LAUGHTER .06 ENGLISH 2

Answer Key

Question 1 (Worth 5 points)

Called down to the office in the middle of the day, Sarah’s and Cody’s lockers had been vandalized so that the principal could ask them questions.

Is this sentence correct? If so, choose “No change is necessary.” If not, determine which answer choice correctly fixes the error.

 Sarah’s and Cody’s lockers had been vandalized and called down to the office in the middle of the day so that the principal could ask them questions.

 Called down to the office in the middle of the day, the principal wanted to ask Sarah and Cody questions because their lockers had been vandalized.

ANSWER - Because their lockers had been vandalized, Sarah and Cody were called down to the office in the middle of the day so that the principal could ask them questions.

 No change is necessary.

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 2 (Worth 5 points)

Using your knowledge of roots, choose the best word to complete the following sentence:

Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates are known for their _______________ to schools, libraries, and children’s organizations.

 hyperbole

 bureaucracy

 missive

ANSWER - philanthropy

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 3 (Worth 5 points)

Read the following short passage. Apply your vocabulary knowledge and use clues in the surrounding sentences to fill in the blanks with the word that fits best.

One reporter used her skills to probe the issue further; she asked just the right questions to get to the truth. She discovered a letter that helped her to break the story. It became evident that the senator’s _______________ was on many fronts. We learned that he used hypodermic needles to inject himself with illegal substances, and based on the terrible language he used in his letter, he was a truly hateful person.

 bibliophile

 acumen

 philanthropy

ANSWER - hypocrisy

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 4 (Worth 5 points)

Read the following short passage. Apply your vocabulary knowledge and use clues in the surrounding sentences to fill in the blanks with the word that fits best.

This time the accusations of the senator’s _______________ were no exaggeration. The first report came from a tabloid; everyone thought the rumors were the result of one of his enemy’s bitter lies, as his enemies often maligned him in the press.

 bureaucracy

ANSWER - malfeasance

 acumen

 visage

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 5 (Worth 5 points)

Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier?

 Fans celebrated the team’s victory by throwing parties in the streets and in their houses.

ANSWER - The newspaper headlines reported record high temperatures in section A.

 After being infected with a virus, the computer hard drive crashed.

 My favorite teacher was awarded several medals of honor for his service to the country.

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 6 (Worth 5 points)

A fitting mnemonic device for the word “deride” would be:

 roller coaster

 hair

ANSWER - mean laughter

 horse

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 7 (Worth 5 points)

Read the following short passage. Apply your vocabulary knowledge and use clues in the surrounding sentences to fill in the blanks with the word that fits best.

Previously we had respected him for his charity, but it turned out that his generosity was a sham. All who supported the senator now felt ridiculed for their loyalty. Based on the _______________ of everyone on Capitol Hill, we can conclude that all are shocked and saddened by this news.

ANSWER - visages

 acumen

 misanthropes

 bureaucracy

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 8 (Worth 5 points)

Using your knowledge of roots, choose the best word to complete the following sentence:

Sashi’s brothers always _______________ her for her strange habits.

 remit

 malign

 philosophize

ANSWER - ridicule

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 9 (Worth 5 points)

Identify the misplaced modifier in the following sentence:

The team needs to stop at several stores to buy picnic supplies and outdoor games on their way to the beach.

 The team needs to stop at several stores

 to buy picnic supplies

 and outdoor games

ANSWER - on their way to the beach.

Points earned on this question: 5

Question 10 (Worth 5 points)

Our cruise to the Bahamas was delayed due to the hurricane swirling in the Caribbean.

Is this sentence correct? If so, choose “No change is necessary.” If not, determine which answer choice correctly fixes the error.

 Swirling in the Caribbean, our cruise to the Bahamas was delayed due to the hurricane.

 Our cruise, swirling in the Caribbean, to the Bahamas was delayed due to the hurricane.

 Due to the hurricane, our cruise to the Bahamas was delayed swirling in the Caribbean.

ANSWER - No change is necessary.

Points earned on this question: 5