CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence uses an infinitive phrase as a noun?
A. He came to help us.
B. I need a pen to write with.
C. To forgive others is a virtue.
D. She was happy to see us.
Correct Answer: C
"To forgive others" functions as the subject, so the infinitive phrase functions as a noun.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence uses an infinitive phrase to express purpose?
A. To prepare for the test is important.
B. She went to the library to prepare for the test.
C. Her plan is to prepare for the test.
D. She has a book to read.
Correct Answer: B
Here "to prepare for the test" explains why she went to the library, so it functions adverbially to express purpose.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the best correction of: "Walking through the park, the flowers looked beautiful."
A. Walking through the park, we thought the flowers looked beautiful.
B. Walking through the park, the flowers thought we looked beautiful.
C. The flowers, walking through the park, looked beautiful.
D. Walking the park through, beautiful flowers.
Correct Answer: A
The participial phrase needs a logical subject. Adding "we" makes clear who was walking.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence contains a dangling participial phrase?
A. Driving to work, Ali noticed the rain.
B. Tired after work, Sara went home.
C. Having finished the task, we left.
D. Driving to work, the rain began to fall.
Correct Answer: D
The phrase "Driving to work" incorrectly appears to modify "the rain." The logical doer is missing, producing a dangling modifier.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence contains a correctly placed participial phrase?
A. Walking along the road, the wallet was found by Sara.
B. The road, walking along Sara, found a wallet.
C. Walking along the road, Sara found a wallet.
D. Sara found, walking the wallet, a road.
Correct Answer: C
The participial phrase must logically modify the subject that follows it; Sara is the one walking.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct use of "leave no stone unturned".
A. They refused to move any stones.
B. The investigators left no stone unturned in searching for evidence.
C. It means to stop searching early.
D. The gardener left stones untouched for decoration.
Correct Answer: B
"Leave no stone unturned" means make every possible effort.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses "on cloud nine"?
A. She was on cloud nine after receiving the scholarship.
B. The pilot parked on cloud nine.
C. It means she was extremely angry.
D. Cloud nine is a railway platform.
Correct Answer: A
"On cloud nine" means extremely happy.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct use of "face the music".
A. She faced the music speaker during the concert.
B. The music faced the audience.
C. It means to avoid consequences.
D. After ignoring the warnings, he had to face the music.
Correct Answer: D
"Face the music" means accept unpleasant consequences.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence in which "spill the beans" is used idiomatically.
A. She spilled beans on the kitchen floor.
B. The farmer planted beans.
C. Don't spill the beans about the surprise party.
D. It means to cook dinner.
Correct Answer: C
"Spill the beans" means reveal a secret.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct use of "under the weather".
A. The airplane flew under the weather.
B. I am feeling under the weather, so I may stay home today.
C. He put the weather under the table.
D. It means feeling extremely energetic.
Correct Answer: B
"Under the weather" means slightly ill or unwell.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses "hit the nail on the head"?
A. Your explanation hit the nail on the head and identified the real problem.
B. He hit his head with a nail.
C. The nail hit the hammer.
D. It means he avoided the main issue.
Correct Answer: A
"Hit the nail on the head" means to identify or state something exactly.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses "once in a blue moon"?
A. The moon turns blue once every evening.
B. He studies once because the moon is blue.
C. It means he eats fast food every day.
D. He eats fast food once in a blue moon.
Correct Answer: D
"Once in a blue moon" means very rarely.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct use of "burn the midnight oil".
A. The lamp burned the midnight oil because it was electric.
B. He burned oil only at noon.
C. Students often burn the midnight oil before competitive examinations.
D. The phrase means to sleep early.
Correct Answer: C
"Burn the midnight oil" means to work or study late at night.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence in which "break the ice" is used correctly.
A. The mechanic broke the ice in the engine.
B. The host told a light joke to break the ice before the meeting.
C. She broke the ice because the freezer was empty.
D. The sun broke the ice by becoming cold.
Correct Answer: B
"Break the ice" means to reduce social tension and help people feel comfortable.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence in which "at the eleventh hour" is used correctly.
A. He submitted the application at the eleventh hour, just before the deadline.
B. He wakes at the eleventh hour every day.
C. The clock stopped at the eleventh hour because it was broken.
D. He bought eleven hours at the market.
Correct Answer: A
"At the eleventh hour" means at the last possible moment, so the deadline sentence is correct.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the phrasal verb "turn out" most commonly mean?
A. begin suddenly, especially something unpleasant
B. complete missing information
C. search for
D. prove to be or result
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "turn out" most commonly means prove to be or result. Context can sometimes produce additional meanings.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the phrasal verb "take up" most commonly mean?
A. stop functioning
B. understand or solve
C. begin a new activity or occupy
D. take care of
Correct Answer: C
The phrasal verb "take up" most commonly means begin a new activity or occupy. Context can sometimes produce additional meanings.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the phrasal verb "put up with" most commonly mean?
A. be patient with
B. tolerate
C. visit informally
D. remain at the same level or pace as
Correct Answer: B
The phrasal verb "put up with" most commonly means tolerate. Context can sometimes produce additional meanings.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the phrasal verb "keep on" most commonly mean?
A. continue doing something
B. withdraw from an agreement or commitment
C. abolish or get rid of
D. restrain or prevent
Correct Answer: A
The phrasal verb "keep on" most commonly means continue doing something. Context can sometimes produce additional meanings.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What does the phrasal verb "go over" most commonly mean?
A. explain or give a reason for
B. reduce the amount of
C. submit
D. review
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "go over" most commonly means review. Context can sometimes produce additional meanings.