New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which of the following is included in the knowledge of English grammar and usage?

1. History of the English language

2. Parts of speech and their roles

3. Translation of English to other languages

4. Creative writing techniques

The correct answer is: Parts of speech and their roles

Understanding parts of speech and their roles is a fundamental aspect of English grammar and usage. The parts of speech, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections, each play a critical role in sentence structure and meaning. Mastery of these elements allows individuals to construct grammatically correct sentences and comprehend the function of words within sentences. This foundational knowledge is essential for effective communication, reading comprehension, and writing proficiency. In contrast, while the history of the English language provides valuable context for language evolution, it does not directly pertain to the rules and usage of grammar. Translating English to other languages focuses on linguistic transfer rather than grammatical structures within English itself. Creative writing techniques emphasize artistic expression and style, which may diverge from strict grammatical conventions. Therefore, the study of parts of speech directly aligns with the knowledge of grammar and usage in the English language.