Grammarly Certified Advanced Grammar and Language Specialist Word Choice and Precision 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the most precise word to replace 'a lot of' in formal writing?
- Many, numerous, or substantial (depending on context) (Correct answer)
- Lots
- Plenty
- Heaps
Correct answer: Many, numerous, or substantial (depending on context)
In formal writing, 'a lot of' should be replaced by precise quantifiers like 'many' (countable), 'much' (uncountable), or 'numerous.'
Question 2: What does the word 'enervate' mean?
- To energize or strengthen
- To weaken or sap energy from (Correct answer)
- To irritate or annoy
- To motivate or inspire
Correct answer: To weaken or sap energy from
'Enervate' means to drain of strength or vitality; it is often confused with 'energize' due to its appearance.
Question 3: Which is the most precise word for 'to make something worse'?
- Ameliorate
- Alleviate
- Exacerbate (Correct answer)
- Mitigate
Correct answer: Exacerbate
'Exacerbate' means to intensify or worsen a problem; the other options all mean to improve or lessen.
Question 4: What is the difference between 'complement' and 'compliment'?
- They are homophones with identical meanings.
- Complement = something that completes or enhances; compliment = an expression of praise. (Correct answer)
- Compliment refers to colors; complement refers to words.
- Complement is a verb only; compliment is a noun only.
Correct answer: Complement = something that completes or enhances; compliment = an expression of praise.
'Complement' (with an 'e') means to complete or go well with; 'compliment' (with an 'i') means to express praise.
Question 5: Which sentence uses 'that' as a conjunction correctly?
- The book, that she recommended, was excellent.
- She said that the meeting was moved to Tuesday. (Correct answer)
- The car that broken was towed away.
- He believed, that the project would succeed.
Correct answer: She said that the meeting was moved to Tuesday.
'That' is correctly used as a conjunction introducing a noun clause (what she said).
Question 6: What is the correct meaning of 'penultimate'?
- The very last; the absolute final
- Second to last (Correct answer)
- The most important; the ultimate
- Third from the end
Correct answer: Second to last
'Penultimate' means second to last; it is commonly misused to mean 'the very last' or 'the best.'
Grammarly Certified Advanced Grammar and Language Specialist Word Choice and Precision 2
What is the most precise word to replace 'a lot of' in formal writing?