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HiSET practice questions

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Question 1Language Arts – Reading

In the early 1900s, most American homes had no electricity. Families lit rooms with oil lamps and kept food cold in iceboxes. By the 1950s, electric lights, refrigerators, and washing machines had become common. This change altered daily routines, from how meals were prepared to how evenings were spent. Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. Electricity reshaped daily life in American homes by the 1950s. Correct answer.
  2. Families in the early 1900s spent their evenings reading.
  3. Oil lamps were used in American homes before electric lights existed.
  4. Refrigerators and washing machines were invented in the 1950s.

Explanation

The main idea must cover the whole passage, not just one detail. The passage traces a shift from homes without electricity to homes filled with electric appliances and describes the effect on routines. The other choices are either supporting details or inaccurate claims.

Question 2Language Arts – Reading

The trail was treacherous after the storm; loose rocks and slick mud made every step uncertain. As used in the sentence, the word "treacherous" most nearly means

  1. familiar
  2. scenic
  3. crowded
  4. dangerous Correct answer.

Explanation

Context clues describe loose rocks and slick mud making steps uncertain, which points to danger. A word's meaning should fit the surrounding details. "Dangerous" matches those clues.

Question 3Language Arts – Reading

Honeybees communicate the location of food by performing a dance. The direction of the dance indicates the angle of the food source relative to the sun. The length of the dance tells other bees how far away the food is. Which detail is explicitly stated in the passage?

  1. Bees find food only within a short distance of the hive.
  2. Bees use dance to warn others about predators.
  3. The length of the dance indicates the distance to food. Correct answer.
  4. The dance is performed only by young bees.

Explanation

An explicit detail is directly stated in the text. The passage says the length of the dance tells other bees how far away the food is. The other choices are not mentioned.

Question 4Language Arts – Reading

To prepare a raised garden bed, first clear the area of weeds. Next, loosen the soil to a depth of eight inches. Then mix in compost, and finally level the surface before planting. What is the author's main purpose?

  1. to describe the history of gardening
  2. to persuade readers to grow vegetables
  3. to explain how to prepare a garden bed Correct answer.
  4. to entertain with a gardening story

Explanation

The passage gives a sequence of steps for a task, which signals an explanatory or instructional purpose. Words such as "first," "next," and "finally" organize directions. The purpose is to tell readers how to prepare a bed.

Question 5Language Arts – Reading

The new library opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays. It has more than 40,000 books. The reading room is the most beautiful space in town. Visitors may borrow up to ten items at a time. Which sentence is an opinion?

  1. Visitors may borrow up to ten items at a time.
  2. The reading room is the most beautiful space in town. Correct answer.
  3. It has more than 40,000 books.
  4. The new library opens at 9 a.m. on weekdays.

Explanation

A statement is an opinion when it expresses a personal judgment that cannot be verified with facts. "Most beautiful" is a value judgment. The other sentences can be checked for accuracy.

Question 6Language Arts – Reading

Maria mixed the batter, poured it into a pan, and placed the pan in the oven. While it baked, she washed the bowls. When the timer rang, she tested the cake with a toothpick. Which event happened first?

  1. She tested the cake.
  2. She washed the bowls.
  3. She mixed the batter. Correct answer.
  4. She placed the pan in the oven.

Explanation

Sequence questions require following the order of events as presented. The passage begins with Maria mixing the batter before pouring, baking, washing, and testing. Mixing is therefore the earliest event.

Question 7Language Arts – Reading

The old house groaned in the wind. Shutters hung loose, and the porch sagged. Still, Lena smiled as she climbed the steps; she had waited years to call this place home. What tone does the passage create toward the house?

  1. angry
  2. affectionate Correct answer.
  3. mocking
  4. fearful

Explanation

Tone is the writer's attitude conveyed through word choice and details. The house is described as worn, yet Lena smiles and has waited years to call it home. That combination creates warmth and affection rather than anger or fear.

Question 8Language Arts – Reading

The speaker's remarks were terse-brief and to the point-leaving no time for questions. As used in the sentence, "terse" most nearly means

  1. concise Correct answer.
  2. confusing
  3. lengthy
  4. polite

Explanation

The dash introduces a definition: "brief and to the point." A synonym should preserve that meaning. "Concise" means short and clear, so it fits best.

Question 9Language Arts – Reading

Jonah read the letter twice, then folded it slowly and placed it in his pocket. He stared out the window for a long moment before picking up his coat and leaving without a word. What can be inferred about Jonah?

  1. The letter contained news that affected him strongly. Correct answer.
  2. Jonah was angry at the person who wrote the letter.
  3. Jonah had been expecting the letter for years.
  4. Jonah did not understand the letter.

Explanation

An inference must be supported by clues rather than stated directly. Reading twice, folding slowly, staring, and leaving silently suggest emotional impact. The passage does not specify the emotion or the letter's contents.

Question 10Language Arts – Reading

A crow, thirsty and tired, found a pitcher with a little water at the bottom. It could not reach the water. Instead of giving up, the crow dropped pebbles into the pitcher one by one. Slowly the water rose, and the crow drank. Which theme is best supported by the story?

  1. It is better to ask for help than to work alone.
  2. Patience and cleverness can solve a hard problem. Correct answer.
  3. Water is more valuable than gold.
  4. Birds are smarter than other animals.

Explanation

A theme is a broader message illustrated by the whole story. The crow faces a problem and solves it through patient, clever action. That lesson fits the events better than a literal statement about water or birds.

Question 11Language Arts – Reading

Some students prefer studying in complete silence, believing quiet helps them focus. Others study best with music playing, saying that sound keeps them alert. Neither group is necessarily right; the ideal setting depends on the learner. How is the passage mainly organized?

  1. cause and effect
  2. chronological order
  3. problem and solution
  4. comparison and contrast Correct answer.

Explanation

Text structure refers to how ideas are arranged. The passage presents two groups with opposing study preferences and then notes that both can be valid. That arrangement is comparison and contrast.

Question 12Language Arts – Reading

The city planted 500 trees along its busiest streets last spring. Crews watered them through the summer and replaced those that died. This year, the city plans to plant 300 more and to add shade benches near the oldest trees. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. The city spent too much money on trees.
  2. The city is expanding a tree-planting program. Correct answer.
  3. Busy streets are dangerous in summer.
  4. Trees need water to survive.

Explanation

A summary should capture the main point without adding judgment. The passage reports past planting and care and then describes further planting and additions. That amounts to an expanding program.

Question 13Language Arts – Reading

I opened the door and stepped into the crowded hall. I could hear my heartbeat over the noise. No one had told me the audition would be this large. Which point of view is used?

  1. second-person
  2. third-person limited
  3. third-person omniscient
  4. first-person Correct answer.

Explanation

Point of view is identified by the pronouns and by whose thoughts are revealed. The narrator uses "I" and describes personal sensations and knowledge. That is first-person point of view.

Question 14Language Arts – Reading

Because the factory began using a new filtration system, the amount of waste released into the river dropped sharply. Within two years, fish returned to stretches of the river where they had not been seen for decades. What was the main cause of the fish returning?

  1. The factory closed.
  2. The river changed course.
  3. The new filtration system reduced waste. Correct answer.
  4. Fishermen stocked the river.

Explanation

Cause-and-effect relationships are signaled by words such as "because" and "within." The passage states that the filtration system caused waste to drop and that fish then returned. The cause is the reduced waste from the new system.

Question 15Language Arts – Reading

Her words were a bridge between the two angry neighbors, and soon they were talking again. What does the phrase "her words were a bridge" suggest?

  1. She repeated what each neighbor said.
  2. She helped the neighbors connect and communicate. Correct answer.
  3. She built something physical between the houses.
  4. She spoke loudly enough for both to hear.

Explanation

Figurative language compares two things to convey a meaning beyond the literal words. A bridge connects separated sides, so the metaphor suggests she helped the neighbors reconnect. The phrase is not about volume or construction.

Question 16Language Arts – Reading

Our school should start later. A survey of students found that 80 percent feel tired during first period. In addition, a nearby district that moved its start time later reported fewer tardy students. Which evidence most directly supports the claim that starting later would help students?

  1. The nearby district's report of fewer tardies. Correct answer.
  2. The number of students in the school.
  3. The opinions of teachers about schedules.
  4. The survey of students about feeling tired.

Explanation

Relevant evidence directly supports the claim being made. The claim is that a later start would help, and the nearby district's actual experience after changing its schedule provides that kind of support. The survey describes a problem but does not show that a later start would fix it.

Question 17Language Arts – Reading

Even after the long hike, Malik insisted on carrying the heaviest pack. When the group reached camp, he built the fire before anyone else had set down their bags. Which description best fits Malik?

  1. competitive and rude
  2. careless and rushed
  3. quiet and shy
  4. hardworking and considerate Correct answer.

Explanation

Characterization is revealed through actions. Malik takes on extra weight and immediately does camp chores, which shows effort and concern for others. Those actions support "hardworking and considerate."

Question 18Language Arts – Reading

The recipe looked simple. ______, it required several ingredients that were not available at the local store. Which transition best completes the passage?

  1. Therefore
  2. However Correct answer.
  3. Likewise
  4. For example

Explanation

Transitions show the relationship between ideas. The second sentence contrasts a simple appearance with a difficulty, so a contrast word is needed. "However" signals that contrast.

Question 19Language Arts – Reading

Anyone who cares about the environment will shop at Green Market. Our prices are lower, our produce is fresher, and our competitors simply do not care about the planet. The passage is biased mainly because it

  1. quotes scientific studies
  2. includes statistics about prices
  3. uses emotional language to attack competitors Correct answer.
  4. compares several local stores fairly

Explanation

Bias appears when language pushes a judgment rather than presenting a balanced view. Calling competitors uncaring is an emotional attack rather than evidence. That kind of language reveals the writer's bias.

Question 20Language Arts – Reading

Despite the team's limited experience, its careful planning allowed it to finish the project ahead of schedule. Which sentence best restates the idea without changing its meaning?

  1. The team finished on time only because others helped.
  2. The team finished early because it planned carefully, even though it had little experience. Correct answer.
  3. The team had much experience but planned poorly.
  4. The team's project was delayed by its lack of experience.

Explanation

A paraphrase keeps the original meaning while using different wording. The original says the team had limited experience, planned carefully, and finished early. The correct choice preserves all three elements.

Question 21Language Arts – Reading

Schools should ban smartphones during class. Students who use phones during lessons miss key instructions, and teachers spend valuable time repeating themselves. A ban would keep attention where it belongs. Which assumption does the argument rely on?

  1. All students own smartphones.
  2. Phones are useless for learning.
  3. Removing phones from class will reduce distractions. Correct answer.
  4. Teachers dislike technology in general.

Explanation

An assumption is an unstated belief that must be true for the argument to work. The argument moves from phones distracting students to a ban improving attention. It must assume that removing phones will actually reduce distraction.

Question 22Language Arts – Reading

The first mile of the trail was easy, with wide paths and gentle slopes. Then the path narrowed, and the slope turned steep. By noon I was climbing over rocks, and my cheerful mood had turned to grim determination. The tone shifts from

  1. anger to amusement
  2. boredom to excitement
  3. lighthearted to serious Correct answer.
  4. fear to relief

Explanation

Tone shift questions require tracking changes in attitude. The opening describes an easy trail, and the narrator's "cheerful mood" signals a light tone. The later rocky climb and "grim determination" create a serious tone.

Question 23Language Arts – Reading

We have seen the factories close, the jobs disappear, and the families struggle. We cannot wait another year for promises. The repetition of "We have seen" mainly serves to

  1. soften the speaker's criticism
  2. introduce a counterargument
  3. emphasize a shared experience Correct answer.
  4. present a single example in detail

Explanation

Repetition is a rhetorical device that stresses a key idea. Repeating "We have seen" links several hardships and presents them as experiences shared by the audience. That repetition builds emphasis rather than softening the message.

Question 24Language Arts – Reading

When the museum announced free admission on Sundays, attendance doubled. The gift shop, however, reported only a small rise in sales. The director noted that many visitors left to eat lunch at nearby restaurants. What can be inferred about the Sunday visitors?

  1. They were mostly tourists from other cities.
  2. Many spent little money inside the museum. Correct answer.
  3. They visited only the gift shop.
  4. They came mainly to eat at the museum café.

Explanation

The inference must follow from the evidence given. Attendance doubled while gift shop sales rose only slightly, and visitors left to eat elsewhere. Together those details suggest that many visitors did not spend much inside the museum.

Question 25Language Arts – Reading

Every time the town has widened a road, traffic has increased within a year. Therefore, widening roads causes more traffic. Which statement best evaluates the reasoning?

  1. It uses an irrelevant emotional appeal.
  2. It relies on a single expert opinion.
  3. It contradicts itself in the conclusion.
  4. It mistakes a correlation for a cause. Correct answer.

Explanation

The argument observes that two events occur together and concludes that one causes the other. That reasoning overlooks other possible explanations, such as growth in population. The flaw is treating correlation as proof of causation.

Question 26Language Arts – Reading

The library's seed exchange began with a single shoebox. Patrons now bring in seeds from their gardens and take home packets of vegetables and flowers. Last year the exchange distributed more than 3,000 packets, and the library added a weekly gardening class. Which sentence best states the main idea of the passage?

  1. A small library program grew into a popular service. Correct answer.
  2. A local patron donated a shoebox filled with seeds to the library.
  3. Libraries should replace their book collections with gardening classes and seed supplies.
  4. Seed packets are expensive to produce, store, and distribute to the public.

Explanation

A main idea must cover the whole passage, not just one detail. The passage traces the seed exchange from a single shoebox to thousands of packets and an added class, so its central point is growth from small beginnings.

Question 27Language Arts – Reading

Dev's first attempt at the soufflé was a disaster: it rose proudly for a moment, then collapsed into a flat, rubbery disc. Undeterred, he cleaned the bowl and started again. As used in the sentence, "undeterred" most nearly means

  1. unsure about which recipe he should follow
  2. eager to show his dessert to someone else
  3. annoyed by the mess he had made in the kitchen
  4. not discouraged from trying again Correct answer.

Explanation

Context clues show the result was a failure, yet Dev cleaned the bowl and started over. "Undeterred" describes someone whose resolve is not weakened by a setback, so it means not discouraged.

Question 28Language Arts – Reading

Which sentence from a restaurant review states an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. The menu lists twelve pasta dishes.
  2. The restaurant opens at five o'clock every weekday evening.
  3. The dining room seats about sixty people.
  4. The garlic bread is the best appetizer in town. Correct answer.

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be checked and verified by observation or measurement. Words like "best" express a personal judgment that different people could reasonably dispute, which makes the statement an opinion.

Question 29Language Arts – Reading

Most of us think of the octopus as a solitary creature. In fact, some species live in dense groups. Researchers in Australia observed octopuses sharing dens and even chasing off intruders together. Which detail from the passage best supports the idea that octopuses can be social?

  1. Octopuses sometimes share dens and defend them together. Correct answer.
  2. Researchers in Australia have studied marine animals for many decades.
  3. Most species of octopus live alone for their entire adult lives.
  4. Octopuses are marine animals that live in the ocean near reefs.

Explanation

Supporting details must connect directly to the claim being made. Sharing dens and cooperating to drive off intruders are behaviors that require interaction with others, so they illustrate social behavior.

Question 30Language Arts – Reading

When the announcement came over the loudspeaker, the crowd in the gym fell silent. Coach Alvarez looked at the scoreboard, then at his players, and walked slowly to the locker room without saying a word. What can the reader most reasonably infer?

  1. The players were celebrating a championship victory.
  2. Coach Alvarez had forgotten to bring the team's plays.
  3. The team had lost the game. Correct answer.
  4. The loudspeaker had stopped working during the game.

Explanation

An inference must follow from the details given. A silent crowd, a glance at the scoreboard, and a coach leaving without speaking all point to a disappointing outcome such as a loss.

Question 31Language Arts – Reading

Step one: unplug the toaster and let it cool completely. Step two: remove the crumb tray and empty it into the trash. Step three: wipe the outside with a damp cloth. Never immerse the toaster in water. The author's main purpose is to

  1. persuade readers to buy a new toaster
  2. entertain readers with a story about cooking
  3. explain how to clean a toaster safely Correct answer.
  4. describe the history of kitchen appliances

Explanation

Author's purpose is the goal the writer is trying to achieve. Numbered steps, direct commands, and a safety warning are the structure of instructions, so the purpose is to explain a procedure.

Question 32Language Arts – Reading

In 1918, a flu virus spread around the world in months. Troops moving between countries carried it across borders. Crowded hospitals and wartime gatherings gave it easy targets. By the time it faded, it had changed how cities planned for public health. How is the passage organized?

  1. It tells a personal story about a patient in a crowded hospital.
  2. It explains causes and effects of a virus's rapid spread. Correct answer.
  3. It compares two viruses to show which one was more dangerous.
  4. It lists steps that readers can follow to prevent disease.

Explanation

Text structure is the pattern that holds the ideas together. Here troop movements and crowded gatherings are presented as reasons, and worldwide spread and changed health planning are presented as results, which is a cause-and-effect pattern.

Question 33Language Arts – Reading

The brochure promised "rustic charm." What we found was a cabin with a broken window, a stove that refused to light, and a "lake view" that required standing on a chair and squinting through pine trees. The tone of the passage is best described as

  1. warm and nostalgic
  2. neutral and scientific
  3. bitterly angry and threatening
  4. wry and disappointed Correct answer.

Explanation

Tone is the writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice. The mocking quotation marks around "rustic charm" and "lake view" plus the list of failures create dry humor mixed with letdown.

Question 34Language Arts – Reading

Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, yet they shelter about a quarter of all marine species. Warming water causes corals to expel the algae that feed them, a process called bleaching. Scientists are now growing coral in nurseries and replanting it on damaged reefs. Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

  1. Coral reefs cover a very small portion of the ocean floor, and many kinds of fish depend on the algae that grow there.
  2. Bleaching occurs when corals expel algae, and scientists who study the ocean floor have measured how quickly water warms.
  3. Nurseries grow coral for replanting, which is a job that requires divers to work carefully under the water.
  4. Reefs shelter much ocean life but are harmed by warming, and scientists are restoring them. Correct answer.

Explanation

A summary must capture the passage's main points in brief without adding ideas. This sentence includes the reef's importance, the threat from warming water, and the restoration effort.

Question 35Language Arts – Reading

Every year the town's fireworks show drew thousands of visitors. This year, the council voted to move the show from the dry hillside to the field beside the river. Fire officials had warned that a single spark could start a large blaze. What is the most likely reason for the change of location?

  1. The field beside the river offers better seating and a nicer view for visitors.
  2. Fire officials wanted a larger budget for the fireworks show.
  3. The hillside was dry and posed a serious fire risk. Correct answer.
  4. Fewer visitors were expected this year than in previous years.

Explanation

A conclusion should be supported by the stated facts. Since fire officials warned that one spark could start a blaze on the dry hillside, moving the show points to a concern about fire danger.

Question 36Language Arts – Reading

Text A: School uniforms reduce distractions and help students focus on learning. Text B: Uniforms save families money in the short term, but students lose a way to express who they are. How do the two statements differ?

  1. Text A strongly opposes uniforms, while Text B argues that uniforms are always a good idea for every school.
  2. Text A favors uniforms, while Text B notes both advantages and drawbacks. Correct answer.
  3. Neither text states a clear position, since both only describe what uniforms look like.
  4. Both texts agree that uniforms are far too expensive for most families to afford each year.

Explanation

Comparing texts means identifying each author's position. Text A gives only a benefit, while Text B names a benefit and a cost, so it presents a mixed view.

Question 37Language Arts – Reading

The council's plan was called a "scheme" by its critics and a "blueprint" by its supporters. What does the contrast between the two words suggest?

  1. Both groups use words that suggest they strongly approve of the plan.
  2. Supporters believe the plan is a drawing, while critics think it is a building.
  3. Critics see the plan as sneaky, while supporters see it as well planned. Correct answer.
  4. Critics and supporters disagree about whether the plan exists at all.

Explanation

Word choice carries connotation, the feelings a word suggests beyond its literal meaning. "Scheme" hints at something underhanded, while "blueprint" suggests a careful, organized design.

Question 38Language Arts – Reading

Anyone who has tasted our new energy drink knows it works. Nine out of ten people in our taste test said they felt more alert afterward. That is why our drink is the most effective energy product on the market today. Which statement is the strongest criticism of this argument?

  1. It does not say how much the energy drink costs in stores or where it can be bought.
  2. It never explains which ingredients the energy drink actually contains or how they work.
  3. It makes a sweeping market claim from a small taste test. Correct answer.
  4. It describes the drink's flavor in detail instead of reporting any of its effects.

Explanation

An argument is only as strong as the link between its evidence and its conclusion. A single small taste test cannot support a claim about being the most effective product on the entire market.

Question 39Language Arts – Reading

Her promise was a paper boat: lovely to look at, but it could not survive the first rough water. What does the metaphor suggest about the promise?

  1. The promise was written down and carefully saved.
  2. The person who made the promise loved sailing.
  3. The promise was sealed in a bottle and lost at sea.
  4. The promise was lovely but too fragile to last. Correct answer.

Explanation

A metaphor describes one thing as another to transfer qualities. A paper boat is attractive but dissolves in rough water, so the comparison suggests something appealing that cannot withstand hardship.

Question 40Language Arts – Reading

The letter arrived on a Tuesday, postmarked from a town Ada had never visited. She read it once in the hallway, then carried it to the kitchen and read it again by the window. Only then did she reach for the phone. What do Ada's actions most strongly suggest?

  1. She had written the letter herself and then forgotten it.
  2. She had been expecting good news for several weeks.
  3. The letter contained news she needed to act on. Correct answer.
  4. She planned to throw the letter away without reading it.

Explanation

Character actions often reveal motivation. Reading twice and then reaching for the phone shows the letter mattered enough to produce an immediate response.

Question 41Language Arts – Writing

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

  1. The list of items on the counter have needed to be updated.
  2. The list of items on the counter need to be updated.
  3. The list of items on the counter needs to be updated. Correct answer.
  4. The list of items on the counter are needing to be updated.

Explanation

The subject is the singular noun 'list,' and the prepositional phrase 'of items on the counter' does not change the subject's number. A singular subject takes the singular verb 'needs.'

Question 42Language Arts – Writing

Which revision correctly fixes the comma splice in this sentence: 'The store closed early, we went home.'

  1. The store closed early, and went home.
  2. The store closed early, so we went home. Correct answer.
  3. The store closed early we went home.
  4. The store closed early; and we went home.

Explanation

A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Adding the coordinating conjunction 'so' after the comma correctly links the two complete ideas.

Question 43Language Arts – Writing

Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

  1. The dogs bowls are in their kitchen.
  2. The dog's bowls are in they're kitchen.
  3. The dogs' bowls are in their kitchen. Correct answer.
  4. The dogs' bowl are in their kitchen.

Explanation

The possessive of a plural noun ending in -s is formed by adding an apostrophe after the s, giving 'dogs'.' The word 'their' is the correct possessive pronoun.

Question 44Language Arts – Writing

Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence: 'The supervisor asked Marcus and ___ to review the report.'

  1. mine
  2. me Correct answer.
  3. myself
  4. I

Explanation

The pronoun follows the verb 'asked' and serves as part of its object, so the object pronoun 'me' is required. The subject pronoun 'I' would be used only for a subject.

Question 45Language Arts – Writing

Choose the sentence with consistent verb tense.

  1. She mixes the batter and poured it into the pan.
  2. She mixed the batter and pours it into the pan.
  3. She mixed the batter and poured it into the pan. Correct answer.
  4. She mixing the batter and poured it into the pan.

Explanation

Both actions happened at the same time in the past, so both verbs should be in the past tense. 'Mixed' and 'poured' are consistently past tense.

Question 46Language Arts – Writing

Which group of words is a complete sentence?

  1. Running through the station.
  2. The passengers waited on the platform. Correct answer.
  3. Because the train was late.
  4. Although several announcements were made.

Explanation

A complete sentence must contain a subject and a verb and express a complete thought. 'The passengers waited on the platform' has the subject 'passengers' and the verb 'waited.'

Question 47Language Arts – Writing

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The new policy will ___ the way employees submit requests.'

  1. affects
  2. effect
  3. effects
  4. affect Correct answer.

Explanation

'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning a result. After the helping verb 'will,' the base form 'affect' is required.

Question 48Language Arts – Writing

Which sentence places the modifier clearly?

  1. Several ancient sculptures were seen walking through the museum by the students.
  2. The students saw several ancient sculptures walking through the museum.
  3. Walking through the museum, several ancient sculptures were seen by the students.
  4. Walking through the museum, the students saw several ancient sculptures. Correct answer.

Explanation

A modifier at the beginning of a sentence should describe the subject that follows the comma. In this version, 'the students' are the ones walking through the museum.

Question 49Language Arts – Writing

Choose the best completion for parallel structure: 'The job requires answering phones, filing reports, and ___.'

  1. to greet visitors
  2. greeting visitors Correct answer.
  3. visitors should be greeted
  4. greet visitors

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Because 'answering' and 'filing' are gerunds, the third item should also be a gerund: 'greeting.'

Question 50Language Arts – Writing

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The rain stopped; the game resumed an hour later. Correct answer.
  2. The rain stopped; and then the game resumed.
  3. The rain stopped; the game resumed an hour later, the field was muddy.
  4. The rain stopped; and the game resumed.

Explanation

A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction. Both 'The rain stopped' and 'the game resumed an hour later' are complete clauses.