Language Arts, Writing Mechanics

Front 1

(12.)

Mechanics

Proper capitalization is tested on the GED.

Back 1

Capitalize

• proper nouns:
Eiffel Tower (proper noun)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (book title)
Geometry 2 (course title)

• the first word in a sentence:
(She) has a very expensive violin.

• the first word in a salutation and the first world in a
closing:
(Dear) Julie,
(Sincerely,)

Front 2

(13.)

Mechanics

Quotation marks have their own rules regarding punctuation.

Back 2

Examples:
• "Harry up, man," Jimmy said with impatience.
Comma goes inside quotation marks, and period goes at the very end of the sentence.

• Angel wished aloud," I want to help with recycling efforts in my neighborhood."
Comma goes after last word before quotation, and period goes inside quotation marks.

Front 3

(14.)

Mechanics

Apostrophe rules:
• Do use an apostrophe with contractions, possessive nouns, and plural abbreviations.

• Do not use apostrophe with possessive pronouns.

Back 3

Examples:
• Last Summer, someone vandalized the (NAACP's) headquarters.

• I (won't)decide which class to take until I receive my final report card.

• (David's) arm broke in two places.

• Remember the ABCs.

• I lost my pen. May I borrow (yours)?
(yours is a possessive pronoun and does not need an apostrophe)

Front 4

(15.)

Mechanics

Homonyms are two (or more) words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.
Be sure you know the differences between homonyms.

Back 4

Examples:
some = referring to a relatively small quantity
sum = the product of adding two or more numbers

read = the present tense form of "to read" as in to read a book
reed (plant) = grasslike plant that grows in marshes

there = refers to a place or is used at the beginning of the sentence, as in "There is"
they're = the contraction of "they are"
their = belongs to them

its = belongs to it
it's = the contraction of "it is"

Front 5

(16.)

Mechanics

Spelling rule: The plural form of most nouns is formed by (adding s to the singular form).

Back 5

Examples:
• Lamp become lamp(s).
• Chair become chair(s).
• Bird becomes Bird(s).
• Dog becomes dog(s).

Front 6

(17.)

Mechanics

Spelling rules: When a singular form of a noun ends in s, x, ch, or sh, the plural form generally is formed by (adding es).

Back 6

Examples:
• Fox becomes fox(es).
• Church becomes church(es).
• Dish becomes dish(es).
• Bus become bus(es).

Front 7

(18.)

Mechanics

Spelling rule: When a singular noun ends in y and the y is preceded by a consonant, the plural form of the noun is formed (by changing the y to i and adding es).

Back 7

Examples:
• Baby becomes bab(ies).
• Story becomes stor(ies).
• Lady because lad(ies).
• Daddy become dadd(ies).

Front 8

(19.)

Mechanics

When the present tense of a verb ends in (y)and the (y) is preceded by a consonant, the past tense of the verb is usually formed by (changing y to i) before a suffix, unless the suffix begins with (i).

Back 8

Examples:
• Fry becomes fr(ied).
• Study become stud(ied).
• Marry become marr(ied).
• Try becomes tr(ied).

Front 9

(20.)

Mechanics

Spelling rule: A word that ends in silent (e) generally (keeps the e) when a suffix beginning with a vowel is added.

Back 9

Examples:
• Change becomes change(able).
• Manage become manage(able).
• Noticed becomes notice(able).

Front 10

(21.)

Mechanics

My male carrier left a package at my doorstep today.

Which correction should be made to the sentence?

(1) replace (male carrier) with (male-carrier)
(2) change (today). to (today)!
(3) replace (male) with (mail)
(4) change (doorstep) to (door step)
(5) no correction necessary

Back 10

The correct answer is (3) replace (male) with (mail).

The sentence should read: My (mail) carrier left a package at my doorstep today. Male and mail are commonly confused homonyms.

Front 11

(22.)

Mechanics

The farmer will sew his seeds in the spring to ensure a healthy crop this coming season.

Which correction should be made to the sentence?
(1) change (sew) to (sow)
(2) change (sew) to (so)
(3) insert a comma after (spring)
(4) capitalize (spring)
(5) no change is necessary

Back 11

The correct answer is (1) change (sew)to (sow).

Sew, so, and sow are homonyms. Sew is the act of using a needle and thread to make something; so means very or extremely; sow is the act of planting seeds.

Front 12

(23.)

Mechanics

When you reach the end of the block, look two your right and my driveway will be in view.

Which correction should be made to the sentence?
(1) remove the comma
(2) add a comma after (right)
(3) change (two) to (to)
(4) change (view) to (vue)
(5) no change is necessary

Back 12

The correct answer is (3) change (two) to (to).

Two is a number. To indicates a direction, as in "to your right."
Two and to are commonly confused homonyms.

Front 13

(24.)

Mechanics

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States.

Which correction should be made to the sentence?
(1.) replace(of) with (to)
(2.) insert a comma after (United)
(3.) change (capital) to (capitol)
(4.) change (is) to (are)
(5.) no correction is necessary

Back 13

The correct answer is (5) no correction is necessary.