Livvy+Edwards

Practice #1:

 * //Highlight the error. If there is no error, mark E.//**

1. Despite the home __team's__ best effort, the __visito r's played__ hard and __won__ by forty points.

2. The __new carpenters__ on the TV design show, __who are very knowledgeable in their fields__, __use__ many different __power tools__. E

Practice #2:
//**Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.**//

1. The singer's __lyrics, which prompted much analysis, turned out to be nothing more than randomly assembled phrases from commercials the singer likes.

a. sinister b. reasonable c. cryptic d. divergent e. divulging

2. The needle of the pressure gauge indicated that an explosion was__.

a. formidable b. ostensible c. imminent d. irreconcilable e. diametrical

Practice #3
//**Read the passage and chose the best answers to the questions that follow it.**//

(1) America is dependent on foreign oil, a fact that dismays many Americans. (2) Hybrid cars, most o which run on gasoline or diesel and electricity, can help America reduce its dependence on foreign oil. (3) They also reduce pollution. (4) Energy sources like electricity and solar power cut down on the harmful emissions that contribute to allergy-aggravating smog. (5) Lobbyists say that eventually hybrid cars will be just as affordable as gasoline-powered and diesel-powered vehicles. (6) However, the auto industry contends that the cost of research and development of hybrids will drive the price of the product higher than consumers will accept.

1. Which of the following is true about the author of the passage? a. The author is probably sympathetic to the auto industry. b. The author is probably in favor of the use of hybrids. c. The author is probably annoyed by lobbyists. d. The author has probably participated in studies on the effectiveness of hybrid cars. e. The author probably knows someone who purchased a hybrid.

2. The passage implie that many Americans a. dislike the fact that the U.S. depends on foreign electricity and solar power b. dislike the fact that U.S. is independent of foreign countries c. appreciate the fact that lobbyists are working hard to reduce smog nationwide d. disapprove of America's reliance on foreign oil e. have test-driven hybrids

Practice #4
//**Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.**//

1. The _ workers never held a job for more than a few weeks. a. inseparable b. transcendent c. transient d. forthcoming e. indispensable

2. The poor cousin tiptoes around the house with a meek, __air. a. simplistic b. superior c.__ __subliminal__ __d. subservient__ __e. subject__

Practice #5
//**Complete the answer the most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (A).**//

1. The herd of zebras __move__ across the plains of the Serengeti with speed and grace. __a. move__ __b. moves__ __c. moved__ __d. moving e. was moving__

2. There once was a Roman __emperor, who__, did nothing but sit around all day long and feed the pigeons. a. emperor, who, b. emperor, whom, c. emperor, that, d. emperor, which, e. emperor who

Practice #6
//**Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.**// (1) It seems that every out-of-work celebrity ends up hosting a talk show. (2) Unfortunately, talk show careers usually last only a few months. (3) Usually these celebrity talk shows book other underemployed celebrities to come on as guests. (4) Talk shows often amount to nothing more than bad publicity for the hosts. (5) Therefore, as they say in show business, any publicity (even bad publicity) is good publicity.

1. Which of the following revisions does the paragraph most need? (a) Add the word "typically" to sentences 4 and 5. (b) Delete the word "usually" from several sentences. (c) Place the last sentence of the paragraph at the beginning of the paragraph. (d) Change the tense of the verbs to past tense. (e) Change the tense of the verbs to future tense.

2. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following revisions does sentence 5 most need? (a) Replace "Therefore" with "Whatever" (b) Replace "Therefore" with "Still." (c) Replace "is" with "was." (d) Add a colon after "business." (e) Offset "Therefore" with quotation marks.

Practice #7
//**Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.**//

1. Frank couldn't tell whether the columnist was being, or whether she was serious about her unusual opinions. a. arcane b. defunct c. prolific d. expository e. sarcastic

2. The company brought together its best engineers to _ on a plan that would _ __the performance of many of its products.__ __a. collaborate...enhance__ __b. perforate...improve c. exasperate...deviate d. exacerbate...confound e. enervate...advance__

**Practice #8** (1) Nearly all scientists agree that global warming is melting the world's largest glacial structures and causing water levels to rise. (2) Researchers estimate that the earth's water levels, particularly, in seas and oceans, rise a fraction of an inch each year. (3) If the ice caps continue to melt, the gulf stream could be affected.

The term "glacial structures" most likely refers to which of the following? a. frozen tundra b. polar ice caps c. mountain ice and snow d. intercontinental glaciers e. frozen lakes

Practice #9
//**Choose the answer that most improves the underlined portion of the original sentence. If the original sentence does not have an error, choose (a).**//

1. Once the expiration date on the milk has passed, it __would be prudent to dispose__ of the old milk. a. would be prudent to dispose b. would have been prudent to have disposed c. would be, prudent to dispose, d. was prudent to dispose e. might would be prudent to dispose

2. Jenny's piggy __bank, fell__ from the shelf and shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. a. bank, fell b. bank, falls c. bank falls d. bank that fell e. bank fell

Practice #10
//**If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.**//

1. The local veterinarian said he __won't never__ do any medical work on an animal __larger than__ a small horse or small cow __because he didn't__ specialize __in that type__ of medicine in college. Won't EVER

2. Carol __bought__ a __brand new__ blanket __for the__ baby__, which was__ blue. __No error.__

Practice #11

 * //Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.//**

(1) There are many ways to figure out whether you will be successful at a particular endeavor. (2) One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors. (3) This could help you determine your odds of success. (4) Therefore, statistics are of only marginal assistance without smart analysis.

1. In the context of the paragraph, which of the following is the best revision for sentence 2? a. One way to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors is: b. One way, is to research the outcomes, of other similar endeavors. c. One way is to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors. d. Some ways are to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors. e. One way perhaps to research the outcomes of other similar endeavors.

2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 4 most need? a. Replace "Therefore" with "Perhaps." b. Replace "Therefore" with "However." c. Offset "without smart analysis" with commas. d. Replace "are" with "were." e. Remove the comma after "Therefore."

Practice #12
//**Read the passage and choose the best answer that follows it.**// (1) If I could travel back in time and found any company or industry, I would choose the bottled water industry. (2) This industry has a brilliant strategy: take water that costs a few pennies, bottle it in plastic containers that cost a few pennies, and then sell it for about a dollar a bottle. (3) That is pure genius. (4) The best part is that many bottled waters are actually dirtier than tap water. (5) But because of clever marketing campaigns, most people think all bottled water comes from the purest mountain streams.

1. Which of the following is the main idea of the paragraph? a. Consumers are so naive that industries often take advantage of them. b. The bottled water industry has a brilliant business plan. c. The author would like to buy stock in bottled water companies. d. The bottled water industry should be prosecuted. e. The bottled water that most people enjoy is exactly the same as tape water in both taste and content.

Practice #13
//**Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.**//

1. The witness's statement originally seemed devastating for the defense, but things looked up when she __on Thursday.__ __a. recanted__ __b. recounted c. reminisced d. reminded e. revisited

2. Despite the many that greet each new novel he publishes, Mr. King remains remarkably. a. awards...pompous__ __b. accolades...humble__ __c. admonitions...pessimistic d. honors...haughty e. criticisms...defeated__

Practice #14
//**If there is an error, choose the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct.**//

1. Bess will mail the package to her cousin in Atlanta fourteen long days before the fragile package arrived. Will mail ---> Mailed

2. Video games have gotten more and more realistic every year ; when I was a kid, for example, the most high-tech game is Pac-Man. is---> was

Practice #15
//**Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.**// (1) The local library has requested a fifteen percent increase in its budget for next year. (2) Without the additional funds, according to a library spokesperson, the library will not be able to expand its collection of literature. (3) Many people say that before the budget is approved, the community should be allowed to vote on the use of the funds. (4) Others oppose the increase because they argue that the growth of the local library will affect local merchants who sell books. (5) If local merchants lose sales, they say, the town will lose tax revenues, and everyone will suffer.

1. Based on the information in the passage, which of the following conclusions can be drawn? a. Local business owners do not support the library. b. The library wants to buy more books. c. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively small. d. The fifteen percent budgetary increase is relatively high. e. The city's budget could be devastated because of a loss of revenue from local bookstores.

//**Choose the answer the most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.**//
 * ==Practice #17==

1. She thought she had bought temporary dye**; therefore, her hair** was bright orange for three months, so it seemed she's made a mistake. a. ; therefore, her hair b. ; and, her hair c., and, her hair d. ; thus, her hair e., but her hair

2. **Dogs are man's best friend**, except when the dog scratches the sofa or soils the carpet. a. Dogs are man's best friend b. Dogs are men's best friend c. dogs are man's best friends d. Dogs were man's best friend e. A dog is man's best friend ||

Practice #18
//**Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question that follows it.**// (1) Meteorological technology has progressed in leaps and bounds in the last half-century. (2) Meteorologists today have access to instruments that scientists of days past could only dream of. (3) They use information gathered by satellites, airplanes, and high-tech gadgets and gizmos placed around the world. (4) In recent years, the technology of meteorology has improved, the science of meteorology has evolved. but one thing remains the same.

1. Based on the rest of the paragraph, which of the following is the best choice for the final sentence of the paragraph? a. Therefore, meteorology must be the most precise science of the last half-century. b. The ability to predict the weather must also be improving. c. The weather is still unpredictable. d. The weather has changed over the last half-century, too, so the science of meteorology must continue to change. e. Weather forecasts should return to school to earn their degrees in meteorology.

Practice #19
//**Complete the sentences by choosing the best answers.**// 1. The keynote speaker began his address with a humorous _ that was _ to his presentation. a. anachronism...fortuitous b. abbreviation...conditional c. aberration...instructional d. anomaly...enigmatic e. anecdote...relevant

2. The computer and software _ donated more than a million dollars to the ASPCA. a. peon b. panhandler c. pauper d. typhoon e. magnate

Practice #20
(1) Sunnydale High was very proud of its standardized test scores, which have risen steadily over the last ten years. (2) In contrast, test scores have actually declined in some school districts in the area. (3) Sunnydale's rising scores are evidence that Sunnydale High is doing a better job of educating students than other schools in the area. (4) The test scores also reflect well on the teachers.

1. Which revision does sentence 1 most need? a. Replace "was" with "had been." b. Replace "was" with "is." c. Add "which" after "Sunnydale High." d. Add "that" after Sunnydale High. e. Replace "its" with "their."

Practice #22
(1) Computer technology is advancing so quickly that computer users can hardly keep up without spending lots of money. (2) When someone purchases a top-of-the-line computer, he can be sure that after only a few weeks, his new computer will no longer be cutting edge. (3) A computer that cost over a thousand dollars ten years ago would probably fetch only a few dollars at a garage sale today. (4) Companies often stop providing tech support for programs that are only a few years old, making them even more impractical.
 * //Read the passage and choose the best answers to the questions that follow it.//**

1. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage? a. There is no point in buying a computer. b. Computers are smart investments for people hoping to resell them at a profit. c. Rapid advances in computer technology make it hard to stay up-to-date. d. The cost of computers does not equal the power of computers. e. It's best to shop for computers at garage sales.

2. Which of the following would be the best conclusion for the passage? a. People determined to stay up-to-date should be ready to spend quite a bit of money. b. Buying computers is largely impractical. c. People should purchase top-of-the-line computers if they can. d. Someone who wanted to open a computer store would make millions if she sold new technology at low prices. e. Someone insistent on buying a computer should expect either to spend a fortune or be stuck with inferior technology.

Practice #24
(1) The spirit of competition is often the ostensible reason that high schools offer competitive extracurricular activities. (2) However, one might argue that competitive activities really exist to generate revenue for the school and promote its name. (3) Sports like football and basketball draw thousands of people to the stands each year, generating profits for the school. (4) Other competitive activities, such as debate, showcase students for colleges and universities. (5) Such competitions are nothing more than free advertisement and shameless self-promotion for schools.

1. The author of the paragraph above can best be described as which of the following? a. supportive of competitive extracurricular activities b. cynical about the legitimacy of the results of competitions c. supportive of schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities d. cynical about schools' motivations for sponsoring competitive extracurricular activities e. ambivalent about the role of competitive extracurricular activities.

2. In sentence 1, "ostensible" means a. subversive b. submersed c. apparent d. contradictory e. without reservation

Practice #25
//**Choose the error.**//

1. The new deli**, on the corner with the great pastrami sandwiches, gets** many of **its** customers from the office building **across the street.** No comma 2. Maggie **ran** down the stairs, **darted** out the door, tripped **over the skateboard,** and ** scrapes ** her knee on the hard concrete. Scrapes - Scraped

Practice #26

 * //Choose the answer that most improves the bolded portion of the original sentence.//**

1. **Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we** need a professional cleaning crew. a. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy; we b. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy: we c. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy. We d. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy because we e. Sometimes the house gets so disorganized and messy that we

2. My uncle played baseball in the minor leagues **not only in the United States and in Japan.** a. not only in the United States and in Japan b. not only in the United States after in Japan c. not only in the United States and in Japan in addition d. not only in the United States but also in Japan e. not only just in the United States but also in Japan, too

Practice #27
(1) Before steam engines were used in the construction of railroads, railroad workers put down track by hand and then hammered the spikes. (2) According to legend, a man named John Henry could drive spikes faster than any other worker. (3) Eventually technology improved. (4) Steam power was applied to a device that drove spikes. (5) Promoters arranged for John Henry to compete in a railroad-spike-driving contest against the steam-powered device. (6) Ultimately, John Henry wins the competition.

1. Which of the following sentences is the best combination of sentence 3 and 4? a. Eventually the technology was applied to the device that improved spike driving. b. The spike-driving device eventually improved as the technology improved and steam power was applied. c. Technology improved, and a steam-powered device to drive spikes was invented. d. As the spike-driving device became steam-powered, technology eventually evolved. e. As steam technology eventually improved, spike-driving technology was applied.

2. Which of the following revisions does sentence 6 most need? a. Replace "wins" with "won." b. Replace "wins" with "will win." c. Remove the comma after "Ultimately." d. Replace "Ultimately" with "Therefore." e. Replace "Ultimately" with "Additionally."

Practice #28
1. The scholar believed it was his duty to _ the masses by telling them about his revolutionary _. a. deprecate...enigma b. incarcerate...policy c. subjugate...jargon d. enlighten...doctrine e. dominate...proselytized

2. The career counselor says that in the current economy, it is _ to apply for several jobs instead of holding out for the ideal job. a. reprehensible b. gratifying c. prudent d. indispensable e. audacious

Practice #29
(1) Some people complain that film actors make too much money. (2) What these people don't understand is that most actors are worth their exorbitant salaries. (3) Even terrible movies can be salvaged by a great actor in a lead or supporting role, so it's no wonder that top actors command millions of dollars per movie. (4) If a movie that costs $150 million to make grosses $225 million because Hollywood's hottest leading man starred in it, that leading man's $5 million salary was a great investment. (5) People who complain about highly paid professions like actors and actresses simply haven't thought about the economics of making a hit film.

1. One can infer from the passage that great actors a. have a fair market value of $5 million b. can overcome flawed scripts c. pale in comparison to state-of-the-art special effects d. drive hard-working people away from theaters

2. The author of the passage implies that those people who object to actors' high salaries a. rarely go to the movies b. are jealous of the actors' wealth c. misunderstand the lifestyles actors must lead d. lack the business sense to comprehend the actors' true value e. have no way of comprehending what $5 million can buy

Practice #31
1. The residents of the _ region performed a rain dance and were rewarded with a ___.__ a. parched...heat b. scorched...validation c. saturated...monsoon d. arid...deluge e. barren...consecration

__2.__ The waitstaff always fights to serve Ms. Pratt, an extravagant tipper who is famous for her _. a. miserliness b. efficiency c. deliberation d. largess e. consternation

Practice #30
//**Choose the error.**//

1. ** She and I ** went to dinner, to the movies, to the coffee shop, **and then to the lake** to **watch** the sunrise.

2. The scientist **was flabbergasted** when he **read** the final report, which **verified that** the element was made of **string cheese. No error. **

Practice #32
//**Choose the answer that most improves the portion in bold.**// a. Determine b. Determination c. By determining d. Because of determining e. Determined 2. Remember that movie stars, however snotty and bratty they are now, **was once a regular person** just like everyone else. a. was once a regular person b. were once a regular person c. was once regular people d. once, as a regular person, e. were once regular people =****Practice #33****= (1) Despite the relative reluctance of Americans to adopt it, soccer is the most popular sport in the world and has been for several decades. (2) Soccer, which is called "football" in most places, has few rules compared with such sports as baseball. (3) Also, in contract to baseball and American football, soccer games have few pauses in the action. (4) Soccer scores aren't as high as scores are in American sports, but many people consider that an exciting feature of the game, because the occasional goal are that much more thrilling.
 * 1. Determine** to make his mark in the business world, Larry went to grad school to get his M.B.A.

1. Which of the following is true of the paragraph? a. The author likes soccer. b. The author is not an American. c. The author presents the information in an objective manner. d. The author is biased against American sports. e. The author is biased against soccer.

2. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage? a. Soccer is more popular in Europe than American football is. b. Soccer is a great sport, despite its unpopularity in America. c. Baseball and basketball will need overhauls if they are to compete on the world stage with soccer. d. Soccer is an all-around better sport than any other in the world. e. Soccer is the simplest sport in the world. __Literary Terms Log.____ Wandering Jew - made to roam earth after curse. Fire - motif of passion or hatred. || Or a strongly held opinion; a conviction. || "The best way to persuade people is with your ears -- by listening to them" ~ Dean Rusk || "Memory is to love what the saucer is to the cup" ~ Elizabeth Bowen //The House in Paris// 1949 My grandson is to me as my son is to my father. || A writers attitude towards a subject. || "life //is// full of misery, loneliness and suffering-- and it's all over much too soon." ~ Woody Allen "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." ~ President John F Kennedy "If I were rich, i'd have the time that I lack to sit in the synagogue and pray."~ Fiddler on the Roof || Indignant Intimate || Trochaic Diactylic || "The sand's pale white hands gripped our feet" "If these walls could talk" || "Rabbits running over roses" "Peter Piper picked a peck...." || Woof! Splash! || //Dulce Et Decorum Est// ~ Wilfred Owen //The Raven// ~ Edgar Allen Poe || "I watched the world float to the dark" ~ Three Doors Down The pitter patter of the rain against my window. || After the Sea-Ship ~ Walt Whitman Marriage ~ Marianne Moore || Allen Ginsberg Carl Sandburg || "Blond people have more fun" example of image: The geek The popular girl ||
 * **Term** || **Definition** || **Examples** ||
 * Archetype || The original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are based or copied. || Wise old man - long white beard.
 * Plain Style || A way of writing that stresses simplicity and clarity of expression. || Francis Bacon used plain style in essays ||
 * Paradox || A statement that appears self-contradictory but reveals a kind of truth. || "The swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot."~ Henry David Thoreau - WALDEN ||
 * Extended Metaphor || A metaphor that is extended or developed over a number of lines or with several examples. || Animal Farm - George Orwell ||
 * Comic Relief || The inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. || The drunken porter's speech in Shakespeare's //Macbeth// ||
 * Dynamic Character || A character in a piece of narrative who undergoes change or is capable of undergoing change. Usually a main character. || Macbeth in Shakespeare's //Macbeth// ||
 * Symbol || An arbitrary sign that has required a conventional meaning. || The dove symbolises peace. ||
 * Inference || A conclusion drawn by reason from premises established by proof. || Because the man was seen in the jewellery store, it was inferred that he was to propose to his girlfriend. ||
 * Aphorism || A statement of general principle. Usually accepted as wise. || "Give a man a mask and he will tell you the truth" ~ Wilde ||
 * Persuasion || The act of persuading or the state of being persuaded
 * Rhetorical Question || A question that does not require an answer because it is unnecessary or the answer is obvious. The inquirer does not look for an answer. || How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man? ||
 * Allusion || A reference to another literary piece, art piece, music, film or event within a piece of writing. || The Wasteland ~ T.S Elliot ||
 * Analogy || A comparison of two things, typically on the basis of their structure and for the purpose of explanation or clarification. || "MTV is to music as KFC is to chicken" ~ Lewis Black
 * Anecdote || A short, amusing or interesting story about a real event or person. ||  ||
 * Mood || A state or a quality of being at any given time.
 * Tone || A writer's attitude towards a subject and audience. Displayed through diction and point of view. || Imploring
 * Meter || The measured arrangement of words in poetry by accentual rhythm or syllable number. || Shakespeare's Iambic Pentameter
 * Personification || When the writer makes an animal or an object or even an idea act or think or speak like a human. They are personalising the object. || "The trees whispered to each other"
 * Alliteration || Many words with the same opening letter being used in one sentence or series of sentences. || "Pink plumage plummeted down"
 * Onomatopoeia || Using words that imitate the sound they denote || "knock knock"
 * Rhyme Scheme || The arrangement of rhymes in a poem or stanza. || //Alone// ~ Edgar Allen Poe
 * Imagery || The use of figurative or vivid language to represent objects, actions or ideas. || "Cause the music is live like an electric shock" ~ Beastie Boys
 * Free Verse || Poetry that does not conform to a standard metre. It has irregular line length and syllable length. || Awake ~ Katherine Foreman
 * Cadence || Balanced, rhythmic flow in poetry || Walt Whitman
 * Stereotype || A Conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, image or personality. || "Women are bad drivers"