Sentence Skills Test 1

Required of ATB Students Only
For the first three problems, select the answer that is the best version of the bold part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original. If you. think the original sentence is best, choose the first one.
1.Working as a receptionist for my uncle's business taught me to handle customer complaints, answering the telephone, and how to maintain a Rolodex.
A) to handle customer complaints, answering the telephone, and how to maintain a Rolodex.
B) how to handle customer complaints, answering the telephone, and maintaining a Rolodex.
C) how to handle customer complaints, how to answer the telephone, and how to maintain a Rolodex.
D) handling customer complaints, answering the telephone, and maintenance of a Rolodex.
2. Judy is dating a man that has a seven hundred-acre ranch near the foothills outside of town.
A) a man that has a seven hundred-acre ranch near the foothills outside of town.
B) a man, that has a seven hundred-acre ranch near the foothills outside of town.
C) a man, who has a seven hundred-acre ranch near the foothills outside of town.
D) a man who has a seven hundred-acre ranch near the foothills outside of town.
3. These books, which was published in the late eighteenth century, are very valuable.
A) books which was published in the late eighteenth century
B) books in the late eighteenth century
C) books which were published
D) books, which is published, in the eighteenth century
4. If you want to create a beautiful room, having a large sum of money is not nearly so important to the finished setting as is the knowledge of basic decorating.
A) as is the knowledge of basic decorating.
B) as knowing the basics of decorating.
C) but the knowledge of basic decorating.
D) like the knowledge of basic decorating.
For the following three problems, think through the sentences for a good revision. A new sentence beginning is provided. Your new sentence should be well written and should have basically the same meaning as the original sentence.
5. The hikers were at the bottom of the canyon, and they discovered an abandoned mineshaft.

Rewrite, beginning with

After the hikers were...

The next words will be
A) at the bottom of the canyon, and they discovered an abandoned mineshaft.
B) at the bottom of the canyon, they discovered an abandoned mineshaft.
C) at the bottom of the canyon they discovered an abandoned mineshaft.
D) at the bottom of the canyon when they discovered an abandoned mineshaft.

6. Good money managers control their present expenses, and they invest surplus dollars to meet their future needs.

Rewrite the sentence using because

The best choice will be

A) Good money managers, because they control their present expenses, they invest surplus dollars to meet their future needs.
B) Because good money managers control their present expenses, they invest surplus dollars to meet their needs.
C) Because good money managers control their present expenses they invest surplus dollars to meet their needs.
D) Good money managers control their present expenses, because they invest surplus dollars to meet their future needs.
7. In a large city, you may have massive traffic jams on your daily commute to work.

Rewrite this sentence omitting you
A) In a large city, a person may have massive traffic jams on your daily commute to work.
B) In a large city, a resident may have massive traffic jams on his daily commute to work.
C) In a large city, massive traffic jams may be part of the daily commute to work.
D) In a large city, massive traffic jams may be part of the everyday commute on the way to work.
In the next three problems, select the best version of the bold part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first one.
8. Panting, the cab pulled away just as Judy arrived.
A) Panting, the cab pulled away
B) The cab pulled away panting
C) Panting, Judy arrived
D) Just as Judy was panting
9. . We could watch the stars sittinq on the balcony.
A) the stars sitting on the balcony
B) sitting on the balcony, the stars
C) on the balcony, the stars sitting
D) Sitting on the balcony,
10. If a person wants to succeed in school, they have to study.
A) they have to study.
B) he or she has to study.
C) they has to study.
D)he or she have to study.


 

New England Institute of Technology
Academic Skills Center
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