Nursing Elites

1. Which sentence uses the passive voice correctly?

• A. The letter was written by Mary.
• B. John built the house.
• C. She gave the flowers to him.
• D. They were eating dinner.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Option A correctly uses the passive voice by placing the emphasis on the object (letter) that received the action (was written) rather than the subject performing the action. The phrase 'by Mary' indicates the agent who performed the action, making it a clear example of the passive voice structure. Choices B, C, and D are all in the active voice, where the subject performs the action directly on the object. In the context of identifying the correct usage of the passive voice, option A stands out as the only suitable example.

2. The syllable '-tion' is a(n) _______ and turns a _______ into a _______.

• A. Suffix; verb; noun
• B. Affix; noun; pronoun
• C. Prefix; noun; verb
• D. Infix; noun; adjective

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The syllable '-tion' is a suffix that is commonly added to verbs to turn them into nouns. For example, the word 'action' is formed by adding '-tion' to the verb 'act.' This transformation changes the verb into a noun representing the act itself. Therefore, option A correctly identifies '-tion' as a suffix that turns a verb into a noun. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they misidentify '-tion' as a different type of affix (prefix, infix) and incorrectly associate it with nouns, pronouns, verbs, or adjectives instead of its actual function of transforming verbs into nouns.

3. 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.

4. Which of the following sentences would be a good topic sentence?

• A. Ultimately, you will find that getting it just right can be surprisingly satisfying.
• B. Cooking requires a number of different skills that can be learned and practiced.
• C. One of the first things you will need as a chef is a good set of well-sharpened knives.
• D. Of course, it can take a while to get the hang of chopping vegetables efficiently.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The sentence 'Cooking requires a number of different skills that can be learned and practiced' effectively introduces the main idea of the paragraph, making it a strong topic sentence. Choice A is vague and does not clearly establish the central theme. Choice C focuses on a specific tool rather than the broader concept of cooking skills. Choice D is more about the process of learning a particular skill rather than encompassing the range of skills needed for cooking.

5. A teacher wants to counsel a student about using the word ain’t in a research paper for a high school English class. What advice should the teacher give?

• A. Ain’t is not in the dictionary, so it isn’t a word.
• B. Because the student isn’t in college yet, ain’t is an appropriate expression for a high school writer.
• C. Ain’t is incorrect English and should not be part of a serious student’s vocabulary because it sounds uneducated.
• D. Ain’t is a colloquial expression, and while it may be appropriate in a conversational setting, it is not standard in academic writing.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The teacher should advise the student that 'ain’t' is a colloquial expression, and while it may be suitable in informal or conversational settings, it is not standard in academic writing. Using colloquialisms like 'ain’t' in formal research papers can diminish the professionalism and clarity of the writing. Choice A is incorrect as the presence of a word in the dictionary does not solely determine its appropriateness in formal writing. Choice B is incorrect because the student's academic level does not justify the use of non-standard English. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on the perceived uneducated sound of 'ain’t' rather than its appropriateness in formal writing, which is the key concern for the research paper in question.

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