Language Arts Lesson 9
Evaluation and Revision (Grades 9-10)
Problems 9-1

Directions: Complete Practice Exercise 9-1 below. Consult the Answer Key for answers once you finish. Review the Instruction material which relates to any questions you do not get correct.

Rewrite the sentences below to eliminate the "inflated language," language that is overly formal, pompous, and wordy.

1. An investigation of the symbolic overtones in Melville's "Billy Budd, Sailor" reveals the opposing personas of Billy Budd's naivete and Claggart's vituperative demeanor.
    
2. The motor vehicle propelled itself up the cliff and landed in nature's watery bosom.
    
3. In hopes of rejuvenating their romantic liaison, the couple went on a pilgrimage to become one with nature.
    
4. A mathematical mindset best suits the making of decisions that profoundly effect this company's future business relations.
    
5. Joe found that the fictional novel by Alcott conveyed a sense of emotion and feeling.
    
6. Smoking tobacco can cause humans to suffer unnecessary consequences.
    
7. The existence of computers and computer technology has greatly influenced commercial enterprise and information exchange.
    
8. Sometimes a particular part of one musical piece affects the listener more than another piece in its entirety.
    
9. Attentive focusing on the professor's informational lecture was not always completely possible.
    
10. After extensive nightly labors on an academic assignment, Sally needed a lengthy period of somnolence.

Choose the correct answer.

11.  Which of the following is an ambiguous comparison?
    1. Mary thinks more of you than Susan.
    2. Mary thinks more of you than me.
    3. Mary thinks more of you than I.
    4. None of the above
    5. All of the above.
        
12. Which of the following is a mixed construction?
    1. The use of repetition depends on cultural background and societal acceptance
    2. Depending on the use someone uses depends on there cultural and what is accepted by society
    3. Neither of the above
    4.  Both of the above.
        
13. Which of the following is a mixed construction?
    1. The only person with whom the audience has direct relations to is the narrator.
    2. The only person with whom the audience has direct relations with is the narrator.
    3.  The only person with whom the audience has direct relations of is the narrator
    4. None of the above
    5. All of the above.
        
14. Which of the following is a mixed construction?
    1. We don't know if her legs are long
    2.  We don't know whether her legs are long
    3. We don't know that her legs are long
    4. None of the above.
    5. All of the above.
        
15. Which of the following is NOT a mixed construction?
    1. A subordinate clause is where you use a subject and a predicate preceded by a subordinating conjunction.
    2. A subordinate clause is a grammatical construction in which a subject and a predicate are preceded by a subordinating conjunction
    3. A subordinate clause is when you use a subject and a predicate preceded by a subordinating conjunction.
    4. None of the above.
    5. All of the above.