Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

Which of the following modifies a noun or pronoun?

1. Adverb

2. Adjectival clause

3. Verb

4. Preposition

The correct answer is: Adjectival clause

The correct option is an adjectival clause, which is a specific type of dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about it. For instance, in the sentence "The book that I borrowed was fascinating," the adjectival clause "that I borrowed" modifies the noun "book" by specifying which book is being referred to. An adjectival clause typically begins with a relative pronoun such as "who," "which," or "that," and it serves to add detail to the noun it modifies, enhancing the reader’s understanding of the subject matter. This aspect of providing clarification is vital in both written and spoken communication, as it allows for more nuanced and meaningful interactions. In contrast, other options serve different grammatical roles. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while verbs indicate actions or states of being. Prepositions show relationships between nouns or pronouns and other words in a sentence, often indicating direction, location, or time. Understanding these distinctions is key to mastering the use of language effectively.