tsia2 reading and writing practice test 2

A placement test used in Texas to assess a student's readiness for college-level coursework in math, reading, and writing.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.
Although she had not grown up playing soccer, Jeanette was such an outstanding athlete, she scored more goals than any other member of the soccer team.
  • A. athlete, she
  • B. athlete, she had
  • C. athlete that
  • D. athlete that she
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D

Option D, "athlete that she," effectively introduces a defining clause that clarifies Jeanette's exceptional abilities. The word "that" connects her status as an athlete to her achievement, emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship. Option A, "athlete, she," lacks a connector, making the sentence feel abrupt and incomplete. Option B, "athlete, she had," introduces unnecessary past tense that does not align with the context of her current achievements. Option C, "athlete that," is missing a crucial pronoun, making it grammatically incorrect. Thus, D provides the most coherent and grammatically sound structure.

Other Related Questions

He was an outstanding public speaker he was also a talented writer.
  • A. He was an outstanding public speaker
  • B. He was an outstanding public speaker,
  • C. An outstanding public speaker,
  • D. An outstanding public speaker and
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

Option B is the only choice that correctly uses a comma to connect two independent clauses. The sentence requires a comma before the conjunction "he" to clarify that two distinct ideas are being presented. Option A lacks the necessary punctuation, making it an incomplete thought. Option C is a fragment, as it does not form a complete sentence and lacks a verb. Option D is also a fragment; it starts with a noun phrase but does not complete the thought, leaving the reader without a full understanding of the statement. Proper punctuation is essential for clarity and coherence in writing.
The historic town library is just passed the intersection of Main Street and the more residential Frederick Street.
  • A. passed
  • B. pass
  • C. past
  • D. passing
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

In this context, "past" is the appropriate choice as it refers to a location beyond a point—in this case, the intersection. - **A: passed** is the past tense of "pass," which does not fit the sentence's need for a preposition indicating location. - **B: pass** is the base form of the verb and does not convey the intended meaning of being beyond the intersection. - **D: passing** suggests an ongoing action, which is not suitable here as the sentence describes a static location relative to the intersection. Thus, "past" effectively communicates that the library is located beyond the intersection.
Our math teacher claimed that calculus, despite its complexities, were as easy as any other subject.
  • A. were as
  • B. was as
  • C. is to be
  • D. to be
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B

In this context, the subject "calculus" is singular, so it requires a singular verb form. "Was as" correctly matches the singular subject, indicating that calculus is being compared to other subjects in the past. Option A, "were as," incorrectly uses the plural verb "were," which does not agree with the singular noun "calculus." Option C, "is to be," implies a future action or state, which does not fit the intended meaning of comparing past experiences. Option D, "to be," lacks a verb and does not form a complete thought, making it grammatically incorrect.
The retired government official spoke_______ about foreign policy and international trade.
  • A. as knowing
  • B. in knowledge
  • C. knowledgeably
  • D. knowledgeable
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C

Option C, "knowledgeably," is the appropriate choice as it is an adverb that describes how the retired government official spoke, indicating that he did so with knowledge and expertise. Option A, "as knowing," is grammatically incorrect in this context; it does not fit the structure of the sentence. Option B, "in knowledge," is awkward and does not function as an adverb, failing to appropriately modify the verb "spoke." Option D, "knowledgeable," is an adjective and does not correctly modify the verb, making it unsuitable for this sentence structure.