Sentence Structure Practice Problems: Pre-GED Language Arts, Writing

The study guide for this practice quiz can be found at:

The GED Language Arts & Writing Exam: Sentence Structure Study Guide

First read the passage, then choose the best answer to each question. Answers and explanations follow.

Questions 1–10 refer to the following passage.

January 30, 2010

Tyra Greene
Director of Human Resources
County Hospital
6733 35th Avenue North
Lake City, FL 32025

Dear Ms. Greene:

(A)

(1) I would like to thank you for meeting with me regarding the nursing position that is available at County Hospital. (2) It was nice to learn about the staff, touring the hospital, and meeting the other nurses. (3) Although you are obviously very busy. (4) Thank you for taking the time to familiarize me with the job. (5) As we discussed I have ten years of previous medical experience. (6) My family has recently moved into the area I would like to find a full-time nursing position in a hospital setting. (7) The position you have available definitely interests me for several reasons. (8) First, I like the fact that the nurses' weekly schedules include five eight-hour shifts. (9) Working five days each week, the patients become comfortable with the medical staff. (10) I believe it is important for nurses to get to know their patients, this builds mutual trust. (11) Also, I am impressed by the high ratings County Hospital has received over the past several years. (12) The doctors are well qualified in the hospital. (13) Patients feel that the doctors are very knowledgeable. (14) They have a good bedside manner.

(B)

(15) Thank you for your letter requesting a second interview. (16) It arrived yesterday. (17) I have been looking forward to discussing this opportunity with you further. (18) As you requested, I am submitting three professional references. (19) Two references are from previous supervisors, one is from a former co-worker who is familiar with my abilities. (20) Please contact me once you have reviewed these references. (21) I would like to schedule the second interview at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Malik Santiago

1218 Atlantic Way NW

Lake City, FL 32025

1. Sentence (2): It was nice to learn about the staff, touring the hospital, and meeting the other nurses.

Which correction should be made to sentence (2)?

1. insert a comma after nice
2. change learn to learning
3. change touring to tour
4. remove the comma after hospital
5. change meeting to to meet
2. Sentence (3): Although you are obviously very busy.

Which correction should be made to sentence (3)?

1. insert a comma after although
2. remove obviously
3. change the period to a semicolon and add you were extremely helpful
4. change the period to a comma and add every day at the hospital
5. change the period to a comma and add you spent a lot of time with me
3. Sentence (5): As we discussed I have ten years of previous medical experience.

Which correction should be made to sentence (5)?

1. insert a comma after discussed
2. insert a semicolon after discussed
3. insert a period after discussed
4. insert a comma after previous
5. insert a semicolon after previous
4. Sentence (6): My family has recently moved into the area I would like to find a full-time nursing position in a hospital setting.

Which correction should be made tosentence (6)?

1. insert Although before my
2. insert a period after moved
3. insert a semicolon after area
4. insert a comma after area
5. insert a comma and because before I
5. Sentence (9): Working five days each week, the patients become comfortable with the medical staff.

Which correction should be made to sentence (9)?

1. add With the nurses before working
2. add Since they are before working
3. remove the comma
4. insert and after the comma
5. replace become with are becoming
6. Sentence (10): I believe it is important for nurses to get to know their patients, this builds mutual trust.

Which is the best way to write the underlined portion of sentence (10)? If the original is correct, choose answer choice a.

1. their patients, this builds
2. their patients; this builds
3. their patients this builds
4. their patients, but this builds
5. their patients are building
7. Sentence (12): The doctors are well qualified in the hospital.

Which correction should be made to sentence (12)?

1. add Even though before the doctors
2. move in the hospital to follow doctors
3. insert a comma after well
4. insert a comma and yet after qualified
5. no corrections are necessary
8. Sentences (13) and (14): Patients feel that the doctors are very knowledgeable. They have a good bedside manner.

Which is the best way to write the underlined portion of sentences (13) and (14)? If the original is correct, choose answer choice a.

1. very knowledgeable. They have
2. very knowledgeable they have
3. very knowledgeable, they have
4. very knowledgeable, and they have
5. very knowledgeable and they have
9. Sentences (15) and (16): It arrived yesterday. I have been looking forward to discussing this opportunity with you further.

Which is the best way to write the underlined portion of sentences (15) and (16)? If the original is correct, choose answer choice a.

1. It arrived yesterday. I have
2. It arrived yesterday, I have
3. It arrived yesterday and I have
4. Since it arrived yesterday, I have
5. Although it arrived yesterday, I have
10. Sentence (19): Two references are from previous supervisors, one is from a former co-worker who is familiar with my abilities.

Which correction should be made to sentence (19)?

1. add Although before two
2. replace the comma with a semicolon
3. replace the comma with and
4. insert a comma after co-worker
5. no changes are necessary