ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page i ENGLISH TO THE MAX ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page ii ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page iii ENGLISH TO THE MAX 1,200 PRACTICE QUESTIONS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ENGLISH POWER ® NE W Y O RK ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page iv Copyright © 2008 LearningExpress, LLC. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: English to the max: 1,200 practice questions to maximize your English power.
English language—Examinations, questions, etc.0076—dc22 2008012379 Printed in the United States of America 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 First Edition For more information or to place an order, contact LearningExpress at: 2 Rector Street 26th Floor New York, NY 10006 Or visit us at: www.com ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page v Contents Introduction 1 Chapter 1: Punctuation Power-Up 3 Chapter 2: Agreement 19 Chapter 3: Modifiers—Are Yours Misplaced or Dangling? 37 Chapter 4: Sentence Sense 45 Chapter 5: Building Paragraphs from the Ground Up 123 Chapter 6: Acing the Essay 179 Chapter 7: Writing Boot Camp 195 Chapter 8: Literary Response Writing Prompts 267 Chapter 9: Critical Reading 293 Glossary 429 v ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page vi ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page vii ENGLISH TO THE MAX ETTM_00_FM1_i-viii.QXD:RE_edition.QXD 7/1/08 1:49 PM Page viii ETTM_01_001_036.QXD:GED Test series 7/1/08 1:50 PM Page 1 Introduction T H E P R O L I F I C W R I T E R and inventor Benjamin Franklin once said: “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” As Franklin astutely pointed out, preparation is the key to success. English to the Max: 1,200 Practice Questions to Maximize Your English Power prepares you for success by powering up your verbal, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through intensive English review and practice. Mas- tering the assignments in this book will help you succeed on many levels: in your language arts classes, on assessment and entrance exams, in the data-driven multimedia college and workplace environment that you will be entering in the near future, and as a lifelong learner. To help you reach your goals, this handbook offers several features: ■ a streamlined review of punctuation, modifiers, subject-verb agreement, tense agreement, and antecedent- pronoun agreement, with practice questions organized at increasing levels of difficulty ■ lessons on sentence structure basics and pointers on identifying contextual clues in sentence-completion test questions ■ paragraph development lessons with practice exercises targeted at different skill levels ■ individualized mini-lessons and writing prompts for three common essay forms—persuasive, expository, and narrative—including essay models and detailed rubrics for scoring ■ 77 literary response writing prompts for use in timed practice writing sessions ■ a chapter on essay writing with guidelines for crafting first-rate introductory, supporting, and concluding paragraphs ■ a revision checklist for use during essay writing practice ■ critical reading passages featuring intensive targeted reading and critical analysis practice 1 ETTM_01_001_036.QXD:GED Test series 7/1/08 1:50 PM Page 2 – ENGLISH TO THE MAX– ■ supplementary “Get a Grip” grammar, research, or symbols (such as +++▲♥$6Å##!?//<>) by impor- writing, and reading sidebars featuring useful tant words or sentences.
information It’s also suggested that you purchase a minute ■ “Word Bite” definitions throughout the book timer so that you can time your writing practices. ■ a multimedia grammar resource list Timed writing practices ranging from 15 to 30 min- ■ a vocabulary-building list of supplementary utes will accustom you to outlining, brainstorming, multimedia resources and writing under pressure. ■ a literary devices crossword puzzle English to the Max covers a lot of ground, but ■ a multicultural enrichment reading list featur- if you really want to excel in your studies, it’s im- ing titles geared to middle school to high school portant to get into the habit of reading. Do you level read the daily newspaper? Read the movie reviews ■ detailed answer keys and study the way the critic analyzes the movie fail- ■ a glossary ures and the movies that are destined for Oscar gold.
Do you like to read people’s opinions about How should you use this book? First, set a goal. the latest news and events? Head straight to the edi- What are you trying to achieve? By the time the mid- torial section and dig right in! If you’ve had a bad dle school years roll around, most students are well day at school and you need a laugh, the comics sec- aware of their grasp of grammar (or lack thereof) or tion will cheer you up. And if you think that car- their ability (or inability) to create a terrific lead sen- toons are just for kids, you might be interested to tence. Are you an English hater? Would you rather know that there are plenty of adults who enjoy slurp curdled milk spiked with cayenne pepper than reading or watching their favorite cartoons.
Bart write an essay? Or are you a book fiend who burns Simpson rules! through the reading list like a fire blazing through a It is highly recommended that you supplement parched forest? Are you good at grammar? Do you the lessons and practice sessions in this book with at ace your essays? Now think about the areas where a least a half hour of supplementary reading per day. To little extra rehab is needed. Do you need help un- help you achieve your reading goals, we’ve included blocking writer’s block? Do you mangle your modi- an enrichment reading list in Chapter 9, “Critical fiers? Do you know what a modifier is? Reading,” to help you find appropriate reading selec- Unless you are in dire danger of failing a class be- tions. Enjoy! cause of a particularly weak area, it is strongly recom- mended that you tackle the chapters in this book in chronological order.
LearningExpress encourages you to highlight the tips and passages that are most essen- Get a Grip Study Tip tial to your particular area of focus. Don’t be afraid to create graffiti around the borders of the pages by doo- While you are studying, it’s okay to listen to dling notes and spotlighting important passages with soft classical music, but be sure to turn off gobs of neon highlighter. You might want to place a your cell phone and other electronic devices double underline under the words or sentences that until your study period is over. you want to focus on or place your own personal notes 2 ETTM_01_001_036.QXD:GED Test series 7/1/08 1:50 PM Page 3 C H A P T E R 1 Punctuation Power-Up T O DAY ’ S DATA - D R I V E N I N F O R M AT I O N A G E demands stronger reading and writing skills.
Being able to think clearly and to create interesting content is important. Having a good grasp of the rules of punctuation is equally essential. You don’t have to love punctuation; you just have to respect it a little. The best way to master punctuation and sentence mechanics is to learn the basic rules and use those rules during daily writing practice.
You might also consider taking passages from books and copying them into your notebooks to reinforce the patterns of proper punctuation and sen- tence structure. Mastering the intricacies of the English language is a gradual process that will become easier and more rewarding as your proficiency increases, and as you grow more confident in your abilities. Because becoming an active reader and writer is crucial to achieving success in language arts, it is suggested that you make reading and writing important parts of your daily activities by reading a wide variety of media and by taking advantage of some of the supplementary material listed in the Chapter 3 resource list. The following is a quick reference guide.
We suggest you read the entire guide before moving on to other sections.QXD:GED Test series 7/1/08 1:50 PM Page 4 – ENGLISH TO THE MAX– Period (.) ■ Place an exclamation point after an interjection. ■ Periods signal that a sentence has come to a → Wow! complete stop. → Sentences that do not require a ■ Exclamation marks are placed inside quotation question mark or exclamation point should end marks only when they are part of the direct with a period. → Melissa screamed “Help!” when her bi- ■ A period is used to indicate a decimal.
→ a GPA cycle’s rain-soaked brakes unexpectedly failed.9 ■ A period separates dollars and cents. → The Quotation Marks (“ ”) price of the loaf of bread is $2. ■ When using a direct quote from an outside ■ A period follows an initial in a name. → Is source, place double quotation marks around Robert W.
Smith here today? the speaker’s words, and use a comma or colon ■ A period indicates that a word is being used in directly before the quote. → The local news an- abbreviated form. → Diva Apparel & Accessory chor reported: “Retailers are responding to lack- Co. luster consumer spending by slashing prices on ■ Use a period to end a command.
→ Take this apparel, electronics, and household goods.” book to Mrs. ■ The titles of chapters, articles, poems, songs, ■ Use a period to separate letters in abbreviations. and short stories require quotation marks. [common era] “The Road Not Taken” ■ The rules of American standard English dictate Question Mark (?) that periods and commas are always placed in- ■ Always place a question mark at the end of a di- side (before) end quotation marks, whereas rect question.
→ What kind of maintenance sentence structure determines placement of schedule should I follow? other punctuation, such as question marks and ■ When a question includes a direct quote, the colons. → “I like to listen to hip-hop classics by question mark of the overall sentence is placed Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, and Eminem,” said Lisa. outside (after) the end quotation mark. → Did ■ When punctuating dialogue—conversations Mr.
Keats say, “The reading assignment is due on between two or more speakers—enclose each the last Friday of November”? speaker’s words in quotation marks. ■ If a direct quotation is itself a question, the ■ Use single quotation marks when enclosing question mark is placed inside (before) the end quoted material inside a direct quotation. → Mark asked, “Does anyone When John and I discussed the writings of Henry want more soda?” David Thoreau, he remarked, “I especially appre- ciate Thoreau’s sentiment: ‘The bluebird carries Exclamation Point (!) the sky on his back.’ ” ■ Place an exclamation point after a word, phrase, or sentence that requires extra emphasis or one that conveys an especially strong emotion. → That car is speeding out of control! 4 ETTM_01_001_036.QXD:GED Test series 7/1/08 1:50 PM Page 5 – PUNCTUATION POWER-UP– Semicolon (;) Apostrophe (’) ■ Use a semicolon to separate individual items or ■ Use an apostrophe when letters have been word groups in a series containing commas.
→ It’s [It is] time for a change. Field trips are planned for Monday, May 5; Tues- ■ An apostrophe is used with an s at the end of a day, May 6; and Wednesday, May 7. word in order to indicate ownership. → On the ■ Use a semicolon before adverbial connectives day she was absent, Ms.
Carlson’s homeroom class such as however, nevertheless, and therefore join- was very unruly. ing together two independent clauses. → Cheryl ■ Only an apostrophe is added to a plural word tried out for cheerleading with her arm in a cast; ending with an s to indicate ownership. → The nevertheless, her routine dazzled the judges.
books’ pages were scattered across the floor. Colon (:) Comma (,) ■ Use a colon directly in front of a listing of a se- The best way to learn to use commas properly is to ries of items.