Write down the best answer for each question.

  1.     Which of the following sentences is correctly punctuated?

A.     The student passed the test, she got an “A” in the class.

B.     The student passed the test so she got an “A” in the class.

C.     The student passed the test she got an “A” in the class.

D.     The student passed the test, so she got an “A” in the class.

E.      None are correct.

        2.     Which of the following sentences displays proper pronoun agreement?

A.     A college student should spend their nights sleeping and studying.

B.     College students should spend their nights sleeping and studying.

C.     A college student should spend his or her nights sleeping and studying.

D.     Both “B” and “C” are correct. 

E.      Both “A” and “B” are correct.

3)     3.     Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier? 

A.     Running across the campus, the student tripped and dropped his books.

B.     Scattered across the sidewalk, the student knelt to pick up the books. 

C.     Neither sentence contains a misplaced modifier.

D.     Both sentences contain misplaced modifiers.

         4.     Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? 

A.     One of the student’s books was missing.

B.     One of the students books was missing.

C.     One of the students’ books was missing.

D.     Both “B” and “C” are correct. 

E.      Both “A” and “C” are correct.

         5.     Which of the following sentences shows proper subject/verb agreement? 

A.     A group of students are leaving on a geology expedition.

B.     A group of students is leaving on a geology expedition.

C.     A group of students were leaving on a geology expedition.

D.     A group of students was leaving on a geology expedition.

E.      Both “B” and “D” are correct.

         6.      Which of the following sentences contains no usage errors? 

A.     The geology students retrieved there hammers from the van.

B.     The geology students retrieved they’re hammers from the van.

C.     The geology students retrieved their hammers from the van.

D.     None are correct.

E.      All are correct.

         7.     Which of the following is the preferred format for written assignments at the college level? 

A.     Handwritten in cursive on college-ruled paper

B.     Handwritten in print on college-ruled paper

C.     Typed or word-processed in size 12 Helvetica font

D.     Typed or word-processed in size 12 Times New Roman font

         8.     Which of the following sentences contains no spelling errors. 

A.     The student recieved a “B” on her report card.

B.     Absense from class will adversely affect performance.

C.     Public speaking can embarrass some people.

D.     Studying history and goverment is important. 

         9.     Which of the following is an arguable thesis statement, containing both a subject and an opinion? 

A.     Montana State University-Billings is one of several public universities in the state.

B.     Students of all ages attend Montana State University-Billings.

C.     Montana State University-Billings is one of the best universities in the state.

D.     None of these are arguable.

        10.     Read the following selection and then choose the letter of the most logical re-arrangement of paragraphs.

I)                   Working hard is the key to a successful college career.  College students must be prepared to study long hours and hold themselves accountable for the material covered in their classes.  They must show up for all scheduled class meetings, and, even more importantly, they must show up prepared to learn.  This means bringing the necessary materials to class and coming to class with a receptive attitude.  It means seeking help outside of class from professors and from tutoring services like the MSU-Billings Academic Support Center.  Doing these things may seem like a lot to ask, and it is.  But students who work hard to fulfill these recommendations will see the pay off in the long run. 

II)                 A student’s success at a university can be measured in proportion to the effort he or she puts forth.  At the end of four years, those who have accepted the challenge and chosen to do the work will be rewarded with a university degree.   

III)              Horace, Roman poet and lyricist, once wrote, “Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.”  Without a doubt this is true of both life in general and university life in particular.  In order to succeed at college, students must be prepared to work hard and put forth their best efforts.

A)    III, I, II

B)     I, II, III

C)    II, III, I

D)    III, II, I

E)     II, I, III

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