CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
In "The officer aware of the risk took precautions." which expression functions as an adjective phrase?
A. the finite predicate
B. an adverbial clause
C. aware of the risk
D. the sentence subject alone
Correct Answer: C
"aware of the risk" functions adjectivally by modifying "officer".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
In "A proposal beneficial to rural communities was approved." which expression functions as an adjective phrase?
A. the finite predicate
B. beneficial to rural communities
C. an adverbial clause
D. the sentence subject alone
Correct Answer: B
"beneficial to rural communities" functions adjectivally by modifying "proposal".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
In "The students anxious about the result waited outside." which expression functions as an adjective phrase?
A. anxious about the result
B. the finite predicate
C. an adverbial clause
D. the sentence subject alone
Correct Answer: A
"anxious about the result" functions adjectivally by modifying "students".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "That old wooden bridge needs immediate repair."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. a dependent clause
D. That old wooden bridge
Correct Answer: D
"That old wooden bridge" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "bridge".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "The most experienced officer in the department led the inquiry."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. The most experienced officer in the department
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: C
"The most experienced officer in the department" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "officer".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "A remarkable increase in exports was recorded."
A. the main verb
B. A remarkable increase in exports
C. an adverb phrase
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: B
"A remarkable increase in exports" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "increase".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "Every member of the committee supported the proposal."
A. Every member of the committee
B. the main verb
C. an adverb phrase
D. a dependent clause
Correct Answer: A
"Every member of the committee" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "member".
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Identify the noun phrase in: "The two small boxes near the door are mine."
A. the main verb
B. an adverb phrase
C. a dependent clause
D. The two small boxes near the door
Correct Answer: D
"The two small boxes near the door" is the noun phrase, headed by the noun "boxes".
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.