Syntax
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GED Language Arts (RLA) › Syntax
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
Explanation
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
Explanation
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
Explanation
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
Explanation
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
Explanation
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
Explanation
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?
Other relationship experts counsel that having high standards, accepting poor behavior, is the secret to a long and happy marriage.
not
while also
as well as
moreover
correspondingly
Explanation
“Having high standards” and “accepting poor behavior” are directly opposed ideas, so we need a contrasting transition: “not.” “While also” suggests that the two ideas should coexist at the same time, but that is not logical in the context of the sentence. “As well as” and “moreover” incorrectly suggest addition. “Indeed” suggests emphasis and is both semantically and syntactically wrong.
1 I have always detested exploring caves, I believe spelunking is an eerie and unpleasant hobby. 2 However, what happened last week that made me revise my opinion which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge. 3 When we came across the mouth of a dark, grim cave I was immediately filled with trepidation therefore, I said I would stay outside. 4 Much to my surprise, a rainstorm came up forcing me inside to seek shelter. 5 Inside the cave, instead of macabre stalactites and enormous spiders, which I was expecting, I saw the most beautiful crystalline structures, the likes of which I’d never seen before. 6 The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion on caves, I would not denigrate them again.
What is the correct way to rewrite Sentence 2?
However, I revised my opinion last week after going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge.
However, what happened last week made me revise my opinion which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge.
However last week made me revise my opinion which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge.
However, that made me revise my opinion last week, which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge.
However I revised my opinion last week, was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge.
Explanation
Sentence 2 contains a misplaced modifier and is lacking a comma. The best approach to this sentence is simply to rewrite it altogether, removing the misplaced modifier (“which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge” incorrectly described “my opinion”). A comma is necessary after “However,” which is an introductory word.
1 I have always detested exploring caves, I believe spelunking is an eerie and unpleasant hobby. 2 However, what happened last week that made me revise my opinion which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge. 3 When we came across the mouth of a dark, grim cave I was immediately filled with trepidation therefore, I said I would stay outside. 4 Much to my surprise, a rainstorm came up forcing me inside to seek shelter. 5 Inside the cave, instead of macabre stalactites and enormous spiders, which I was expecting, I saw the most beautiful crystalline structures, the likes of which I’d never seen before. 6 The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion on caves, I would not denigrate them again.
What is the correct way to rewrite Sentence 6?
The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion on caves; I would not denigrate them again.
The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion on caves but I would not denigrate them again.
(no change)
The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion, on caves; and I would not denigrate them again.
The sheer pulchritude, completely transforming my opinion on caves, I would not denigrate them again
Explanation
This sentence contains a comma splice: the incorrect usage of a comma to separate two independent clauses. The correct punctuation between two independent clauses is either a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction word. (“Pulchritude” means beauty and “denigrate” means disparage.)
1 I have always detested exploring caves, I believe spelunking is an eerie and unpleasant hobby. 2 However, what happened last week that made me revise my opinion which was going hiking with my friends and stumbling upon a vast unexplored gorge. 3 When we came across the mouth of a dark, grim cave I was immediately filled with trepidation therefore, I said I would stay outside. 4 Much to my surprise, a rainstorm came up forcing me inside to seek shelter. 5 Inside the cave, instead of macabre stalactites and enormous spiders, which I was expecting, I saw the most beautiful crystalline structures, the likes of which I’d never seen before. 6 The sheer pulchritude completely transformed my opinion on caves, I would not denigrate them again.
What is the correct way to rewrite Sentence 4?
Much to my surprise, a rainstorm came up forcing me inside to seek shelter.
(no change)
Much to my surprise, a rainstorm came up; forcing me inside to seek shelter.
Much to my surprise a rainstorm came up, forcing me inside to seek shelter.
Much to my surprise a rainstorm came up; forcing me inside to seek shelter.
Explanation
The original version of Sentence 4 correctly separates “Much to my surprise,” an introductory phrase, from the rest of the sentence; however, it does not separate the other dependent clause, “forcing me inside to seek shelter,” as it should. Add a comma between “up” and “forcing” to punctuate the sentence correctly.