HAST Written Expression 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which is the most precise and concise revision of: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the event was cancelled'?
- Because it was raining, the event was cancelled. (Correct answer)
- Due to the fact of rain, the event was cancelled.
- The event was cancelled due to the fact of rain occurring.
- Since rain occurred, the event ended up being cancelled.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, the event was cancelled.
'Because' is the concise equivalent of 'due to the fact that,' eliminating unnecessary words.
Question 2: Which sentence uses the correct homophone?
- Their books are on the table. (Correct answer)
- There books are on the table.
- They're books are on the table.
- Ther books are on the table.
Correct answer: Their books are on the table.
'Their' is the possessive pronoun indicating the books belong to them.
Question 3: Which sentence is in the active voice?
- The scientist discovered a new element. (Correct answer)
- A new element was discovered by the scientist.
- The new element had been discovered.
- It was the scientist who made the discovery.
Correct answer: The scientist discovered a new element.
In the active voice, the subject (scientist) performs the action (discovered) directly on the object (element).
Question 4: Which punctuation correctly ends a direct question embedded in a statement: 'She asked whether the test would be hard'?
- Period (.) (Correct answer)
- Question mark (?)
- Exclamation point (!)
- Ellipsis (...)
Correct answer: Period (.)
An indirect question (reported speech using 'whether') is a statement and ends with a period, not a question mark.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She needed three things: a pen, paper, and an eraser. (Correct answer)
- She needed: a pen, paper, and an eraser.
- She: needed a pen, paper, and an eraser.
- She needed a pen: paper and an eraser.
Correct answer: She needed three things: a pen, paper, and an eraser.
A colon after a complete independent clause correctly introduces a list; the clause before the colon must be complete.
Question 6: Which is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?
- Regular exercise improves both physical and mental health. (Correct answer)
- Many people exercise every day.
- Exercise is something that people do.
- This paragraph will discuss exercise.
Correct answer: Regular exercise improves both physical and mental health.
A strong topic sentence states the main idea clearly and gives the paragraph's central claim — option A does this with a specific, assertive statement.
HAST Written Expression 2
Which is the most precise and concise revision of: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the event was cancelled'?