Nursing Elites

1. What is the best way to punctuate the dialogue, 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.

• A. 'Are you coming?' she asked? 'Maybe,' I replied.
• B. 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.
• C. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.
• D. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct way to punctuate dialogue is to enclose each speaker's words in quotation marks. Additionally, the question mark should be placed inside the closing quotation mark of the question. In this case, the correct answer is B as it adheres to the punctuation rules for dialogue. Each character's dialogue is correctly enclosed in quotation marks, and the question mark is appropriately positioned inside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice A is incorrect as the question mark is placed outside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice C is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked.' Choice D is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked' and incorrectly places the comma inside the closing quotation mark of the question.

2. The glittering lights in the garden were meant to entrance the guests as they arrived. What is the meaning of the homograph 'entrance' as used in the sentence above?

• A. enter
• B. passage
• C. opportunity
• D. enchant

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this context, 'entrance' is used as a verb meaning to enchant or captivate. The glittering lights were intended to captivate or charm the guests as they arrived, not to physically enter them (choice A), provide a passage (choice B), or present an opportunity (choice C). Therefore, the correct answer is 'enchant.'

3. If the word antibacterial describes a substance that kills bacteria, you can infer that the prefix anti-means:

• A. Original to
• B. Against
• C. Before
• D. Under

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Against.' The prefix 'anti-' means 'against,' as seen in the word 'antibacterial,' which denotes something that acts against bacteria. Choice A, 'Original to,' is incorrect as the prefix 'anti-' does not imply 'original to.' Choice C, 'Before,' is incorrect as 'anti-' does not signify 'before' but rather 'against.' Choice D, 'Under,' is also incorrect as 'anti-' does not convey the idea of being 'under' but rather 'against' in this context.

4. Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

• A. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
• B. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
• C. I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.
• D. I have a big test tomorrow; but I can't go out tonight.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

5. Which word choice best fits the blank: 'Her research paper was riddled with _____ errors.'

• A. flagrant (obvious and inexcusable)
• B. cursory (superficial)
• C. innocuous (harmless)
• D. meticulous (carefully detailed)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The word 'flagrant' in option A is the most appropriate choice for the blank because it conveys the idea of errors that are glaringly obvious and inexcusable. In this context, the research paper is described as being 'riddled with errors,' suggesting a significant amount of mistakes that stand out and are severe. Choice B, 'cursory,' meaning superficial, does not accurately describe the seriousness of the errors. Choice C, 'innocuous,' meaning harmless, is the opposite of what is implied by the sentence. Choice D, 'meticulous,' meaning carefully detailed, is the opposite of what is needed to describe errors in this context.

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