english 120 diagnostic test - wayne county community ... · english 120 diagnostic test ......

English 120 Diagnostic Test

WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT STACHA FLOYD, ENGLISH FACULTY

Spring 2017; 50th Faculty Innovations Project

Category Question

1. Thesis Statements Complete the sentence.

A strong thesis statement for an argumentative essay should

a. Announce the topic of the essay.

b. State a fact.

c. Indicate the topic and the controlling idea by making a

claim. (correct)

2. Thesis Statement Which of the following is the best thesis statement?

a. This essay will explain the advantages of autonomous

semi-trucks.

b. Autonomous semi-trucks will improve the efficiency of

employees, improve safety on roads, and increase

profitability for companies. (correct)

c. Autonomous semi-trucks have several advantages.

3. Topic Sentences Select the best topic sentence for a paragraph in an essay.

a. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s non-violent message was onereason he was well respected by many. (correct)

b. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights leader.

c. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a

Dream” speech in 1963.

4. Topic Sentence The purpose of a topic sentence is to

a. Indicate the point of the paragraph.

b. Explain what aspect of the thesis will be developed in

that paragraph.

c. Both a and b. (correct)

5. Transitional Words Transitional words are used to

a. Show the relationship between sentences.

b. Show the relationship between paragraphs.

c. Help the reader to understand the writer’s train of

thought.

d. All of the above. (correct)



6. Transitional Words Select the sentence that uses the most effective transitions to

show the relationship between ideas.

a. Jackie Robinson was discriminated against because he

was black; however, he became one of the most

respected players in Major League Baseball. (correct)

b. Jackie Robinson was discriminated against because he

was black; as a result, he became one of the most

respected players in baseball. c. In addition, Jackie Robinson was discriminated against

because he was black; he became one of the most

respected players in baseball. 7. Transitional Sentences Select the best transitional sentence.

a. In addition to being a leader in the American

Revolution, George Washington served as president. (correct)

b. George Washington led the newly formed country as president.

c. Furthermore, George Washington led the newly formed

country as president. 8. Transitional Sentences Which statement is true?

a. A transitional sentence appears at the beginning of a

paragraph indicating the next supporting point. b. A transitional sentence appears at the end of a paragraph

indicating what the writer has just discussed and stating

what he or she will develop next. (correct) c. A transitional sentence appears in the middle of a

paragraph indicating how sentences relate to each other. 9. Essays An essay

a. Is a group of related paragraphs. b. Develops one main idea. c. Includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. d. Both A and B e. Both B and C f. All of the above (correct)



10. Essays Which of the following statements is true?

a. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs are not

important and can be left out of an essay. b. The introduction paragraph introduces the point of your

essay while the conclusion brings your paper to a close. (correct)

c. The introduction should only include the thesis and plan

of development while the conclusion paragraph

summarizes the essay

11. Sentence Fragments One of the four items that follow is a complete sentence. Select

the complete sentence.

a. Maya Angelou, who was also a civil rights activist,

dancer, and actress. b. Is best known for her poetry. c. “Still I Rise” celebrates the power of African American

women. (correct) d. Who overcome racism and sexism with pride and dignity

through their internal strength. 12. Sentence Fragments One of the items that follow is a fragment. Select the fragment.

a. Mike Ilitch was the founder of Little Caesar’s pizzeria. b. However, he became known for the sports teams and

entertainment venues that he owned. c. Ilitch, dying at 87 at a local hospital, will be

remembered for his love of the city. d. Demonstrated through all of the work that he did to

revitalize the downtown area. (correct) 13. Sentence Fragments

Three of the items that follow are fragments. Select the item

that is NOT a fragment.

a. Donald Trump, well-known as a billionaire

entrepreneur. b. Became the forty-fifth president of the United States in

2016. c. Surprising many with his win over Hillary Clinton. d. Many people believe he won because he was not a

politician but someone promising not to run the

government as usual. (correct)



14. Run-ons and Comma

Splices Select the sentence that is not a run-on (or fused) sentence or a

comma splice.

a. Elizabeth was very tired after her dance competition on

Saturday, so she went home and slept for twelve hours. (correct)

b. Elizabeth was very tired after her dance competition on

Saturday she went home and slept for twelve hours. c. Elizabeth was very tired after her dance competition on

Saturday, she went home and slept for twelve hours. 15. Run-ons and Comma

Splices One of the following items contains a comma splice, another is

a run-on (or fused) sentence, and a third is correct. Select the

item that is correct.

a. Chris studied all night to prepare for his final exam in his

mathematics course, his mind went blank when his

instructor handed him the exam.

b. Although Chris studied all night to prepare for his final

exam in his mathematics course, his mind went blank

when his instructor handed him the exam. (correct) c. Chris studied all night to prepare for his final exam in

his mathematics course his mind went blank when his

instructor handed him the exam. 16. Run-ons and Comma

Splices One of the following items contains a comma splice, another is

a run- on (or fused) sentence, and a third is correct. Select the

item that is correct.

a. Wanda wanted her sixth birthday to be very special she

started planning for it five months in advance. b. Wanda wanted her sixth birthday to be very special, she

started planning for it five months in advance. c. Wanda wanted her sixth birthday to be very special; she

started planning for it five months in advance. (correct) 17. Subject-verb

Agreement Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

a. The jury, which is made up of three men and nine

women, has been deliberating for three weeks. (correct) b. The jury, which is made up of three men and nine

women, have been deliberating for three weeks. c. The jury, which are made up of three men and nine

women, have been deliberating for three weeks.



18. Subject-verb

Agreement Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

a. Neither of the boys have an explanation for the paint

that is smeared all over the wall. b. Neither of the boys has an explanation for the paint that

is smeared all over the wall. (correct) 19. Subject-verb

agreement Select the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.

a. Among the twenty purebred dogs that were up for

adoption was a mutt that captured our hearts. (correct) b. Among the twenty purebred dogs that were up for

adoption were a mutt that captured our hearts. 20. Pronoun Agreement Select the sentence that has no problems with pronoun

agreement.

a. The college provides its students with support services,

such as tutoring, weekly workshops, and monthly

advising sessions. (correct) b. The college provides their students with support

services, such as tutoring, weekly workshops, and

monthly advising sessions. 21. Pronoun Agreement Select the sentence that has no problems with pronoun

agreement.

a. Everyone has to bring their own paper bag lunch on the

fieldtrip to the zoo next week. b. Everyone has to bring his or her own paper bag lunch on

the fieldtrip to the zoo next week. (correct) 22. Pronoun Reference Select the sentence that has no problems with pronoun

reference.

a. Thomas and his best friend Steve took his new Mustang

racecar for a drive around the racetrack. b. When Thomas bought his new Mustang racecar, he

drove it around the racetrack with his best friend Steve. (correct)



23. Pronoun Reference Select the sentence that has no problems with pronoun

reference.

a. At last month’s meeting, they, weighing all of their

possible options, decided to close up to twenty schools due to low registration numbers and test scores.

b. At last month’s meeting, the board members, weighing

all of their possible options, decided to close up to

twenty schools due to low registration numbers and test

scores. (correct) 24. Parallel Structure Select the sentence that is NOT parallel in structure.

a. After having a heart attack, Thomas started exercising

five days out of the week, eating less sugar and red

meats, and to drink more water. (correct) b. After having a heart attack, Thomas started to exercise

five days out of the week, to eat less sugar and read

meats, and to drink more water. c. After having a heart attack, Thomas started exercising

five days out of the week, eating less sugar and red

meats, and drinking more water. 25. Parallel Structure Select the sentence that is parallel in structure.

a. Camille not only cooked the entire meal but also the

whole house was cleaned by her for our family’s

Thanksgiving gathering. b. Camille not only cooked the entire meal but also

cleaned the whole house for our family’s Thanksgiving

gathering. (correct) c. Not only did Camille cook the entire meal but also the

whole house was cleaned by her for our family’s

Thanksgiving gathering. 26. Dangling Modifiers Select the sentence that has a dangling modifier.

a. While Karen was walking the dog, her hat got caught in

the wind and flew down the street. b. While walking the dog, Karen realized her hat got

caught in the wind and flew down the street. c. While walking the dog, Karen’s hat got caught in the

wind and flew down the street. (correct)



27. Dangling Modifiers Select the sentence that has a dangling modifier.

a. While Chris was moving the coffee table, the lamp fell

and broke. b. Moving the coffee table, the lamp fell and broke.

(correct) c. While moving the coffee table, Chris made the lamp fall

and break. 28. Misplaced Modifiers Select the sentence that has NO misplaced modifiers.

a. Due to an hour delay on the freeway, Casey almost

missed all of the award ceremony at the college. b. Due to an hour delay on the freeway, Casey missed

almost all of the award ceremony at the college. (correct)

29. Misplaced Modifiers Select the sentence that has NO misplaced modifiers.

a. Andre found his missing sock hanging from the dresser

drawer by the toe. (correct) b. Hanging from the dresser drawer by the toe, Andre

found his missing sock. 30. Passive Voice Select the clearest, most grammatically correct sentence.

a. Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876. (correct)

b. The telephone was patented by Alexander Graham Bell

in 1876. c. In 1876, the telephone was patented by Alexander

Graham Bell. 31. Passive Voice Select the clearest, most grammatically correct sentence.

a. The American Revolutionary War was fought because the

colonists wanted to separate from the British

government.

b. The colonists fought in the American Revolutionary War

because they wanted to separate from the British

government. (correct)

32. Conciseness Select the clearest, most concise sentence.

a. In this day and age, parents must be very careful about

allowing their children to play outside by themselves. b. Today, parents must be very careful about allowing their

children to play outside by themselves. (correct)



33. Conciseness Select the clearest, most concise sentence.

a. If we want the gift to arrive in time for the party, we must place the order for it by this Saturday.

b. If we want the gift to arrive in time for the party, we

must order it by this Saturday. (correct) 34. Consistent Person Select the sentence that has consistent person.

a. I attend college because it helps you to obtain a career in

your field, it increases the amount of money you can

earn, and it helps you to set an example for your younger

relatives. b. I attend college because they help you to obtain a career

in your field, they increase the amount of money you

can earn, and they help you to set an example your younger relatives.

c. I came to college because it helps me to obtain a career

in my field, it increases the amount of money I can earn,

and it helps me to set an example for my younger

relatives. (correct) 35. Consistent Verb

Tense Select the sentence that has consistent verb tense.

a. Donna sat down to watch television; however, within

five minutes, she falls asleep and misses the entire show. b. Donna sat down to watch television; however, within

five minutes, she fell asleep and missed the entire show. (correct)

c. Donna sits down to watch television; however, within

five minutes, she fell asleep and missed the entire show.

36. Combining

Sentences The following two sentences can be combined into one: Dr.

Charles Drew was an African American surgeon. Dr. Charles

Drew developed a way to process and store blood.

a. Dr. Charles Drew was an African American surgeon; Dr.

Charles Drew developed a way to process and store

blood.

b. Dr. Charles Drew was an African American surgeon,

and Dr. Charles Drew developed a way to process and

store blood. c. Dr. Charles Drew was an African American surgeon,

who developed a way to process and store blood. (correct)



37. Commas with Quotation Marks

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly.

a. “After we went to the jazz club,” Sonny’s brother, the

narrator, explains, “I felt a change in our relationship. I

began to understand my little brother more.” (correct) b. “After we went to the jazz club” Sonny’s brother, the

narrator, explains “I felt a change in our relationship. I

began to understand my little brother more.” c. “After we went to the jazz club” Sonny’s brother, the

narrator, explains, “I felt a change in our relationship. I

began to understand my little brother more.” 38. Commas with

Quotation Marks Select the sentence that uses commas correctly.

a. “I had to decide between being loyal to myself and my

brother” Jayden explained, “I chose myself because I

had to be able to live with myself.” b. “I had to decide between being loyal to myself and my

brother,” Jayden explained, “I chose myself because I

had to be able to live with myself.” c. “I had to decide between being loyal to myself and my

brother,” Jayden explained. “I chose myself because I

had to be able to live with myself.” (correct) 39. Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions


a. Chloe wanted to do a back handspring at the

cheerleading showcase so, she practiced every day for a

month. b. Chloe wanted to do a back handspring at the

cheerleading showcase, so she practiced every day for a

month. (correct) c. Chloe wanted to do a back handspring at the

cheerleading showcase, so, she practiced every day for a

month. 40. Commas with Interrupters

Select the sentence that uses commas correctly if they are

needed.

a. Oprah Winfrey, who hosted her own talk show for

twenty-five years, now has her own television station. (correct)

b. Oprah Winfrey who hosted her own talk show for

twenty-five years now has her own television station. c. Oprah Winfrey, who hosted her own talk show for

twenty-five years now has her own television station.



41. Commas with Introductory Elements


a. Although, the basketball team has swept every round of

the playoffs so far the players realized that they still had

to work hard to win the National Basketball Association

championship. b. Although, the basketball team has swept every round of

the playoffs so far, the players realized that they still had


championship. c. Although the basketball team has swept every round of

the playoffs so far, the players realized that they still had


championship. (correct) 42. Quotation Marks Select the sentence that uses quotation marks correctly.

a. “When Tom gets home,” Camille stated, “we will leave

for our vacation to New York.” (correct) b. “When Tom gets home, Camille stated, we will leave

for our vacation to New York.” c. When Tom gets home, Camille stated, “we will leave

for our vacation to New York.” 43. Quotation Marks Select the sentence that uses quotation marks correctly.

a. Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin appears in the

anthology “Introduction to Literature.” b. “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin appears in the

anthology “Introduction to Literature.” c. “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin appears in the

anthology Introduction to Literature. (correct) 44. Quotation Marks Select the sentence that uses quotation marks correctly.

a. Not sure she heard him correctly, my mother asked, “Did your brother just say, ‘I got accepted into the

University of Michigan’?” b. Not sure she heard him correctly, my mother asked,

“Did your brother just say, “I got accepted into the

University of Michigan”?” c. Not sure she heard him correctly, my mother asked,

“Did your brother just say, I got accepted into the

University of Michigan?”



45. Semicolon Usage Select the sentence that uses semicolons correctly.

a. Because my father was in the military for the first ten

years of my life, we lived in Charlette, North Carolina; Norfolk, Virginia; Houston, Texas; and Macomb, Michigan. (correct)

b. Because my father was in the military for the first ten

years of my life, we lived in; Charlette, North Carolina,

Norfolk, Virginia, Houston, Texas, and Macomb,

Michigan. c. Because my father was in the military for the first ten

years of my life; we lived in Charlette, North Carolina,

Norfolk, Virginia, Houston, Texas, and Macomb,

Michigan. 46. Semicolon Usage Select the sentence that uses semicolons correctly.

a. After studying for her final exam for two hours; Tonya

took a break, she walked her dog to the park. b. After studying for her final exam for two hours, Tonya

took a break; she walked her dog to the park. (correct) c. After studying for her final exam for two hours, Tonya

took a break she walked; her dog to the park. 47. Colons Select the sentence that uses colons correctly.

a. Susan bought several items from the grocery store:

broccoli, steak, potatoes, and wine. (correct) b. Susan bought: broccoli, steak, potatoes, and wine.

48. Colons Select the sentence that uses colons correctly.

a. The article “Barn Burning”: Sarty’s Conflict provides

very useful information for my research paper. (correct) b. The article “Barn Burning:” Sarty’s Conflict provides

very useful information for my research paper. 49. Apostrophes Select the sentence that correctly uses apostrophes.

a. The girl’s are having a tea party at next week’s

sleepover at their grandmother’s house. b. The girls are having a tea party at next weeks sleepover

at their grandmother’s house. c. The girls are having a tea party at next week’s sleepover

at their grandmother’s house. (correct)



50. Apostrophes Select the sentence that correctly uses apostrophes.

a. Because she keeps having trouble with her tires,

Carmen’s car probably needs a new set. (correct)

b. Because she keep’s having trouble with her tires,

Carmen car probably need’s a new set.

c. Because she keep’s having trouble with her tire’s,

Carmen’s car probably need’s a new battery.

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