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 would most likely be found in an academic research paper on the world’s food supply?

A. It is ridiculous that so many people in the world are hungry while others just throw away tons of uneaten food.
B. I have always believed that it is our moral duty as a people to provide food and clean water to those who do not have access to it, which is why I have made research of the food supply my life’s work.
C. Advances in agricultural technology over the past five decades have led to a steady increase in the global food supply, and the populations of many countries around the world are benefiting.
D. Poor people should appeal to their governments for help feeding their families.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Option C is the most likely to be found in an academic research paper on the world's food supply because it presents a factual statement about advances in agricultural technology leading to an increase in the global food supply. This type of information is commonly featured in academic research papers as it highlights trends, developments, and impacts on global food systems. Options A, B, and D are more opinion-based or advocacy-oriented statements, which are typically not the focus of academic research papers. Academic research papers aim to present objective information, data-driven analysis, and scholarly insights rather than personal opinions or advocacy perspectives.

3. Fill in the blank with the correct subordinating conjunction: '... the class was difficult, Allison passed with flying colors.'

A. If
B. Since
C. Because
D. Although

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct conjunction is 'Although.' In this sentence, there is a contrast being made between the difficulty of the class and Allison's success, indicating that despite the class being difficult, she excelled. 'If' implies a condition, 'Since' indicates a reason, and 'Because' shows causation, which do not fit the context of the sentence where a contrast is being expressed.

4. Identify the reflexive pronoun in the sentence: 'She prepared herself for the presentation.'

A. herself
B. she
C. presentation
D. for

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: herself.' A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence and emphasizes that the subject performed the action on itself. In the sentence 'She prepared herself for the presentation,' 'herself' refers back to the subject 'she,' making it a reflexive pronoun. Choice B, 'she,' is a subjective pronoun used as the subject of the sentence. Choice C, 'presentation,' is a noun and not a pronoun. Choice D, 'for,' is a preposition and not a pronoun.

5. Which of the following examples is a compound-complex sentence?

A. The puppy and his mother both had dark brown eyes and long, floppy ears.
B. The puppy and his mother looked exactly the same; both had shiny, dark brown eyes and long, floppy ears.
C. The puppy, who had dark brown, shiny eyes and long, floppy ears, looked just like his mother.
D. Even though the puppy was much smaller than his mother, his eyes were dark brown and shiny just like hers, and his ears were long and floppy, too.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Sentence D is a compound-complex sentence because it contains two independent clauses ('Even though the puppy was much smaller than his mother' and 'his eyes were dark brown and shiny just like hers') and one dependent clause ('and his ears were long and floppy, too'). Choices A, B, and C do not meet the criteria for a compound-complex sentence as they lack a combination of independent and dependent clauses.