1. Why is it important to learn to identify the eight parts of speech?
a.
Being able to identify the parts of speech will help you organize paragraphs effectively.
b.
Recognizing the parts of speech will help you impress a potential employer in a job interview.
c.
Being able to identify the eight parts of speech will ensure that you get promoted.
d.
Identifying the parts of speech will help you punctuate sentences correctly and choose precise words for
clearer writing.
for clear, powerful writing because many words can function in more than one role.
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.1-1 – 1-1
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
Why Study Business English?
BLOOM’S: Comprehension
2. Sentences revolve around _____ because these words function both as sentence subjects and as objects of verbs.
a.
nouns
b.
pronouns
c.
adverbs
d.
adjectives
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.1-2 – 1-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.4
The Eight Parts of Speech
BLOOM’S: Knowledge
3. Words that describe nouns and pronouns are ____.
a.
b.
c.
d.
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.1-2 – 1-2
The Eight Parts of Speech
BLOOM’S: Knowledge
4. In the sentence Paul and she thoroughly proofread the proposal before sending it to the customer, the word thoroughly
functions as a(n)____.
a.
conjunction
b.
adjective
c.
adverb
d.
preposition
c
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.1-3 – 1-3
Summary
BLOOM’S: Application
5. Which of the following sentences uses work as an adjective?
a.
Jeff’s work includes a lot of traveling to various manufacturing sites.
b.
Bob and Yolanda must work overtime to finish the proposal by the deadline.
c.
Each Monday a new work schedule is posted online for employees to view.
c
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.1-4 – 1-4
Summary
BLOOM’S: Application
6. Identify the simple subject in the following sentence: Tori, our human resources specialist, will be happy to answer any
questions about your benefits package.
a.
Tori
b.
specialist
c.
human resources
d.
Tori, our human resources specialist,
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.2-1 – 2-1
Sentence Elements
BLOOM’S: Application
7. Which of the following statements about clauses and phrases is most accurate?
a.
Phrases contain subjects and verbs; clauses do not.
b.
Every sentence will include at least one clause and one phrase.
c.
Clauses have subjects and verbs; phrases do not.
c
independent or dependent. Every sentence must contain at least one independent clause, but
every sentence will not always include a phrase.
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.2-2 – 2-2
Recognizing Phrases and Clauses
BLOOM’S: Comprehension
8. Which sentence is a complex sentence?
a.
The committee interviewed four applicants for the position and made its recommendation to the personnel
department.
b.
Many individuals use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, but some prefer texting or tweeting.
c.
Although many people reconcile their bank statements online, some individuals still prefer to use hard copies.
c
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.2-3 – 2-3
Sentence Varieties
BLOOM’S: Application
9. In the sentence Bryan updated his résumé with his recent training, the sentence pattern is ____.
a.
subject⎯verb
b.
subject⎯action verb⎯object
c.
subject⎯linking verb⎯complement
d.
inverted order
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.2-4 – 2-4
Sentence Patterns
BLOOM’S: Application
10. Identify the following group of words: Change your password once every six weeks
a.
command
b.
statement
c.
question
d.
exclamation
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.2-5 – 2-5
Punctuating Four Sentence Types
BLOOM’S: Application
11. Identify the following group of words: A diversity workshop will be offered on May 15, you can find a description of
this training opportunity on our intranet.
a.
correctly punctuated sentence
b.
fragment
c.
comma splice
d.
run-on sentence
c
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.2-6 – 2-6
Sentence Faults
BLOOM’S: Application
12. Which sentence expresses proper and common nouns correctly?
a.
Some Colleges provide students with a free Computer.
b.
John indicated on his résumé that he was proficient with PowerPoint, Prezi, and Excel.
c.
After Ashley graduated from High School, she worked for two years at a manufacturing Company.
and company), however, identify general terms and are not capitalized.
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.3-1 – 3-1
Common and Proper Nouns
BLOOM’S: Application
13. Several new ____ were added outside our company’s main entrance.
a.
bench’s
b.
benchs
c.
benches
c
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.3-2 – 3-2
Making Nouns Plural: The Basics
BLOOM’S: Application
14. Jason must prepare and send all ____ at the end of each month.
a.
accounts receivables
b.
account receivables
c.
accounts receivable
c
Easy
15. Two ____ résumés were exceptionally strong.
a.
applicants
b.
applicant’s
c.
applicants’
c
Easy
16. Our ____ staff receives daily updates via e-mail and text messages.
a.
sale’s
b.
sales’
c.
sales
c
Easy
17. Has anyone seen ____ car keys?
a.
Nicholas
b.
Nicholas’s
c.
Nicholas’
Easy
18. Because Bob was handling two production-related _____, he missed the all-staff meeting.
a.
crises
b.
crisis
c.
crisis’s
a
Easy
19. Because of rising gas costs, Carly added only five _____ worth of gas to her car.
a.
dollars
b.
dollar’s
c.
dollars’s
d.
dollars’
Easy
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Challenging Possessive Constructions
BLOOM’S: Application
20. Which sentence uses pronouns correctly?
a.
As Americans listened to the congressional hearing on terrorism, they considered the impact on U.S. foreign
relations.
b.
The finance department requested travel receipts from you and I before processing our expense vouchers.
c.
I hope that your prepared to participate on the budget planning team and any related subcommittees.
a
errors in pronoun case (I/me, your/you’re).
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.4-1 – 4-1
Guidelines for Using Personal Pronouns
BLOOM’S: Application
21. Andrew and ____ worked overtime on Saturday to ensure that the customer’s order would be shipped on Monday.
a.
I
b.
me
c.
myself
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.4-2 – 4-2
Challenges in Using Personal Pronouns
BLOOM’S: Application
22. A customer must provide ____ mailing address when completing a claim.
a.
his
b.
her
c.
their
d.
his or her
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.4-3 – 4-3
Fundamentals of Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
23. Anyone who applies for a job must submit ____ application online.
a.
his
b.
her
c.
his or her
d.
their
c
better to revise the sentence to avoid this awkward combination.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.4-4 – 4-4
Special Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement Challenges
BLOOM’S: Application
24. ____ do you think will be our next president?
a.
Who
b.
Whom
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.4-5 – 4-5
Advanced Pronoun Use
BLOOM’S: Application
25. ____ working overtime this weekend?
a.
Whose
b.
Who’s
completes the clause who is working.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.4-6 – 4-6
Advanced Pronoun Use
BLOOM’S: Application
26. In the sentence Belinda updated her Facebook status, the verb updated is ____.
a.
transitive
b.
intransitive
c.
linking
d.
helping
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-1 – 5-1
Types of Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
27. Which of the following sentences uses passive-voice verbs?
a.
My professor explained our next project in today’s class period.
b.
Our website was recently redesigned to make it more inviting and mobile friendly.
c.
Mackenzie presented her ideas for reducing costs during the all-staff meeting.
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.5-2 – 5-2
Verb Voices
BLOOM’S: Application
28. (Future tense) New employees ____ diversity training on June 1.
a.
complete
b.
completed
c.
will complete
c
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-3 – 5-3
Primary Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
29. Which sentence is better expressed?
a.
We must try to, even if we are busy, answer all customer questions.
b.
We must try to answer all customer questions even if we are busy.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-4 – 5-4
Verbals
BLOOM’S: Application
30. Study this sentence: To receive an associate’s degree, two years of college credit is required.
a.
The sentence demonstrates correct placement of verbal phrases.
b.
The sentence contains an illogical introductory verbal phrase.
Introductory verbal phrases (To receive an associate’s degree) must be followed by words
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-5 – 5-5
Avoiding Misplaced Verbal Modifiers
BLOOM’S: Application
31. If I ____ you, I would apply for that job immediately.
a.
was
b.
were
subjunctive form were rather than the indicative form was.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-6 – 5-6
Verb Moods
BLOOM’S: Application
32. The sales consultant had ____ to the conference in San Jose.
a.
went
b.
gone
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-7 – 5-7
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Irregular Verbs
BLOOM’S: Application
33. (Future progressive) I ____ the staff meeting on Monday to present the latest budget figures.
a.
will be attending
b.
am attending
c.
will attend
a
verb (ing). Therefore, the future-progressive form is will be attending.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.5-8 – 5-8
Progressive and Perfect Tenses
BLOOM’S: Application
34. Our summary of the proposed expansion projects____ contained in our cover letter.
a.
is
b.
are
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-1 – 6-1
Locating Subjects
BLOOM’S: Application
35. The sleek design and the superb engineering of our latest hybrid vehicle ____ it appealing to a wide range of
customers.
a.
make
b.
makes
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-2 – 6-2
Basic Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
36. Neither the managers nor the customer ____ willing to compromise.
a.
was
b.
were
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-3 – 6-3
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
37. Which sentence is correct?
a.
Neither of the two candidates were qualified for the position.
b.
Everyone plans to attend the annual company picnic on Saturday.
c.
Each of the proposals were carefully reviewed by the sales staff.
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.6-4 – 6-4
Special Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
38. At least two thirds of the individuals who registered by mail ____ paid the registration fee.
a.
has
b.
have
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-5 – 6-5
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.6
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Additional Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
39. Updating our employee records ______ a time-consuming process.
a.
is
b.
are
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.6-6 – 6-6
Additional Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
BLOOM’S: Application
40. To impress your interviewer, remember to dress ____ for a job interview.
a.
nice
b.
nicely
c.
nicer
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.7-1 – 7-1
Basic Functions of Adjectives and Adverbs
BLOOM’S: Application
41. Of the two candidates, which one is ____ qualified for the position?
a.
best
b.
better
c.
more better
BENG.GUFF.17.7-2 – 7-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.1.5 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.1.5
Comparative and Superlative Forms
BLOOM’S: Application
42. Teri demonstrated that she was a ____ intern in our personnel department.
a.
reliable conscientious
b.
reliable conscientious,
c.
reliable, conscientious
d.
reliable, conscientious,
c
However, do not follow the second adjective with a comma.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.7-3 – 7-3
Modifiers That Deserve Special Attention
BLOOM’S: Application
43. Voicing my opinion about the proposed merger won’t do ______ good.
a.
no
b.
hardly any
c.
any
c
sentence.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.7-4 – 7-4
Modifiers That Deserve Special Attention
BLOOM’S: Application
44. Which sentence is correct?
a.
If there are no further questions about the matter, we will move on to other business.
b.
We need to explore our options farther in order to get a better answer to the situation.
c.
The construction site was further from the interstate than I thought it would be.
a
Moderate
BENG.GUFF.17.7-5 – 7-5
Adjective and Adverb Challenges
BLOOM’S: Application
45. Please complete the ______ questions on the application form on a separate piece of paper.
a.
last two
b.
two last
a
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.7-6 – 7-6
Adjective and Adverb Challenges
BLOOM’S: Application
46. This information must be kept strictly between you and ____.
a.
I
b.
me
c.
myself
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.8-1 – 8-1
Common Uses of Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
47. Alex said that he downloaded the form ____ our intranet.
a.
off
b.
off of
c.
from off of
d.
from
Don’t substitute off of or off for the preposition from.
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.8-2 – 8-2
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Common Uses of Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
48. Which sentence is correct?
a.
It sounds like the company may be reducing the sales staff in the near future.
b.
If you are willing to except responsibility, many employment opportunities are available.
c.
Time on the network must be divided equitably among students, employees, and faculty.
c
Moderate
Challenges With Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
49. Jaimie____ the University of Phoenix with a degree in business management.
a.
graduated
b.
graduated from
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.8-4 – 8-4
Necessary Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
50. We will interview all ______ on Wednesday afternoon.
a.
of the job applicants
b.
job applicants
b
1
Easy
BENG.GUFF.17.8-4 – 8-4
United States – BUSPROG.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7 – DISC.BENG.GUFF.17.6.7
Unnecessary Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
51. Which sentence uses idiomatic expressions appropriately?
a.
The manager said that he planned on giving everyone a raise shortly.
b.
Employees inferred from the manager’s remarks that raises would be issued shortly.
c.
Employees inferred by the manager’s remarks that raises would be issued shortly.
BENG.GUFF.17.8-5 – 8-5
Idiomatic Use of Prepositions
BLOOM’S: Application
52. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
a.
It is my pleasure to write you a letter of recommendation and, I hope to have it to you before the end of the
week.
b.
It is my pleasure to write you a letter of recommendation and I hope to have it to you before the end of the
week.
c.
It is my pleasure to write you a letter of recommendation, and I hope to have it to you before the end of the
week.
comma should generally be placed before, not after, the coordinating conjunction.