ESL Writing & Composition 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a run-on sentence?
- I went to the store, and I bought milk.
- She loves cooking she makes dinner every night. (Correct answer)
- Although he was tired, he finished his homework.
- We watched a movie last night.
Correct answer: She loves cooking she makes dinner every night.
A run-on sentence joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a conjunction, as in option B.
Question 2: What is the correct way to cite a direct quote in formal writing?
- Write the words without any special formatting
- Place the words in quotation marks and credit the source (Correct answer)
- Paraphrase it and do not mention the source
- Bold the words to show they came from elsewhere
Correct answer: Place the words in quotation marks and credit the source
Direct quotes must be enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by a citation crediting the original author.
Question 3: Which essay structure presents the strongest argument first?
- Chronological order
- Problem-solution order
- Order of importance (descending) (Correct answer)
- Compare and contrast order
Correct answer: Order of importance (descending)
Descending order of importance places the most compelling argument first to immediately engage the reader.
Question 4: What is the function of a concluding paragraph in an essay?
- To introduce a new argument not covered in the body
- To restate the thesis and summarize key points (Correct answer)
- To provide additional evidence for the main claim
- To list all sources used in the essay
Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize key points
A conclusion restates the thesis, summarizes the main points, and provides a sense of closure.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of formal writing?
- Hey, I think climate change is a huge deal!
- This research demonstrates that climate change poses significant global risks. (Correct answer)
- Climate change is like, really bad for everyone.
- So yeah, we should probably do something about the climate.
Correct answer: This research demonstrates that climate change poses significant global risks.
Formal writing uses precise vocabulary, complete sentences, and avoids slang or conversational tone.
Question 6: What does 'coherence' mean in a well-written paragraph?
- All sentences are the same length
- The paragraph has exactly five sentences
- Ideas flow logically and connect smoothly (Correct answer)
- Every sentence uses transition words
Correct answer: Ideas flow logically and connect smoothly
Coherence means that ideas in a paragraph are logically organized and flow naturally from one to the next.
Question 7: Which of the following correctly uses a semicolon?
- I like tea; and coffee.
- She studied all night; she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- He went to the store; to buy bread.
- They played outside; because it was sunny.
Correct answer: She studied all night; she passed the exam.
A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses, as in 'She studied all night; she passed the exam.'
ESL Writing & Composition 3
Which of the following is an example of a run-on sentence?