which of the following sentences shows correct word usage

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of the following sentences shows correct word usage?

A. It's often been said that work is better than rest.
B. Its often been said that work is better than rest.
C. It’s often been said that work is better than rest.
D. Its often been said that work is better than rest.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this sentence, 'It’s' is the contraction for 'it is,' and 'than' is used correctly for comparisons (e.g., better than). Therefore, sentence C is correct because it uses 'It’s' (it is) and 'than' (for comparison) properly. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A lacks the necessary apostrophe in 'It's' (it is) and incorrectly uses 'then' instead of 'than.' Choice B incorrectly uses 'Its' (possessive form) instead of 'It’s.' Choice D lacks the necessary apostrophe in 'It's' (it is) and incorrectly uses 'then' instead of 'than.'

2. Which of the following is an example of a correctly punctuated sentence?

A. Beatrice is very intelligent; however, she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
B. Beatrice is very intelligent: she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
C. Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.
D. Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the correct answer as it uses a semicolon to correctly separate two independent clauses. In this sentence, 'Beatrice is very intelligent' and 'she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades' are two independent clauses that are related but can stand alone as separate sentences. The semicolon is the appropriate punctuation mark to link these two closely related ideas. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they either use a comma splice (A), a colon (B), or lack appropriate punctuation (C) to separate the independent clauses.

3. Which of the following choices best combines the following sentences? The French and Indian War was not an isolated war in North America. It was part of a larger war that Europe was fighting. Europeans called it the Seven Years’ War.

A. The French and Indian War did not occur in North America but was rather a small part of the larger European war known as the Seven Years’ War.
B. What Europeans called the Seven Years’ War was called the French and Indian War in North America. It was part of a larger war that Europe was fighting.
C. The French and Indian War was not an isolated war in North America but was rather part of a larger war that Europe was fighting, known among Europeans as the Seven Years’ War.
D. While North America was fighting the French and Indian War, the Europeans were fighting a much larger war known as the Seven Years’ War.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C best combines the sentences by correctly stating that the French and Indian War was not an isolated conflict in North America but rather part of a larger war that Europe was engaged in, known as the Seven Years’ War. This option maintains the chronological order of events and provides a clear and concise explanation. Choices A, B, and D either incorrectly convey the relationship between the wars, introduce unnecessary information, or deviate from the original context of the sentences, making them less suitable for combining the information effectively.

4. Select the meaning of the word 'intransigent' in the sentence: 'Jolie has remained intransigent in her stance on the issue.'

A. Stubborn
B. Indefinite
C. Passionate
D. Outspoken

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Stubborn.' In this context, 'intransigent' means refusing to change one's views or to agree about something, which aligns with the meaning of 'stubborn.' Choice B, 'Indefinite,' is incorrect as it does not capture the essence of being unyielding or uncompromising. Choice C, 'Passionate,' is incorrect as it does not convey the idea of being unwilling to change one's stance. Choice D, 'Outspoken,' is also incorrect as it does not reflect the meaning of being inflexible or obstinate.

5. Which of the following sentences correctly uses commas to set off a non-essential element?

A. The teacher, who lives next door, will visit our class next week.
B. The teacher who lives next door will visit our class next week.
C. The teacher, who, by the way, lives next door, will visit our class next week.
D. The teacher will visit our class next week, who lives next door.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. In this sentence, the phrase 'who lives next door' is a non-essential element providing additional information about the teacher. It is correctly set off by commas. Choice B does not use any commas to set off the non-essential element, making the information essential to the sentence. Choice C uses an unnecessary comma before 'who,' which disrupts the flow of the sentence. Choice D incorrectly places the non-essential element at the end of the sentence without appropriate commas, making it less clear and concise.