Writing Ability Flashcards
7 cards from real NFST practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Writing Ability flashcards as text
Which sentence most clearly conveys a formal tone appropriate for diplomatic correspondence?
Answer: This office requests a prompt response regarding the proposed trade agreement.
Formal diplomatic writing uses precise, respectful, and professional language.
Which word is the best replacement for the vague word 'things' in a formal report?
Answer: matters
'Matters' is a precise and formal replacement for the vague word 'things' in professional writing.
Choose the sentence that avoids a misplaced modifier.
Answer: Only the officer reviewed the cable from Paris.
Placing 'only' directly before the word it modifies ('the officer') clarifies that no one else performed the review.
Which sentence uses 'which' and 'that' correctly?
Answer: The report that you submitted was late, but the one that was on time won approval.
'That' introduces restrictive (essential) clauses, while 'which' introduces non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses set off by commas.
What does 'coherence' in writing primarily mean?
Answer: Ideas flow logically and are clearly connected throughout the text.
Coherence means that ideas are arranged logically and connected so the reader can follow the argument easily.
Which sentence correctly punctuates a non-restrictive relative clause?
Answer: The ambassador, who speaks French, will lead the delegation.
Non-restrictive clauses add non-essential information and must be set off by commas on both sides.
Which revision most improves this wordy sentence: 'At this point in time, we are not in a position to be able to provide an answer.'?
Answer: We cannot answer now.
'We cannot answer now' eliminates all redundancy while preserving the full meaning of the original sentence.