LANGUAGE
ARTS
__________________________________________________________________
Grammar
and Usage
In the following sentences, four parts of
each sentence are underlined. If you think any one of the underlined parts is
incorrect, choose the letter under that part as your answer. If you think the
sentence is correct as written, choose (E) as your answer. Please note: read
together, all of the sentences in this section make up a story.
The Pool
Visitor
by
Marilyn Naito
Illustrated
by Helen Kunze
In this
passage, an American girl named Martine has traveled to Australia to visit her
cousin,
Stephen.
In Australia, it is summertime in December.
Designed by Kweller Prep. Single spaced copying. Hand copying
only.
1. “All done!” Stephen placed a bowl by
the sink. “Let’s swim,” No error.
A: There must be a period after “swim” not a comma.
2. Martine watch the dishwater swirl down the
drain. “Swimming! I just can’t get used to it in
December.” No error.
A: “watch” should be replaced with “watched.” Past tense.
3. All Stephen had heard since his
American cousin, Martine arrived were stories about snow
and fireplaces. No error.
A: Comma is missing after “Martine.”
4. Stephen had only seen snow in
pictures. SPLASH! The sound came from the backyard. “Mr. Bakers spaniel,
Max, must be taking a dip again.” No error.
A: “Mr. Baker’s” – you need an apostrophe to show possession.
Sentence should read, “Mr. Baker’s spaniel”
5. Stephen rolled his eyes upward.
Martine tagged behind Stephen as he went to the pool and stopped .
Dumbfounded. No error.
A: you need a comma (,) after “stopped” and “dumbfounded” must be
in lowercase.
6. In the water was a round, furry ball that
looked like a soggy teddy bear. “A koala bear!” Martine sound happy
as the animal splashed water over his ears. No error.
A: “sounded” not “sound”
7. “He isn’t a bear.” Stephen told her.
“He’s a marsupial, like a kangaroo.” Martine and Stephen sat
on the edge of the pool and watched. No error.
A: You need a comma after “bear,” not a period. Use a period to
end a sentence only.
8. The koala had swam, then floated
on his back until he headed for the opposite side
of the pool across from Stephen and Martine. No error.
A: “Swam” is the past tense of “swim” and “had" is unnecessary
9. The koala tried to pull himself
out, but the tiles were to slippery. “He can’t get out,” Martine
said. “We’ve got to help him.” No error.
A: “too” not “to”
10. Stephen kicked off his sandals and,
stepped quietly into the pool. No error.
A: comma is not necessary after “and”
11. By the time Stephen reached the
frightened animal, the koala were paddling to the
metal ladder. No error.
A: The koala “was” not “were.” One bear “was” but many bears
“were.”
12. Stephen put his arms under
the Koala and gave him a boost up. No
error.
A: “koala” does not need to be capitalized.
13. Martine lift’ed the animal onto solid ground.
The koala gave one shake, spraying Martine with water, before
waddling across the lawn and up the nearest tree. No error.
A: “lifted” not “lift’ed” which is not grammatically correct at
all.
14. “We’ve never had a koala in
the pool before,” Stephen said, “but koalas love to swim.
My teacher said that backyard pools are a big cause of accidents
to koalas in australia.” No error.
A: Australia is a proper noun and it must be capitalized.
15. “What if he falls in when no
one’s home?” Martine asked. “All the koala needs are something
rough to hang onto,” Stephen replied, “and he can haul himself right
out.” No error.
A: “are” should be replaced with “is.” All the koala needs IS
something rough, not ARE.
16. After hearing what happened, Stephens mom said, “There
is some leftover carpeting in the basement. You can use that.” No
error.
A: “Stephen’s” because you need an apostrophe to show
possession. Correct: “Stephen’s mom”
17. Stephen and Martine found the carpet rolled
up in a corner and carried it to the pool.
Then they found some sturdy rope in the garage and stitched the
rope to one side of the carpet. No error.
A: No error.
18. They tied the rope to two poolside grab
rails. They cut the carpet section so that it extended into
the pool. After it was hosed down, the carpet lay against the inside of the
pool’s wall. “I hope it works,” said Stephen. They
waited and waited, but the koala didn’t appear, and the koala ramp was almost
forgotten. SPLASH! Stephen and Martine looked at each other with the same
thought. It could be Mr. Baker’s spaniel or— Martine dashed outside with
Stephen at her heels. No error.
A: No error.
19. The water glistened on the koala’s furry
head. He paddled around, than swam toward the carpet
ramp. Gripping it with his claws, he slowly pulled his chubby
body up and out of the water. No error.
A: THAN should be replaced with THEN. Use “than” to show
comparison. Use “then” to show time sequence.
20. With four paws planted firm on
the pool deck, he shook himself and scampered off. Martine
giggled, “I’ll always remember my trip to Australia and the swimming koala!” No
error.
A: “firm” should be replaced with “firmly.” More ex: “drive
safely,” “speak softly,” “ grade harshly”
