Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student writes: 'Everyone should bring their own lunch.' Which best describes this sentence? A) It contains a subject-verb agreement error. B) It uses acceptable singular 'they' for gender-neutral reference. C) It has a pronoun case error. D) It contains a dangling modifier.
- It contains a subject-verb agreement error.
- It uses acceptable singular 'they' for gender-neutral reference. (Correct answer)
- It has a pronoun case error.
- It contains a dangling modifier.
Correct answer: It uses acceptable singular 'they' for gender-neutral reference.
Using 'their' with 'everyone' is widely accepted as gender-neutral singular reference in modern usage.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon? A) I went to the store; and bought milk. B) She studied all night; consequently, she aced the exam. C) He enjoys reading; novels, poetry, and essays. D) The weather was cold; we stayed inside, and watched TV.
- I went to the store; and bought milk.
- She studied all night; consequently, she aced the exam. (Correct answer)
- He enjoys reading; novels, poetry, and essays.
- The weather was cold; we stayed inside, and watched TV.
Correct answer: She studied all night; consequently, she aced the exam.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'consequently.'
Question 3: Read the paragraph. Which sentence is off-topic and should be removed? 'Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health. It also boosts mental well-being by reducing stress. Many people prefer jogging to cycling. Strong muscles protect joints and reduce injury risk.' A) Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health. B) It also boosts mental well-being by reducing stress. C) Many people prefer jogging to cycling. D) Strong muscles protect joints and reduce injury risk.
- Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health.
- It also boosts mental well-being by reducing stress.
- Many people prefer jogging to cycling. (Correct answer)
- Strong muscles protect joints and reduce injury risk.
Correct answer: Many people prefer jogging to cycling.
The sentence about jogging vs. cycling introduces a preference comparison unrelated to the paragraph's focus on health benefits.
Question 4: Which version of the underlined portion best improves clarity? Original: 'The report, which was written by the intern, it was approved by management.' A) The report, which was written by the intern, it was approved by management. B) The report written by the intern was approved by management. C) The report, which was written by the intern; it was approved by management. D) The report written by the intern, it was approved by management.
- The report, which was written by the intern, it was approved by management.
- The report written by the intern was approved by management. (Correct answer)
- The report, which was written by the intern; it was approved by management.
- The report written by the intern, it was approved by management.
Correct answer: The report written by the intern was approved by management.
Option B eliminates the redundant subject pronoun 'it' and creates a clean, direct sentence.
Question 5: Which sentence uses 'fewer' and 'less' correctly? A) There are less students enrolled this semester. B) She has fewer money than she expected. C) The project took fewer time than planned. D) Fewer applicants qualified for the scholarship this year.
- There are less students enrolled this semester.
- She has fewer money than she expected.
- The project took fewer time than planned.
- Fewer applicants qualified for the scholarship this year. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fewer applicants qualified for the scholarship this year.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'applicants'; 'less' is used with uncountable nouns like 'money' or 'time.'
Question 6: Which revision eliminates the passive voice to make the sentence more direct? Original: 'Mistakes were made by the research team during data collection.' A) During data collection, mistakes had been made. B) The research team made mistakes during data collection. C) Mistakes were made during data collection by the research team. D) It was the research team that made mistakes during data collection.
- During data collection, mistakes had been made.
- The research team made mistakes during data collection. (Correct answer)
- Mistakes were made during data collection by the research team.
- It was the research team that made mistakes during data collection.
Correct answer: The research team made mistakes during data collection.
Option B places the active subject ('the research team') at the front and uses the active verb 'made.'
Question 7: A persuasive essay argues that social media harms teens. Which evidence best supports this claim? A) Social media platforms were founded by young entrepreneurs. B) A 2023 study found that teens who used social media over 3 hours daily showed 40% higher rates of anxiety. C) Many teens report enjoying social media for connecting with friends. D) Social media companies earn billions in advertising revenue.
- Social media platforms were founded by young entrepreneurs.
- A 2023 study found that teens who used social media over 3 hours daily showed 40% higher rates of anxiety. (Correct answer)
- Many teens report enjoying social media for connecting with friends.
- Social media companies earn billions in advertising revenue.
Correct answer: A 2023 study found that teens who used social media over 3 hours daily showed 40% higher rates of anxiety.
Option B provides specific, quantified research data that directly supports the claim about harm to teens.
Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 3
A student writes: 'Everyone should bring their own lunch.' Which best describes this sentence?
A) It contains a subject-verb agreement error.
B) It uses acceptable singular 'they' for gender-neutral reference.
C) It has a pronoun case error.
D) It contains a dangling modifier.