Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Email message starting with 'Dear Professor:'. In academic settings, it is essential to use formal and respectful language when addressing instructors. Starting the email with 'Dear Professor:' demonstrates professionalism and respect. Choice A is too informal for a professional setting. Choice B is vague and lacks the necessary level of formality. Choice D showcases unprofessional behavior by not acknowledging missing the appointment until later.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The sentence in option A is a correctly punctuated simple sentence with a compound predicate ('spent... smelling'). It consists of a subject 'Leah and Jerry' and a compound predicate 'spent... smelling,' making it a complete sentence. Option B contains a comma splice, joining two independent clauses incorrectly with just a comma. Option C is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ('Because it was now spring') and an independent clause, not a simple sentence. Option D is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ('As Leah jogged in the park') and an independent clause, not a simple sentence. Therefore, option A is the only choice that represents a correctly punctuated simple sentence.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The complete predicate is 'explained that we would be the next to see the doctor.' In a sentence, the complete predicate includes the main verb (explained) and all the words that complete its meaning (that we would be the next to see the doctor). Choices B, C, and D do not constitute the complete predicate as they do not include the main verb 'explained' and all associated words that complete its meaning.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of quotation marks involves enclosing the exact words of a speaker, with punctuation placed inside the quotes. Choice A is the correct answer as it correctly uses quotation marks to enclose the spoken words 'Did you finish your homework?' with the appropriate punctuation inside the quotes. Choices B, C, and D incorrectly position the quotation marks or omit necessary punctuation, making them grammatically incorrect. In choice B, the closing quotation mark is missing. In choice C, the punctuation is placed outside the closing quotation mark, and in choice D, the quotation mark is incorrectly placed after 'homework,' disrupting the flow of the quoted speech.