CLEP COLLEGE
COMPOSITION PRACTICE
EXAM 50Q
Question 1: Choose the sentence that follows standard subject-verb agreement.
Choices:
1) The list of required textbooks are posted online.2) Neither the instructor nor the students was prepared for the �re drill.3) Each of the proposals has been reviewed by the committee.4) The results of the experiment shows a clear pattern.
Correct Answer: Each of the proposals has been reviewed by the committee.
Explanation: The singular subject 'Each' requires the singular verb 'has.' Phrases such as 'of the proposals' do not change the subject's number.Page 1
Question 2: Which revision correctly �xes the comma splice in this sentence? The library closed at nine, we continued studying at the cafe.
Choices:
1) The library closed at nine, continuing to study at the cafe.2) The library closed at nine; we continued studying at the cafe.3) The library closed at nine, because we continued studying at the cafe.4) The library closed at nine we continued studying at the cafe.
Correct Answer: The library closed at nine; we continued studying at the cafe.
Explanation: A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses. The original sentence incorrectly joins them with only a comma.
Question 3: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
Choices:
1) The internship required �ling records, answering phones, and to greet visitors.2) The internship required �ling records, to answer phones, and greeting visitors.3) The internship required to �le records, answering phones, and greeting visitors.4) The internship required �ling records, answering phones, and greeting visitors.Correct Answer: The internship required �ling records, answering phones, and greeting visitors.Explanation: All three items in the series use the same -ing grammatical form: �ling, answering, and greeting.Page 2
Question 4: Which sentence corrects the dangling modi�er? After reviewing the budget, several errors were obvious.
Choices:
1) After reviewing the budget, the accountant noticed several obvious errors.2) After reviewing the budget, several obvious errors appeared.3) Several errors, after reviewing the budget, were obvious.4) The budget was reviewed, after which several errors were obvious to see.Correct Answer: After reviewing the budget, the accountant noticed several obvious errors.Explanation: The introductory phrase must logically modify the person who performed the reviewing. 'The accountant' is the clear doer of the action.
Question 5: Choose the sentence with correct pronoun case and punctuation.
Choices:
1) Between you and I, the proposal needs more evidence.2) Between you and me the proposal needs more evidence.3) Between you and me, the proposal needs more evidence.4) Between yourself and I, the proposal needs more evidence.
Correct Answer: Between you and me, the proposal needs more evidence.
Explanation: The preposition 'between' requires objective pronouns, so 'me' is correct, and the introductory prepositional phrase is appropriately followed by a comma.Page 3