which of these examples shows incorrect use of subject verb agreement

ATI TEAS 7

English and Language Usage TEAS

1. Which of these examples shows incorrect use of subject-verb agreement?

A. Neither of the cars is parked on the street.
B. Both of my kids are going to camp this summer.
C. Any of your friends are welcome to join us on the trip in November.
D. Each of the clothing options is appropriate for the job interview.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The sentence 'Neither of the cars is parked on the street' is incorrect in terms of subject-verb agreement. The subject 'Neither' is singular, so the verb should also be singular, which should be 'is' instead of 'are.' The correct sentence should be 'Neither of the cars is parked on the street.' Choices B, C, and D demonstrate correct subject-verb agreement. In choice B, 'Both' is plural and agrees with the plural verb 'are.' In choice C, 'Any' is singular and agrees with the singular verb 'are.' In choice D, 'Each' is singular and agrees with the singular verb 'is.'

2. Which of the answer choices best combines the following four sentences into two sentences? I'm usually good about keeping track of my keys. I lost them. I spent hours looking for them. I found them in the freezer.

A. I lost my keys, even though I'm usually good about keeping track of them. I found them in the freezer and spent hours looking for them.
B. I spent hours looking for my keys and found them in the freezer. I had lost them, even though I'm usually good about keeping track of them.
C. I'm usually good about keeping track of my keys, but I lost them. After spending hours looking for them, I found them in the freezer.
D. I'm usually good about keeping track of my keys, but I lost them in the freezer. I had to spend hours looking for them.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Combining the sentences is most effective when using 'but' to contrast the two ideas. Option C is concise, clear, and provides the best flow, accurately capturing both the contrast 'but I lost them' and the sequence of events 'After spending hours looking for them, I found them in the freezer.' Options A, B, and D do not effectively combine the sentences or maintain the sequence of events and contrast between keeping track of the keys and losing them.

3. Hospitals are finding severe unexpected complications in full-term newborns. Researchers are delving into the problem to find out the causes. In a recent study, Dr. Arnold N. Skjong reported, 'neonatal transfer was the most common complication.' This seems to be especially true in hospitals without higher levels of neonatal care.

A. Hospitals are finding severe unexpected complications in term newborns.
B. Researchers are delving into the problem to find out the causes.
C. Dr. Arnold N. Skjong reported, 'Neonatal transfer was the most common complication.'
D. This seems to be especially true in hospitals without higher levels of neonatal care.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because direct quotations, like the one from Dr. Arnold N. Skjong, require citations because they are taken from another source. Choice A is incorrect as it alters the original term 'full-term newborns' to 'term newborns,' changing the specificity of the information provided. Choice B is not the correct answer as it is a general statement about researchers without directly addressing the specific information provided by Dr. Arnold N. Skjong. Choice D is incorrect as it does not directly address or quote Dr. Arnold N. Skjong's statement about neonatal transfer being the most common complication in hospitals without higher levels of neonatal care.

4. Which conjunction best joins the following sentence: 'She loves animals, ____ she volunteers at the shelter.'

A. because
B. therefore
C. so
D. and

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'and.' 'And' is the most appropriate conjunction here as it simply adds information about her love for animals without implying cause or effect. It connects two independent clauses in a neutral way, indicating that she loves animals and also volunteers at the shelter. The other choices, 'because,' 'therefore,' and 'so,' suggest a cause-and-effect relationship between loving animals and volunteering at the shelter, which is not the intended meaning in this context.

5. The doctor carefully examined the patient. Which word is the comparative form of the adjective 'careful'?

A. careful
B. carelessly
C. more careful
D. most careful

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The comparative form of the adjective 'careful' is 'more careful' when comparing two things. In this context, it is comparing the level of care in examining the patient, indicating a higher degree of care than just 'careful.' Choice A, 'careful,' is the positive form of the adjective and not comparative. Choice B, 'carelessly,' is an adverb that conveys the opposite meaning. Choice D, 'most careful,' is the superlative form of the adjective, indicating the highest degree of care, not the comparative form.