Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing: Language and Conventions Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following sentence: 'The committee, after reviewing all the proposals are now ready to announce its decision.' Which of the following edits is necessary to correct the error in the sentence?

Accepted Answer

Change 'are' to 'is'

Answer

Change 'its' to 'their'

Answer

Remove the comma after 'committee'

Answer

Change 'proposals' to 'proposal's'

Question 2

A student is writing a research paper and needs to combine two ideas. Which of the following sentences most effectively and correctly uses a semicolon?

Accepted Answer

The experiment was a success; however, the results were not what the team expected.

Answer

The experiment was a success; but the results were not what the team expected.

Answer

The experiment was a success; the results being not what the team expected.

Answer

The experiment was a success; and the results were not what the team expected.

Question 3

Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier?

Accepted Answer

The teacher explained the historical context of the novel to the students, which was written in the 19th century.

Answer

The students listened intently as the teacher explained the historical context of the novel.

Answer

Written in the 19th century, the novel has a complex historical context.

Answer

Soaring through the sky, the eagle was a majestic sight.

Question 4

Select the sentence that demonstrates the correct use of apostrophes.

Accepted Answer

The children's toys were scattered all over their parents' room.

Answer

The childrens' toys were scattered all over their parent's room.

Answer

The childrens toy's were scattered all over their parents room.

Answer

The children's toys were scattered all over their parents room's.

Question 5

A writer is revising the following sentence: 'The city council approved the new park's plans, they were very detailed.' Which revision most improves the sentence's structure and clarity?

Accepted Answer

The city council approved the very detailed plans for the new park.

Answer

The city council approved the new park's plans, which were very detailed.

Answer

The city council approved the new park's plans, and they were very detailed.

Answer

The city council approved the new park's plans; they were very detailed.

Question 6

Which of the following sentences is written in a consistent verb tense?

Accepted Answer

The artist sketches the landscape first and then paints the final masterpiece.

Answer

The artist sketched the landscape first and then paints the final masterpiece.

Answer

The artist sketches the landscape first and then painted the final masterpiece.

Answer

The artist will sketch the landscape first and then painted the final masterpiece.