Grammar and Essential Mechanics (GEM)

Short practice test

Grammar: In the space provided, write the letter indicating the word that correctly completes each sentence.
Choose only one answer for each question. The guide is shown in parentheses at the end of the
sentence.

___ 1. If I (a) was (b) were the governor, I would reduce tuition for all Californian residents. (17)

___ 2. Paul and his sister (a) is (b) are going to attend the play. (19)

___ 3. The dresses at Nordstrom, even though on sale, (a) cost (b) costs more than those at Macys. (18)

___ 4. The Zoning Commission members (a) is (b) are unable to decide whether to approve the new housing
proposal. (22)

___ 5. One of the employees left (a) his (b) his or her (c) their updated benefits package on the table. (14)

___ 6. Please submit your requests to Vicki and (a) I (b) me (c) myself. (10/12)

___ 7. Jim asked that (a) whoever (b) whomever attends the meeting takes notes. (13)

___ 8. Professor Guido asked Sue and (a) I (b) me (c) myself to resubmit our assignments. (10)

___ 9. (a) Him (b) His talking on his cell phone during the movie was rude. (27)

___ 10. You will work with the new consultant, (a) who (b) whom you will meet later. (13)

___ 11. Meeting attendees are responsible for (a) his (b) his or her (c) their own transportation. (14)

___ 12. At the end of the story (a) is (b) are a surprising ending and an epilogue. (18)

Mechanics: For each of the following sentences, select one letter to diagnose (i.e., identify faults) in
(a) Commas or semicolons.
(b) Punctuation other than commas or semicolons (including colons, hyphens, apostrophes, periods, and
question marks).
(c) Number expressions (word or figure forms).
(d) Capitalization.

_____ 13. The highly-paid consultant worked only Monday through Thursday. (23)

_____ 14. You owe me 10 dollars for the movie and the popcorn. (55)

_____ 15. We went to Kathys house after the movie, and she made coffee for everyone. (38)

_____ 16. 15 people attended the seminar yesterday at 1 p.m. (53)

_____ 17. The President and the Sales Manager both went to the seminar. (47)

_____ 18. A well designed practice test can significantly improve test scores. (24)

_____ 19. Your résumé should include: your demographic information, education, and prior work
experience. (37)

_____ 20. Tim said the bosses son was going to deliver the package. (39)
Confusing Words: In the space provided, write the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.

_____ 21. The professor (a) complemented (b) complimented the students on their excellent test results.

_____ 22. The students were proud of (a) there (b) their (c) they’re test scores.

_____ 23. The scores were a result of studying (a) every day (b) everyday.

_____ 24. The (a) course (b) coarse was interesting yet challenging.

_____ 25. The students needed to work hard in order to (a) insure (b) assure (c) ensure their success.

Sentence Structure: In the space provided, identify any sentence fault by selecting one of the following
letters:

(a) Faulty pronoun reference.

(b) Sentence fragment.
(c) Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately).
(d) Fused or run-on sentence.

_____ 26. Because 90 percent of all business transactions involve written messages and companies want to
guarantee proper communication. (1)

_____ 27. Sue was careful to address the envelope correctly she also applied the correct postage. (2)

_____ 28. Our customer service representatives are trained in handling difficult problems, conflict resolution, and
proper business etiquette. This explains our strengths. (15)

_____ 29. Many people have cell phones, consequently cell phones frequently ring during movies. (3)

Weak sentences: Select one of the following letters to identify problems that weaken the sentence or
confuse the reader.
(a) Starting fillers.
(b) Passive voice used instead of active.
(c) Structure is not parallel.
(d) Redundancies.
(e) Dangling or misplaced modifier.

_____ 30. Reading, writing, and to proofread well are needed in order to succeed in the class. (6)

_____ 31. After hearing the consensus of opinion from prior students that the professor was very strict, it was an
unexpected surprise to the new students that each and every test included basic fundamentals covered
in the chapter. (7)

_____ 32. Having been thrown into the air, the dog caught the stick. (4)

_____ 33. It is a fact that 40 students will graduate in December. (8)

_____ 34. Every bite of food was eaten by us. (5)

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Practice Test
Part II: Sentence Editing

36. A list of suggestions for improving retention and test performance are found in an article
titled “Best Listening Habits.” (G18)

37. Keep in mind, that you must practice active listening in order to improve your listening skills
(G 34).

38. You listening carefully will help improve all of your communication skills. (G27)

39. When you practice listening make sure you block competing thoughts. (G30)

40. I recently read another article “Listening effectively and how to achieve Your Goals.” (G49)

41. Understanding the listening process and it’s barriers can explain miscommunications that
occur frequently at work. (G11)

42. It is wise to avoid arguing criticizing and yelling when listening to a supervisor. (G28)

43. Sometimes a speaker’s mannerisms or gender effect the interpretation of the message by the
receiver. (G20)

44. If I was you, I also would remember the “paraphrase rule” regarding listening and try to put
the speaker’s ideas into your own words. (G17)

45. In the spring of last year my friend Justin had an interesting experience at work. (G30)

46. He was asked to attend a seminar that started at eight o’clock a.m. (G55)

47. During one of the sessions Justin was asked by the facilitator “if he would like to improve his
non-verbal communication skills.” (G44)

48. A list that included various forms of non-verbal communications were developed by all the
attendees in the room. (G18)

49. Some of the attendees from the south disagreed that time was a non-verbal form of
communication. (G50)

50. Everyone agreed that neat, professional, and well organized messages were important. (G24)

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 Grammar and Essential Mechanics (GEM)
Short practice test
Answers

___ 1. If I (a) was (b) were the governor, I would reduce tuition for all Californian residents. (17)

___ 2. Paul and his sister (a) is (b) are going to attend the play. (19 – the subject is Paul and his sister)

___ 3. The dresses at Nordstrom, even though on sale, (a) cost (b) costs more than those at Mervyns. (18 – subject is
dresses)

___ 4. The Zoning Commission members (a) is (b) are unable to decide whether to approve the new housing
proposal. (22)

___ 5. One of the employees left (a) his (b) his or her (c) their updated benefits package on the table. (14 – subject
is one)

___ 6. Please submit your requests to Vicki and (a) I (b) me (c) myself. (10/12)

___ 7. Jim asked that (a) whoever (b) whomever attends the meeting takes notes. (13)

___ 8. Professor Guido asked Sue and (a) I (b) me (c) myself to resubmit our assignments. (10)

___ 9. (a) Him (b) His talking on his cell phone during the movie was rude. (27)

___ 10. You will work with the new consultant, (a) who (b) whom you will meet later. (13)

___ 11. Meeting attendees are responsible for (a) his (b) his or her (c) their own transportation. (14 – subject is
attendees)

___ 12. At the end of the story (a) is (b) are a surprising ending and an epilogue. (18 – subject is ending and
epilogue)

__B___ 13. The highly- paid consultant worked only Monday through Thursday. (23)

___C__ 14. You owe me $10 dollars for the movie and the popcorn. (55)

___B__ 15. We went to Kathy’s house after the movie, and she made coffee for everyone. (38)

___C__ 16. Fifteen15 people attended the seminar yesterday at 1 p.m. (53)

___D__ 17. The pPresident and the sSales mManager both went to the seminar. (47)

___B__ 18. A well- designed practice test can significantly improve test scores. (24)

___B__ 19. Your résumé should include: your demographic information, education, and prior work
experience. (37)

___B__ 20. Tim said the boss’es son was going to deliver the package. (39)

Confusing Words: In the space provided, write the letter of the word that best completes each sentence.

__B__ 21. The professor (a) complemented (b) complimented the students on their excellent test results.

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__B__ 22. The students were proud of (a) there (b) their (c) they’re test scores.

__A__ 23. The scores were a result of studying (a) every day (b) everyday.

__A__ 24. The (a) course (b) coarse was interesting yet challenging.

__C__ 25. The students needed to work hard in order to (a) insure (b) assure (c) ensure their success.

Sentence Structure: In the space provided, identify any sentence fault by selecting one of the following
letters:

(a) Faulty pronoun reference.

(b) Sentence fragment.
(c) Comma splice (comma joining clauses inappropriately).
(d) Fused or run-on sentence.

__B__ 26. Because 90 percent of all business transactions involve written messages and companies want to
guarantee proper communication. (1)

__D__ 27. Sue was careful to address the envelope correctly she also applied the correct postage. (2)

__A__ 28. Our customer service representatives are trained in handling difficult problems, conflict resolution, and
proper business etiquette. This explains our strengths. (15)

__C__ 29. Many people have cell phones, consequently cell phones frequently ring during movies. (3)

Weak sentences: Select one of the following letters to identify problems that weaken the sentence or
confuse the reader.
(a) Opening fillers.
(b) Passive voice used instead of active.
(c) Structure is not parallel.
(d) Redundancies.
(e) Dangling or misplaced modifier.

___C_ 30. Reading, writing, and to proofread well are needed in order to succeed in the class. (6)

___D_ 31. After hearing the consensus of opinion from prior students that the professor was very strict, it was an
unexpected surprise to the new students that each and every test included basic fundamentals covered
in the chapter. (7)

___E_ 32. Having been thrown into the air, the dog caught the stick. (4)

___A_ 33. It is a fact that 40 students will graduate in December. (8)

___B_ 34. Every bite of food was eaten by us. (5)

36. A list of suggestions for improving retention and test performance are is found in an article
titled “Best Listening Habits.” (G18)

37. Keep in mind, that you must practice active listening in order to improve your listening skills
(G 34).

5
38. Your listening carefully will help improve all of your communication skills. (G27)

39. When you practice listening, make sure you block competing thoughts. (G30)

40. I recently read another article “Listening Eeffectively and Hhow to Aachieve Your Goals.”
(G49)

41. Understanding the listening process and it’s barriers can explain miscommunications that
occur frequently at work. (G11)

42. It is wise to avoid arguing, criticizing, and yelling when listening to a supervisor. (G28)

43. Sometimes a speaker’s mannerisms or gender effects the interpretation of the message by the
receiver. (G20)

44. If I werewas you, I also would remember the “paraphrase rule” regarding listening and try to
put the speaker’s ideas into your own words. (G17)

45. In the spring of last year, my friend Justin had an interesting experience at work. (G30)

46. He was asked to attend a seminar that started at 8eight o’clock a.m. (G55)

47. During one of the sessions Justin was asked by the facilitator “if he would like to improve his
non-verbal communication skills.” (G44)

48. A list that included various forms of non-verbal communications waswere developed by all the
attendees in the room. (G18)

49. Some of the attendees from the Ssouth disagreed that time was a non-verbal form of
communication. (G50)

50. Everyone agreed that neat, professional, and well- organized messages were important. (G24)