GED Language Arts (RLA) : Syntax

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Language Arts (RLA)

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Syntax

From Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, III.ii.13-33 (1599)

[This is a speech by Brutus to a crowd at Caesar’s funeral.]  

 

Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my

cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me

for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that

you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and

awake your senses, that you may the better judge.

If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of

Caesar's, to him I say that Brutus' love to Caesar

was no less than his. If then that friend demand

why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:

Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved

Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and

die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead to live

all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him;

as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was

valiant, I honor him; but as he was ambitious, I

slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his

fortune, honor for his valor, and death for his

ambition. Who is here so base that would be a

bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended.

Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If

any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so

vile that will not love his country? If any, speak,

for him have I offended. I pause for a reply.

By what grammatical device does Brutus construct the parallelism found in the underlined sentences?

Possible Answers:

By using short, punctuated sentences

By only speaking with forceful language

By addressing the crowd in a frank, honest manner

By using the imperative mood, following each order with an explanation

By increasingly appealing to emotions through rhetorical devices

Correct answer:

By using the imperative mood, following each order with an explanation

Explanation:

The key to this question is to notice the parallel use of verbs and the subordinate clauses that begin with "that." See the emphasized selection below, which uses boldface and underlining to show you these portions clearly:

"Hear me for my cause, and be silentthat you may hear. Believe me for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, that you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge."

In each of these sentences, Brutus uses two verbs in the imperative mood followed by an explanation of why they are to listen to the commands made by the verbs. This establishes the "rhythm" of the parallelism and makes these three sentences clearly related in structure.

Example Question #2 : Syntax

How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?

I envision a world in which men and women are treated equally, in which privilege is extended to people regardless of their race, and religion is no longer a divisive issue.

Possible Answers:

religion could no longer be a divisive issue.

(no change)

in which religion is no longer a divisive issue.

religion no longer being a divisive issue.

in which religion would no longer be a divisive issue.

Correct answer:

in which religion is no longer a divisive issue.

Explanation:

Since the first two items in this sentence’s list begin with “in which,” the third must do the same. The verb should remain in the present tense, as the first two items do. (An alternate fix would be to eliminate “in which” from the second item in the list. This would make the first “in which” apply to all three parts of the list equally.)

Example Question #3 : Syntax

How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?

The candidate is not so much opposed to marriage equality as challenging his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.

Possible Answers:

any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.

he is opposed to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.

(no change)

he is opposed to any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.

None of these

Correct answer:

he is opposed to any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs.

Explanation:

While this sentence may appear correct at first glance, but consider the two things that are being compared: being opposed to marriage equality (a stance) and “any challenge to his rigid, traditionalist beliefs” (an opinion). To change this faulty parallelism, we simply need to add the correct subject and verb to the latter part of the sentence.

Example Question #4 : Syntax

How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?

In spring, summer, or in autumn, cicadas can be seen in various life stages along Kayleigh’s favorite river.

Possible Answers:

(no change)

In spring, in summer, or autumn,

In spring, summer, or in autumn:

In spring, summer; or in autumn,

In spring, in summer, or in autumn,

Correct answer:

In spring, in summer, or in autumn,

Explanation:

Here, the simplest solution is the best. Adding an “in” to “summer” makes each item in the list parallel (a noun preceded by a preposition). No change to the punctuation needs to be made in this case.

Example Question #5 : Syntax

How should the underlined section be changed to correct the faulty parallelism?

My love of Seth’s waterfront cottage is nothing compared to our dogs.

Possible Answers:

is nothing compared to our dogs’.

(no change)

was nothing (compared to our dogs).

is nothing compared to that of our dogs’.

was nothing, being compared to our dogs.

Correct answer:

is nothing compared to our dogs’.

Explanation:

While this sentence sounds correct spoken aloud, it is missing an apostrophe. We don’t mean to compare the speaker’s love of the cottage with dogs; we mean to compare the speaker’s love with the dogs’ love. Thus, adding an apostrophe to “dogs” solves the faulty parallelism. (The choice “that of our dogs’” goes too far in making the dogs doubly possessive and is also clunky.)

Example Question #6 : Syntax

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

______________ some pundits believe global warming is a hoax, nearly all scientific experts agree that climate change is a very real and exigent threat.

Possible Answers:

Meanwhile

Because

Although

Seeing that

Not to mention

Correct answer:

Although

Explanation:

The correct relationship between the two parts of these sentences is one of contrast. “Because” and “Seeing that” imply causation (i.e. pundits’ disbelief leads to experts’ agreement), which is not logical. “Not to mention” implies agreement or similarity.” “Meanwhile” correctly implies a sort of contrast, but it does not fit the grammatical construction of the sentence.

Example Question #7 : Syntax

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Many marriage counsellors suggest that open communication ________________  an active acceptance of imperfection leads to a healthy, vital partnership.

Possible Answers:

after all

in light of

in spite of

in addition to

especially

Correct answer:

in addition to

Explanation:

The relationship between “open communication” and “an active acceptance of imperfection” is one of agreement, so “in addition to” is the best choice. “In light of” incorrectly implies that the “open communication” is subordinate to “active acceptance,” and “in spite of” incorrectly implies contrast. “After all” and “especially” are both transitional phrases, but neither fits the grammatical construction of the sentence.

Example Question #8 : Syntax

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Other relationship experts counsel that having high standards, _________________ accepting poor behavior, is the secret to a long and happy marriage.

Possible Answers:

as well as

correspondingly

not

moreover

while also

Correct answer:

not

Explanation:

“Having high standards” and “accepting poor behavior” are directly opposed ideas, so we need a contrasting transition: “not.” “While also” suggests that the two ideas should coexist at the same time, but that is not logical in the context of the sentence. “As well as” and “moreover” incorrectly suggest addition. “Indeed” suggests emphasis and is both semantically and syntactically wrong.

Example Question #9 : Syntax

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

Meredith wasn’t sure whether her physician had ordered the correct tests, ________________ she had a sneaking suspicion that she should consult a specialist instead.

Possible Answers:

whereas

but

in spite of

correspondingly

concomitantly

Correct answer:

but

Explanation:

Meredith’s uncertainty is being contrasted with her sneaking suspicion here, so a contrasting word or phrase will be necessary to properly express the meaning of the sentence. (The appearance of “instead” in the sentence is a further hint that we’re looking for a contrast word.) “In spite of” and “whereas” are contrast phrases, but they’re the wrong part of speech for the sentence. “But” is the best choice here.

Example Question #10 : Syntax

What transition word or phrase best fits the blank below?

The corporate stalemate is being caused by greedy managers and recalcitrant employees alike; __________________, it is critical for both groups to work together.

Possible Answers:

as such

meanwhile

however

yet

conversely

Correct answer:

as such

Explanation:

Based on the content of this sentence, we need a transition that expresses a sentiment like “For this reason” or “therefore.” In other words, we need a conclusion word or phrase. “As such” is the only choice among these answers that provides conclusion.

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