HiSET: Language Arts - Writing : HiSet High School Equivalency Test: Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HiSET: Language Arts - Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Recognizing Fragments And Run On Sentences

In one small town in California, [5] community leaders were worried about the next generation of kids growing up overweight because of the unhealthy food options. Local leaders decided to create a program in which [6] farmers taught kids how to cook healthy meals. In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables. In the newly-dug school gardens. [7] The kids were proud to eat tomatoes, lettuce, and beans that they had grown in their [8] own gardens. Plus, these vegetables can make delicious meals from all different cultures. [9]

Choose the most grammatically correct option.

Possible Answers:

No change.

In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables in the, newly-dug school gardens.

In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables in the newly-dug school, gardens.

In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables in the newly-dug school gardens.

In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables, in the newly-dug school gardens.

Correct answer:

In the six-week program, farmers taught kids how to grow fresh vegetables in the newly-dug school gardens.

Explanation:

The original option is incorrect, as it splits a sentence into two incomplete parts. The correct answer correctly places the comma to combine the two sentences into one fluid idea.

Example Question #1 : Capitalization, Punctuation, And Spelling

Jimmy is annoyed at the video game that he was playing. For one thing, there was not nearly enough interesting characters suspenseful moments or exciting escapes in the game to satisfy him. For another, it was incredibly hard while playing the game to control the cars. It always wanted to veer to the left when he tried to steer to the right. But the ending of the game was worst. By the time he got to the end, the hero had decided to stop chasing rogue spies and therefore marry his girlfriend, a surprise attack resulted in her being kidnapped, and the hero must go on a final mission to save her before the game can be completed. That would of been fine, except it involved tracking the enemy using a helicopter, and Jimmy much to his chagrin never mastered flying the helicopter.

Choose the option that best corrects the bolded and underlined section of the text.

Possible Answers:

interesting characters, suspenseful moments, or exciting escapes,

interesting characters, suspenseful moments, or exciting escapes

interesting characters suspenseful moments plot twists, or exciting escapes

(no change)

Correct answer:

interesting characters, suspenseful moments, or exciting escapes

Explanation:

Commas are needed to separate each of the items in a list. While some outmoded grammar guides suggest omitting the comma before "and" or "or" in a series of three objects, the more common practice is to include it, so the phrase should read "suspenseful moments, plot twists, or exciting escapes." This particular comma is called the Oxford comma, and is used to avoid ambiguity in certain sentences.

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