ESOL Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a comma splice error?
- I enjoy writing; it helps me express myself.
- I enjoy writing, it helps me express myself. (Correct answer)
- I enjoy writing because it helps me express myself.
- I enjoy writing, which helps me express myself.
Correct answer: I enjoy writing, it helps me express myself.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma, without a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe to show possession?
- The student's essay was well-written. (Correct answer)
- The students essay's was well-written.
- The students' essay's was well-written.
- The student essay's was well-written.
Correct answer: The student's essay was well-written.
An apostrophe + s after a singular noun (student's) correctly shows that one student owns the essay.
Question 3: Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
- She studied hard for the exam.
- Running through the park every morning. (Correct answer)
- The teacher assigned extra homework.
- He finished the assignment before class.
Correct answer: Running through the park every morning.
"Running through the park every morning" lacks a main subject and finite verb, so it is an incomplete sentence.
Question 4: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- She likes reading, to write, and drawing.
- She likes to read, writing, and to draw.
- She likes reading, writing, and drawing. (Correct answer)
- She likes to read, to writing, and draw.
Correct answer: She likes reading, writing, and drawing.
Parallel structure requires using the same grammatical form for all items in a list; here all three verbs use the -ing form.
Question 5: Which sentence is a run-on sentence?
- Maria finished her essay. Then she proofread it.
- Maria finished her essay, and then she proofread it.
- Maria finished her essay she then proofread it. (Correct answer)
- After finishing her essay, Maria proofread it.
Correct answer: Maria finished her essay she then proofread it.
A run-on sentence combines two independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunction to separate them.
Question 6: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
- I need to buy; pencils, paper, and erasers.
- I finished my homework; however, I forgot to bring it. (Correct answer)
- She wrote; a long essay about her hometown.
- The test was hard; but I passed.
Correct answer: I finished my homework; however, I forgot to bring it.
A semicolon correctly connects two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like "however."
Question 7: Which sentence uses capital letters correctly?
- I visited New York city last Summer.
- I visited new york City last summer.
- I visited New York City last summer. (Correct answer)
- i visited New York City last Summer.
Correct answer: I visited New York City last summer.
Proper nouns like city names are always capitalized, but common nouns such as "summer" are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
ESOL Writing Skills 2
Which sentence contains a comma splice error?