Identify the direct object in the following sentence: 'She baked a delicious cake for the party.'

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In the sentence 'She baked a delicious cake for the party,' the verb 'baked' is an action performed by the subject 'She.' The direct object is the recipient of the action, which in this case is 'cake.' It answers the question 'What did she bake?' making 'cake' the direct object in the sentence. Choice A 'for the party' is a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose, not the direct object. Choice B 'delicious' describes the cake but is not the direct object. Choice D 'baked' is the verb itself, not the direct object receiving the action.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The underlined phrase 'with a mischievous grin' functions as an adverbial phrase in the sentence. It modifies the verb 'approached' by providing information on how he approached her, describing his manner. Adverbial phrases typically answer questions like 'how,' 'when,' 'where,' 'why,' or 'to what extent,' which this phrase does by indicating the manner in which he approached. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. The phrase does not serve as a subject (A), direct object (B), or appositive phrase (D) in the sentence. Instead, it functions to provide additional information about the action of approaching, making it an adverbial phrase.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this sentence, 'results' is the direct object of the verb 'awaited,' functioning as a noun. Hence, option B, 'Noun,' is correct. The students were eagerly waiting for what? The results - which makes 'results' a noun in this context. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. 'Results' is not describing a verb, an adjective, or an adverb in the sentence; it is the object of the students' anticipation, indicating a noun.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The given sentence combines multiple independent clauses without appropriate punctuation or conjunctions, creating a run-on sentence. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without the necessary punctuation or coordination. In this case, the sentence lacks the proper conjunction or punctuation between 'store' and 'bought,' resulting in a run-on sentence. Choice B, 'Comma splice,' is incorrect because a comma splice involves joining two independent clauses with just a comma, which is not the case in the given sentence. Choice C, 'Dangling modifier,' is incorrect as there are no misplaced modifiers in the sentence. Choice D, 'Subject-verb agreement,' is also incorrect as the error in the sentence does not involve subject-verb agreement but rather the incorrect combination of independent clauses.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The main function of transition words and phrases in writing is to connect ideas smoothly and guide the reader's flow. They serve to establish logical relationships between different parts of the text, ensuring coherence and facilitating a clear progression of thoughts. Choice A is incorrect as transition words are meant to enhance clarity and coherence, not add unnecessary embellishments. Choice B is incorrect because while transition words can provide emphasis, their primary role is in facilitating the flow of ideas. Choice D is also incorrect as introducing opposing viewpoints and counterarguments is typically done through different means such as specific phrases or signal words.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for elements in a list. Option (B) uses parallel gerunds ('reading,' 'watching,' 'spending'), making it the correct choice. The other options have inconsistencies in the form of the listed activities, making them grammatically incorrect. Option (A) starts with 'I enjoy' but then switches to '-ing' verbs. Option (C) changes from 'like' to '-ing' verbs, breaking parallelism. Option (D) lists 'reading' correctly but then switches to singular nouns ('movies,' 'friends'), which is not parallel.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The word 'ambiguous' implies having multiple interpretations or uncertainty, which aligns closely with 'vague,' the correct answer. 'Vague' denotes a lack of clarity or definiteness, making it the most appropriate synonym in this context. 'Precise' (Choice A) is the opposite of ambiguous, indicating exactness and clarity, so it is not the best choice. 'Definite' (Choice C) also contrasts with ambiguous as it suggests clear and certain meaning. 'Straightforward' (Choice D) implies directness and simplicity, which does not capture the essence of ambiguity.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The word 'circumstance' is misspelled in the given choices. 'Accommodate,' 'acquiesce,' and 'indelible' are spelled correctly. It is important to pay attention to the spelling of words to ensure clear and accurate communication. 'Circumstance' is a common word, but in this context, it is intentionally misspelled to test your attention to detail.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: her.' Pronouns replace nouns. In this sentence, 'her' is a pronoun that replaces a specific female person's name, indicating ownership of the homework. Pronouns like 'her,' 'he,' 'it,' and 'they' are commonly used to avoid repetition of nouns and make sentences less repetitive and more concise. Choices A, B, and D are not pronouns. 'Quickly' and 'before' are adverbs, while 'finished' is a verb. Therefore, they do not replace nouns and cannot function as pronouns in this context.