NCDAP Writing Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates the most formal and appropriate word choice for an academic essay?
- The results were totally awesome and blew our minds.
- The findings significantly exceeded the researchers' initial projections. (Correct answer)
- We got way better results than we thought we would.
- The results came out a lot better, which was pretty cool.
Correct answer: The findings significantly exceeded the researchers' initial projections.
Academic writing requires precise, formal diction; 'significantly exceeded initial projections' is objective and professional.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'who' versus 'whom': '_______ did the principal choose for the award?'
- Who did the principal choose for the award?
- Whom did the principal choose for the award? (Correct answer)
- Whoever did the principal choose for the award?
- Whomever did the principal choose for the award?
Correct answer: Whom did the principal choose for the award?
'Whom' is correct because it functions as the object of the verb 'choose' (the principal chose him/her).
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?
- She is a well known author.
- She is a well-known author. (Correct answer)
- She is a well - known author.
- She is a wellknown author.
Correct answer: She is a well-known author.
Compound adjectives appearing before a noun are hyphenated; 'well-known' modifies 'author' and comes before it.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
- To provide a specific supporting detail
- To introduce the main idea that the paragraph will develop (Correct answer)
- To summarize the entire essay
- To transition between two paragraphs
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea that the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence states the central idea of the paragraph, which all other sentences then support or develop.
Question 5: Identify the incorrect word in: 'The principle reason we failed was poor planning.'
- 'reason' should be 'rational'
- 'principle' should be 'principal' (Correct answer)
- 'failed' should be 'have failed'
- No error
Correct answer: 'principle' should be 'principal'
'Principal' as an adjective means 'main' or 'primary'; 'principle' is a noun meaning a rule or belief.
Question 6: Which option provides the best concluding sentence for a paragraph arguing that exercise improves academic performance?
- Also, exercise is fun for many students.
- In conclusion, I think exercise is good.
- Thus, regular physical activity is not only beneficial for physical health but also a proven catalyst for academic achievement. (Correct answer)
- So that is why we all should exercise more.
Correct answer: Thus, regular physical activity is not only beneficial for physical health but also a proven catalyst for academic achievement.
A strong concluding sentence reinforces the argument with precise language and connects physical activity to the paragraph's academic focus.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' versus 'less'?
- There is less students in the advanced class.
- We have fewer time than we expected.
- She made fewer errors on the second attempt. (Correct answer)
- He has less mistakes than before.
Correct answer: She made fewer errors on the second attempt.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'errors'; 'less' is used with uncountable/mass nouns like 'time.'
NCDAP Writing Skills 5
Which sentence demonstrates the most formal and appropriate word choice for an academic essay?