QUIZ : COMPREHENSION
1. Which of the following would the best title for the passage?
A.Webster’s Work C. Webster’s School
B. Webster’s Dictionary D. Webster’s Life
2. The word inadequate in paragraph 1 could best be replaced by
A. unavailable C. difficult
B. Expensive D. unsatisfactory
3. Why did Webster write A Grammatical Institutes of the English Language?
A. He wanted to supplement his income.
B. There were no books available after the Revolutionary War.
C. He felt that British books were not appropriate for American children.
D. The children did not know how to spell.
4. From which publication did Webster earn a lifetime income?
A. Compendious Dictionary of the English Language
B. An American Dictionary of the English Language
C. An American Dictionary of the English Language: Second Edition
D. The American Spelling Book
5. The word considerable in paragraph 1 most nearly means
A.large B. prestigious C. steady D. unexpected
6. When was An American Dictionary of the English Language published?
A. 1817 B. 1807 C. 1828 D. 1824
7. The word it in the paragraph 2 refers to
A.language. B. Usage C. Authority D. Dictionary
8. The word distinct in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
A. new B. simple C. different D. Exact
9. According to this passage, which one of the following spellings would Webster have approved in his dictionaries?
A. Develop B. Theatre C. Color D. Honor

Problem 42 Subject Pronouns

Remember personal pronouns used as the subject of a sentence or clause should be subject case pronouns.

Pronoun (subject) V

If the weather is good Ellen and I will go to the beach

Remember that the following pronouns are subject pronouns:

I; you; he/she; it; we; you; they

Avoid using an object pronoun as a subject.

Examples

Incorrect :When he comes back from vacation, Bob and me plan to look for

another apartment.

Correct :When he comes back from vacation, Bob and I plan to look for another

apartment.

Problem 43 Subject Pronouns in Complement Position

Remember that in complement position after the verb BE, a subject pronoun must be used.

It Be pronoun (subject)

It is he whom the committee has named

Avoid using an object pronoun instead of a subject pronoun after the verb BE.

Examples

Incorrect :It was her whom everyone wanted to win.

Correct :It was she whom everyone wanted to win.

Problem 44 Object Pronouns

Remember personal pronouns used as the complement of a sentence or clause should be object case pronouns.

S V pronoun (object)

They asked us, Jane and me, whether we were satisfie

Remember that the following pronouns are object pronouns:

me, you, her, him, it, us, you, them

Avoid using a subject pronoun as an object.

Let pronoun (object) V

Let us (you and me) try to reach an agreement

Avoid using a subject pronoun after let.

Examples

Incorrect :He always helps my wife and I with our tax returns.

Correct :He always helps my wife and mewith our tax returns.

Problem 45. Object Pronouns after prepositions

Remember personal pronouns used as the object of a preposition should be object case pronouns.

preposition pronoun (object)

I would be glad to take a massage for her

Remember that the following prepositions are commonly used with object pronouns:

among, between, for, from, of, to, with

Avoid using a subject pronoun instead of an object pronoun after a preposition.

Examples

Incorrect :The experiment proved to my lab partner and I that prejudices about

the results of an investigation are often unfounded.

Correct :The experiment proved to my lab partner and me that prejudices about

the results of an investigation are often

unfounded.

Problem 46. Possessive Pronouns Before –ing Forms

Remember that possessive pronouns are used before –ing nouns.

The following are possessive pronouns:

my, your, her, his, its, our, your, their

V Ph

S V pronouns (possessive) -ing form (noun)

We can count on her helping us

He regretted their misunderstanding him

Avoid using subject or object pronouns between the verb and the -ing form.

Examples

Incorrect :We don’t understand why you object to him coming with us.

Correct :We don’t understand why you object to his coming with us.

Problem 47 Possessive Pronouns Before Parts of the Body

Remember that possessive pronouns are used before the nouns that a part of the body.

pronoun (possessive) noun (part of the body)

He hurt his arm

Avoid using the instead of a possessive pronoun.

Examples

Incorrect :How did you twist the ankle?

Correct :How did you twist your ankle?

Problem 48 Relative Pronouns that Refer to Person and Things.

Remember that who is used to refer to persons, and which is used to refer to things.

someone who

She is the secretary who works in the international office

Avoid using which instead of who in reference to a person.

something which

This is the new typewriter which

you ordered

Avoid using who instead of which in reference to a thing.

Examples

Incorrect :The people which cheated on the examination had to leave the room.

Correct :The people who cheated on the examination had to leave the room.

Problem 49. Relative Pronouns that refer to Persons

Remember that both who and whom are used to refer persons. Who is used as the subject of a sentence or a clause. Whom is used as the complement of a sentence or a clause.

Whom is often used after a preposition as the object of the preposition.

who V

Everyone who took the tour was impressed by the paintings

Avoid using whom as the subject of a verb.

` whom V

He was the only American whom I saw at the conference

Avoid using who instead of whom before a subject and a verb.

Examples

Incorrect :I asked him who he was calling.

Correct :I asked him whom he was calling.

Problem 50 Reflexive Pronouns

Remember that reflexive pronouns may be used when both the subject and the complement refer to the same person or thing. Reflexive pronouns are used as the complement of a sentence or a clause or as the object of preposition. The following are reflexive pronouns:

Myself; yourself; himself; herself; itself;

ourselves; yourselves; themselves

S V pronoun (reflexive)

Some language learners can correct themselves

Avoid using object pronouns or possessive pronouns instead of reflexive pronouns.

Examples

Incorrect :Be careful or you will hurt to

you.

Correct :Be careful or you will hurt toyourself.

Problem 51 Reciprocal Pronouns

Remember that the reciprocal pronouns phrase each other may be used when the plural subject and complement refer to the same persons or things, and they are performing a reciprocal (mutual) act.

S V pronoun (reciprocal)

My sister and I visit each other about once a week

Remember that each other is used to express mutual acts for all persons. One another is also correct.

Examples

Incorrect :Family members love to each other.

Correct :Family members love each other.