Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts : Identify and Correct Incorrect Shifts in Verb Voice and Mood: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.D
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 8th Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Language
Choose which answer choice best expresses the underlined portion of the following sentence. If the original sentence is the best choice, select “NO CHANGE.”
The two brothers turned on the big screen television and a screeching sound was heard.
NO CHANGE
and a screeching sound were heard.
and they heard a screeching sound.
and a screeching sound can be heard.
and they heard a screeching sound.
The first portion of the sentence is in active voice and the subjects of the sentence (the two brothers) are performing the action. The second half is in the passive voice “was heard” so the subjects are no longer being active but instead are acted upon. When changing the phrasing to “and they heard a screeching sound.” both halves are in active voice and there is no error in shifts.
Example Question #41 : English Grammar And Usage In Writing And Speaking: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.8.1
Which answer choice does NOT correct the error in the shift of person.
This afternoon when someone calls for me, tell them that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
This afternoon when people call for me, tell him or her that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
This afternoon when someone calls for me, tell him or her that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
This afternoon when people call for me, tell them that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
This afternoon, tell anyone who calls for me that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
This afternoon when people call for me, tell him or her that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.
In the question there is a shift in the number related to the pronouns. “Someone” is singular while “them” is plural so there is an error with the selected pronouns. All the other answer choices have corrected this error but “This afternoon when people call for me, tell him or her that I went to the store for groceries and will call back later.” is still mismatched. “People” is a plural pronoun and “him or her” is a singular pronoun so it did NOT correct the error.
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