Day 11 50 tough mixed grammar and language questions modeled on the ATI TEAS Version 7 English and Language Usage section.

 

Day 11

50 tough mixed grammar and language questions modeled on the ATI TEAS Version 7 English and Language Usage section.

Each includes four answer options, a correct answer, and a detailed rationale.

Questions 1–10: Sentence Structure & Run-ons

1.      Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A. The nurse finished her charting, then she went to check on the patient.
B. The nurse finished her charting, and then she went to check on the patient.
C. The nurse finished her charting then she went to check on the patient.
D. The nurse finished her charting and then went to check on the patient she went to room 204.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Option B correctly uses a comma before the coordinating conjunction and to join two independent clauses. A is a comma splice. C is a run-on (missing comma/conjunction). D is a run-on/fused sentence.

2.      Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. The doctor reviewed the lab results however the patient had already left.
B. The doctor reviewed the lab results; however, the patient had already left.
C. The doctor reviewed the lab results however, the patient had already left.
D. The doctor reviewed the lab results; however the patient had already left.

 

Answer: B
Reason: A conjunctive adverb (however) joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it.

3.      Which is a sentence fragment?
A. After the medication was administered.
B. The patient’s condition improved rapidly.
C. Please document the intake.
D. Walking to the nurse’s station, she felt dizzy.

Answer: A
Reason: A begins with a subordinating conjunction (after) but has no main clause—it is a dependent clause alone.

4.      Choose the correctly written compound sentence.
A. The IV pump alarmed, so the nurse checked the line.
B. The IV pump alarmed so, the nurse checked the line.
C. The IV pump alarmed so the nurse checked the line.
D. The IV pump alarmed, so, the nurse checked the line.

 

Answer: A
Reason: So is a coordinating conjunction; a comma should come before it when joining two independent clauses.

5.      Which sentence uses correct punctuation for a complex sentence?
A. Because the wound was infected the surgeon ordered antibiotics.
B. Because the wound was infected, the surgeon ordered antibiotics.
C. The surgeon ordered antibiotics, because the wound was infected.
D. The surgeon ordered antibiotics because, the wound was infected.

 

Answer: B
Reason: When a dependent clause (because…infected) begins a sentence, it must be followed by a comma.

6.      Identify the run-on sentence.
A. The patient reported chest pain, so the nurse called the provider.
B. The patient reported chest pain the nurse called the provider.
C. The patient reported chest pain; the nurse called the provider.
D. The patient reported chest pain, and the nurse called the provider.

 

Answer: B
Reason: B has no punctuation or conjunction between two independent clauses (fused sentence).

7.      Which sentence is correct?
A. Unless the patient fasts for eight hours, the surgery may be postponed.
B. Unless the patient fasts for eight hours the surgery may be postponed.
C. Unless the patient fasts for eight hours; the surgery may be postponed.
D. Unless the patient fasts for eight hours, the surgery, may be postponed.

 

Answer: A
Reason: The dependent clause requires a comma after it before the main clause.

8.      Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
A. The nurse administered the vaccine, and explained the side effects.
B. The nurse administered the vaccine and explained the side effects.
C. The nurse administered the vaccine, and, explained the side effects.
D. The nurse administered the vaccine and, explained the side effects.

 

Answer: B
Reason: No comma is needed before and when it joins two verbs (administered, explained) sharing the same subject.

9.      Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The lab values were abnormal for instance, the potassium was high.
B. The lab values were abnormal; for instance, the potassium was high.
C. The lab values were abnormal, for instance the potassium was high.
D. The lab values were abnormal for instance; the potassium was high.

 

Answer: B
Reason: For instance is a transitional phrase; use a semicolon before it and a comma after.

10. Identify the comma splice.
A. She took vital signs, and he updated the chart.
B. She took vital signs, he updated the chart.
C. She took vital signs; he updated the chart.
D. After she took vital signs, he updated the chart.

 

Answer: B
Reason: A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses—that’s a comma splice.

Questions 11–20: Subject-Verb Agreement

11. Choose the correct verb.
Neither the nurse nor the physicians ______ available.
A. is
B. am
C. are
D. be

 

Answer: C
Reason: With neither/nor, the verb agrees with the closer subject (physicians = plural).

12. Each of the patients ______ a copy of the consent form.
A. need
B. have
C. needs
D. are needing

 

Answer: C
Reason: Each is singular; the phrase of the patients does not change the subject’s number.

13. The team of surgeons ______ in the OR.
A. work
B. are working
C. is working
D. were working

 

Answer: C
Reason: The subject is team (singular); of surgeons is a prepositional phrase.

14. Either the lab or the pharmacy ______ responsible for the delay.
A. were
B. are
C. be
D. is

 

Answer: D
Reason: With either/or, the verb agrees with the closer subject (pharmacy singular).

15. There ______ several reasons for the elevated heart rate.
A. is
B. are
C. was
D. be

 

Answer: B
Reason: The subject reasons is plural—inverted sentence structure.

16. One hundred milliliters ______ a small amount of fluid.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have been

 

Answer: B
Reason: Units of measurement (time, money, volume) are treated as singular.

17. The scissors ______ left on the sterile field.
A. was
B. is
C. were
D. has been

 

Answer: C
Reason: Scissors is a plural noun (no singular form with same meaning).

18. Every nurse and doctor ______ required to complete the training.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have been

 

Answer: C
Reason: Every makes the compound subject singular.

19. The nurse, along with the students, ______ attending the seminar.
A. are
B. is
C. were
D. have

 

Answer: B
Reason: Phrases like along with do not change the subject’s number (nurse singular).

20. None of the medication ______ left.
A. is
B. are
C. were
D. have

 

Answer: A
Reason: None can be singular or plural, but with medication (singular mass noun), singular is preferred.

Questions 21–30: Pronoun Usage & Case

21. Between you and ______, this patient is difficult.
A. I
B. me
C. myself
D. we

 

Answer: B
Reason: Object of the preposition between → object pronoun me.

22. The nurse gave the report to Dr. Lee and ______.
A. I
B. myself
C. me
D. we

 

Answer: C
Reason: Object of preposition to → me.

23. ______ and the charge nurse reviewed the protocol.
A. Her
B. She
C. Hers
D. Them

 

Answer: B
Reason: Subject of the sentence → subject pronoun She.

24. The patient asked the therapist and ______ to help.
A. I
B. myself
C. me
D. mine

 

Answer: C
Reason: Me is the direct object of asked (along with therapist).

25. Each student must bring ______ own stethoscope.
A. their
B. its
C. his or her
D. our

 

Answer: C
Reason: Each student is singular; TEAS prefers traditional singular his or her over their.

26. If anyone calls, tell ______ I’m in a meeting.
A. them
B. him or her
C. they
D. it

 

Answer: B
Reason: Anyone is singular indefinite; him or her is correct for formal grammar.

27. The staff completed ______ shifts early.
A. his
B. her
C. its
D. their

 

Answer: D
Reason: Staff is a collective noun acting as plural (individual members).

28. It was ______ who signed the discharge papers.
A. me
B. her
C. she
D. them

 

Answer: C
Reason: Predicate nominative after linking verb was → subject pronoun she.

29. The new policy benefits both the nurses and ______.
A. we
B. us
C. our
D. ours

 

Answer: B
Reason: Object of verb benefits → us.

30. Let’s keep this between ______.
A. you and I
B. you and myself
C. you and me
D. yourself and me

 

Answer: C
Reason: Between is a preposition → object pronouns you and me.

Questions 31–40: Punctuation (Commas, Apostrophes, Semicolons)

31. Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?
A. The patients’s family arrived late.
B. The patients’ families arrived late.
C. The patient’s families arrived late.
D. The patients families’ arrived late.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Plural possessive: patients’ + families (apostrophe after s).

32. Choose the correct punctuation.
A. The doctors specialities include cardiology, neurology and oncology.
B. The doctors’ specialities include cardiology, neurology, and oncology.
C. The doctor’s specialities include cardiology neurology and oncology.
D. The doctors specialties include cardiology, neurology and oncology.

 

 

Answer: B
Reason: Plural possessive doctors’ + Oxford comma preferred for TEAS.

33. Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. Before the procedure the nurse explained the risks.
B. Before the procedure, the nurse explained the risks.
C. Before the procedure; the nurse explained the risks.
D. Before the procedure: the nurse explained the risks.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Introductory phrase requires a comma.

34. Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.
A. The medications included: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
B. The medications included ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
C. The medications included; ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin.
D. The medications included: ibuprofen; acetaminophen; and aspirin.

 

Answer: B
Reason: No colon after included unless it is a complete sentence introducing a list.

35. Which uses semicolons correctly?
A. The patient had three symptoms: fever; chills; and nausea.
B. The patient had three symptoms: fever, chills, and nausea.
C. The patient had three symptoms: fever, chills; and nausea.
D. The patient had three symptoms fever, chills, and nausea.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Semicolons only needed if items contain internal commas.

36. Choose the correct sentence.
A. It’s the nurses responsibility to check the crash cart.
B. Its the nurses responsibility to check the crash cart.
C. It’s the nurse’s responsibility to check the crash cart.
D. Its’ the nurse’s responsibility to check the crash cart.

 

Answer: C
Reason: It’s = it is; nurse’s = singular possessive.

37. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. The report was due April 15, 2025, but the team submitted it early.
B. The report was due April 15 2025, but the team submitted it early.
C. The report was due April, 15, 2025 but the team submitted it early.
D. The report was due April 15, 2025 but the team submitted it early.

Answer: A
Reason: In dates, use comma after day and after year if sentence continues.

38. Identify the correct comma usage.
A. The patient who is in room 204, needs a blood transfusion.
B. The patient, who is in room 204, needs a blood transfusion.
C. The patient who is in room 204 needs a blood transfusion.
D. The patient, who is in room 204 needs a blood transfusion.

 

Answer: C
Reason: Who is in room 204 is essential (restrictive) → no commas.

39. Choose the correct sentence.
A. The nurse said, “Please sit down.”
B. The nurse said “Please sit down.”
C. The nurse said, “Please sit down”.
D. The nurse said “Please sit down”.

Answer: A
Reason: Comma before opening quotation; period inside closing quotation mark.

40. Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
A. The lab requires: gloves, goggles, and a mask.
B. The lab requires the following: gloves, goggles, and a mask.
C. The lab requires the following gloves, goggles, and a mask.
D. The lab requires: the following gloves, goggles, and a mask.

 

Answer: B
Reason: A complete sentence must precede the colon.

Questions 41–50: Spelling, Word Choice, and Style

41. Choose the correct spelling.
A. acomodate
B. accommodate
C. accomodate
D. acommodate

 

Answer: B
Reason: Accommodate has double c and double m.

42. Which word is misspelled?
A. definitely
B. seperate
C. necessary
D. maintenance

 

Answer: B
Reason: Correct spelling is separate.

43. Select the best word for the blank.
The medication had an ______ effect on the patient’s blood pressure.
A. affective
B. effective
C. affect
D. effect

 

Answer: B
Reason: Effective = successful result; affective = related to emotions.

44. Choose the correct homophone.
The patient’s condition will ______ affect his mobility.
A. adversely
B. aversely
C. adversely
D. adversely

 

Answer: A
Reason: Adversely = harmfully; aversely = having strong dislike.

45. Which sentence uses lay correctly?
A. The patient will lay in bed for two hours.
B. The nurse will lay the blanket on the bed.
C. The patient lay down yesterday.
D. The patient is laying on the stretcher.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Lay = to put/place something (needs direct object). Lie = recline.

46. Which sentence is most concise and professional?
A. Due to the fact that the patient was experiencing pain, the nurse administered medication.
B. Because the patient was in pain, the nurse gave medication.
C. The patient was experiencing pain, so the nurse gave pain medication.
D. The nurse gave medication on account of the patient having pain.

 

Answer: C
Reason: Clear, direct, avoids wordy phrases (due to the fact that).

47. Choose the correct spelling.
A. miniscule
B. minuscule
C. miniscuele
D. miniscuel

 

Answer: B
Reason: From Latin minusculus → minuscule.

48. Which sentence avoids redundancy?
A. The nurse repeated the instruction again.
B. The nurse repeated the instruction.
C. The nurse repeated the instruction once more again.
D. The nurse again repeated the instruction once more.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Repeated already means did again → again and once more are redundant.

49. Select the correct word.
The nurse tried to ______ the patient’s anxiety.
A. lesson
B. lessen
C. lessened
D. less

 

Answer: B
Reason: Lessen = to reduce; lesson = instructional period.

50. Which sentence uses formal, objective language appropriate for a medical report?
A. The patient seemed kinda tired after the surgery.
B. The patient appeared fatigued following the surgical procedure.
C. The patient looked really worn out after surgery.
D. The patient was totally exhausted after the operation.

 

Answer: B
Reason: Formal vocabulary, no subjective intensifiers (kinda, really, totally).