Writing & Essay Skills Flashcards

Which sentence contains a grammatical error?

Answer: Each of the students have completed their assignments.

'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and requires a singular verb. The correct sentence should be: 'Each of the students has completed their assignment' or use 'his or her.'

What is a topic sentence?

Answer: The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, usually appearing first

A topic sentence states the main idea or central point of a paragraph, typically appearing as the first sentence to guide the reader about what the paragraph will discuss.

Which transition word best shows a cause-and-effect relationship?

Answer: Therefore

'Therefore' indicates that what follows is a result or consequence of what came before, making it a cause-and-effect transition word.

What is the difference between active and passive voice?

Answer: In active voice the subject performs the action; in passive voice the subject receives the action

Active: 'The dog bit the man' (subject acts). Passive: 'The man was bitten by the dog' (subject is acted upon). Active voice is generally clearer and more direct.

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

Answer: She loves to read; her brother prefers video games.

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. Both 'She loves to read' and 'her brother prefers video games' are complete sentences.

What is parallel structure in writing?

Answer: Using the same grammatical form for similar elements in a list or comparison

Parallel structure means using consistent grammatical forms for items in a series, comparisons, or paired elements. Example: 'She enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading' (all gerunds).