| Exemplary Prose: |
| Essential Writing Skills in Context |
Use correct verb forms with regard to tense consistency, mood, tense form, and
plurality; apply knowledge of verb conjugation of both regular verbs and
common irregular verbs.
The beauty of the HSGQE is that you, as a high school student, are not expected to be an expert in grammar. if you could show a practical knowledge of grammar, while at the same time demonstrating articulation through your writing, it is my belief that you will do fine on this exam. However, you will be asked to recognize the correct use of certain parts of speech, and since verbs are the butter in the bread and butter of our language (Can you guess what the bread is?), it behooves you to have a strong background in verbs. If you are interested in learning and, or, practicing, verbs, navigate yourself to the verb section on the Grammar Rules page elsewhere on this CD.
Below are 3 examples concerning verbs, taken directly from the HSGQE writing practice tests.
1. Directions: There are two mistakes in this paragraph.
Draw a line through each mistake and write the correction above it.
To view the answer, click here.
2. (1) Many people believe trains to be one of the most
romantic ways to travel in the world. (2) Once a necessary means of
transportation to the west, trains have become carriers more of freight than of
people. (3) Trains took longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
(4) They are, however, the preferred mode of travel for people who are more
interested in style than speed.
Which is the best way to write Sentence 3?
A. Trains used to take longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
B. Trains take longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
C. Trains have been taking longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
D. Best as it is: Trains took longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
The Sleeping Lady
(1) One day when the land was still populated
by giants, a young warrior and a beautiful girl fell in love. (2) They planned
for the day when they could marry and having children. (3) Unfortunately, their
people were at war with a neighboring people, and the young man had to leave his
beautiful maiden for battle. (4) Battles revealed a man's true character. (5)
She sat down to wait for him and soon fell asleep. (6) He never returned, but
she can still be seen lying down. (7) She is waiting for her young warrior to
return.
Choose the best way to write Sentence 2.
A. They planning for the day when they could marry and have children.
B. They planned for the day when they could marry and have children.
C. They planned for the day when they could marry and to have children.
D. Best as it is: They planned for the day when they could marry and having children.
The passage should read as follows:
Summers in Alaska are warm and beautiful, and there are many things to do outside. I can fish with my friends and go hiking. Most people enjoy the five months with no snow. Return to 1.
Answer: The correct answer is B.
Trains take longer to traverse long distances than modern planes.
This question tests your ability to recognize errors in verb tense. The paragraph is written in present tense, yet line three incorrectly reverts to past tense. Return to 2.
Correct answer: The correct answer is B.
They planned for the day when they could marry and have children.
This question primarily tests your knowledge of verb tenses, and parallel structures. Sentence A is incorrect because "planning" is present tense. The infinitive "to have" is an inappropriate verb choice in sentence C as it makes the sentence not parallel. Return to 3.