Conventions of Language practice test: free ATI TEAS 7 questions

Sample Practice Questions for Conventions of Language

1. Question 1Ref: ATI TEAS 7 — English: Conventions of Language — E.1.2 Use conventions of standard English punctuation

   Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?

   AThe nurse checked the patients' blood pressure before administering medication.BThe nurse checked the patient's blood pressure before administering medication.CThe nurse checked the patients blood pressure, before administering medication.DThe nurse checked the patients blood pressure before administering medication.
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   Correct Answer
   B. The nurse checked the patient's blood pressure before administering medication.

   The possessive form of the singular noun 'patient' is 'patient's' (with an apostrophe before the s). Option A is missing the apostrophe entirely. Option B uses a plural possessive, which would be correct if multiple patients owned the blood pressure. Option C incorrectly places a comma before the prepositional phrase.

2. Question 2Ref: ATI TEAS 7 — English: Conventions of Language — E.1.3 Use correct sentence structures

   Which sentence is grammatically correct?

   ANeither the doctor nor the nurse was available during the shift.BNeither the doctor and the nurse was available during the shift.CNeither the doctor nor the nurse were available during the shift.DNeither the doctor or the nurse were available during the shift.
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct Answer
   A. Neither the doctor nor the nurse was available during the shift.

   With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. Since 'the nurse' is singular, the verb should be 'was.' Options C and D incorrectly use 'or' and 'and' instead of 'nor.' Subject-verb agreement with correlative conjunctions is a frequently tested grammar rule.