Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 3

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.

Accepted Answer

It uses acceptable singular 'they' for gender-neutral reference.

Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

She studied all night; consequently, she aced the exam.

Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Many people prefer jogging to cycling.

Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

The report written by the intern was approved by management.

Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Fewer applicants qualified for the scholarship this year.

Answer

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'applicants'; 'less' is used with uncountable nouns like 'money' or 'time.'

Core Academic Skills Assessment Practice Test

Core Academic Skills Assessment Practice Test

Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 3