CBEST Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word is spelled correctly?
- Occurence
- Occurrence (Correct answer)
- Occurance
- Ocurrence
Correct answer: Occurrence
'Occurrence' is correctly spelled with double 'c' and double 'r.'
Question 2: Which of the following is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of reading?
- Reading is something many people do every day.
- There are books about many different subjects.
- Regular reading expands vocabulary, sharpens focus, and reduces stress. (Correct answer)
- Libraries offer free books to the public.
Correct answer: Regular reading expands vocabulary, sharpens focus, and reduces stress.
A strong topic sentence introduces the main idea and previews the supporting points the paragraph will cover.
Question 3: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- My sister who is a doctor lives in Sacramento.
- My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Sacramento. (Correct answer)
- My sister, who is a doctor lives in Sacramento.
- My sister who, is a doctor, lives in Sacramento.
Correct answer: My sister, who is a doctor, lives in Sacramento.
A non-restrictive relative clause ('who is a doctor') must be set off by commas on both sides.
Question 4: A paragraph begins with a claim about climate change and then discusses the history of the telephone. This is an example of:
- A circular argument
- A non sequitur or lack of coherence (Correct answer)
- An effective transition
- A strong supporting detail
Correct answer: A non sequitur or lack of coherence
Introducing an unrelated topic within a paragraph breaks coherence and is called a non sequitur.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- She loves hiking; and camping in the mountains.
- The meeting was long; however, it was productive. (Correct answer)
- He bought apples; oranges, and bananas.
- Because she was tired; she went to bed early.
Correct answer: The meeting was long; however, it was productive.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'however.'
Question 6: Which choice corrects the subject-verb agreement error? 'The list of requirements are attached.'
- The list of requirements is attached. (Correct answer)
- The list of requirements were attached.
- The lists of requirement are attached.
- The list of requirements have been attached.
Correct answer: The list of requirements is attached.
The subject is 'list' (singular), so the verb must be 'is,' not 'are.'
Question 7: Which revision best improves the clarity of the following sentence? 'The teacher told the student that she needed to study more.'
- The teacher told the student that the teacher needed to study more.
- The teacher told the student that the student needed to study more. (Correct answer)
- She told her that she needed to study more.
- The teacher, telling the student, said she needed studying more.
Correct answer: The teacher told the student that the student needed to study more.
Replacing the ambiguous pronoun 'she' with 'the student' clarifies who needs to study more.
CBEST Writing 3
Which word is spelled correctly?