Which of the following sentences contains an infinitive

� Which of the following sentences contains an infinitive? �Courtney traveled to the mountains each year for a ski trip with her family. �Rick promised to listen to his aunt while he was visiting for a week. �Komail practiced playing his guitar to his animals before each big recital. �My best friend led the class in singing “Happy Birthday” to our teacher.

Reasoning: Infinitive = to + verb � Which of the following sentences contains an infinitive? �Courtney traveled to the mountains each year for a ski trip with her family. �Rick promised to listen to his aunt while he was visiting for a week. �Komail practiced playing his guitar to his animals before each big recital. �My best friend led the class in singing “Happy Birthday” to our teacher.

After some light stretching, Julia decided to run around the park for her warm-up. � What �To is the infinitive in the sentence above? run �For her warm-up �Around the park �After some

After some light stretching, Julia decided to run around the park for her warm-up. � What is the infinitive in the sentence above? �To run �For her warm-up �Around the park �After some Reasoning: Infinitive = to + verb

Megan’s art portfolio, showing her best paintings, was on display at the fair. � What is the participial phrase in the sentence? �At the fair �Showing her best paintings �On display �Megan’s art portfolio

Megan’s art portfolio, showing her best paintings, was on display at the fair. � What is the participial phrase in the sentence? Reasoning: Participle �At the fair phrases always �Showing her best paintings function as adjectives, �On display adding description to �Megan’s art portfolio the sentence

� Which �Each sentence contains a participle? summer, the sail boats sailed along the eastern coast. �Sailing upon the ocean can be a fun activity in the summer. �The receding waves left a dark mark upon the golden sand. �Rosa loved watching the waves, the boats, and the beach goers.

Reasoning: Receding is the present participle that describes the waves. Participles are words that end in –ing or –ed and are used as adjectives. The words "sailing" and "watching" are used as gerunds. � Which �Each sentence contains a participle? summer, the sail boats sailed along the eastern coast. �Sailing upon the ocean can be a fun activity in the summer. �The receding waves left a dark mark upon the golden sand. �Rosa loved watching the waves, the boats, and the beach goers.

� Which sentence uses the present participle of the word enrich? �Music is an essential part of a child’s learning because it enriches his or her life. �Enriched with fiber, the cereal is one of the most popular items on store shelves. �Some programs enrich the lives of people by teaching them how to eat healthy. �The foundation, enriching the lives of many people, has been open over 20 years.

Reasoning: Enriching is the present participle that describes the foundation. Participles are words that end in –ing or –ed and are used as adjectives. � Which sentence uses the present participle of the word enrich? �Music is an essential part of a child’s learning because it enriches his or her life. �Enriched with fiber, the cereal is one of the most popular items on store shelves. �Some programs enrich the lives of people by teaching them how to eat healthy. �The foundation, enriching the lives of many people, has been open over 20 years.

� What is the past participle of the word endorse. �Endorsing �Endorsed �Endorses

� What is the past participle of the word endorse. �Endorsing �Endorsed �Endorses Reasoning: Participles are words that end in –ing or –ed and are used as adjectives. Endorsed is the past participle of the word "endorse" because it ends with –ed.

Sitting up straight was a problem for Thi, so she decided to practice every day. � What �She is the gerund phrase in the sentence? decided �Sitting up straight �To practice every day �A problem for Thi

Sitting up straight was a problem for Thi, so she decided to practice every day. � What is the gerund phrase in the sentence? �She decided �Sitting up straight �To practice every day �A problem for Thi Reasoning: A gerund is a verbal noun ending in –ing. It functions like any other noun. "Sitting up straight" is the thing that is a problem for Thi.

� Which of the following sentences contains a gerund? �Editing papers was Evan’s favorite part of the writing process. �Evan needs an interesting topic for his next written report. �After deciding what to write about, Evan went to the library. �Evan will be typing his English paper throughout the evening.

Reasoning: A gerund is the –ing form of a verb when it is used as a noun. A gerund functions like any other noun, functioning as a subject, subject complement, or object in a sentence. The phrase "editing papers" functions as the subject of this sentence. � Which of the following sentences contains a gerund? �Editing papers was Evan’s favorite part of the writing process. �Evan needs an interesting topic for his next written report. �After deciding what to write about, Evan went to the library. �Evan will be typing his English paper throughout the evening.

� Which �The sentence is written in passive voice? new office building was built by my uncle Danny. �Sometimes, he had to work on the weekends. �Danny finished the construction in a short time. �When he finished the building, everyone admired it.

� Which sentence is written in passive voice? �The new office building was built by my uncle Danny. �Sometimes, he had to work on the weekends. �Danny finished the construction in a short time. �When he finished the building, everyone admired it. Reasoning: In sentences written in passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the subject is acted upon. In this case, the subject, "Danny, " receives the action, "was built. " Look for the pattern: "be" verb + past participle + by = "was built by. "

� Which �Bessy sentence is written in passive voice? checked into a seedy motel as part of the authentic road trip experience. �A seedy motel is checked into as just part of the authentic road trip experience. �As part of the authentic road trip experience, they checked into a seedy motel. �Kameel, as part of the authentic road trip experience, checked into a seedy motel.

Reasoning: Sentences written in passive voice are useful when the actor is unknown or not as important as the action. In this case, the action is what is important. The passive sentence does not contain an actor, or a subject, that performs the action of the verb "check. " � Which �Bessy sentence is written in passive voice? checked into a seedy motel as part of the authentic road trip experience. �A seedy motel is checked into as just part of the authentic road trip experience. �As part of the authentic road trip experience, they checked into a seedy motel. �Kameel, as part of the authentic road trip experience, checked into a seedy motel.

� Identify the sentence that corrects the shift in voice in the following sentence The police had been looking for the thief for months, and he was finally caught in the act. �The thief had been searched for months by the police, and they finally caught him in the act. �The thief had been searched for months, and the police finally caught him in the act. �The police had been looking for the thief for months and had finally caught him in the act. �The police had been looking for the thief for months, and he was finally caught in the act by them.

Reasoning: Inconsistency or a shift in a sentence confuses the reader. Shifts in the voice can make reading difficult and the meaning confusing. To correct the shift, both clauses in the sentence should be in the same (active) voice. Identify the sentence that corrects the shift in voice in the following sentence The police had been looking for the thief for months, and he was finally caught in the act. � The thief had been searched for months by the police, and they finally caught him in the act. � The thief had been searched for months, and the police finally caught him in the act. � The police had been looking for the thief for months and had finally caught him in the act. � The police had been looking for the thief for months, and he was finally caught in the act by them. �

� Which of the following sentences is written in active voice? �By Eric, what life would be life if he had an unlimited bank account was imagined. �If he had an unlimited bank account, what life would be like was imagined by Eric. �What life would be like if he had an unlimited bank account was imagined by Eric. �Eric imagined what life would be like if he had an unlimited bank account.

� Which of the following sentences is written in active voice? � By Eric, what life would be life if he had an unlimited bank account was imagined. � If he had an unlimited bank account, what life would be like was imagined by Eric. � What life would be like if he had an unlimited bank account was imagined by Eric. � Eric imagined what life would be like if he had an unlimited bank account. Reasoning: In sentences written in active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject acts. In this case, the subject, "Eric, " performs the action, "imagined. "

� Choose the sentence that corrects the shift in voice in the following sentence. He could not remember if the bathroom door had been locked by him from the inside. �He could not remember if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside. �He could not remember if the bathroom door was locked from the inside. �It could not be remembered if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside. �It could not be remembered by him if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside.

Reasoning: Inconsistency or a shift in a sentence confuses the reader. Shifts in the voice can make reading difficult and the meaning confusing. To correct the shift, both clauses in the sentence should be in the same (active) voice. Choose the sentence that corrects the shift in voice in the following sentence. He could not remember if the bathroom door had been locked by him from the inside. � He could not remember if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside. � He could not remember if the bathroom door was locked from the inside. � It could not be remembered if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside. � It could not be remembered by him if he had locked the bathroom door from the inside. �

� Which sentence is written in active voice? �The licenses are issued by the government. �A pilot flies the small, turboprop plane. �A grapefruit is eaten by people who diet. �The dress is sold by Gilman’s.

� Which sentence is written in active voice? �The licenses are issued by the government. �A pilot flies the small, turboprop plane. �A grapefruit is eaten by people who diet. �The dress is sold by Gilman’s. Reasoning: In sentences written in active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject acts. "Pilot" is the subject that performs the action "flies. "

Stay beneath an umbrella if you want to remain dry on a rainy day. � Which of the following is a preposition from the sentence above? �If �Beneath �Want �You

Stay beneath an umbrella if you want to remain dry on a rainy day. � Which of the following is a preposition from the sentence above? �If Reasoning: The preposition �Beneath "beneath" describes the area under the umbrella. �Want �You

� What word or phrase is modified by the prepositional phrase in the sentence below? Michael joined a winter soccer league so he could play in between his school team’s seasons. �Soccer �League �Play �Seasons

� What word or phrase is modified by the prepositional phrase in the sentence below? Michael joined a winter soccer league so he could play in between his school team’s seasons. �Soccer Reasoning: The prepositional phrase in �League this sentence is "in between his school team's soccer seasons, " and it modifies �Play the word "play. " It describes when �Seasons Michael will play for the winter league.

What is the BEST way to combine the information in the two clauses below? Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home. They took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home so they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home, or they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home; they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots.

Reasoning: The first clause is a dependent clause. To combine the clauses, replace the period after "home" with a comma and make "They" lowercase. � What is the BEST way to combine the information in the two clauses below? Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home. They took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home so they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home, or they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots. � Before the Ramirez family brought their new puppy home; they took it to the vet to get a check-up and shots.

What is the BEST way to combine the information in the two clauses below? Eddie left his soccer practice early. So that he could make his tutoring appointment. �Eddie left his soccer practice early; so that he could make his tutoring appointment. �Eddie left his soccer practice early, and so that he could make his tutoring appointment. �Eddie left his soccer practice early for so that he could make his tutoring appointment. �

Reasoning: The second clause is a dependent clause. To combine the two clauses, remove the period after "early" and make "So" lowercase. When the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, no comma is needed to separate the two. The phrase "so that" separates the two clauses. � What is the BEST way to combine the information in the two clauses below? Eddie left his soccer practice early. So that he could make his tutoring appointment. � Eddie left his soccer practice early; so that he could make his tutoring appointment. � Eddie left his soccer practice early, and so that he could make his tutoring appointment. � Eddie left his soccer practice early for so that he could make his tutoring appointment.

� What is the BEST way to combine three sentences below? Harrison is the class clown. Harrison always tells the funniest jokes. Harrison doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown, but always tells the funniest jokes and doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown because he always tells the funniest jokes and doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown; he always tells the funniest jokes, or doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown and always tells the funniest jokes, or doesn’t take things seriously.

Reasoning: Each of the three sentences is an independent clause. Because all three clauses share the same subject, you can combine the actions of at least two of the sentences to create one independent. � What is the BEST way to combine three sentences below? Harrison is the class clown. Harrison always tells the funniest jokes. Harrison doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown, but always tells the funniest jokes and doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown because he always tells the funniest jokes and doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown; he always tells the funniest jokes, or doesn’t take things seriously. � Harrison is the class clown and always tells the funniest jokes, or doesn’t take things seriously.

� Choose �She the sentence that is written correctly. uses different kinds received many awards. �She uses different kinds received many awards. of media, and she has of media. And she has of media and, she has of media and she has

Reasoning: The sentence contains two independent clauses connected by the conjunction "and. " A comma should be added before the conjunction. � Choose �She the sentence that is written correctly. uses different kinds received many awards. �She uses different kinds received many awards. of media, and she has of media. And she has of media and, she has of media and she has

� Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement? �Would you be willing to lend me their pencil for just a minute? �I understand our opinion, but I do not agree with you. �If you want to go to the mall, you can ride your bike there. �We all have really admired you for his bold fashion choices.

Reasoning: Each of the sentences calls for a secondperson, singular, possessive pronoun. The correct answer is "If you want to go to the mall, you can ride your bike there" because "your" is a possessive, second-person, singular pronoun. � Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement? �Would you be willing to lend me their pencil for just a minute? �I understand our opinion, but I do not agree with you. �If you want to go to the mall, you can ride your bike there. �We all have really admired you for his bold fashion choices.

Reasoning: A pronoun should clearly refer to an antecedent. In the correct answer, the pronoun "they" does not have an antecedent. A clearer way to write the sentence is "Amber bought her dad a Swiss watch because she had heard that Swiss watchmakers make the best watches. " � Which sentence contains an unclear pronoun? � After Archie crashed his bike into the fence, the bike and the fence both needed repairs. � Paul and Kelly left their dogs at the kennel, but then they worried that their dogs would be homesick. � Amber bought her dad a Swiss watch because she had heard that they make the best watches. � Although Rowan was an accomplished sculptor, his daughter never became interested in sculpting.

� Which of the following best fits the blank in the sentence below? _______ report is due next month. �Yourself �Yours �You’re �Your

� Which of the following best fits the blank in the sentence below? _______ report is due next month. �Yourself �Yours �You’re �Your Reasoning: "Your" is a possessive. "You're" is the same thing as "you are. " ("You are" doesn't fit in this sentence. )

� Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement? �The four brothers are all very fit, and them is in shape for climbing. �The two sisters rarely got along as they were so different. �Carol and Becky hate camping, but he came anyways. �Philip and Vicki wanted to dance, so us put on a CD.

Reasoning: Each of the sentences calls for a thirdperson, plural pronoun. The correct answer is "The two sisters rarely got along as they were so different" because "they" is a third-person, plural pronoun. � Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun-antecedent agreement? �The four brothers are all very fit, and them is in shape for climbing. �The two sisters rarely got along as they were so different. �Carol and Becky hate camping, but he came anyways. �Philip and Vicki wanted to dance, so us put on a CD.

� Which of the following verbs agrees with the subject in the sentence? The five deer in the field ____ fast. �Are �Was �Will �Is

Reasoning: "Deer" is plural here even though it does not end in "s. " "Are" is the plural form of the verb. � Which of the following verbs agrees with the subject in the sentence? The five deer in the field ____ fast. �Are �Was �Will �Is

� Which �The sentence is written correctly? Laguna Pub tribe, located in New Mexico, boast a rich cultural background. �Each weekend, a crowd of visitors tour the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires, Argentina. �Every Friday after Thanksgiving, a drove of shoppers flock to each store in the city. �After an Andrea Bocelli concert, the entertained audience return to their homes.

Reasoning: In the correct answer, the collective noun and subject is "audience. " A collective noun refers to a group of people, animals, or things. The collective noun takes a plural verb when each member of the group acts separately. The collective noun needs a plural verb because each person in the audience has a different home. � Which �The sentence is written correctly? Laguna Pub tribe, located in New Mexico, boast a rich cultural background. �Each weekend, a crowd of visitors tour the Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires, Argentina. �Every Friday after Thanksgiving, a drove of shoppers flock to each store in the city. �After an Andrea Bocelli concert, the entertained audience return to their homes.

� Which of the following contains an inappropriate shift in verb tense? � Reading a book while sitting under an oak tree is an activity that almost anyone can enjoy outdoors. � Our neighbors have purchased a new lawnmower, and they have recommended that we do the same. � John wore a traditional Scottish kilt and performed a bagpipe solo at his wedding last month. � During my long drive home, I proceeded cautiously because I encounter heavy traffic.

Reasoning: An inappropriate shift in verb tense can confuse the reader and can make reading difficult. To correct the shift, the verbs in the sentence should be in the same tense. The incorrectly written sentence has verbs that are in past and present tense. One way to correct this sentence is to make both verbs past tense: During my long drive home, I proceeded cautiously because I encountered heavy traffic. � Which of the following contains an inappropriate shift in verb tense? � Reading a book while sitting under an oak tree is an activity that almost anyone can enjoy outdoors. � Our neighbors have purchased a new lawnmower, and they have recommended that we do the same. � John wore a traditional Scottish kilt and performed a bagpipe solo at his wedding last month. � During my long drive home, I proceeded cautiously because I encounter heavy traffic.

(1) It was a bright and sunny day, we were all hot and sticky. (2) Swimming seemed a wonderful way to escape the heat. (3) We decided to go to the pool. (4) Everyone looked forward to jumping into cool water. (5) Soon the sounds of splashing water. (6) We forgot about the heat. (7) The sounds of laughing swimmers also made us forget the heat. Which of the sentences above is a fragment? �Sentence 6 �Sentence 4 �Sentence 1 �Sentence 5

Reasoning: Soon the sounds of splashing water. does not contain a verb. The paragraph should be re-written to say: Soon the sounds of splashing water and laughing swimmers made us forget the heat. (1) It was a bright and sunny day, we were all hot and sticky. (2) Swimming seemed a wonderful way to escape the heat. (3) We decided to go to the pool. (4) Everyone looked forward to jumping into cool water. (5) Soon the sounds of splashing water. (6) We forgot about the heat. (7) The sounds of laughing swimmers also made us forget the heat. Which of the sentences above is a fragment? � Sentence 6 � Sentence 4 � Sentence 1 � Sentence 5

Most children who come here from other countries. Learn to speak English very quickly. What is wrong with the underlined sentence? �It needs a verb. �It is a run-on sentence. �It is a sentence fragment. �It is too short.

Reasoning: The underlined words form a sentence fragment. The first sentence is also a fragment. The two need to be combined into one sentence: "Most of the children who come here from other countries learn to speak English very quickly. " Most children who come here from other countries. Learn to speak English very quickly. What is wrong with the underlined sentence? �It needs a verb. �It is a run-on sentence. �It is a sentence fragment. �It is too short.

It was a bright and sunny day, we were all hot and sticky. Swimming seemed a wonderful way to escape the heat. We decided to go to the pool. Everyone looked forward to jumping into cool water. Soon the sounds of splashing water. We forgot about the heat. The sounds of laughing swimmers also made us forget the heat. Which of the following would be a better way to write the underlined sentence? � The summer day was bright and sunny. All of us hot and sticky. � It was a bright and sunny summer day. We were all hot and sticky. � We were hot and sticky bright summer day. � A bright and sunny summer day. We were all hot and sticky.

Reasoning: The underlined sentence is really two sentences that should be written separately or should be combined with a conjunction. It was a bright and sunny day, we were all hot and sticky. Swimming seemed a wonderful way to escape the heat. We decided to go to the pool. Everyone looked forward to jumping into cool water. Soon the sounds of splashing water. We forgot about the heat. The sounds of laughing swimmers also made us forget the heat. Which of the following would be a better way to write the underlined sentence? � The summer day was bright and sunny. All of us hot and sticky. � It was a bright and sunny summer day. We were all hot and sticky. � We were hot and sticky bright summer day. � A bright and sunny summer day. We were all hot and sticky.

I went to the meeting to watch Tyrone _____ his award. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Eccept �Axcept �Accept �Except

I went to the meeting to watch Tyrone _____ his award. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Eccept Reasoning: accept = verb meaning to �Axcept receive or to agree: He accepted their �Accept praise graciously. �Except except = preposition meaning all but, other than: Everyone went to the game except Alyson.

I parked my bike over _______ behind that tree. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Their �They’re �Thier �There

Reasoning: Their = possessive pronoun: their books There = that place: over there They're = contraction for they are: They're making dinner. I parked my bike over _______ behind that tree. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Their �They’re �Thier �There

The best part of my bike is ______ ability to move fast! Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Its’s �Its’ �It’s

Reasoning: Its = possessive pronoun: The crab had an unusual growth on its shell. It's = contraction for it is or it has (in a verb phrase): It's still raining; it's been raining for three days. The best part of my bike is ______ ability to move fast! Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Its’s �Its’ �It’s

Dontae’s first basketball coach had a big _______ on his career as a player. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Afect �Effect �Affect �Efect

Dontae’s first basketball coach had a big _______ on his career as a player. Which of the following would be the best word to fill in the blank. �Afect Reasoning: affect = verb meaning to influence: Will �Effect lack of sleep affect your game? �Affect effect = noun meaning result or consequence: Will lack �Efect of sleep have an effect on your game? effect = verb meaning to bring about, to accomplish: Our efforts have effected a major change in university policy.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments; in class for example, he made his students build contraptions, for an egg drop, from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class for example; he made his students build contraptions for an egg drop, from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class, for example, he made his students build contraptions, for an egg drop from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class; for example, he made his students build contraptions for an egg drop from two stories high.

Reasoning: Use semicolons with transitional words such as however, moreover, therefore and transitional expressions such as in addition, for example, and since then. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments; in class for example, he made his students build contraptions, for an egg drop, from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class for example; he made his students build contraptions for an egg drop, from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class, for example, he made his students build contraptions, for an egg drop from two stories high. � Deandre’s science teacher did a lot of silly experiments in class; for example, he made his students build contraptions for an egg drop from two stories high.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? �The three largest cities in the state of Texas are Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. �The three largest cities, in the state of Texas, are Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio �The three, largest cities in the state of Texas are Dallas Houston, and San Antonio. �The three, largest cities, in the state of Texas as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? � The three largest cities in the state of Texas are Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. � The three largest cities, in the state of Texas, are Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio � The three, largest cities in the state of Texas are Dallas Houston, and San Antonio. � The three, largest cities, in the state of Texas as Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Reasoning: With more than two items in a series, make sure that each item is separated by a comma. Also, don't forget the period at the end of the sentence.

The author of Evel Knievel’s Greatest Stunts wrote, Evel Knievel lived life on the edge and on his terms. Which word or phrase from the sentence needs to be in quotation marks? �Evel Knievel’s Greatest Stunts �Evel Knievel �According the author �Evel Knievel lived life on the edge and on his terms

The author of Evel Knievel’s Greatest Stunts wrote, Evel Knievel lived life on the edge and on his terms. Which word or phrase from the sentence needs to be in quotation marks? � Evel Knievel’s Greatest Stunts � Evel Knievel � According the author � Evel Knievel lived life on the edge and on his terms Reasoning: Anytime you quote from a source, and you are not using your own words, you must use quotes to distinguish what writing is yours and what isn't.

When he knew that he could choose the snake he wanted the one with copper and yellow spots or the one with red and black stripes Henry took his time deciding. What punctuation should be used to emphasize the part of the sentence that is underlined? �Quotation �Dashes �Periods �Commas marks

When he knew that he could choose the snake he wanted the one with copper and yellow spots or the one with red and black stripes Henry took his time deciding. What punctuation should be used to emphasize the part of the sentence that is underlined? � Quotation � Dashes � Periods � Commas marks Reasoning: Dashes are used in a similar way as parentheses, to set off material in a sentence and call attention to it. Putting dashes before and after the phrase that's in bold emphasizes it. By doing this, you draw attention to the fact the boy had two snakes to choose from.