ISASP Writing and Language Conventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the ISASP Writing test, what is the difference between a 'narrative' and an 'argumentative' essay?
- A narrative tells a story with characters and events; an argumentative essay presents and defends a claim with evidence (Correct answer)
- A narrative uses only facts; an argumentative essay uses only fiction
- A narrative is always shorter than an argumentative essay
- There is no difference between the two types on the ISASP
Correct answer: A narrative tells a story with characters and events; an argumentative essay presents and defends a claim with evidence
Narrative writing tells a story using descriptive details and plot elements, while argumentative writing defends a position using logical evidence and reasoning.
Question 2: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- Running down the street, the backpack fell off the student's shoulders. (Correct answer)
- The student ran down the street and dropped her backpack.
- The backpack slipped from the running student's shoulders.
- As she ran, the student's backpack fell to the ground.
Correct answer: Running down the street, the backpack fell off the student's shoulders.
A misplaced modifier is a phrase placed too far from the word it describes, causing confusion — here 'Running down the street' incorrectly modifies 'the backpack.'
Question 3: On the ISASP, what does 'elaboration' mean in the context of writing?
- Developing ideas further with details, examples, explanations, or evidence (Correct answer)
- Repeating the same sentence with different words
- Making an essay longer by using more words unnecessarily
- Adding a personal opinion at the end of every paragraph
Correct answer: Developing ideas further with details, examples, explanations, or evidence
Elaboration means expanding on an idea by adding specific details, examples, facts, or explanations that deepen the reader's understanding.
Question 4: What punctuation mark is correctly used to introduce a list or an explanation in a sentence on the ISASP?
- A colon (:) (Correct answer)
- A semicolon (;)
- A comma (,)
- An apostrophe (')
Correct answer: A colon (:)
A colon is used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation when the clause before it is a complete sentence.
Question 5: On the ISASP Writing assessment, what is meant by 'audience awareness'?
- Adjusting tone, vocabulary, and content to suit the intended reader (Correct answer)
- Listing the names of people who will read the essay
- Writing only about topics the student personally enjoys
- Including the reader's name at the beginning of the essay
Correct answer: Adjusting tone, vocabulary, and content to suit the intended reader
Audience awareness means understanding who will read your writing and adjusting your word choice, tone, and level of formality to communicate effectively with that specific reader.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of correct pronoun-antecedent agreement?
- Each student must bring their own pencil to the ISASP. (Correct answer)
- Each student must bring their own pencil to the ISASP or his pencil.
- Each students must bring their own pencils to the ISASP.
- Each student must bring its own pencil to the ISASP.
Correct answer: Each student must bring their own pencil to the ISASP.
Modern grammar accepts 'their' as a singular pronoun when the antecedent is indefinite (e.g., 'each student'), making this the most accepted and clear construction.
ISASP Writing and Language Conventions 2
On the ISASP Writing test, what is the difference between a 'narrative' and an 'argumentative' essay?