OST Purpose and Usage 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word best completes this sentence to maintain a formal tone? 'The committee _____ several new policies to improve student safety.'
- put together
- threw out
- established (Correct answer)
- cooked up
Correct answer: established
'Established' is a formal word appropriate for describing official committee actions.
Question 2: A poem about a grandparent uses vivid sensory details and personal memories to express love. What is the author's primary purpose?
- To argue that family relationships are important
- To describe the author's personal emotions and experiences (Correct answer)
- To teach readers how to care for elderly relatives
- To inform readers about grandparenting practices
Correct answer: To describe the author's personal emotions and experiences
Personal poems that use emotional detail and memory are written to express or reflect, sharing the author's inner experience.
Question 3: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- Running quickly, Maria finished the race first.
- The teacher explained the assignment clearly.
- Barking loudly, the dog scared the mail carrier.
- Marcus nearly drove his car into the ditch on the highway. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Marcus nearly drove his car into the ditch on the highway.
'Nearly' is misplaced — it should modify 'drove into the ditch,' not 'drove,' to convey the intended meaning.
Question 4: An editorial calls for the city council to repair local roads and includes statistics about accident rates. The primary purpose of this editorial is to —
- entertain readers with road-trip stories
- persuade the city council to take action (Correct answer)
- inform readers about how roads are built
- describe the history of the city's transportation system
Correct answer: persuade the city council to take action
An editorial that presents arguments and evidence to support a cause is written to persuade.
Question 5: Which sentence uses the correct form of the word in parentheses? (affect/effect)
- The storm will effect the morning commute.
- The new law had a major affect on small businesses.
- Cold weather can affect crop production significantly. (Correct answer)
- Scientists studied the affects of pollution on birds.
Correct answer: Cold weather can affect crop production significantly.
'Affect' is a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning result.
Question 6: A travel brochure uses vivid descriptions and exciting language to promote visiting a national park. What technique is the author using to achieve their purpose?
- Neutral, factual reporting to avoid bias
- Emotionally appealing language to attract visitors (Correct answer)
- Technical vocabulary to explain park ecosystems
- First-person narration to share a personal experience
Correct answer: Emotionally appealing language to attract visitors
Travel brochures use enthusiastic, appealing language to persuade readers to visit a destination.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- I wanted to go to the game; but it rained.
- She loves reading; especially mystery novels.
- The meeting was long; however, it was productive. (Correct answer)
- He studied all night; and he passed the exam.
Correct answer: The meeting was long; however, it was productive.
A semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'however' correctly joins two independent clauses.
OST Purpose and Usage 3
Which word best completes this sentence to maintain a formal tone? 'The committee _____ several new policies to improve student safety.'