ABLE Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses a comma correctly?
- After the storm passed, the roads were clear. (Correct answer)
- After the storm, passed the roads were clear.
- After the storm passed the roads, were clear.
- After the storm passed the roads were, clear.
Correct answer: After the storm passed, the roads were clear.
A comma follows an introductory adverbial clause before the main clause.
Question 2: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee will announce ___ decision tomorrow'?
- it's
- its (Correct answer)
- its'
- their
Correct answer: its
'Its' is the possessive pronoun; 'it's' is the contraction for 'it is.'
Question 3: Which revision best improves clarity: 'The report was written by the manager and reviewed it before submission'?
- The manager wrote the report and reviewed it before submission. (Correct answer)
- The report, written by the manager, and reviewed it before submission.
- Written by the manager, the report it was reviewed before submission.
- The manager wrote the report; reviewing it before submission was done.
Correct answer: The manager wrote the report and reviewed it before submission.
The original has a dangling subject shift; making 'manager' the consistent subject fixes it.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Walking to school, Maria noticed the broken sidewalk.
- Walking to school, the broken sidewalk was noticed. (Correct answer)
- Maria walked to school and noticed the broken sidewalk.
- The broken sidewalk was noticed by Maria while walking to school.
Correct answer: Walking to school, the broken sidewalk was noticed.
The participle 'walking' must logically modify the subject of the main clause, which should be Maria, not 'sidewalk.'
Question 5: Which transitional phrase best signals a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- As a result
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' indicates contrast or concession, unlike the others which signal addition or consequence.
Question 6: In academic writing, which tone is most appropriate?
- Colloquial and conversational
- Objective and formal (Correct answer)
- Emotional and persuasive only
- Casual with slang for relatability
Correct answer: Objective and formal
Academic writing requires an objective, formal tone to convey credibility and professionalism.
Question 7: Which sentence is written in the active voice?
- The policy was approved by the board.
- Approval of the policy was given by the board.
- The board approved the policy. (Correct answer)
- The policy had been approved.
Correct answer: The board approved the policy.
Active voice places the subject ('board') as the doer of the action directly before the verb.
ABLE Writing Skills 2
Which sentence uses a comma correctly?