EAP Grammar for Formal Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In academic writing, which tense is typically used to describe the findings of a specific study?
- Simple present
- Simple past (Correct answer)
- Present perfect
- Past perfect
Correct answer: Simple past
Specific research findings from a named study are typically reported in the simple past tense.
Question 2: Which sentence is grammatically correct and avoids a comma splice?
- The sample size was small, the results may not be generalizable.
- The sample size was small; therefore, the results may not be generalizable. (Correct answer)
- The sample size was small, therefore the results may not be generalizable.
- The sample size was small and therefore, the results may not be generalizable.
Correct answer: The sample size was small; therefore, the results may not be generalizable.
A semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb and a comma correctly joins two independent clauses.
Question 3: Which construction demonstrates correct use of a conditional sentence in formal writing?
- If the hypothesis would be correct, the results would differ.
- If the hypothesis is correct, the results would differ.
- Should the hypothesis prove correct, the results would differ. (Correct answer)
- If the hypothesis was correct, the results will differ.
Correct answer: Should the hypothesis prove correct, the results would differ.
Inverted conditionals using 'Should' are common in formal academic writing for hypothetical situations.
Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a gerund as the subject?
- To collecting data is time-consuming.
- Collecting data is time-consuming. (Correct answer)
- Collect data is time-consuming.
- Collected data is time-consuming.
Correct answer: Collecting data is time-consuming.
A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as the subject of a sentence.
Question 5: Which sentence avoids incorrect use of 'which' vs. 'that'?
- The article which I cited was peer-reviewed.
- The article that I cited was peer-reviewed. (Correct answer)
- The article, that I cited, was peer-reviewed.
- The article which, I cited, was peer-reviewed.
Correct answer: The article that I cited was peer-reviewed.
Restrictive clauses that define which specific item is meant should use 'that' without commas in American English.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a passive construction for academic objectivity?
- We collected samples from three sites.
- Samples were collected from three sites. (Correct answer)
- One collected samples from three sites.
- They are collecting samples from three sites.
Correct answer: Samples were collected from three sites.
Passive voice in academic writing foregrounds the action rather than the agent, promoting objectivity.
Question 7: What is the error in the following sentence: 'Each of the participants were asked to complete the survey'?
- Incorrect tense
- Subject-verb agreement error (Correct answer)
- Dangling modifier
- Misplaced comma
Correct answer: Subject-verb agreement error
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so the verb should be 'was,' not 'were.'
EAP Grammar for Formal Writing 3
In academic writing, which tense is typically used to describe the findings of a specific study?