Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier? A) The chef prepared a meal for the guests that was delicious. B) The report that the analyst submitted was thorough. C) She found the keys she had lost yesterday. D) He read the book his professor recommended.
- The chef prepared a meal for the guests that was delicious. (Correct answer)
- The report that the analyst submitted was thorough.
- She found the keys she had lost yesterday.
- He read the book his professor recommended.
Correct answer: The chef prepared a meal for the guests that was delicious.
The clause 'that was delicious' is placed after 'guests,' making it seem the guests were delicious rather than the meal.
Question 2: Which option correctly punctuates the following sentence with a list? A) The package contained a manual, two cables and, an adapter. B) The package contained: a manual, two cables, and an adapter. C) The package contained a manual, two cables, and an adapter. D) The package contained a manual; two cables; and an adapter.
- The package contained a manual, two cables and, an adapter.
- The package contained: a manual, two cables, and an adapter.
- The package contained a manual, two cables, and an adapter. (Correct answer)
- The package contained a manual; two cables; and an adapter.
Correct answer: The package contained a manual, two cables, and an adapter.
Option C uses the Oxford comma correctly and does not incorrectly introduce a colon after a verb.
Question 3: In an argumentative essay, what is the primary purpose of a counterargument? A) To contradict the thesis and confuse the reader. B) To acknowledge opposing views and then refute or concede them to strengthen credibility. C) To provide background information on the topic. D) To restate the thesis in different words.
- To contradict the thesis and confuse the reader.
- To acknowledge opposing views and then refute or concede them to strengthen credibility. (Correct answer)
- To provide background information on the topic.
- To restate the thesis in different words.
Correct answer: To acknowledge opposing views and then refute or concede them to strengthen credibility.
Addressing counterarguments shows the writer understands multiple perspectives and makes the argument more persuasive.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses 'who' vs. 'whom'? A) Who did the committee select as chair? B) Whom is responsible for the error? C) The candidate whom won the vote was surprised. D) Whom wrote this proposal?
- Who did the committee select as chair? (Correct answer)
- Whom is responsible for the error?
- The candidate whom won the vote was surprised.
- Whom wrote this proposal?
Correct answer: Who did the committee select as chair?
In option A, 'who' is the object of 'select' — but since it introduces the question, 'whom' is debated; however, 'who' is accepted here and all other options misuse the pronouns.
Question 5: A student's thesis reads: 'Social media is bad.' Which revision makes this a stronger, more specific thesis? A) Social media has both good and bad aspects for users. B) This essay will discuss the effects of social media on teenagers. C) Excessive social media use undermines adolescents' mental health by replacing face-to-face interaction with passive consumption. D) Many people think social media is harmful.
- Social media has both good and bad aspects for users.
- This essay will discuss the effects of social media on teenagers.
- Excessive social media use undermines adolescents' mental health by replacing face-to-face interaction with passive consumption. (Correct answer)
- Many people think social media is harmful.
Correct answer: Excessive social media use undermines adolescents' mental health by replacing face-to-face interaction with passive consumption.
Option C makes a specific, arguable claim with a stated reason, meeting the criteria for an effective thesis.
Question 6: Which sentence avoids redundancy? A) The two twins celebrated their birthday together. B) She returned back to her hometown. C) The final conclusion summarized the main points. D) The committee reached a unanimous agreement.
- The two twins celebrated their birthday together.
- She returned back to her hometown.
- The final conclusion summarized the main points.
- The committee reached a unanimous agreement. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The committee reached a unanimous agreement.
'Unanimous agreement' is not redundant — 'unanimous' means all agreed, and 'agreement' is the noun it modifies, which is not repetitive.
Question 7: Which option best describes the function of a topic sentence? A) It provides specific evidence to prove the thesis. B) It introduces a new topic unrelated to the essay's main argument. C) It states the main idea of a paragraph and connects it to the overall thesis. D) It summarizes the essay's argument in the concluding paragraph.
- It provides specific evidence to prove the thesis.
- It introduces a new topic unrelated to the essay's main argument.
- It states the main idea of a paragraph and connects it to the overall thesis. (Correct answer)
- It summarizes the essay's argument in the concluding paragraph.
Correct answer: It states the main idea of a paragraph and connects it to the overall thesis.
A topic sentence controls the paragraph's focus and signals how the paragraph's content supports the essay's thesis.
Core Academic Skills Assessment Writing 4
Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
A) The chef prepared a meal for the guests that was delicious.
B) The report that the analyst submitted was thorough.
C) She found the keys she had lost yesterday.
D) He read the book his professor recommended.