Exercise: Unnecessary shifts

In each of the following items, select the sentence that eliminates any unnecessary shifts in tense, mood, voice, point of view, or diction or shifts between direct and indirect discourse. If the original sentence is correct, select “No change.”

Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this exercise set, you must answer every question before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.

1 of 10

The greed of the 1980s became the dot-com boom of the 1990s, which soon turned into a dot-com bust.

A. The greed of the 1980s became the dot-com boom of the 1990s, which soon turns into a dot-com bust.

B. The greed of the 1980s became the dot-com boom of the 1990s, which was soon succeeded by a dot-com bust.

C. No change.

The greed of the 1980s became the dot-com boom of the 1990s, which soon turned into a dot-com bust.

2 of 10

The coroner asked that we be quiet and we should be attentive.

A. The coroner asked us to be quiet and that we be attentive.

B. The coroner asked that we be quiet and attentive.

C. No change.

3 of 10

The physician moves the knee around to observe the connections of the cartilage and ligaments, and then a fluid is injected into the joint.

A. The physician moves the knee around to observe the connections of the cartilage and ligaments and then injects a fluid into the joint.

B. The physician moves the knee around to observe the connections of the cartilage and ligaments and then injected a fluid into the joint.

C. No change.

4 of 10

The traffic cop said that the streets were unusually crowded, and “the shoppers go crazy at this time of year.”

A. The traffic cop said, “The streets are unusually crowded, and the shoppers go crazy at this time of year.”

B. The traffic cop said that the streets were unusually crowded and that the shoppers go crazy at this time of year.

C. No change.

5 of 10

Suddenly we heard an explosion of wings off to our right, and we could see a hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.

A. Suddenly an explosion of wings was heard off to our right, and we could see a hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.

B. Suddenly we heard an explosion of wings off to our right, and you could see a hundred or more ducks lifting off from the water.

C. No change.

6 of 10

The first thing that is seen as we start down the slope is a green banner.

A. The first thing that is seen as you start down the slope is a green banner.

B. The first thing we see as we start down the slope is a green banner.

C. No change.

7 of 10

Dancers must take care of their bodies, but don’t starve yourselves.

A. Dancers must take care of their bodies, but they shouldn’t starve themselves.

B. Dancers must take care of their bodies, but you shouldn’t starve yourself.

C. No change.

8 of 10

A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles fly in every direction.

A. A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles flew in every direction.

B. A cloud of snow powder rose as skis and poles start flying in every direction.

C. No change.

9 of 10

The instructor asked us did we all understand the story.

A. The instructor asked us if we all understand the story.

B. The instructor asked us if we all understood the story.

C. No change.

10 of 10

The exhibit of African works of art, often misunderstood and undervalued by art historians, was a heck of a show.

A. The exhibit of African works of art, often misunderstood and undervalued by art historians, was a remarkable show.

B. The exhibit of African works of art, often pooh-poohed by art historians, was a heck of a show.

C. No change.