ATB - Ability to Benefit Writing and Language Conventions Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

The new software update is ready; it includes several security patches and bug fixes.

Answer

The presentation was informative; but too long.

Answer

Several team members contributed; including the project manager, the lead developer, and the graphic designer.

Answer

I need to go to the store; for milk, bread, and eggs.

Question 2

Read the following sentence: 'The manager, whom is responsible for the entire department, will be leading the meeting.' Which correction should be made to this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Change 'whom' to 'who'.

Answer

Remove the commas around 'whom is responsible for the entire department'.

Answer

Change 'is' to 'are'.

Answer

No correction is needed.

Question 3

A student is writing an email to a professor and wants to maintain a professional tone. Which of the following sentences is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The effects of the new attendance policy on student performance are not yet clear.

Answer

I can't make the review session, so I'll have to get the notes from someone else.

Answer

The new policy seems okay, I guess.

Answer

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I'm concerned about how the new policy will effect my grade.

Question 4

Which sentence demonstrates the correct use of a possessive noun?

Accepted Answer

The company's annual report was released yesterday.

Answer

The dog wagged it's tail excitedly.

Answer

All of the students's scores improved after the review session.

Answer

The childrens laughter could be heard from the playground.

Question 5

A writer is revising the following sentence: 'The committee will make a decision, and they will announce it tomorrow.' Which revision is the most concise?

Accepted Answer

The committee will announce its decision tomorrow.

Answer

The committee, which is a group of people, will make a decision and announce it tomorrow.

Answer

The committee's decision will be announced by them tomorrow.

Answer

Making a decision, the committee will then announce it tomorrow.

Question 6

Identify the sentence that contains a subject-verb agreement error.

Accepted Answer

Neither the students nor the instructor were happy with the classroom change.

Answer

The list of approved courses is on the department website.

Answer

Each of the applicants has a unique set of skills.

Answer

The data from the recent study support the initial hypothesis.