ParaProfessional / Clerical civil service tests (state & local) Verbal Abilities & English Language Syllabus

What is a sentence fragment?

A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a complete verb, or a complete thought. Example: 'Because the office was closed.' It must be attached to or completed into a full independent clause.

What is a run-on sentence, and what are two ways to fix it?

A run-on improperly joins two independent clauses with no punctuation (fused) or only a comma (comma splice). Fix by: (1) using a period or semicolon, or (2) adding a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, etc.).

What is a comma splice?

A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Example: 'The report is done, I will mail it.' Fix with a semicolon, a period, or a comma + conjunction.

Spell the commonly misspelled words: 'receive,' 'separate,' and 'accommodate.'

receive (i before e except after c), separate (note 'a rat' in sepARATe), accommodate (double c and double m).

What is the correct spelling of the word meaning a planned series of events on paper: schedule, definitely, and necessary?

schedule, definitely (contains 'finite'), necessary (one c, two s's). These are among the most commonly misspelled office words.

What is a homophone? Give an example set.

A homophone is a word that sounds like another but differs in meaning and usually spelling. Example: their (possessive), there (place), they're (they are).

Distinguish 'your' vs. 'you're' and 'its' vs. 'it's.'

'Your' = possessive (your desk); 'you're' = you are. 'Its' = possessive (the dog wagged its tail); 'it's' = it is/it has.

Distinguish the confused pair 'affect' vs. 'effect.'

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence (The delay will affect output). 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning result (The delay had a bad effect).

Distinguish 'principal' vs. 'principle' and 'stationary' vs. 'stationery.'

Principal = main/most important, or a school head; principle = a rule or belief. Stationary = not moving; stationery = writing paper (paper = e).

When is a comma required between two independent clauses?

When they are joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), place a comma before the conjunction. Example: 'I filed the form, and she mailed it.'

What is the main rule for using a semicolon?

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction. Example: 'The deadline passed; the report was late.' It can also separate list items that themselves contain commas.

What is the main rule for using a colon?

A colon introduces a list, explanation, or quotation after a complete independent clause. Example: 'Bring three items: a pen, paper, and ID.' Do not place a colon directly after a verb or preposition.

How do you use a comma after introductory elements and with items in a series?

Place a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause (e.g., 'After lunch, we met'). In a series, separate three or more items with commas: 'pens, paper, and clips.'

How do you form the possessive of a singular noun versus a plural noun ending in -s?

Singular: add apostrophe + s (the clerk's desk). Plural ending in -s: add only an apostrophe (the clerks' desks). Plural not ending in -s: add 's (the children's books).

How is an apostrophe used in contractions, and what common error must be avoided?

An apostrophe replaces omitted letters in contractions (do not → don't; cannot → can't). Avoid confusing contractions with possessives (it's = it is; its = possessive).

How do you show possession when two people own something jointly versus separately?

Joint ownership: add 's to the last name only (Tom and Sue's office = shared). Separate ownership: add 's to each name (Tom's and Sue's offices = each has one).

What are the basic rules for capitalizing proper nouns?

Capitalize specific names of people, places, organizations, days, months, holidays, and nationalities (Maria, Chicago, Monday, July, the Department of Labor). Do not capitalize common nouns or seasons (the city, summer).

When are titles capitalized?

Capitalize a title when it directly precedes a name (Director Smith) or is part of a formal title. Do not capitalize when it stands alone or follows the name as a description (Smith, the director, spoke).

What is a synonym and what is an antonym?

A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another (big/large). An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning (big/small).

Give a synonym and an antonym for the word 'increase.'

Synonym: raise, expand, augment. Antonym: decrease, reduce, diminish.

What is a verbal analogy, and what is the first step in solving one?

A verbal analogy compares two pairs of words that share the same relationship (A is to B as C is to D). The first step is to identify the exact relationship between the first pair, then apply it to the second.

Identify the relationship type: 'hot : cold :: up : down.'

Antonym (opposites) relationship—each pair consists of words with opposite meanings.

What relationship does the analogy 'finger : hand :: petal : flower' show?

Part-to-whole relationship—a finger is part of a hand, just as a petal is part of a flower.

What is a word root, and why is knowing roots useful?

A root is the base part of a word that carries its core meaning (e.g., 'spect' = look). Knowing roots helps you decode and define unfamiliar words (inspect, spectator, respect).

What do the prefixes 'pre-,' 'un-/in-/dis-,' and 're-' mean?

pre- = before (preview); un-/in-/dis- = not/opposite (unhappy, invisible, disagree); re- = again or back (rewrite, return).

What do the suffixes '-able/-ible,' '-tion/-sion,' and '-er/-or' indicate?

-able/-ible = capable of (readable); -tion/-sion = act or state of, forming a noun (action, decision); -er/-or = one who does something (worker, actor).

Using roots, what does the prefix 'bene-' mean, and give an example word?

'Bene-' means good or well. Example: benefit (something good/helpful), benevolent (kind), beneficial (producing good).

What is a sentence-completion question testing, and what strategy helps?

It tests vocabulary and the ability to find words that fit the sentence's logic. Strategy: read for context clues (cause/effect, contrast signals like 'but/although,' or supporting signals like 'because') and choose the word that makes the sentence logically consistent.

In a sentence-completion item, what does a contrast word like 'however' or 'although' signal about the missing word?

It signals that the missing word should express an idea opposite to or contrasting with another part of the sentence, so look for a word that creates that contrast.

What is the difference between 'fewer' and 'less,' a commonly confused word pair?

Use 'fewer' for countable items (fewer files, fewer people) and 'less' for uncountable quantities (less paper, less time).