GED Language Arts (RLA) › Language Usage and Grammar
1 Grasshoppers are intriguing insects that have both served as potent symbols in literature \[Question 1\]. 2 Also called locusts, \[Question 2\]. 3 Grasshoppers may be best known from the Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” in which ants and grasshoppers \[Question 3\].
4 Yet grasshoppers have also caused terrible famine \[Question 4\] Ancient Egypt, China, and the Rocky Mountains. 5 Farmers today attempt to control grasshoppers swarms \[Question 5\]. 6 On the other hand \[Question 6\] is sometimes used as a term of endearment. 7 What do you think about grasshoppers?
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 5?
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, with natural fungi species
in a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
including a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
Because we are listing the components of a mixture, we need to use the conjunction “and” and not “or” or “with.” Because the idea that precedes the bracketed part of the sentence is “control grasshopper swarms,” the word “with” fits better than “in” or “including.” These two rules eliminate all but one answer choice: “with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species.”
1 Grasshoppers are intriguing insects that have both served as potent symbols in literature \[Question 1\]. 2 Also called locusts, \[Question 2\]. 3 Grasshoppers may be best known from the Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” in which ants and grasshoppers \[Question 3\].
4 Yet grasshoppers have also caused terrible famine \[Question 4\] Ancient Egypt, China, and the Rocky Mountains. 5 Farmers today attempt to control grasshoppers swarms \[Question 5\]. 6 On the other hand \[Question 6\] is sometimes used as a term of endearment. 7 What do you think about grasshoppers?
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 5?
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, with natural fungi species
in a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
including a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
Because we are listing the components of a mixture, we need to use the conjunction “and” and not “or” or “with.” Because the idea that precedes the bracketed part of the sentence is “control grasshopper swarms,” the word “with” fits better than “in” or “including.” These two rules eliminate all but one answer choice: “with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species.”
How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?
The candidate is not so much opposed to marriage equality as challenging his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
(no change)
any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
None of these
While this sentence may appear correct at first glance, but consider the two things that are being compared: being opposed to marriage equality (a stance) and “any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs” (an opinion). To change this faulty parallelism, we simply need to add the correct subject and verb to the latter part of the sentence.
How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?
The candidate is not so much opposed to marriage equality as challenging his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
(no change)
any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
None of these
While this sentence may appear correct at first glance, but consider the two things that are being compared: being opposed to marriage equality (a stance) and “any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs” (an opinion). To change this faulty parallelism, we simply need to add the correct subject and verb to the latter part of the sentence.
Friedrich Nietzsche is best known as a preeminent German philosopher; _______________, he was also a poet and a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin.
however
to paraphrase
in particular
moreover
henceforth
Here, we’re contrasting Nietzsche’s best and lesser known attributes. The only word of contrast among these choices is “however.” “To paraphrase” and “in particular” imply further illustration or support. “Moreover” implies addition of something similar, and “henceforth” implies addition of something new at a later time.
1 Grasshoppers are intriguing insects that have both served as potent symbols in literature \[Question 1\]. 2 Also called locusts, \[Question 2\]. 3 Grasshoppers may be best known from the Aesop’s fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” in which ants and grasshoppers \[Question 3\].
4 Yet grasshoppers have also caused terrible famine \[Question 4\] Ancient Egypt, China, and the Rocky Mountains. 5 Farmers today attempt to control grasshoppers swarms \[Question 5\]. 6 On the other hand \[Question 6\] is sometimes used as a term of endearment. 7 What do you think about grasshoppers?
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 5?
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
with a mixture of fire, pesticides, with natural fungi species
in a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species
including a mixture of fire, pesticides, or natural fungi species
Because we are listing the components of a mixture, we need to use the conjunction “and” and not “or” or “with.” Because the idea that precedes the bracketed part of the sentence is “control grasshopper swarms,” the word “with” fits better than “in” or “including.” These two rules eliminate all but one answer choice: “with a mixture of fire, pesticides, and natural fungi species.”
Friedrich Nietzsche is best known as a preeminent German philosopher; _______________, he was also a poet and a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin.
however
to paraphrase
in particular
moreover
henceforth
Here, we’re contrasting Nietzsche’s best and lesser known attributes. The only word of contrast among these choices is “however.” “To paraphrase” and “in particular” imply further illustration or support. “Moreover” implies addition of something similar, and “henceforth” implies addition of something new at a later time.
Friedrich Nietzsche is best known as a preeminent German philosopher; _______________, he was also a poet and a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin.
however
to paraphrase
in particular
moreover
henceforth
Here, we’re contrasting Nietzsche’s best and lesser known attributes. The only word of contrast among these choices is “however.” “To paraphrase” and “in particular” imply further illustration or support. “Moreover” implies addition of something similar, and “henceforth” implies addition of something new at a later time.
How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?
The candidate is not so much opposed to marriage equality as challenging his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
(no change)
any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
he is opposed to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.
None of these
While this sentence may appear correct at first glance, but consider the two things that are being compared: being opposed to marriage equality (a stance) and “any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs” (an opinion). To change this faulty parallelism, we simply need to add the correct subject and verb to the latter part of the sentence.
What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?
Many marriage counsellors suggest that open communication ________________ an active acceptance of imperfection leads to a healthy, vital partnership.
in addition to
in spite of
in light of
after all
especially
The relationship between “open communication” and “an active acceptance of imperfection” is one of agreement, so “in addition to” is the best choice. “In light of” incorrectly implies that the “open communication” is subordinate to “active acceptance,” and “in spite of” incorrectly implies contrast. “After all” and “especially” are both transitional phrases, but neither fits the grammatical construction of the sentence.