NTN Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a sentence fragment?
- Running toward the finish line. (Correct answer)
- The officer filed the report.
- She completed the certification course.
- Both candidates met the requirements.
Correct answer: Running toward the finish line.
'Running toward the finish line' is a fragment because it lacks a subject-verb combination to form a complete thought.
Question 2: Which word correctly completes this sentence: 'The team decided to _______ the meeting until Thursday.'
- postpone (Correct answer)
- postponement
- postponing
- postponed
Correct answer: postpone
After the infinitive marker 'to,' the base form of the verb 'postpone' is correct.
Question 3: Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
- The group of officers were trained last week.
- The list of requirements are available online.
- Each of the candidates is required to register. (Correct answer)
- Neither of them are attending the session.
Correct answer: Each of the candidates is required to register.
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and takes the singular verb 'is.'
Question 4: In writing a professional report, which of the following should be avoided?
- Using clear, specific language
- Organizing information with headings
- Including slang and colloquial expressions (Correct answer)
- Citing sources for data
Correct answer: Including slang and colloquial expressions
Slang and colloquial expressions are inappropriate in professional reports, which require formal and precise language.
Question 5: What does 'parallel structure' mean in writing?
- Writing the same sentence twice for emphasis
- Using consistent grammatical form for items in a series or list (Correct answer)
- Placing two ideas in separate paragraphs
- Starting every paragraph with a number
Correct answer: Using consistent grammatical form for items in a series or list
Parallel structure requires that items in a list or series use the same grammatical form for clarity and balance.
Question 6: Which of the following correctly uses a comma?
- The officer, filed the report before noon.
- After the briefing, the team dispersed quickly. (Correct answer)
- She, completed the exam early.
- The supervisor reviewed, the schedule.
Correct answer: After the briefing, the team dispersed quickly.
A comma is correctly placed after an introductory clause or phrase, as in 'After the briefing, the team dispersed quickly.'
NTN Writing Skills 2
Which of the following is an example of a sentence fragment?