Tutor for English: Improving Your Communication Skills

Diagnostic Test

Read each sentence carefully and choose the one which is grammatically correct by checking the radio button.

Capitalization Section

Question 1:

The students studied the short story The Cop and The Anthem.
The students studied the short story The Cop and the Anthem.
The students studied the short story The cop and the anthem.

Question 2:

Many Chinese people, especially those in Asia, practice Buddhism.
Many Chinese people, especially those in Asia, practice buddhism.
Many chinese people, especially those in asia, practice Buddhism.

Question 3:

Muslims believe in mohammed while christians believe in Jesus.
Muslims believe in Mohammed while christians believe in Jesus.
Muslims believe in Mohammed while Christians believe in Jesus.

Question 4:

Dave always uses Listerine mouthwash before going to a dance.
Dave always uses Listerine Mouthwash before going to a dance.
Dave always uses listerine mouthwash before going to a dance.

Question 5:

While attending high school, Patrick studied history, chemistry, math 101, French, and literature.
While attending High School, Patrick studied history, chemistry, Math 101, French, and Literature.
While attending high school, Patrick studied history, chemistry, Math 101, French, and literature.

Punctuation Section

Question 6:

The dogs paw was injured when it stepped on some broken glass.
The dog's paw was injured when it stepped on some broken glass.
The dogs' paw was injured when it stepped on some broken glass.

Question 7:

Please address the envelope to Mr. John Walker, 376 Howard Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, H0H 0H0.
Please address the envelope to Mr. John Walker, 376 Howard Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia H0H-0H0.
Please address the envelope to Mr. John Walker, 376 Howard Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia H0H 0H0.

Question 8:

The son of an Italian immigrant, the CEO began his career at Procter & Gamble, which had its origin in Cincinnati.
The son of an Italian immigrant, the CEO began his career at Procter & Gamble which had its origin in Cincinnati.
The son of an Italian immigrant the CEO began his career at Procter & Gamble, which had its origin in Cincinnati.

Question 9:

“If I were you, Peter, I would not accept that offer,” said his boss, “We will increase your pay and give you a longer vacation.”
“If I were you, Peter, I would not accept that offer,” said his boss. “We will increase your pay and give you a longer vacation.”
“If I were you, Peter, I would not accept that offer”, said his boss. “We will increase your pay and give you a longer vacation.”

Question 10:

It was on January 12, 2009 at 4:53 p.m. that Haiti experienced a major earthquake with a loss of approximately 2,000,000 people.
It was on January 12, 2009, at 4:53 p.m. that Haiti experienced a major earthquake with a loss of approximately 2000000 people.
It was on January 12, 2009, at 4:53 p.m. that Haiti experienced a major earthquake with a loss of approximately 2,000,000 people.

Misused Words Section

Question 11:

Joey laid on the chesterfield for an hour while he had a nap.
Joey lay on the chesterfield for an hour while he had a nap.

Question 12:

There are fewer candidates running in the election this year than last year.
There are less candidates running in the election this year than last year.

Question 13:

The child was told to set on the chair for an hour as punishment.
The child was told to sit on the chair for an hour as punishment.

Question 14:

At the cottage we always raise the flag on Remembrance Day.
At the cottage we always rise the flag on Remembrance Day.

Question 15:

After the dog was bitten by a snake, the dog licked its wound.
After the dog was bitten by a snake, the dog licked it’s wound.

Sentence Structure Section

Question 16:

The grass in the field is quite green in the spring, and I like horseback riding.
The grass in the field is quite green in the spring. I like horseback riding.
The grass in the field is quite green in the spring; I like horseback riding.

Question 17:

Trying to avert an accident, the car was driven into the ditch.
Averting an accident, the car was driven into the ditch.
Trying to avert an accident, he drove the car into the ditch.

Question 18:

The blaze was extinguished before any damage was done by the local fire department.
The blaze was extinguished by the local fire department before any damage was done.

Question 19:

There is more to an education than studying each night, writing exams, and a degree.
There is more to an education than having to study each night, writing exams, and a degree.
There is more to an education than studying each night, writing exams, and getting a degree.

Question 20:

Everyone has to make his own decision about which model of car to purchase.
Everyone has to make their own decision about which model of car to purchase.
Each person has to make their own decision about which model of car to purchase.

Question 21:

At least one blogger suggested that the person who wrote the press release should lose their job.
At least one blogger suggested that the people who wrote the press release should lose their job.
At least one blogger suggested that the person who wrote the press release should lose her job.

Question 22:

We are helping small businesses keep their doors open, so that they can weather this economic storm.
And we are helping small businesses keep their doors open, so they can weather this economic storm.
And we help small businesses keep their doors open so they can weather this economic storm.

Question 23:

At the camp the boys played soccer, the girls played tennis.
At the camp the boys played soccer: the girls played tennis.
At the camp the boys played soccer; the girls played tennis.

Question 24:

The current provisions of this law support domestic violence.
The current provisions of this law supports domestic violence.

Question 25:

Neither the boys nor Sally was prepared for the competition.
Neither the boys nor Sally were prepared for the competition.

Pronoun Usage Section

Question 26:

Sheila and I decided to join the local gym to lose weight.
Sheila and myself decided to join the local gym to lose weight.

Question 27:

The gift was given to Thomas and he for Christmas.
The gift was given to Thomas and him for Christmas.

Question 28:

The responsibility for cleaning the driveway falls on us boys.
The responsibility for cleaning the driveway falls on we boys.

Question 29:

Everybody is responsible for his or her safety.
Everybody is responsible for their safety.

Question 30:

Neither Henry nor his sisters will share his ideas.
Neither Henry nor his sisters will share their ideas.

Question 31:

The driver of the car involved in the accident was he.
The driver of the car involved in the accident was him.

Question 32:

My sister, who is younger, is taller than I.
My sister, who is younger, is taller than me.

Question 33:

My parents disapprove of me driving the family car.
My parents disapprove of my driving the family car.

Question 34:

Let’s you and I go to the beach today.
Let’s you and me go to the beach today.

Question 35:

This is the pair of shoes that I purchased at Walmart.
This is the pair of shoes which I purchased at Walmart.