the conclusion. It ties
• Some instructions on how to write the essay
together everything in the essay. Like the introduction, it
is general. Examples and details appear only in the body Here’s an example of the kind of prompt you’ll see:
of the essay.
Many adults worry about the amount of violence on
television. They think television is a bad influence
on young people, who spend far too much time
watching it. Others take a different view, believing
that television has many good features for children
under the age of 18.
Write an essay of about 250 words in which you
discuss the positive effects television has on young
people. Be sure to use examples.

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

FIGURE 1. SAMPLE ESSAY

Introduction Some people spend large amounts of money and time on animals. They do this because animals
can bring them friendship if they’re lonely and aid if they’re disabled. Animals also help people
with their work.
Body People who live alone might count on a pet for company. An eager dog wagging its tail might
welcome them home from a tiring day at work. A warm kitten might snuggle up and keep them
company while they read or watch television.
For the physically disabled, an animal can make life easier. Guide dogs help blind people get
around. Highly skilled dogs and chimpanzees can turn lights on and off and get food for people
who are paralyzed.
Some people depend on animals in their work. The police rely on dogs to catch criminals. Scien-
tists use dolphins and other animals to study behavior. People who work in the wilderness can use
pack animals, such as horses and llamas, to provide transportation or carry heavy loads.
Conclusion Animals serve as friends, as helpers, and as workers. That’s why people are willing to spend time
and money caring for them.

This sample meets all the criteria for a good essay.

First you might assume the essay topic is violence on Now narrow your ideas to no more than three main
television because that’s the topic of the first sentence points. If some ideas are closely related, you can perhaps
you read. But, in this prompt, violence on television is combine them. Eliminate ideas that seem short, dull, or
background to the topic. The topic is the positive effects inappropriate. Suppose you have chosen these three
television has on young people. If you don’t read main points.
everything in the prompt, you could mistakenly write
I. Television provides entertainment.
about the wrong topic, and even if your essay were
II. Television provides information.
otherwise perfect, you’d get no credit because you didn’t
III. Television helps young people choose life goals.
write about the assigned topic.
Use these guidelines to find the topic when you From these ideas, you can now create an outline for the
read a GED essay prompt: body of your essay. An outline is a plan to get you from
the beginning of your essay to the end. It helps you stick
• Look for a statement that tells you to do something.
to the subject of each paragraph and keeps your essay
• Look for a question that you must answer. organized and under control.
Remember, as you write the body of your essay, you
Organizing Your Ideas will need to support each point with details and specific
After you read a prompt and understand the topic, you examples. Your details and examples should reinforce
need to decide what to say about it. Start with the topic the main idea of the paragraph. An outline keeps you on
and brainstorm some ideas that would support it. If you track.
are asked by the topic to take a position on an issue, You can use any method you like to write your
choose your position and brainstorm main ideas to outline. You may simply choose to make a list of points
support it. To brainstorm means to write down every and examples or you may choose to use a formal
idea about the topic that comes to your mind. numbering system. You will not be scored on your
Consider the topic—the positive effects of television outline. Its only purpose is to organize your writing. To
on young people. You might brainstorm these main ideas: see how an outline works, look at this possible outline for
the second paragraph of the essay on the positive effects
• Television provides entertainment.
of television.
• Television stars may provide good role models.
• Television provides information.
• Television models family relationships.
• Television shows people at work, which helps
children make career goals.

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 UNIT 5: ESSAY WRITING

II. Television provides information. • It doesn’t wander away from the topic. It
A. Current events doesn’t say “We have two television sets in our
1. News house, but my sister and I still fight over what
2. Elections to watch. I wouldn’t spend 5 minutes watching
3. Talk shows (concerns of society) the stuff she likes. I don’t even like the same
B. School subjects music she listens to. And I can’t stand her
1. Documentaries clothes. Even her friends are hard to take.”
2. Children’s programs (Sesame Street)
• It doesn’t contain specific details or ex-
C. Commercials
amples. The introduction must be general;
1. Consumer products (cars, toys, food)
examples will come later.
2. Services (credit cards, telephone
companies)
At the outline stage, you may find that you have too much
Exercise 1
material for a 250-word essay. If so, you can eliminate one
or two subgroups as you write. But, remember, it’s Directions: Read the following GED essay
always better to go into the writing stage knowing you prompt.
won’t be at a loss for something to say.
America is facing a health-care crisis. Many politicians and
Writing Your Essay health-care professionals believe we can keep medical
Your essay’s first paragraph, the introduction, tells the costs down only if we take better care of ourselves and
reader two things: (a) what the topic is and (b) what you try to prevent illness.
are going to say about that topic. Stated in a single Write a 250-word essay in which you show how
sentence, these ideas form a thesis statement. Your people can accept responsibility for their own health care.
thesis statement is the central idea of your entire essay
Your topic: Show how people can accept responsibility
and clarifies your position as the writer of the essay.
for their own health to keep medical costs
Here is a possible thesis statement for an essay on
down.
the positive effects of television on young people:
Although adults worry that television is bad for Your main points:
children, television provides entertainment and infor-
• People must become informed.
mation for young people and helps them set goals.
Combined with another general sentence, you have • People must pay attention to diet and exercise.
a well-written introduction:
• People must create a safe home environment.
Although adults worry that television is bad for
Now use this information to write an introduction. When
children, television provides entertainment and
you have written your introduction, check for the following:
information for young people and helps them set
goals. Used wisely, television is a positive influence • Will the opening grab the reader’s attention?
on young people.
• Will the reader know what the topic is?
Notice what the introductory paragraph does not do:
• Will the reader know what you intend to say
• It doesn’t announce what it will say. It about the topic?
doesn’t say “In this essay, I will show. . . .” If you
In other words, is your thesis clear?
have a clearly stated thesis, you don’t need to tell
the reader what you are going to say, you just Check your answer on page 133.
say it.
• It doesn’t apologize for not being a good
essay. It doesn’t say “I’ll do the best I can, but
this is a hard topic.”

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 PART I: LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING

Developing the Body the thesis (that television entertains, informs, and helps
and Conclusion children set goals). The last sentence strengthens the
Once you’ve written the introduction, you’re ready to argument and ties the ideas together.
develop the body of the essay. These middle paragraphs Notice, too, what the concluding paragraph does
are the most complicated paragraphs in your essay not do:
because they contain details and supporting examples. • It doesn’t report what you have just said. It
Your job now is to expand your outline into sentence and doesn’t say, “In this essay, I talked about the
paragraph form. Supporting details and examples should positive effects of television on young people.”
offer some new level of information; they can’t be just a
restatement of the introduction. • It doesn’t apologize for not being a good
Each paragraph in the body should begin with a essay. It doesn’t say, “This probably isn’t very
topic sentence. Here’s a possible topic sentence: clear, but I hope you understand it.”

One reason television is a positive experience for • It doesn’t change the subject at the very
young children is that it delivers complex informa- end. It doesn’t say, “When I was a child, I
tion in a way that they can easily understand. watched only cartoons, which are very
violent.”
Notice that the sentence not only makes a point, but also
reminds the reader that the entire essay is about the
positive effects of television on children. Based on our Exercise 2
earlier outline, the rest of the paragraph might read:
Directions: Write a possible conclusion for an
Through the use of graphics and sound, news essay that asks you to consider why people enjoy
shows help children to understand current events. horror movies. The essay has the following thesis
Maps and graphs help children to understand statement: Horror movies help me forget my
election reports. Talk shows explore human relation- problems, entertain me with special effects, and let
ships and the concerns of society. Documentaries me enjoy fantastic drama.
and other educational programs aim to deliver
actual academic content in interesting, engaging
ways. Even commercials inform as they introduce Be sure your conclusion
children to the products and services they may
• restates the thesis.
someday choose as consumers.
• contains a closing thought.
You may end a paragraph, if it seems complete, before
you’ve included everything on your outline, or you may • does not change the subject.
add new ideas if they fit the topic sentence.
If possible, try out different conclusions on a friend or
As you know, the last paragraph of an essay will
family member to see which have the most impact. Read
always be a conclusion. Regardless of what the topic is, a
the possibilities and ask what works and what doesn’t, or
conclusion, like an introduction, does two things:
why one ending seems more effective than another.
• It restates the thesis or the ideas contained in
Check your answer on page 133.
the thesis.
• It contains a closing thought, something the
reader can think about after reading the essay.
Here’s one possible conclusion to the essay on the
positive effects of television.
Television enriches the lives of young people in many
ways. Not only does it entertain, but it also teaches.
Through the depiction of people from every walk of
life, children identify models of behavior for life in
the family and on the job. No other artistic medium
has a greater opportunity to affect the lives of young
people in such a positive way.
Notice that the first sentence reminds the reader of the
essay’s topic. The paragraph also lists the main points of

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 UNIT 5: ESSAY WRITING

Revising and Editing Your Work Exercise 3

Before you submit your GED essay, take 5 minutes and
revise and edit your work. If you find a mistake, draw a Directions: Write an essay based on the
single line through the words you want to omit or change following sample GED prompt.
and write any correction neatly and clearly above. You
may want to change some words or phrases to add
variety and interest. You can improve the sophistication Topic
of your writing by choosing accurate words. For In our culture, it is impossible to escape the influence of
example, instead of writing a lot, try phrases like several advertising. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry
dozen, countless, or more than a thousand. that bombards consumers with information about count-
Use these questions to help you revise and edit your less products and services.
work: In an essay of 250 words, discuss some ways
• Did you write about the topic? advertisers influence the buying public. Be sure to use
examples to support your ideas.
• Did you stick to the subject?
Check your essay on 134.
• Does your essay have a clear structure?
• Did you use clear and interesting examples?
• Did you choose the best words?
• Are the sentences complete?
• Is the essay free of spelling, capitalization, and
punctuation errors?
• Have you followed the rules of grammar?

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Glossary
action verb: a verb that shows the subject doing something
adjective: a word that changes or alters a noun
adverb: a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb
antecedent: the noun that a pronoun substitutes for or replaces
apostrophe: a punctuation mark used to indicate either ownership or that a letter has been omitted
body: the middle two or three paragraphs of an essay
brainstorm: to write down every idea about a topic that comes to your mind
clause: a word group that contains a subject and a verb but is not necessarily a complete thought
coherent: clear and logical
comma splice: two or more complete sentences separated only by commas
complete sentence: a sentence that contains a subject and a complete verb that expresses a complete thought
complex sentence: a sentence containing a closely related independent clause and a dependent clause
compound sentence: a sentence that contains two or more independent clauses
conclusion: the last paragraph of an essay
contraction: a word formed by combining two words; one or more letters are omitted and an apostrophe is put
in their place
dependent clause: a clause that depends on the rest of the sentence for its meaning
essay: a written argument or discussion
fragment: a word group that may look like a sentence but lacks a subject, a verb, or part of a verb, or is not
a complete thought
gerund: present participle used in a sentence as a noun
headings: titles within a chapter or section
homophones: words that are pronounced the same but spelled differently
independent clause: a clause that includes a subject and a verb and has meaning on its own (a complete
sentence)
infinitive: form of the verb that consists of the word to followed by the present tense form of the verb
introduction: the first paragraph of an essay
linking verb: a verb that shows what the subject is, seems, or feels
modifier: a word or group of words that describes another word or group of words in a sentence
noun: a word for a person, place, or thing
outline: a brief plan or list that guides you in writing an essay
parallel structure: putting similar elements in a sentence into the same form
participle: a form of the main verb that follows a helping verb in a verb phrase

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 GLOSSARY

phrase: a word group that does not contain a subject and verb; a phrase often appears at the beginning of a
sentence as introductory material
plural: more than one
pronoun: a word that replaces or refers to a noun
relative pronoun: does not replace a noun but refers to it
run-on sentence: two or more complete sentences not separated by punctuation
simple sentence: a sentence containing one complete thought
singular: one
subject: the person or thing that performs the action in a sentence and tells who or what the sentence is about
subject-verb agreement: singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs
suffix: one or more letters added to the end of a word
syllable: a part of a word that is pronounced as a single unit; a syllable always contains a vowel
tangent: an unrelated idea that does not belong in a paragraph
thesis statement: the introduction of an essay that tells the reader two things: what the topic is and what you
are going to say about that topic
topic sentence: sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph
transitions: links between ideas
verb: the word in a sentence that shows what the subject is or what it does
verb phrase: a verb form with more than one word: a helping verb and some form of the main verb
verb tense: form of the verb that indicates the time of the action

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