Oral & Written Communication Flashcards

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

Answer: He was tired; however, he finished the project.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when a conjunctive adverb like 'however' follows it.

In formal writing, which of the following should generally be avoided?

Answer: Contractions such as 'don't' or 'it's'

Contractions are considered informal and should be avoided in formal academic or professional writing.

A student delivering a speech pauses frequently, speaks softly, and avoids looking up from the page. These behaviors most likely indicate:

Answer: Lack of confidence or preparation

Frequent pausing, low volume, and lack of eye contact are common signs that a speaker lacks confidence or has not sufficiently prepared.

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

Answer: To present the central argument or main point of the essay

A thesis statement presents the writer's central claim or argument that the rest of the essay supports and develops.

Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The principal effect of the new policy _____ to reduce tardiness.'

Answer: was

'Effect' is a singular noun here, so the verb must be singular past tense 'was' to agree with 'The principal effect'.

When a speaker uses anaphora in a speech, they are:

Answer: Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses

Anaphora is a rhetorical device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the start of successive clauses to create emphasis and rhythm.

Which revision improves the clarity of this sentence? 'The report that the manager who was new wrote was confusing.'

Answer: The new manager's report was confusing.

Eliminating unnecessary embedded clauses and using a possessive construction ('new manager's report') makes the sentence clearer and more direct.