CSLB General Building (B) — All Questions

Choose the sentence that is written correctly.

• a.Neither the manager nor the employees were ready for the audit.✓
• b.Neither the manager nor the employees was ready for the audit.
• c.Neither the manager or the employees were ready for the audit.
• d.Neither the manager nor the employees is ready for the audit.

With 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is 'employees' (plural), so 'were' is correct. The correlative conjunction requires 'nor,' not 'or.' This is a standard subject-verb agreement rule for compound subjects.

Read the passage: 'The volunteers arrived early. They planted over two hundred trees before noon.' Which word in the second sentence is a pronoun?

• a.arrived
• b.They✓
• c.planted
• d.before

A pronoun replaces a noun; here 'They' stands in for 'The volunteers.' 'Arrived' and 'planted' are verbs, and 'before' is a preposition. Recognizing pronoun reference helps track subjects across sentences.

Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?

• a.The dog wagged it's tail happily.
• b.The students turned in there essays.
• c.The company increased its profits this year.✓
• d.Whose coming to the meeting later?

'Its' is the possessive form and needs no apostrophe, so 'increased its profits' is correct. 'It's' means 'it is,' 'there' is a place word (not possessive 'their'), and 'whose' should be 'who's' for 'who is.' Possessive pronouns never take apostrophes.

Select the best transition word to complete the sentence: 'The report was thorough; ______, it failed to suggest any solutions.'

• a.therefore
• b.because
• c.similarly
• d.however✓

The two clauses contrast a strength with a weakness, so a contrasting transition like 'however' fits. 'Therefore' and 'because' show cause, and 'similarly' shows comparison. Matching the transition to the logical relationship is key to coherent writing.

Which revision corrects the run-on sentence: 'The storm knocked out power we lit candles for light'?

• a.The storm knocked out power, so we lit candles for light.✓
• b.The storm knocked out power we lit candles, for light.
• c.The storm knocked out power, we lit candles for light.
• d.The storm knocked out power we lit, candles for light.

A run-on joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a conjunction. Adding a comma plus the coordinating conjunction 'so' correctly links them. Joining the two clauses with only a comma would create a comma splice, which is still an error.

In the sentence 'The ancient bridge, which was built in 1890, still carries traffic,' the phrase 'which was built in 1890' is what type of clause?

• a.An independent clause
• b.A nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause✓
• c.A prepositional phrase
• d.A restrictive (essential) clause

The clause adds extra information and is set off by commas, marking it as nonrestrictive. Nonrestrictive clauses can be removed without changing the sentence's core meaning. Restrictive clauses, by contrast, are essential and take no commas.

Read: 'Maria practiced every day for months. On the day of the recital, her hands did not shake at all.' What can the reader most reasonably infer?

• a.Maria disliked playing music.
• b.The recital was canceled.
• c.Maria's preparation gave her confidence.✓
• d.Maria forgot the piece she practiced.

The passage links months of practice to steady hands at the recital, implying that preparation reduced her nervousness. Inference means drawing a conclusion supported by evidence in the text. Nothing suggests she disliked music or forgot her piece.

Which sentence maintains parallel structure?

• a.She likes hiking, swimming, and to bike.
• b.She likes hike, swim, and biking.
• c.She likes to hike, swimming, and biking.
• d.She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.✓

Parallel structure requires items in a list to share the same grammatical form; here all three end in '-ing.' Mixing '-ing' forms with infinitives ('to bike') breaks the pattern. Parallelism makes sentences clearer and more balanced.

What is the meaning of the word 'meticulous' in this sentence: 'The accountant was meticulous, checking every figure three times'?

• a.Extremely careful and precise✓
• b.Careless
• c.Quick and rushed
• d.Confused

Context clues, such as 'checking every figure three times,' show that 'meticulous' means very careful about detail. Using surrounding evidence to define an unfamiliar word is a core reading skill. The clue directly contradicts 'careless' and 'rushed.'

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

• a.After the movie ended we went to dinner.
• b.After the movie ended, we went to dinner.✓
• c.After, the movie ended we went to dinner.
• d.After the movie, ended we went to dinner.

When an introductory dependent clause begins a sentence, a comma should follow it before the main clause. 'After the movie ended' is introductory, so the comma belongs after 'ended.' The other placements interrupt the clause incorrectly.

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee will ______ its final decision on Friday'?

• a.announced
• b.announcing
• c.announce✓
• d.to announce

After the helping verb 'will,' the main verb must be in its base form: 'announce.' The other forms create incorrect verb constructions. Modal verbs like 'will' are always followed by the base form of the verb.

Read: 'Some argue that homework builds discipline. Others counter that it steals family time.' The author's purpose in this passage is mainly to—

• a.persuade readers to end homework
• b.give step-by-step instructions
• c.describe a personal memory
• d.present two sides of a debate✓

The passage lays out one view and then an opposing view without favoring either, so it presents both sides. Identifying author's purpose means asking why the text was written. There is no call to action or personal narrative here.

Which sentence corrects the misplaced modifier: 'Running down the street, the backpack fell off her shoulder'?

• a.As she ran down the street, the backpack fell off her shoulder.✓
• b.The backpack, running down the street, fell off her shoulder.
• c.Running down the street, the backpack slipped away.
• d.Running down the street off her shoulder, the backpack fell.

A modifier must clearly describe the right noun; a backpack cannot run down a street. Rewriting so 'she' performs the running fixes the dangling modifier. The corrected version makes the action logically belong to a person.

Identify the verb tense in the sentence: 'By next June, she will have finished her degree.'

• a.Simple future
• b.Future perfect✓
• c.Present perfect
• d.Past perfect

'Will have finished' is the future perfect tense, showing an action completed before a future point ('next June'). Future perfect uses 'will have' plus the past participle. It differs from simple future ('will finish'), which lacks the sense of prior completion.

Choose the sentence with correct capitalization.

• a.We traveled to the Pacific ocean last Summer.
• b.We traveled to the pacific Ocean last summer.
• c.We traveled to the Pacific Ocean last summer.✓
• d.we traveled to the Pacific Ocean last Summer.

Proper nouns like 'Pacific Ocean' are capitalized, but seasons such as 'summer' are not. The sentence should also begin with a capital 'We.' Only the option that capitalizes 'Pacific Ocean' but lowercases 'summer' applies all these rules correctly.

Which choice best combines the two sentences: 'The lecture was long. It kept everyone's attention.'?

• a.The lecture was long, it kept everyone's attention.
• b.The lecture was long because it kept everyone's attention.
• c.The lecture was long everyone's attention.
• d.Although the lecture was long, it kept everyone's attention.✓

'Although' signals the contrast between the lecture being long yet still engaging. It joins the clauses smoothly while showing their relationship. The comma-only version is a splice, and using 'because' reverses the logic.

In formal writing, which sentence is most appropriate?

• a.The results were somewhat unexpected.✓
• b.The results were kinda surprising, you know?
• c.The results were super weird and stuff.
• d.The results, like, shocked us all.

Formal writing avoids slang and filler words like 'kinda,' 'super,' and 'like.' 'Somewhat unexpected' uses precise, standard vocabulary. Matching tone to audience and purpose is an important editing skill.

What does the underlined pronoun refer to: 'The scientists shared their findings with reporters, and they published the story widely'?

• a.The scientists
• b.The reporters✓
• c.The findings
• d.The story

Logically, 'they' who published the story are the reporters, since publishing news is what reporters do. Clear pronoun reference depends on context and reasonable meaning. Ambiguous pronouns can confuse readers, so writers should keep antecedents clear.

Which sentence uses the correct homophone?

• a.The affects of the medicine were mild.
• b.The medicine did not effect her mood.
• c.The medicine had a calming effect on her.✓
• d.She hoped to affect on the outcome.

'Effect' is usually a noun meaning result, as in 'a calming effect.' 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence. The correct sentence uses the noun 'effect' after the article 'a.'

Read: 'The old lighthouse stood alone, its cracked paint peeling in the salt wind.' The description mainly creates a mood of—

• a.cheerfulness
• b.humor
• c.excitement
• d.desolation✓

Words like 'alone,' 'cracked,' and 'peeling' create a lonely, worn atmosphere of desolation. Mood is the feeling a text evokes through word choice and imagery. The details point away from cheerfulness or humor.

Which sentence is grammatically complete?

• a.The train was delayed by an hour.✓
• b.Waiting on the crowded platform in the rain.
• c.Because the train was delayed by an hour.
• d.Which caused many people to be late.

A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb and expresses a full thought. 'The train was delayed by an hour' has both and stands alone. The others are fragments that depend on additional information.

Choose the best word to replace the vague term in: 'The plan was good because it did nice things.'

• a.The plan was good because it did helpful things.
• b.The plan was effective because it reduced costs and saved time.✓
• c.The plan was okay because it worked out.
• d.The plan was good because it was good.

Strong writing uses specific, concrete details instead of vague words like 'nice' or 'good.' The best revision names measurable benefits: reduced costs and saved time. Precise language makes an argument more convincing.

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

• a.The road was icy; and dangerous.
• b.The road was icy; because of the storm.
• c.The road was icy; the drivers slowed down.✓
• d.The road; was icy and dangerous.

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses that could each stand alone. 'The road was icy' and 'the drivers slowed down' are both complete. A semicolon should not precede a conjunction or connect a fragment.

Read: 'Critics claim the new policy will hurt small businesses, but they offer no data to support the claim.' The author most likely wants readers to—

• a.accept the critics' view fully
• b.ignore all policy debates
• c.start a small business
• d.doubt the critics because they lack evidence✓

By pointing out that the critics 'offer no data,' the author undermines their credibility. This signals that readers should question an argument without evidence. Recognizing how authors evaluate claims is central to critical reading.

Which sentence is in the active voice?

• a.The storm broke the window.✓
• b.The report was written by the committee.
• c.The window was broken by the storm.
• d.Mistakes were made during the process.

In active voice, the subject performs the action: 'The storm broke the window.' In passive voice, the subject receives the action, as in the other choices. Active voice is usually clearer and more direct.

What is the main idea of this passage: 'Regular exercise strengthens the heart, improves mood, and boosts energy. Even a short daily walk offers these benefits.'?

• a.Walking is difficult for many people.
• b.Regular exercise provides several health benefits.✓
• c.The heart is the body's most important organ.
• d.Mood cannot be improved by activity.

The main idea is the central point the details support; here every detail describes a benefit of exercise. The sentences about the heart, mood, and energy are supporting examples. The statement that exercise provides several health benefits captures the overarching message.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses commas in a list.

• a.We bought apples oranges and pears.
• b.We bought apples, oranges and pears.
• c.We bought apples, oranges, and pears.✓
• d.We bought, apples oranges, and pears.

Items in a series are separated by commas, including the comma before 'and' (the serial comma), which the GED accepts. The correct option places commas correctly between all three items. The other choices omit or misplace commas.

Which word signals a cause-and-effect relationship?

• a.meanwhile
• b.in addition
• c.for example
• d.consequently✓

'Consequently' shows that one event results from another, marking cause and effect. 'Meanwhile' signals time, 'for example' introduces an illustration, and 'in addition' adds information. Recognizing signal words helps readers follow logic.

Read: 'The witness said she 'clearly' saw the car, yet admitted it was dark and raining.' The word 'clearly' is best described as—

• a.ironic given the poor conditions✓
• b.strongly supported by the situation
• c.a technical legal term
• d.a spelling error

The claim of seeing 'clearly' conflicts with the dark, rainy conditions, creating irony. Irony occurs when words contrast with the actual situation. This contrast invites readers to doubt the reliability of the statement.

Which revision fixes the pronoun-antecedent agreement error: 'Every student must bring their own calculator'?

• a.Every student must bring they own calculator.
• b.Every student must bring his or her own calculator.✓
• c.Every students must bring their own calculator.
• d.Every student must brought their own calculator.

The singular antecedent 'every student' traditionally pairs with a singular pronoun, 'his or her.' The revision keeps subject and pronoun in agreement. The other options also introduce verb or pronoun errors.

Which sentence best uses precise vocabulary to describe fast movement?

• a.The runner went fast down the track.
• b.The runner was not slow on the track.
• c.The runner sprinted down the track.✓
• d.The runner did running on the track.

'Sprinted' is a single, vivid verb that precisely conveys fast running. It is stronger than the vague phrase 'went fast' or the awkward 'did running.' Choosing exact verbs sharpens writing.

Read: 'First, gather your materials. Next, measure twice. Finally, cut once.' This passage is organized by—

• a.comparison and contrast
• b.problem and solution
• c.cause and effect
• d.sequence of steps✓

The words 'first,' 'next,' and 'finally' show a step-by-step order, which is sequential organization. This structure guides a reader through a process in order. Recognizing text structure aids comprehension.