PCAT Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running through the park, the dog chased the ball. (Correct answer)
- Running through the park, she enjoyed the fresh air.
- She enjoyed the fresh air while running through the park.
- The fresh air was enjoyed by her during the run.
Correct answer: Running through the park, the dog chased the ball.
In option A, 'running through the park' illogically modifies 'the dog' rather than an implied human subject.
Question 2: Which transitional phrase best signals a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Consequently
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' introduces a contrasting or concessive idea, unlike the additive or causal transitions listed.
Question 3: In a persuasive PCAT essay, what is the primary purpose of the concluding paragraph?
- To introduce a new counterargument
- To restate the thesis and synthesize main points (Correct answer)
- To provide additional statistical evidence
- To define key terms used in the essay
Correct answer: To restate the thesis and synthesize main points
The conclusion should restate the thesis and synthesize the essay's main arguments without introducing new information.
Question 4: Which sentence best demonstrates parallel structure?
- The pharmacist must be accurate, efficient, and showing compassion.
- The pharmacist must be accurate, efficient, and compassionate. (Correct answer)
- The pharmacist must be accurate, works efficiently, and compassionate.
- The pharmacist must be accurate and they should show efficiency and compassion.
Correct answer: The pharmacist must be accurate, efficient, and compassionate.
Option B uses three parallel adjectives (accurate, efficient, compassionate), maintaining consistent grammatical form.
Question 5: What does 'voice' refer to in academic writing?
- The volume and tone of spoken language
- The use of active versus passive sentence constructions only
- The unique style, perspective, and personality conveyed through word choices (Correct answer)
- The number of first-person pronouns in a text
Correct answer: The unique style, perspective, and personality conveyed through word choices
Voice in writing encompasses the distinctive style, perspective, and personality an author conveys through diction and syntax.
Question 6: A student writes: 'Each of the medications have their own side effects.' What is the grammatical error?
- Misplaced modifier
- Subject-verb disagreement (Correct answer)
- Comma splice
- Faulty pronoun reference
Correct answer: Subject-verb disagreement
The subject 'each' is singular and requires the singular verb 'has,' not the plural 'have.'
Question 7: Which organizational pattern arranges details from least important to most important?
- Chronological order
- Spatial order
- Climactic order (Correct answer)
- Compare-and-contrast order
Correct answer: Climactic order
Climactic order builds toward the most important point last, creating emphasis and a persuasive impact.
PCAT Writing Skills 2
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?