GED Language Arts (RLA) : Syntax
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Example Questions
Example Question #115 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Reason and emotion are often seen [Question 1] in other words, people believe the two can’t coexist. 2 Pure rationality is often considered [Question].3 Emotion, on the other hand [Question 3]. 4 However, scientists have recently discovered that the reason-emotion binary is in fact a false dichotomy. 5 [Question 4] the two are not mutually exclusive, and emotion often aids reason in filtering out poor, dangerous, or distracting choices. 6 This symbiosis is particularly obvious in decision making [Question 5]. 7 All in all, one should strive to make choices using [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 6?
; this calls upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
, happening upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
, calling upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
, which calls upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
that happens to call upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
, which calls upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes
While two of these options are technically grammatically correct, the best choice is “, which calls upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes.” The other grammatical option is to make the two halves of the sentences each independent clauses and separate them with a semicolon: “; this calls upon a complex series of both rational and intuitive processes.” This option, however, is clunkier and uses the imprecise pronoun “this.”
Example Question #116 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Reason and emotion are often seen [Question 1] in other words, people believe the two can’t coexist. 2 Pure rationality is often considered [Question].3 Emotion, on the other hand [Question 3]. 4 However, scientists have recently discovered that the reason-emotion binary is in fact a false dichotomy. 5 [Question 4] the two are not mutually exclusive, and emotion often aids reason in filtering out poor, dangerous, or distracting choices. 6 This symbiosis is particularly obvious in decision making [Question 5]. 7 All in all, one should strive to make choices using [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 7?
both your head and heart
both one’s head and one’s heart
both, one’s head and one’s heart
None of these other choices
, both your head and your heart
both one’s head and one’s heart
Since the beginning of Sentence 7 uses the 3rd-person pronoun “one,” the end should maintain that usage. We can therefore rule out those answer choices using the 2nd-person pronoun “you.” No comma is necessary in this part of the sentence.
Example Question #117 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
can be constructed in a very precise way.
, constructed as they are in a very precise way.
, is constructed in a very precise way.
, are constructed in a very precise way.
are constructed in a very precise way.
, are constructed in a very precise way.
In Sentence 1, “a longstanding source of fascination…” is a parenthetical clause. In other words, it must be set off on both sides with commas. Since “igloos” is a plural noun, we need to use a plural verb conjugation: “are.” The only choice that is grammatically correct here is “, are constructed in a very precise way.”
Example Question #118 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 2?
Because their design appears whimsical,
Even though their design is appearing whimsical
Despite their design appears whimsical,
While their design may appear whimsical,
Moreover, their design may appear whimsical
While their design may appear whimsical,
Here we have a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. The correct way to separate these two clauses is with a comma. We also have a relationship of contrast between the two clauses, meaning that the transitional words “While,” “Even though,” and “Despite” are the only ones that fit the subject.
Example Question #119 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 4?
will line the bottom of a circular trench
must line the bottom of, a circular trench
will line it, the bottom of a circular trench
must have lined the bottom of a circular trench
lined the bottom, of a circular trench
will line the bottom of a circular trench
Don’t be confused by the use of “must” in the previous sentence; the future tense “will” is the correct choice for Sentence 4. No comma is necessary in this phrase.
Example Question #120 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 5?
; being careful to slope them inward,
, being careful to slope them inward;
, carefully slope them inward;
; carefully sloping them inward,
; careful to slope them inward,
, being careful to slope them inward;
Observing that the second half of Sentence 5 is an independent clause lets us know that the missing phrase ends with a semicolon. Observing that the first half of Sentence 5 is also an independent clause and that the missing phrase should be a dependent clause lets us know that the missing phrase must be preceded by a comma.
Example Question #41 : Syntax
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 6?
and carve vents to allow for air circulation
, and carve vents, allowing for air circulation
, and carve vents to allow for air circulation
and carve vents allowing for air circulation
and carve vents, which, allows for air circulation
and carve vents to allow for air circulation
Since “carve vents to allow for air circulation” is not an independent clause, no comma should be used before the “and.” If the second half of the missing phrase is changed to “allowing for air circulation,” a comma must precede the word “allowing.” However, the best choice is still “and carve vents to allow for air circulation.”
Example Question #42 : Syntax
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 7?
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,
None of these other choices
patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;
patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,
“Lastly” is an introductory word, which means that it requires a comma after it. The missing part of the sentence is an independent clause, as is the last part of the sentence, and they are separated with a conjunction. This means that a comma must precede the conjunction as well.
Example Question #43 : Syntax
1 Baby elephants have an extensive gestation period of around two years, [Question One]. 2 Although they can walk soon after they are born, baby elephants are quite feeble for the first few weeks of their lives. 3 Around three months after birth, baby elephants are capable of foraging for their own food [Question 2]. 4 They communicate with their mothers by intertwining or touching their trunks [Question 3]. 5 Young elephants are very intelligent, [Question 4]. 6 That is to say, all ages of elephants can communicate, interpret human behavior, use tools, and even mourn their dead.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
, which complicates the fetus’s development.
, because the fetus has ample time to develop.
, however, this means that the fetus will not have ample time to develop.
, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.
, however, this hastens the fetus’s development.
, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.
The use of “extensive” in Sentence 1 makes it clear that a two-year gestation is unusually long. It stands to reason that the rest of the sentence is explaining that this excessive gestation period allows the elephant fetus adequate time to develop.
Example Question #44 : Syntax
1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
has proliferated across the modern world.
has perused across the modern world.
has profligated across the modern world.
have profligated across the modern world.
have proliferated across the modern world.
has proliferated across the modern world.
Knowing the correct diction for this sentence will help you eliminate choices. New cooking techniques can “proliferate,” or spread, across the world; they cannot “peruse.” “Profligated” is not a word; “profligate” means spendthrift. You should also note that “abundance,” a singular noun, requires the verb conjugation “has” and not “have.”
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