Mrs.+Barkey's+Testing+Tip+Sheet

Exit Exam Study Guide Most Commonly Missed Language Questions * Pay attention to the directions (they switch throughout the test). This is the most common mistake made on tests.


 * In finding the __//error//__, look for problems with apostrophes or commas.


 * If finding the __//most vivid//__ way of writing, choose the "fanciest" adjectives.

Ex: The //__ring- billed__// gulls //__swooped__// down to __//McDonald's//__ parking lot for __//french fries//__. (vivid) The gulls flew to the fast food place for scraps. (not vivid)


 * If finding the sentence written the //__most concisely__//, choose the shorter, most direct.


 * If finding a //__parallel sentence__//, choose the sentence that is written the same way on both sides of the conjunction.

Ex: His concerns involved __//sleeping too late//__ and __//failing the exam//__.


 * If using //active/passive// voice, remember-

**__Passive__**- the long way of speaking, putting the subject last= **Least Effective** (ex: The baseball was thrown by Joe.) direct object- verb- subject

**__Active__**- the most direct way of speaking, putting the subject first = **Most Effective** (ex: Joe threw the baseball.) subject-verb- direct object

*If making the __//description stronger//__ or choosing the most __//appropriate description//__, avoide cliche's and sayings. Ex: The glass __broke into a hundred pieces__ when I dropped it. (INCORRECT) The glass __shattered__ when I dropped it. (CORRECT)

*To double check contractions, break them down into separate words. Ex: She __don't__ like homework. = She __do not__ like homework. (INCORRECT)

plural ownership = s' as in __two boys' hats__
 * Apostrophe rules: singular ownership= 's as in __one boy's hat__ //Exception: Words such as men's, women's, children's//


 * Modifiers: look to see if the words before the comma matches the nouns a after it

Ex: __Hit by the car__, __the bird__ could still fly. (CORRECT) __Riding a horse__, __her muscles__ were sore. (INCORRECT)

Ex: I just want a cookie. (INCORRECT) I want just a cookie. (CORRECT) She only told her friend. (INCORRECT) She told only her friend. (CORRECT) He almost cut all of the grass. (INCORRECT) He cut almost all of the grass. (CORRECT)
 * Words such as "just", "only", and "almost" are usually located AFTER the action word in the sentence.


 * There = a place (over there) Their= they own something (their car) They're= they are (They're here!)

*Subject-verb agreement- Ignore prepositional phrases! Ex: Most __of the mud__ is on the rug. (Most is) The bird __in the bushes__ was singing. (Bird was)

* "Here" and "There"- flip the sentences to find subject-verb agreement. Ex: Here come the members. The members come here.

Ex: Did __//either//__ of the girls find (__//**her**///__their)? //__Nobody__// saw (//__his__///their) reflection. __//Someone//__ needs to bring (__//her//__/their) excuse. __One__ of the dogs buried //__(its__///their) bone.
 * Pronouns- match the subject pronouns with the antecedent pronouns. Look carefully at singular forms.

Theirselves (INCORRECT) HISSELF (INCORRECT) BRUNG (INCORRECT) AIN'T (INCORRECT) Themselves Himself- Brought-- Isn't
 * INCORRECT WORD USAGE

Ex: I //__was ready__// for the party, so we //__leave__// early. (INCORRECT- past & present tense) I was ready for the party, so we left early. (CORRECT- both in past tense)
 * Verb forms must have the same tense (occur at the same time)

Ex: "song" "chapter" "article" "poem"
 * Short work= quotation marks (short marks)

Ex: __Novel Title__, __Magazine Title__, __Newspaper Title,__ __Movie Title__
 * Long works=underline (long line)

Ex: My favorite fruits __are__: apples, oranges, and bananas. (INCORRECT). My favorite fruits __are as follows__: apples, oranges, and bananas. (CORRECT)
 * Colons- use with words such as "by the following", "as follows", or "these". NEVER USE COLONS AFTER VERBS

- Use commas with a conjunction ONLY to separate COMPLETE SENTENCES Ex: __The game was over__, but __the crowd refused to leave__.
 * Commas

-Use commas after an introductory clause or phrase (look for intro. words). Ex:While I was eating, -- When the rain stopped, ---Because the clock was broken, If you are ill, - As I was saying,

-Use commas in the middle to set off clauses and phrases Ex:That Tuesday, __which happens to be my birthday,__ is due for bad weather.

-Use commas to set off a contrasting statement. Ex: He is merely ignorant, __not stupid__.

-Use commas to set off quotes. Ex: "I was able," she answered, "to complete the work."

-Before "because" or "that". --- She cried, because she was so upset. (INCORRECT) She said that she was sorry. (CORRECT) -With conjunctions if it is not a compound sentence.--- I turned the corner,and ran away. (INCORRECT)
 * DO NOT USE COMMAS**:

Verb Tense- Think of all 3 tenses Base Form-Present Participle-Past---Past Participle
 * ** Go ** || ** Going ** || ** Went ** || ** Has Gone ** ||
 * ** Swim ** || ** Swimming ** || ** Swam ** || ** Has Swum ** ||
 * ** Bring ** || ** Bringing ** || ** Brought ** || ** Has Brought ** ||
 * ** Run ** || ** Running ** || ** Ran ** || ** Has Ran ** ||
 * ** Leave ** || ** Leaving ** || ** Left ** || ** Has Left ** ||
 * ** Eat ** || ** Eating ** || ** Ate ** || ** Has Eaten ** ||
 * ** Drink ** || ** Drank ** || ** Drunk ** || ** Has Drunk ** ||