CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "Her carefully prepared presentation impressed the panel."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. Her carefully prepared presentation
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: C
"Her carefully prepared presentation" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "presentation".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "The possibility of further rain worried the farmers."
A. the main verb
B. The possibility of further rain
C. an adverb phrase
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: B
"The possibility of further rain" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "possibility".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "A series of unexpected events delayed the project."
A. A series of unexpected events
B. the main verb
C. an adverb phrase
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: A
"A series of unexpected events" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "series".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "Several highly qualified applicants attended the interview."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. a dependent clause
D. Several highly qualified applicants
Correct Answer: D
"Several highly qualified applicants" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "applicants".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "The sudden change in weather surprised everyone."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. The sudden change in weather
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: C
"The sudden change in weather" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "change".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which statement about phrases is correct?
A. A phrase can never contain another phrase
B. A phrase may contain clauses or smaller phrases as components
C. A phrase must always be only two words long
D. Every phrase must begin with a function word
Correct Answer: B
Phrase structure can be recursive: a phrase may include smaller phrases and, in some cases, clauses as modifiers or complements.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is most likely a complement of a verb?
A. on his friends in 'He relies on his friends'
B. in the morning
C. with great enthusiasm
D. after the meeting
Correct Answer: A
The verb 'rely' conventionally selects 'on + noun phrase'; the prepositional phrase is its complement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is most likely a complement of a noun?
A. very equal
B. believe strongly
C. after equality
D. the belief in equality
Correct Answer: D
'In equality' specifies the content of the noun 'belief' and functions as its complement/postmodifier.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is most likely a complement of an adjective?
A. after lunch
B. very slowly
C. interested in science
D. the new science book
Correct Answer: C
The prepositional phrase 'in science' completes the meaning of the adjective 'interested'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is most likely an adjunct of manner?
A. the end of the road
B. with remarkable patience
C. to win the match
D. proud of his son
Correct Answer: B
'With remarkable patience' tells how an action is performed.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is most likely an adjunct of time?
A. during the winter
B. afraid of spiders
C. a glass of water
D. to become a doctor
Correct Answer: A
'During the winter' can be added optionally to tell when an event occurs.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
A phrase that adds optional information such as time, place, or manner is commonly called what?
A. Subject
B. Determiner
C. Copula
D. Adjunct
Correct Answer: D
Adjuncts are optional modifiers that add circumstantial information.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
A phrase that is required by the meaning of its head is commonly called what?
A. Adjunct only
B. Conjunction
C. Complement
D. Interjection
Correct Answer: C
A complement is selected or strongly licensed by the head and completes its meaning.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase contains a determiner, adjective, and noun in that order?
A. very difficult
B. the difficult question
C. under pressure
D. to answer quickly
Correct Answer: B
'The' is a determiner, 'difficult' an adjective, and 'question' the head noun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase shows coordination within a phrase?
A. books and magazines
B. under the table
C. to read quietly
D. very carefully
Correct Answer: A
'Books and magazines' coordinates two nouns within a larger noun phrase.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is headed by an adjective?
A. the certainty of success
B. with certainty
C. succeed with certainty
D. certain of success
Correct Answer: D
'Certain' is the head adjective; 'of success' complements it.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase is headed by a preposition?
A. the boundary
B. very distant
C. beyond the boundary
D. to cross the boundary
Correct Answer: C
'Beyond' is the head preposition governing the noun phrase 'the boundary'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
In 'a desire to succeed', the infinitive phrase functions most nearly as what?
A. An adverb of place
B. A complement/postmodifier of the noun 'desire'
C. The finite predicate
D. A coordinating conjunction
Correct Answer: B
The infinitive phrase completes or specifies the meaning of the noun 'desire'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase contains a gerund followed by its object?
A. solving difficult problems
B. to solve difficult problems
C. problems solved quickly
D. has solved problems
Correct Answer: A
When 'solving difficult problems' functions as a noun, 'solving' is a gerund and 'problems' is its object.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which phrase contains a present participle functioning adjectivally?
A. to glow in the dark
B. glowing in the dark is useful
C. has been glowing
D. glowing in the dark
Correct Answer: D
When 'glowing in the dark' modifies a noun, the -ing form is participial and adjectival.