English and Language Usage TEAS

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. The semicolon is appropriate here as the two clauses are related but could stand alone as separate sentences. In contrast, choice B incorrectly uses a comma before "and," choice C repeats the correct punctuation of choice A, and choice D incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon to separate the clauses, leading to a comma splice error.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The word "function" in the sentence is used as a noun. It refers to an event or gathering, which is a person, place, or thing. It serves as the subject of the sentence, and you can replace it with other nouns like "party" or "celebration." The function is not describing anything (adjective), modifying a verb (adverb), or indicating an action (verb). It is a naming word, so it functions as a noun in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the role of "function" in the sentence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The word 'silently' in the sentence functions as an adverb modifying the verb 'laughed'. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information on how, when, where, or to what extent an action is done. In this case, 'silently' describes how the villain laughed. The other choices are incorrect because 'silently' is not a preposition (A), as it doesn't show a relationship between words, not a verb (C) because it doesn't express an action, and not an adjective (D) because it doesn't describe a noun.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it correctly uses a semicolon to separate two independent clauses. The semicolon is appropriate here as the two clauses are related but could stand alone as separate sentences. In contrast, choice B incorrectly uses a comma before "and," choice C repeats the correct punctuation of choice A, and choice D incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon to separate the clauses, leading to a comma splice error.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, "John threw the ball," because it follows the active voice structure where the subject performs the action. In this sentence, "John" is the subject performing the action of throwing the ball. B, C, and D are written in the passive voice where the subject receives the action rather than performing it. In B, the subject is "The ball," making it the focus of the sentence. In C, the past perfect tense "had been thrown" indicates the action already took place before a certain time in the past. In D, the present tense "is thrown" also indicates a passive construction.