J. W. Morgan

Composition I

Exam III Study Packet: Ch 9 Parallelism; Ch 23 Pronoun Reference; Ch 24 Pronoun

Case; & Ch 26 Adjectives and Adverbs

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 may appear on the exam, regardless of its appearance or absence in this study guide.

2. Define the following:
1. Parallel structure
2. Ambiguous pronoun reference
3. Remote pronoun reference
4. Implied antecedent
5. Gerund
6. Adjective
7. Adverb
8. Comparative
9. Superlative
10. Double negative
11. Absolute concepts

3. What are the 3 instances where you must use parallel structure (See sPot Run)?
4. What are the 3 types of pairs that must be made parallel?
5. List the 5 sets of correlative conjunctions. Memorize them.
6. When checking pronoun reference, why must you be careful with sentences that contain a possessive?
7. Give an example of the error referred to in #6. Correct the sentence.
8. When is it permissible to use the word you in formal writing?
9. Which pronouns should you use to refer to people? (see 23e)
10. What is the one exception to #9? Be clear and specific in your answer.
11. What are the 3 cases of pronouns?
12. How do you test compound elements in a sentence when you are checking pronoun case?
13. What pronoun case must you use with linking verbs?
14. Give an example of a sentence that illustrates #13.
15. When is it proper to use the reflexive pronoun (i.e. myself, himself, etc.) when choosing pronoun case?
16. Explain the steps you must use to test pronoun case in a sentence with an appositive.
17. How do you test pronoun case in a sentence with a comparison (than/ as)?
18. How do you test the pronouns we and us when they appear before a noun?
19. What pronoun case do you use when modifying a gerund?
20. How do you know when a sentence contains a gerund?
21. What question do the majority of adverbs answer?
22. Do you use adjectives or adverbs as subject and object complements (with linking verbs)?
23. When is it appropriate to use the comparative form of adjectives and adverbs?
24. Create a sentence demonstrating # 23.
25. When is it appropriate to use the superlative form of adjectives and adverbs?
26. Create a sentence demonstrating # 25.
27. List 5 absolute concepts.
28. Why can’t you use comparatives or superlatives with absolute concepts?
29. What 3 modifiers are considered negatives in English? List and memorize them.

Some sample questions:

True/False

30. A sentence is said to have parallel structure when sentences and pairs have the same grammatical form.
31. Absolute concepts come in degrees.
32. Ambiguous pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun refers clearly to its antecedent.
33. Superlatives are used to compare two items in a sentence.
34. Remote pronoun reference can be a problem in paragraphs where an antecedent and its pronoun may be separated by sentences that “break the chain” of reference.
35. Beginning a paragraph with a pronoun whose antecedent appears in a previous paragraph is perfectly acceptable.
36. Sentence # 35 properly uses the exception to the rule that indicates that you use who, whom, and whose for people and that and which for things.
37. Possessives cannot function as antecedents.
38. A gerund is a word ending in –ed.
39. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.
40. Adverbs often answer the question What kind?

In the following sentences, decide if the pronoun reference is clear. If a sentence is incorrect, correct it on a separate sheet of paper.

41. I ordered the roast lamb, who I enjoyed.
42. Jill’s mother suggested that she wear her new suede jacket to the game.
43. As I put the canary’s food in the dish, it began to sing.
44. Diane told Becky that she had received a letter from her boyfriend.
45. I refused to listen to Dad’s advice, which turned out to be a good thing.

Choose the sentence that expresses the thought most clearly, effectively, and correctly.

46. .
1. The movie ended with the cowboy leaping on his horse, waving to his friends, and he rode away into the sunset.
2. He had worked in a pharmacy, the post office, and the filling station.
3. I went to Honolulu to enjoy the warm weather and for getting some practice in surfing.
4. Postal workers are expected to work in rain, snow, and sometimes in an ice storm.
47. .
1. We are looking for a house with a double garage, four bedrooms, and having a large garden.
2. Listening to his stereo and science fiction are my brother’s chief pleasures.
3. No one can go through life depending on others and never take any responsibility.
4. Anna’s daily chores include feeding the turtle, sweeping the floor, and cleaning the bathroom.
48. .
1. That period in my life was full of fun, happiness, and I had a lot of new experiences.
2. The candidate promised to create more jobs, to raise wages, to provide better schools, and at the same time he would lower taxes.
3. I like her soft voice, her willingness to listen, and her refusal to criticize.
4. None of the above.
49. .
1. Erich Fromm said that loving takes concentration, patience, discipline, and being concerned.
2. My first deep dive was exciting but exhausting.
3. I took lessons for a month, practiced every day in a pool, and I even bought a lot of equipment.
4. None of the above.
50. .
1. Our instructor drilled us, tested us, and he also gave us encouragement.
2. Then finally he said that I was ready and that I could do what I had wanted to do for years.
3. I got all my equipment together, reviewed my instructions, and then I phoned my diving buddy.
4. She said she was ready to go, had been hoping I’d call, and that she would meet me at the dock.

Choose the word (or words) which most correctly completes each sentence.

51. Neither __________ have ever worked on a farm.
1. He nor I
2. Him nor me
3. He nor me
4. Him nor I

52. Both __________ have always had jobs in the city.
1. Him and me
2. Him and I
3. Me and he
4. He and I

53. The announcer warned that traffic was moving __________
1. Slowest
2. Slow
3. Slowly
4. More slower

54. The instructor is trying to get all of __________ students ready for the final.
1. Us
2. We
3. Them
4. None of the above

55. When I watched Carl run the 440 on Saturday, I was amazed at how __________ he paced himself.
1. Well
2. Good
3. Better
4. Best

56. Which actress do you like __________: Julia Roberts, Vivien Leigh, or Glenn Close?
1. Better
2. Best
3. Mostest
4. None of the above

57. He gave a practice test to my friend and __________.
1. He
2. Me
3. I
4. She

58. The eighteenth century essayist Samuel Johnson was __________ surprised when he received a pension from King George III.
1. Really
2. Real
3. Sure
4. Certain

59. Johnson was relieved that he had not behaved __________ in the King’s presence.
1. Badly
2. Bad
3. Poor
4. None of the above

60. My friend has always been a better student than __________.
1. I
2. Me
3. Myself
4. Him