C2 Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence best demonstrates the use of a subordinate clause to add nuance?
- The report was finished. It was submitted on time.
- Although the deadline was tight, the report was submitted on time. (Correct answer)
- The report and the deadline were both important.
- The report was submitted, the deadline was met.
Correct answer: Although the deadline was tight, the report was submitted on time.
A subordinate clause beginning with 'although' adds a contrasting nuance that a simple sentence cannot achieve.
Question 2: Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in 'Running through the park, the flowers looked beautiful'?
- Running through the park, the beautiful flowers were seen.
- Running through the park, she noticed the flowers looked beautiful. (Correct answer)
- The flowers looked beautiful while running through the park.
- The flowers, running through the park, looked beautiful.
Correct answer: Running through the park, she noticed the flowers looked beautiful.
The modifier 'running through the park' must logically attach to a human subject such as 'she.'
Question 3: Which word choice best conveys precision in an academic context: 'The data shows a big change' vs. alternatives?
- The data shows a big change.
- The data shows a massive change.
- The data indicates a significant shift. (Correct answer)
- The data shows a really large change.
Correct answer: The data indicates a significant shift.
'Indicates a significant shift' is precise, formal, and avoids vague intensifiers inappropriate for academic writing.
Question 4: What is the primary function of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
- To provide evidence for the thesis.
- To summarize the entire essay.
- To state the controlling idea of that paragraph. (Correct answer)
- To introduce a counterargument.
Correct answer: To state the controlling idea of that paragraph.
A topic sentence announces the paragraph's central claim, guiding all supporting sentences that follow.
Question 5: Which option correctly uses a semicolon?
- She loves writing; but hates editing.
- She loves writing; she hates editing. (Correct answer)
- She loves writing; because editing is tedious.
- She loves; writing and editing both.
Correct answer: She loves writing; she hates editing.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 6: Which sentence most effectively uses parallelism?
- She likes to read, writing poetry, and to paint.
- She likes reading, writing poetry, and painting. (Correct answer)
- She likes to read, to write poetry, and painting.
- She likes reading, to write poetry, and she paints.
Correct answer: She likes reading, writing poetry, and painting.
Parallelism requires that all items in a series use the same grammatical form; here, all are gerunds.
Question 7: In persuasive writing, what is the purpose of acknowledging a counterargument before refuting it?
- To confuse the reader about the writer's position.
- To weaken the essay's central claim.
- To demonstrate intellectual honesty and strengthen credibility. (Correct answer)
- To avoid taking a definitive stance.
Correct answer: To demonstrate intellectual honesty and strengthen credibility.
Acknowledging and then rebutting opposing views shows fairness and reinforces the writer's authority on the topic.
C2 Writing Skills 2
Which sentence best demonstrates the use of a subordinate clause to add nuance?