Grammar short course writing evaluationName:Date:

This evaluation will help me get a better sense of your basic writing skills. The evaluation has two parts: The beginning is divided into three-question sections, and the rest is divided into three parts that evaluate your spelling, vocabulary and grammar, and punctuation and style. Please don’t think of this as a test; it’s just a guide for me to know the areas where you may need special help.

SECTION ONEHighlight the version of each sentence that correctly uses commas between items in a series. 1.

The sign at the trailhead dictated that all hikers had to have proper equipment, such as a first aid kit, a whistle, a map and a compass.

The sign at the trailhead dictated that all hikers had to have proper equipment, such as a first aid kit a whistle a map and a compass.

The sign at the trailhead dictated that all hikers had to have proper equipment, such as a first aid kit, a whistle, a map, and a compass.

2. In addition, the sign told us not to wear cotton clothing, jeans or sneakers. In addition, the sign told us not to wear cotton, clothing, jeans, or sneakers. In addition, the sign told us not to wear cotton clothing, jeans, or sneakers.

3. Three members of the group—Fran, Jeremy, and Dave—were underprepared, but Gail

and Pete had brought along extra gear. Three members of the group—Fran Jeremy and Dave—were underprepared, but Gail and

Pete had brought along extra gear. Three members of the group—Fran, Jeremy and Dave—were underprepared, but Gail

and Pete had brought along extra gear.

From each of the following word-group pairs, highlight the sentence fragment. 1. Emily was a little nervous about Monday. Her first day at her new job.

Emily was a little nervous about Monday. Her first day at her new job.

2. She had a hard time sleeping the night before. Worrying that she was not really qualified for her new position.

She had a hard time sleeping the night before. Worrying that she was not really qualified for her new position.

3. Because she had all the skills the job required. She knew it was silly to worry.

Because she had all the skills the job required. She knew it was silly to worry.

Choose the sentence in each pair that correctly uses that or which. 1.

George’s car, which was getting old, was stolen last night. George’s car which was getting old was stolen last night.

2. The street, which George parked his car on, was well lit. The street that George parked his car on was well lit.

3. The lights that lit up the street were broken in the morning. The lights, which lit up the street, were broken in the morning.

4. When is the time that is right for dancing? When is the time which is right for dancing?

5. Among my new classes, I am taking algebra, which is challenging. The new class which I am taking is challenging.

Highlight the correct sentence in each pair that correctly uses that or who.1.

The woman who sold her house is no longer my neighbor. I miss the cat who lived next door.

2. I haven’t had many interactions with the man that bought her house. I haven’t had many interactions with the man who bought her house.

3. There are a lot of people that think they know how to spell. There are a lot of people who think they know how to spell.

4. I haven’t met a police officer who I didn’t like. I haven’t met a police officer that I didn’t like.

Highlight the coordinating conjunction that most logically links the two parts of each compound sentence.

1. Today, many people write to record their feelings and ideas, _____ writing was invented as a way to keep more accurate business records.

But and for nor or so

2. Writing was invented about 5,000 years ago, _____ it originated in Sumer in the region we now call the Middle East.

But and for nor or so

3. Sumerians did not keep complete accounts of their belongings, _____ did they make detailed records of their business transactions.

But and for nor or so

Highlight the pronoun that agrees with the compound antecedent in each sentence. 1. Parents and educators are expressing ____ concerns about children’s exposure to violence.

its their

2. A movie or a game may be harmful because of ____ violent images, som e people believe. their its

3. Some parents and teachers express ____ complaints to companies that make violent movies, toys and games.

their its

For each sentence, highlight the correct verb.1. Oceans ____ three-quarters of the earth's surface.

cover covers

2. Yet most people ____ very little about the oceans and what they contain. know knows

3. A thousand seagulls ____ flying overhead. is are

4. Even scientists constantly ____ new things about ocean life. discover discovers

5. Each of the scientists ____ glasses. wears wear

In each of the following pairs, highlight the sentence in which each word is used precisely and correctly. 1.

As football season came at an end, many fans muttered about the coach’s performance. As football season came to an end, many fans muttered about the coach’s performance.

2. The coach had repeatedly failed to aspire the team to victory. The coach had repeatedly failed to inspire the team to victory.

3. Although the quarterback could move with amazing speed when he wanted to, during

some games his movements were lethargic. Although the quarterback could move like greased lightning when he wanted to, during

some games he was as slow as molasses in January.

Highlight the correct verb form for each sentence.1. The horrors of World War I ____ some artists that European society had to change radically.

convinced were convincing

2. Their reaction at first ____ of musical and performance events they called the Cabaret Voltaire.

consist consisted

3. Soon, however, the most influential members of the group ____ to focus on visual art. began begun

SECTION TWOPart 1: SpellingHighlight the correctly spelled word from each set of commonly misspelled words.1. (a) argument (b) arguement2. (a) achieve (b) acheive3. (a) definately (b) definitely4. (a) seperate (b) separate5 (a) development (b) devlopement6. (a) existance (b) existence

7. (a) occasion (b) occassion8. (a) receive (b) recieve9. (a) privilege ` (b) priviledge10. (a) dependent (b) dependant11. (a) acccommodate (b) accomodate 12. (a) occurence (b) occurrence13. (a) embarrassment (b) embarassment 14. (a) alright (b) all right15. (a) forty (b) fourty

Part 2: Word usageThe 10 sentences below contain sets of commonly misused words. Highlight the words that are correct.

16. The purse and shoes (complement/compliment) the outfit.

17. This would be a good (cite/sight/site) for a picnic.

18. They wondered why (your/you’re) being so (ellusive/illusive) about your feelings.

19. The mass media (are/is) likely to (affect/effect) the team’s (moral/morale).

20. This is the first year the (freshman/freshmen) class is allowed to participate in student elections.

21. Robert Reed’s business plan identifies the (principle/principal) role of Reed’s Rules of Order.

22.Potatoes (that/which) are grown in Idaho are (notorious/famous) for their quality.

23. Neither the reporters (or/nor) the editor (were/was) pleased with the article as it was written.

24. He didn’t seem to understand the (affect/effect) of his actions.

25. He traveled (farther/further) into the Wild West than any other explorer to look (farther/further) into rumors that gold was hidden in the Rocky Mountains.

Part 3: Grammar, punctuation and AP styleThe following sentences contain grammar, punctuation, spelling and AP style errors. Some sentences contain multiple errors. Rewrite each to correct the mistakes.

26. Mark Jones’ game the ring to his girlfriend that he had won in a poker gameMark Jones gave his girlfriend the ring he won in a poker game.

27. “Why wait until we graduate”, asked the student?“Why wait until we graduate,” the student asked.

28. Coach Williams said “Their probably a better team and the better team won”.“They’re probably a better team, and the better team won,” Coach Williams said.

29. The twins’ began their running career’s in the sixth grade.The twins’ running careers began in the sixth grade.

30. “We wanted to build the tallest building in the world, now are dream is complete”. said he.“We wanted to build the tallest building in the world, now our dream is complete,” he said.

31. At the beginning of every class the instructer takes attendance.The instructor takes attendance at the beginning of every class.

32. The Football Team lost their first game of the year.The football team lost its first game.

33. The group of twelve strangers, were quickly organized into a team.The group of 12 strangers was quickly organized into a team.

34. The man whom police believe took the money, couldn’t be found.The man who police believe took the money couldn’t be found.

35. He abandoned George Bushs car near a couple pretzel stands.He abandoned George Bush’s car near a couple of pretzel stands.