Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : English Grammar and Usage in Writing and Speaking: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts

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All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 59 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below:

Sometimes, a man will be criticized even when they are doing what is right.

Possible Answers:

they

man

what

even

Correct answer:

they

Explanation:

 Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. In this example, “a man” (singular) is shifted incorrectly to “they” (plural). “they” should be “he”.

 

 

Example Question #6 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below:

When the scientists mixed the two chemicals, you saw a surprising reaction.

Possible Answers:

you

reaction 

two

scientists

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. Do not use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent or a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent. Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent.

In this example, “scientists” (plural, third-person) shifts to “you” (singular, second-person). “you” should be “they”.

 

Example Question #1 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

For her son’s birthday, Karen is going to give him their gift.

Possible Answers:

him

her

their

gift

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. Do not use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent or a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent. Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent.

In this example, there are three pronouns to deal with. “her” clearly refers to Karen, while “him” clearly refers to the son. It is unclear who “their” is referring to. “their” is plural, but must be referring to Karen (singular) or her son (singular). “their” should be “his” or “her”.

 

Example Question #2 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

When Joshua was on the team, he called Marty for their tickets.

Possible Answers:

he

their

Joshua

Marty

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. Do not use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent or a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent. Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent.

In this example, there are two pronouns to seal with: “he” and “their”. “he” clearly refers to Joshua, but it is unclear who “their” (plural) refers to. Josh and Marty are both singular, so “their” should be “his”.

 

Example Question #2 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

If students are late, he must have a pass. 

Possible Answers:

he

students

pass

have

Correct answer:

he

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. Do not use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent or a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent.

In this example, “he” is singular” while referring to “students” (plural). “he” should be “they”.

 

 

Example Question #9 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

Chris told his friend that classes were canceled for today and it would resume tomorrow.

Possible Answers:

it

tomorrow

Chris

his

Correct answer:

it

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. In this example, there are two pronouns to consider: “his” and “it”. “his” (singular) clearly refers to Chris (also singular), while “it” (singular) seems to refer to “classes” (plural). “it” should be “they”.

 

Example Question #11 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

Rachel told her mom that you really should drink more water.

 

Possible Answers:

Rachel

you

mom

her

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person.  Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent.

In this example, there are two pronouns to consider: “her” and “you”. “her” refers to Rachel, but “you” represents a shift in person. Rachel and her mom are both third person, so “you” (second-person) should be “she” (third-person).

 

Example Question #12 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

David and his team decided they would work hard, and you should always be on time.

Possible Answers:

David

be

his

you

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person.  Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent. In this example, there are to pronouns to consider: “his” and “you”. “his” clearly refers to David, while “you” (singular, second-person) represents a shift in number and in person. “you” should be “they” (plural, third-person).

 

 

Example Question #11 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the incorrectly used pronoun in the sentence below.

Vivian and her friends know that when they are focused, you cannot beat them.

Possible Answers:

they

you

her

them

Correct answer:

you

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. Do not use a plural pronoun for a singular antecedent or a singular pronoun for a plural antecedent. Do not shift person within a sentence. In particular, do not use the second-person pronouns you or your to refer to a first-person or third-person antecedent.

There are four pronouns in this sentence. Three of them are written in the third-person (“her”, “they”, and “them”), while “you” represents a shift to second-person. The end of this sentence can be revised from “you cannot beat them.” to something like “they cannot be beat.”

 

 

Example Question #11 : Recognize And Correct Incorrect Shifts In Pronoun Number And Person: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.1.C

Select the wording that best completes the underlined portion of the following sentence.

When you think about children, we should always consider the importance of education. 

Possible Answers:

you should always consider

we should never consider

NO CHANGE

they should always

Correct answer:

you should always consider

Explanation:

Pronouns must agree with their antecedents in number and person. This sentence starts off in the second-person (“when you think about children,”), then shifts to first-person “we”. “we” should be replaced by “you” so the sentence maintains the second-person.

 

 

All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources

1 Diagnostic Test 59 Practice Tests Question of the Day Flashcards Learn by Concept
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