Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
It is important that every member ___ present.
A. is
B. be
C. was
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
Formal subjunctive uses the base form 'be' after 'It is important that...'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The doctor insisted that the patient ___ immediately.
A. rests
B. rest
C. rested
D. has rested
Correct Answer: B
The mandative subjunctive uses the base verb after 'insisted that' in formal English.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If only I ___ more time!
A. have
B. had
C. will have
D. am having
Correct Answer: B
'If only' for a present unreal wish commonly takes the past tense.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Were the weather better, we ___ outside.
A. would sit
B. will sit
C. would have sat
D. sit
Correct Answer: A
Inverted second conditional: 'Were the weather better...' + 'would + base verb'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Had the driver been more careful, the accident ___.
A. would avoid
B. would have been avoided
C. will be avoided
D. was avoided
Correct Answer: B
This inverted third conditional requires 'would have been + past participle' in passive form.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If they arrive early, we ___ the meeting at once.
A. start
B. will start
C. would start
D. would have started
Correct Answer: B
First conditional uses present simple in the if-clause and future with 'will' in the main clause.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If she were more careful, she ___ fewer mistakes.
A. will make
B. would make
C. would have made
D. made
Correct Answer: B
Second conditional: past form in the if-clause and 'would + base verb' in the main clause.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If you had informed me earlier, I ___ the problem.
A. could solve
B. could have solved
C. can solve
D. will solve
Correct Answer: B
A past unreal condition takes 'could/would have + past participle'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She is ___ of the two sisters.
A. the taller
B. tallest
C. more tallest
D. the tallest
Correct Answer: A
When comparing two people, the comparative form is used; 'the taller of the two' is standard.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
This exercise is not as difficult ___ the previous one.
A. than
B. as
C. to
D. from
Correct Answer: B
The negative equality pattern is 'not as...as'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The sooner we leave, ___ we will arrive.
A. the early
B. the earlier
C. earlier
D. the earliest
Correct Answer: B
The correlative comparative structure is 'The sooner..., the earlier...'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Ahmed is more experienced than ___ player on the team.
A. any
B. any other
C. every other than
D. all
Correct Answer: B
When comparing Ahmed with other members of the same group, use 'any other'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
No other player on the team is ___ Ahmed.
A. so experienced than
B. as experienced as
C. more experienced as
D. most experienced as
Correct Answer: B
The standard equality comparison is 'as + adjective + as'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. This road is more narrower than that one.
B. This road is narrower than that one.
C. This road is most narrow than that one.
D. This road narrower that one.
Correct Answer: B
Do not use 'more' with the -er comparative form.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the sentence with proper parallelism.
A. He is interested in reading, writing, and to debate.
B. He is interested in reading, writing, and debating.
C. He is interested to read, writing, and debating.
D. He interested in reading, write, and debate.
Correct Answer: B
All complements of 'interested in' should be gerunds.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The committee decided to postpone the meeting and ___ the members.
A. inform
B. informed
C. informing
D. to informing
Correct Answer: A
The infinitive marker 'to' can govern both coordinated base verbs: postpone and inform.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the parallel sentence.
A. The new system is faster, more reliable, and costs less.
B. The new system is faster, more reliable, and cheaper.
C. The new system is fast, reliability, and cheaper.
D. The new system faster, reliable, and cost less.
Correct Answer: B
All three items are parallel comparative adjectives.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The officer was praised for being honest, efficient, and ___.
A. responsibility
B. responsible
C. responsibly
D. to be responsible
Correct Answer: B
The coordinated items are adjectives: honest, efficient, responsible.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Her goals are to improve her English, to pass the exam, and ___.
A. getting a government job
B. to get a government job
C. a government job
D. gets a government job
Correct Answer: B
The series begins with to-infinitives, so the third item should also be a to-infinitive.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.
A. The course teaches students to analyze data, writing reports, and to present findings.
B. The course teaches students to analyze data, write reports, and present findings.
C. The course teaches students analyzing data, to write reports, and presentation.
D. The course teaches students analysis, writing reports, and to present.
Correct Answer: B
The three coordinated verbs should be parallel: analyze, write, present.