MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

Which of the following sentences uses the word "good" correctly?

1. She sings good.

2. The soup smells good.

3. He did good on the test.

4. My dog runs good.

The correct answer is: The soup smells good.

The sentence "The soup smells good" uses the word "good" correctly because it functions as a predicate adjective, describing the noun "soup." In this context, "good" conveys that the soup has a pleasant aroma, which aligns with standard English grammar rules. Predicates often require an adjective to describe the subject, and "good" fulfills that role effectively. In contrast, the other sentences incorrectly use "good" as an adverb or fail to conform to grammatical norms. For example, in sentences that refer to performing an action, such as singing, testing, or running, the appropriate term is "well," which is the adverb form. Therefore, while "good" is used as an adjective correctly in "The soup smells good," the other sentences do not adhere to grammatical conventions.