J.W.
Morgan
Composition
I
Exam II
Study Packet: Ch 21 subject/verb agreement; Ch 22
pronoun/antecedent agreement; Ch 25 who/whom; and Ch 12 modifiers
This
study packet is available to all students; however, only those students
completing the packet following the study group guidelines on the study group
contract will be eligible for the extra credit points.
1.
You
are expected to learn all the rules for the chapters listed above. The following information is offered as a
guideline for your studies, but you should be aware that any information in the
text or in class lecture might appear on the exam, regardless of its appearance
or absence in this study guide.
2.
Define
the following:
a.
pronoun
b.
antecedent
c.
indefinite
pronoun
d.
generic
noun
e.
collective
noun
f.
dangling
modifier
g.
misplaced
modifier
h.
split
infinitive
3.
How
do you correct a misplaced modifier?
4.
Give
the two correction options for correcting a dangling modifier.
5.
Using
one sentence, demonstrate the two options listed in #4.
6.
List
5 limiting modifiers. Memorize them.
7.
What
is a limiting modifier supposed to limit in a sentence?
8.
Give
an example of #4.
9.
Give
an example of a split infinitive.
Correct the sentence.
10.
Identify
one good place to relocate a misplaced modifier.
11.
What
problems do possessive nouns create in sentences with modifiers?
12.
Give
and example of #11. Correct it.
13.
What
do we mean when we say that subjects and verbs must agree in number?
14.
What
is the pronoun substitution test?
15.
Create
a sentence and then show how the pronoun substitution test works.
16.
When
you are testing subjects and verbs in a sentence, what must you do with
prepositional phrases?
17.
Are
most subjects joined by and singular
or plural?
18.
What
is the exception to #17?
19.
Explain
the or/nor rule as it applies to
subjects and verbs.
20.
Give
an example of #19.
21.
What
pronoun(s) should you substitute for indefinite pronouns? Why?
(Hint—are indefinite pronouns usually singular or plural?)
22.
Some
indefinite pronouns change in number (i.e. singular or plural). List the 3 indefinite pronouns that can
change in number.
23.
List
7 collective nouns. Memorize them.
24.
Give
an example of a collective noun used in the singular form.
25.
Give
an example of a collective noun used in the plural form.
26.
What
is the relationship between the subject and verb in an inverted sentence?
27.
List
some signals that appear in a sentence that let you know you have an inverted
sentence.
28.
Titles
of works, company names, and works such as athletics, statistics, and news
usually singular or plural?
29.
List
the two acceptable corrections for a pronoun/antecedent agreement error.
30.
Give
an example of each.
31.
Explain
the or/nor rule as it applies to
pronouns and antecedents. Give an
example.
32.
What
is the exception to the rule in #31?
Give an example.
33.
Memorize
a number/the number one of/only one of as either singular
or plural.
34.
Give
the 3-part test for checking who/whom
in a sentence. Give an example.
35.
What
is the one exception to the who/whom
test?
Some
sample questions:
True/False
36. When compound subjects are separated by
"or" or "nor", treat the subject as plural.
37. The following sentence correctly utilizes
the or/nor rule as applied to pronouns and antecedents:
Neither the cars nor the bus had its oil
changed.
38. In determining when to use who or whom in
a sentence, test the sentence by substituting him for who and he for whom.
39. A dangling modifier refers logically to
another word in the sentence.
40. When
repairing a dangling modifier, students must supply the actor.
41. Indefinite
pronouns should be treated as singular.
42. “The
number” is considered plural.
43. A
pronoun and its antecedent agree when they are both singular or plural.
44. Plural
pronouns can refer to singular antecedents.
45. When two singular antecedents of
different genders are separated by or or nor, the sentence must be rewritten
and the pronoun removed.
Indicate
which sentence is the best choice (correct).
Read all sentences carefully.
46. a. Studying
really hard last fall, my grades improved.
b. By studying really hard last fall, my
grades improved.
c. My grades improved by really studying
hard last fall.
d. I improved my grades by studying really
hard last fall.
47. a. While
sitting at my desk doodling during a boring English grammar lecture, my thesis
became clear.
b. While sitting in a boring English
grammar lecture and doodling, my thesis became clear.
c. While sitting in a boring English
grammar lecture, my thesis became clear while doodling.
d. My thesis became clear while I was
sitting at my desk doodling during a boring English grammar lecture.
48. a. Squawking loudly and stepping
gracefully on long thin legs, I watched the sandpipers
hunt for food.
b. Then darting suddenly into some bushes,
I lost sight of them.
c. Chirping continuously, I watched some
sparrows building their nest.
d. all the above
e. none of the above
49. a. In
our neighborhood a dog must be accompanied by an adult on a leash.
b. After mowing the lawn that afternoon,
my dog wanted to go for a walk.
c. Our house, where I was born, is near
the fairground.
d. all the above
e. none of the above
50. a. I
had a stain on my tie that could not be removed.
b. You will only need one sheet of paper
for the exam.
c. Our office intends to hire a secretary
who will be more efficient after Christmas.
d. a and b
e. none of the above
Identify
each of the following as correct or incorrect.
If a sentence is incorrect, correct it on a separate sheet of paper.
51. Tom and Lewis will have to tell his
mother that they cannot take her shopping this week.
52. Anyone
who loses their token will have to buy a new one if they want to ride the
subway.
53. Neither
Lewis nor Alfred brought their toothbrush.
54.The gold team used the indoor tennis
courts when they practiced in winter.
55. Politicians
must know their constituents if they hope to win their votes.
Identify
each of the following as correct or incorrect.
For all sentences demonstrate the pronoun substitution test that you
used (write the test at the end of the sentence). If a sentence is incorrect, correct it on a
separate sheet of paper.
56. A number of articles has appeared
recently about the destruction of the tropical rain forests, which form a green
band around the earth at the equator.
57.
More
than half of the world's plant and animal species live in those forests.
58.
Most
of the
other
development.
59. The
farmers of course think they can make more money from farmland than from trees.
60. None of the farmers realizes that cutting
down the forests will cause global warming and threaten life on our planet.
Write who/whom in the blank. To the right of each sentence, demonstrate
the who/whom substitution test that
you used.
61.
, in your opinion, should win the costume contest?
62. She was the candidate I thought deserved the victory.
63. To have the detectives been talking?
64. Dr. Kelsey is the teacher I like the best.
65. I have not decided for I will vote.