Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 1: Unit 1
Underline the subjects of the following sentences once and the complete verbs
twice. Some sentences may have more than one subject, more than one verb, or
both.
1. The bank opens at nine o’clock.
2. Japanese restaurants usually serve sushi.
3. Our neighbor’s son plays professional football.
4. The police chief and the mayor held a news conference.
5. The high school football team’s quarterback seemed inexperienced.
6. Listening to music relaxes me.
7. She never comes to class on time.
8. Jim’s wife lost her job and is looking for a new one.
9. A cup of coffee in the morning helps me to wake up.
10. Have you graduated from college yet?
11. John should be saving money because he will need to buy a new car soon.
12. I have been looking for a new roommate for the past two months.
13. Susan works fifty hours a week, but she still finds time to volunteer at a
children’s hospital.
14. A hamburger with French fries and a Coke is my favorite lunch.
15. I could have helped you move into your new apartment if you had asked me
earlier.
1
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 2: Unit 2
Some of the following sentences contain subject-verb agreement errors. Other
sentences are correct as written. If a sentence contains a subject-verb agreement
error, cross out the incorrect verb, and write the correct verb in its place. If a sentence
contains no subject-verb agreement error, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. The topic of the professor’s lecture were the Indians of the American
Southwest.
2. Every television and DVD player in this store come with a warranty.
3. Neither of those dresses look good on me.
4. The price of airline tickets rises just before each holiday.
5. Among the people in the audience was a senator and justice of the Supreme
Court.
6. Some of this fruit need to be refrigerated.
7. There are a collection of antique books in the college library.
8. The design and fabric of a dress determines its price.
9. Either San Francisco or Vancouver are a good place to find excellent Chinese
food.
10. Physics are required for his major.
11. A small pizza or two tacos is enough for my dinner.
12. Each of the apartments have its own washer and dryer.
13. Two hundred dollars are a good price for a round-trip plane ticket to Chicago.
14. The coach, along with his assistants, prepares the team for each game.
15. The jury have come to an agreement on a verdict.
2
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 3: Unit 3
Add commas and semicolons to the following sentences wherever they are needed.
Do not use periods to make separate sentences. If a sentence needs no additional
punctuation, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. The politician hoped to attract a large crowd but only a few people showed up.
2. The waiter took our order and then disappeared for the next half hour.
3. If you want to lose weight you need to eat less and exercise more.
4. We left home on time however an accident on the freeway made us late for
work.
5. Our neighbors are selling their house because they are moving to Oregon.
6. Joanne wants to get a better job so she is returning to school to get an A.A.
degree.
7. My son lives in Florida my daughter lives in Kansas.
8. You need to move your car otherwise you’ll get a parking ticket.
9. My roommate doesn’t like to do dishes nor does she like to clean our
apartment.
10. Mark is moving to another apartment so that he will be closer to his job.
3
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 4: Unit 3
Correct any run-on sentences and comma splices. If a sentence is neither a run-on
sentence nor a comma splice, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. John just lost his job his company was bought out by another firm.
2. I tried to buy tickets for the concert, they were all sold out.
3. Fewer viewers are watching network television programs instead they are
watching cable television shows.
4. If I can’t enroll in an English class this semester, I won’t graduate on time.
5. I was born in Colorado, my husband was born in Wisconsin.
6. I can’t go out tonight I have a term paper due tomorrow.
4
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 1: Unit 1
Underline the subjects of the following sentences once and the complete verbs
twice. Some sentences may have more than one subject, more than one verb, or
both.
1. The bank opens at nine o’clock.
2. Japanese restaurants usually serve sushi.
3. Our neighbor’s son plays professional football.
4. The police chief and the mayor held a news conference.
5. The high school football team’s quarterback seemed inexperienced.
6. Listening to music relaxes me.
7. She never comes to class on time.
8. Jim’s wife lost her job and is looking for a new one.
9. A cup of coffee in the morning helps me to wake up.
10. Have you graduated from college yet?
11. John should be saving money because he will need to buy a new car soon.
12. I have been looking for a new roommate for the past two months.
13. Susan works fifty hours a week, but she still finds time to volunteer at a
children’s hospital.
14. A hamburger with French fries and a Coke is my favorite lunch.
15. I could have helped you move into your new apartment if you had asked me
earlier.
1
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 2: Unit 2
Some of the following sentences contain subject-verb agreement errors. Other
sentences are correct as written. If a sentence contains a subject-verb agreement
error, cross out the incorrect verb, and write the correct verb in its place. If a sentence
contains no subject-verb agreement error, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. The topic of the professor’s lecture were the Indians of the American
Southwest.
2. Every television and DVD player in this store come with a warranty.
3. Neither of those dresses look good on me.
4. The price of airline tickets rises just before each holiday.
5. Among the people in the audience was a senator and justice of the Supreme
Court.
6. Some of this fruit need to be refrigerated.
7. There are a collection of antique books in the college library.
8. The design and fabric of a dress determines its price.
9. Either San Francisco or Vancouver are a good place to find excellent Chinese
food.
10. Physics are required for his major.
11. A small pizza or two tacos is enough for my dinner.
12. Each of the apartments have its own washer and dryer.
13. Two hundred dollars are a good price for a round-trip plane ticket to Chicago.
14. The coach, along with his assistants, prepares the team for each game.
15. The jury have come to an agreement on a verdict.
2
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 3: Unit 3
Add commas and semicolons to the following sentences wherever they are needed.
Do not use periods to make separate sentences. If a sentence needs no additional
punctuation, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. The politician hoped to attract a large crowd but only a few people showed up.
2. The waiter took our order and then disappeared for the next half hour.
3. If you want to lose weight you need to eat less and exercise more.
4. We left home on time however an accident on the freeway made us late for
work.
5. Our neighbors are selling their house because they are moving to Oregon.
6. Joanne wants to get a better job so she is returning to school to get an A.A.
degree.
7. My son lives in Florida my daughter lives in Kansas.
8. You need to move your car otherwise you’ll get a parking ticket.
9. My roommate doesn’t like to do dishes nor does she like to clean our
apartment.
10. Mark is moving to another apartment so that he will be closer to his job.
3
, Test Bank For Basic Grammar and Usage
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Part 4: Unit 3
Correct any run-on sentences and comma splices. If a sentence is neither a run-on
sentence nor a comma splice, write a C for correct in the left margin.
1. John just lost his job his company was bought out by another firm.
2. I tried to buy tickets for the concert, they were all sold out.
3. Fewer viewers are watching network television programs instead they are
watching cable television shows.
4. If I can’t enroll in an English class this semester, I won’t graduate on time.
5. I was born in Colorado, my husband was born in Wisconsin.
6. I can’t go out tonight I have a term paper due tomorrow.
4
