Nursing Elites

1. Here's what I'd like you to bring tomorrow: two dozen cupcakes, a carton of milk, and party napkins. Which of the following punctuation marks best completes the sentence above?

• A. ;
• B. .
• C. :
• D. ,

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is a colon (C). In this sentence, the colon is used to introduce a list of items that the speaker wants you to bring. The colon is the most suitable punctuation mark in this context. Choice A (;) is incorrect because a semicolon is used to connect independent clauses or items in a list when those items contain commas. Choice B (.) is incorrect because a period ends a sentence and does not fit here as the sentence continues. Choice D (,) is incorrect because a comma is used to separate items in a list, but the sentence needs a punctuation mark that introduces the list.

2. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?

• A. I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends.
• B. Reading, watching movies, and spending time with friends are all activities I enjoy.
• C. I like to read, watch movies, and spend time with friends.
• D. Reading, movies, and friends are all things I enjoy.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for elements in a list. Option (B) uses parallel gerunds ('reading,' 'watching,' 'spending'), making it the correct choice. The other options have inconsistencies in the form of the listed activities, making them grammatically incorrect. Option (A) starts with 'I enjoy' but then switches to '-ing' verbs. Option (C) changes from 'like' to '-ing' verbs, breaking parallelism. Option (D) lists 'reading' correctly but then switches to singular nouns ('movies,' 'friends'), which is not parallel.

3. Write a research report about a national park in the United States that is experiencing threats.

• A. Florida's Everglades National Park is threatened with a rising sea level as restoration efforts lag.
• B. The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in Arizona, United States.
• C. Every year someone falls over the edge of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park.
• D. My visit to Acadia National Park last summer was one of the most interesting trips I've ever taken.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as it directly addresses the writing prompt by focusing on a specific threat faced by a national park in the United States, which is the rising sea level affecting Florida's Everglades National Park. This choice provides a clear thesis statement for a research report on the topic. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Choice B provides general information about the Grand Canyon but does not discuss any threats it is facing. Choice C is not relevant to the prompt as it talks about accidents on a specific highway within Glacier National Park rather than broader threats to the park itself. Choice D is about a personal experience at Acadia National Park and does not address any threats the park may be experiencing.

4. Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation?

• A. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
• B. Carole is not currently working, and her focus is on her children at the moment.
• C. Carole is not currently working; her focus is on her children at the moment.
• D. Carole is not currently working, her focus is on her children at the moment.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A uses correct punctuation by correctly utilizing the semicolon to separate two closely related independent clauses. This punctuation choice effectively conveys the relationship between the two ideas presented in the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it uses a comma without a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as it lacks the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma to connect the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it lacks any punctuation or conjunction to properly separate the two independent clauses, leading to a run-on sentence.

5. Identify the participial phrase in the following sentence: 'Running through the park, she spotted a squirrel.'

• A. Running
• B. Through the park
• C. She spotted
• D. A squirrel

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Through the park.' A participial phrase acts as an adjective and is formed from a verb. In this sentence, 'Running through the park' describes 'she' and functions as an adjective modifying the subject. Choice A 'Running' is incorrect because it is just the present participle without additional context to form a phrase. Choice C 'She spotted' is incorrect as it is a subject and a verb, not a participial phrase. Choice D 'A squirrel' is incorrect as it is a noun phrase, not a participial phrase.

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