Question

pronouns diagnostic test (20 pts.) score: ____/4

• recognizing antecedents. circle the antecedent for each underlined pronoun.

example: did amy write both of the (letters)?

1. some of the (children) are afraid of mice.
2. andrea usually brings her lunch to school.

• identifying personal pronouns. underline the two personal pronouns in each sentence.

example: liz handed her brother his coat.

1. alice asked henry if he had brought his bike.
2. paul baked his parents a cake for their party.
3. the twins took their skis with them.

• distinguishing between reflexive and intensive pronouns. underline the reflexive or intensive pronoun in each sentence. then label each as reflexive or intensive.

example: the wind itself blew the door shut. a. reflexive b. intensive

1. i myself have never questioned janet’s loyalty. a. reflexive b. intensive
2. we all enjoyed ourselves at the picnic. a. reflexive b. intensive

• recognizing demonstrative, relative, and interrogative pronouns. identify the underlined pronoun in each sentence as demonstrative, relative, or interrogative.

example: alice chose the book that paul wanted. a. demonstrative b. relative c. interrogative

1. which of the candidates is more likely to win? a. demonstrative b. relative c. interrogative
2. ralph was the person who told lisa. a. demonstrative b. relative c. interrogative
3. this is a book by the same author. a. demonstrative b. relative c. interrogative

• identifying indefinite pronouns. underline the indefinite pronoun or indefinite pronouns in each sentence. the number in parentheses after each sentence tells you how many there are.

example: most of us know something about insects. (2)

1. although animals throughout the animal kingdom are adaptable, none have shown greater ability to adapt than insects. (1)
2. everyone knows that insects thrive in hot and humid jungle regions, but did you know that some also live in frozen polar regions? (2)
3. deserts, caves, lakes, and mountains provide homes for others. (1)
4. few, however, are found in the earth’s oceans. (1)

Explanation:

Recognizing Antecedents

1. For "Some of the children are afraid of mice", the antecedent of "Some" is "children" (circle "children").
2. For "Andrea usually brings her lunch to school", the antecedent of "her" is "Andrea" (circle "Andrea").

Identifying Personal Pronouns

1. In "Alice asked Henry if he had brought his bike", underline "he" and "his".
2. In "Paul baked his parents a cake for their party", underline "his" and "their".
3. In "The twins took their skis with them", underline "their" and "them".

Distinguishing Between Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

1. In "I myself have never questioned Janet’s loyalty", underline "myself" and label it as B (Intensive, as it emphasizes "I").
2. In "We all enjoyed ourselves at the picnic", underline "ourselves" and label it as A (Reflexive, as the action of enjoying is done to the subject "We" itself).

Recognizing Demonstrative, Relative, and Interrogative Pronouns

1. In "Which of the candidates is more likely to win?", the underlined "Which" is C (Interrogative, as it asks a question).
2. In "Ralph was the person who told Lisa", the underlined "who" is B (Relative, as it introduces a relative clause describing "person").
3. In "This is a book by the same author", the underlined "This" is A (Demonstrative, as it points to a specific book).

Identifying Indefinite Pronouns

1. In "Although animals throughout the animal kingdom are adaptable, none have shown greater ability to adapt than insects. (1)", underline "none".
2. In "Everyone knows that insects thrive in hot and humid jungle regions, but did you know that some also live in frozen polar regions? (2)", underline "Everyone" and "some".
3. In "Deserts, caves, lakes, and mountains provide homes for others. (1)", underline "others".
4. In "Few, however, are found in the Earth’s oceans. (1)", underline "Few".

Answer:

Recognizing Antecedents

1. For "Some of the children are afraid of mice", the antecedent of "Some" is "children" (circle "children").
2. For "Andrea usually brings her lunch to school", the antecedent of "her" is "Andrea" (circle "Andrea").

Identifying Personal Pronouns

1. In "Alice asked Henry if he had brought his bike", underline "he" and "his".
2. In "Paul baked his parents a cake for their party", underline "his" and "their".
3. In "The twins took their skis with them", underline "their" and "them".

Distinguishing Between Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

1. In "I myself have never questioned Janet’s loyalty", underline "myself" and label it as B (Intensive, as it emphasizes "I").
2. In "We all enjoyed ourselves at the picnic", underline "ourselves" and label it as A (Reflexive, as the action of enjoying is done to the subject "We" itself).

Recognizing Demonstrative, Relative, and Interrogative Pronouns

1. In "Which of the candidates is more likely to win?", the underlined "Which" is C (Interrogative, as it asks a question).
2. In "Ralph was the person who told Lisa", the underlined "who" is B (Relative, as it introduces a relative clause describing "person").
3. In "This is a book by the same author", the underlined "This" is A (Demonstrative, as it points to a specific book).

Identifying Indefinite Pronouns

1. In "Although animals throughout the animal kingdom are adaptable, none have shown greater ability to adapt than insects. (1)", underline "none".
2. In "Everyone knows that insects thrive in hot and humid jungle regions, but did you know that some also live in frozen polar regions? (2)", underline "Everyone" and "some".
3. In "Deserts, caves, lakes, and mountains provide homes for others. (1)", underline "others".
4. In "Few, however, are found in the Earth’s oceans. (1)", underline "Few".