What is the function of a conjunction in a sentence?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To connect words or phrases.' Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They help to join different elements together, such as coordinating conjunctions like 'and,' 'but,' 'or,' etc. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. B is incorrect because describing a noun is the function of an adjective, not a conjunction. C is incorrect because modifying a verb is the role of an adverb, not a conjunction. D is incorrect because showing possession is the function of a possessive noun or pronoun, not a conjunction.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A strong thesis statement is a crucial element in academic writing as it clearly states the argument that will be supported throughout the paper. This statement serves as a roadmap for the reader to understand the main point of the paper. Choice A is incorrect because a strong thesis is not necessarily endorsed by a professor but is based on the writer's perspective. Choice C is incorrect as a thesis should reflect the writer's position, not necessarily the opinions of most people. Choice D is incorrect because a strong thesis should invite critical thinking and argumentation, rather than being immune to reasonable counterarguments.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Option B is the correct answer as it is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ('Before finishing her walk home') followed by an independent clause. In this sentence, 'Before finishing her walk home' acts as the dependent clause that sets the context for the main action, which is 'Raina stopped to watch the sunset.' Option A features two independent clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, making it a compound sentence. Option C also has two independent clauses separated by a semicolon, which is incorrect punctuation for a complex sentence. Option D consists of two independent clauses connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, forming a compound sentence rather than a complex sentence.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer. 'Therefore' is correctly used as a transition word with proper punctuation in this sentence. In a compound sentence like this, a semicolon is used before the transition word to connect two independent clauses. Choice B is incorrect because it lacks the necessary punctuation to separate the independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect as a colon is not typically used before a transition word in this context. Choice D is incorrect because 'and' does not function as a transition word in this sentence.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: is.' In the sentence, 'Our family is staying home for the holidays this year,' the singular collective noun 'family' requires a singular verb to maintain subject-verb agreement. 'Is' is the correct singular form of the verb to match with 'family.' Choice B 'be' is incorrect as it is the base form of the verb and does not agree with the subject 'family.' Choice C 'am' is incorrect as it is a first-person singular form of the verb 'to be,' which does not align with the subject 'family.' Choice D 'are' is incorrect as it is a plural form of the verb and does not match with the singular subject 'family.'

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: 'Although' is a conjunction because it connects two clauses in the sentence. In the given sentence, 'although' introduces a dependent clause ('although I could use the opportunity more than I'd like to admit') and connects it to the independent clause ('Surely, he thought, I can't trust this enticing yet dubious offer'). This conjunction shows the contrast between the two ideas. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because 'although' does not function as an adverb, preposition, or adjective in this context.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct spelling is 'dependent,' meaning someone who relies on another for support. Choice A, 'Dependant,' is a common misspelling. Choice B, 'Dependint,' is incorrect. Choice C, 'Dependunt,' is also incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Dependent.'

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To connect words or phrases.' Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence. They help to join different elements together, such as coordinating conjunctions like 'and,' 'but,' 'or,' etc. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. B is incorrect because describing a noun is the function of an adjective, not a conjunction. C is incorrect because modifying a verb is the role of an adverb, not a conjunction. D is incorrect because showing possession is the function of a possessive noun or pronoun, not a conjunction.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The given sentence, "Because it was raining, the match was canceled," is a complex sentence. It consists of one independent clause ('the match was canceled') and one dependent clause ('Because it was raining'). A simple sentence contains one independent clause with no dependent clauses. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses but no dependent clauses. A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, which is not the case here. Therefore, the correct classification for this sentence is a complex sentence.