Nursing Elites

1. Which sentence contains a homonym?

• A. I need to bear the pain.
• B. She found a bear in the woods.
• C. I can't bear to see this.
• D. He bears a striking resemblance.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'I can't bear to see this.' The words 'bear' and 'bare' are homonyms, as they sound the same but have different meanings. Choice A does not contain a homonym; it correctly uses 'bear' in the context of enduring pain. Choice B uses 'bear' as a noun referring to the animal, not a homonym. Choice D uses 'bears' as a verb, not a homonym.

2. The swirling snow drifted down all afternoon. Which of the following parts of speech is 'swirling' as used in the sentence above?

• A. Interjection
• B. Article
• C. Adjective
• D. Adverb

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the sentence 'The swirling snow drifted down all afternoon,' 'swirling' is functioning as an adjective. Adjectives modify or describe nouns, and in this case, 'swirling' describes the noun 'snow.' The word 'swirling' is giving more information about the nature or quality of the snow, indicating that it is moving in a circular motion. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. An interjection is a word or phrase used to express strong emotions or sentiments, which 'swirling' does not do in this context. An article is a determiner that introduces a noun, and 'swirling' is not serving this function. An adverb typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, but in this sentence, 'swirling' is not modifying a verb, making it an incorrect choice.

3. If you go to the market, please pick up some beef, carrots, and celery, and I will make some of that delicious stew we had last week. Which comma should be removed in the sentence above?

• A. The comma after the word 'market'
• B. The comma after the word 'beef'
• C. The comma after the word 'celery'
• D. The comma after the word 'delicious'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The comma after 'delicious' is unnecessary as it separates the adjective 'delicious' from the noun 'stew'. In this case, 'delicious' is describing the type of stew, so the comma should be removed to maintain correct sentence structure. The other commas in the sentence are correctly used to separate items in a list and after introductory phrases, making them necessary for clarity and grammatical correctness.

4. The shear number of people in the audience overwhelmed the actress as she peeked through the curtain before scene one. Which of the following correctly describes an error in the sentence above?

• A. The homograph 'peeked' should be 'peaked.'
• B. The homograph 'through' should be 'threw.'
• C. The homophone 'shear' should be 'sheer.'
• D. The homophone 'scene' should be 'seen.'

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The word 'shear' means to cut, while 'sheer' in this context means 'complete' or 'unqualified.' The correct spelling in the sentence should be 'sheer.' Choice A, 'peeked' is the correct past tense of 'peek,' meaning to glance quickly or briefly. Choice B, 'through' is the correct preposition to indicate moving in one side and out the other. Choice D, 'scene,' is the correct term for a part of a play or movie, not 'seen,' which is the past participle of 'see.'

5. In which of the following situations would it be best to use informal language?

• A. In a seminar
• B. Writing a postcard
• C. Talking to your boss
• D. Participating in a professional conference

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is writing a postcard (Choice B). A postcard is a casual form of communication, typically sent to friends or family, making it a suitable context for informal language. Using informal language in a seminar (Choice A) would be inappropriate as it is a formal setting where professional language is expected. Talking to your boss (Choice C) and participating in a professional conference (Choice D) also require formal language to maintain professionalism and respect for the workplace environment.

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