Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing: Language and Conventions Questions and Answers — 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?
- Change 'are' to 'is' (Correct answer)
- Change 'its' to 'their'
- Remove the comma after 'committee'
- Change 'proposals' to 'proposal's'
Correct answer: Change 'are' to 'is'
The subject of the sentence is 'committee,' which is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb must also be singular. 'Is' is the correct singular verb form to agree with the singular subject 'committee.' The phrase 'after reviewing all the proposals' is an introductory clause and does not affect the subject-verb agreement.
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?
- The experiment was a success; however, the results were not what the team expected. (Correct answer)
- The experiment was a success; but the results were not what the team expected.
- The experiment was a success; the results being not what the team expected.
- The experiment was a success; and the results were not what the team expected.
Correct answer: The experiment was a success; however, the results were not what the team expected.
A semicolon can be used to join two closely related independent clauses. When a conjunctive adverb like 'however' is used to connect the clauses, the semicolon precedes it, and a comma follows it. The other options either incorrectly use a coordinating conjunction (but, and) after a semicolon or create a grammatically incorrect phrase.
Question 3: Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier?
- The teacher explained the historical context of the novel to the students, which was written in the 19th century. (Correct answer)
- The students listened intently as the teacher explained the historical context of the novel.
- Written in the 19th century, the novel has a complex historical context.
- Soaring through the sky, the eagle was a majestic sight.
Correct answer: The teacher explained the historical context of the novel to the students, which was written in the 19th century.
The modifying phrase 'which was written in the 19th century' is misplaced. It incorrectly modifies 'students' instead of 'novel.' This creates confusion about what was written in the 19th century. The phrase should be placed immediately after the word it is intended to modify, which is 'novel'.
Question 4: Select the sentence that demonstrates the correct use of apostrophes.
- The children's toys were scattered all over their parents' room. (Correct answer)
- The childrens' toys were scattered all over their parent's room.
- The childrens toy's were scattered all over their parents room.
- The children's toys were scattered all over their parents room's.
Correct answer: The children's toys were scattered all over their parents' room.
This sentence correctly uses apostrophes for possessives. 'Children's' is the correct possessive form for the plural noun 'children.' 'Parents'' is the correct possessive form for the plural noun 'parents.' The other options show incorrect possessive forms for plural nouns.
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?
- The city council approved the new park's plans, which were very detailed.
- The city council approved the new park's plans, and they were very detailed.
- The city council approved the new park's plans; they were very detailed.
- The city council approved the very detailed plans for the new park. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The city council approved the very detailed plans for the new park.
This option is the most concise and clear revision. It integrates the idea of the plans being 'very detailed' directly as an adjective describing 'plans,' eliminating the comma splice and creating a more fluid, professional-sounding sentence. While options B and C fix the comma splice, option D is the most stylistically effective revision.
Question 6: Which of the following sentences is written in a consistent verb tense?
- The artist sketches the landscape first and then paints the final masterpiece. (Correct answer)
- The artist sketched the landscape first and then paints the final masterpiece.
- The artist sketches the landscape first and then painted the final masterpiece.
- The artist will sketch the landscape first and then painted the final masterpiece.
Correct answer: The artist sketches the landscape first and then paints the final masterpiece.
This sentence consistently uses the present tense ('sketches' and 'paints') to describe a process or habitual action. The other options incorrectly shift between different verb tenses (past and present, or future and past) without a logical reason, creating confusion for the reader.
Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing: Language and Conventions Questions and Answers
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?