Directions: Correct the following sentences (if necessary) and give reasons for your corrections.
Question 1: Will any member who has not done so please cast their votes now?
Answer: Will any member who has not done so please cast his vote now? [Noun-Pronoun Agreement]
Question 2: Inspired by the theories of French philosophers, the ringing phrases of the Declaration of Independence testifies to an idealistic view of man’s potential as a social animal.
Answer: Inspired by the theories of French philosophers, the ringing phrases of the Declaration of Independence testify to an idealistic view of man’s potential as a social animal. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Question 3: Such rules do not apply to you and I.
Answer: Such rules do not apply to you and me. [Pronoun Case]
Question 4: To get young children to swallow pills are very difficult for most mothers to manage.
Answer: To get young children to swallow pills is very difficult for most mothers to manage.
[Clause as Subject]
Question 5: The absence of access ramps for wheelchairs in both public buildings or restaurants causes much difficulty for the handicapped.
Answer: The absence of access ramps for wheelchairs in both public buildings and restaurants causes much difficulty for the handicapped. [Use of Correlative Conjunctions]
Question 6: He said that, if he were me, he would certainty undertake it.
Answer: He said that, if he were I, he would certainty undertake it. [Pronoun Case]
Question 7: The reason tourism in Singapore has dropped by three to four percent is because prosperity in that East Asian nation has raised prices of hotels and other amenities.
Answer: The reason tourism in Singapore has dropped by three to four percent is that prosperity in that East Asian nation has raised prices of hotels and other amenities. [Use of Conjunction or Pronoun]
Question 8: In this year the monsoon failed, which caused a terrible famine throughout the provinces.
Answer: The failure of the monsoon this year caused a terrible famine throughout the provinces.
[Use of Relative Pronouns]
Question 9: Although William Jennings Bryan did not speak precisely like the people spoke, they nonetheless viewed him as one of their own and rejected his opponents as suspiciously over-educated.
Answer: Although William Jennings Bryan did not speak precisely as the people spoke, they nonetheless viewed him as one of their own and rejected his opponents as suspiciously over-educated.
[Use of Conjunction or Preposition]
Question 10: He advised each of them to look after their own interests in this matter.
Answer: He advised each of them to look after his own interests in this matter. [Pronoun Consistency]
Question 11: Six weeks are a long time to wait for delivery.
Answer: Six weeks is a long time to wait for delivery. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Question 12: Liquor companies are now producing low-alcohol wines and nonalcoholic products; it is a response to a growing moderation of all social habits and an interest in health and fitness.
Answer: Liquor companies are now producing low-alcohol wines and nonalcoholic products in response to a growing moderation of all social habits and an interest in health and fitness. [Use of Preposition or Pronoun]
Question 13: The remarks of the officer savour with hypocrisy.
Answer: The remarks of the officer savour of hypocrisy. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 14: I see that fish and chips are on the menu for lunch.
Answer: I see that fish and chips is on the menu for lunch. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Question 15: Although her first business, a health food store, went bankrupt, but she eventually launched a successful mail-order business.
Answer: Although her first business, a health food store, went bankrupt, (but) she eventually launched a successful mail-order business.
