PCAT Writing Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is a run-on that requires correction?
- She reviewed the drug interactions; then she counseled the patient.
- She reviewed the drug interactions, and then she counseled the patient.
- She reviewed the drug interactions then she counseled the patient. (Correct answer)
- After reviewing the drug interactions, she counseled the patient.
Correct answer: She reviewed the drug interactions then she counseled the patient.
Option C fuses two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a coordinating conjunction, making it a run-on sentence.
Question 2: What is the function of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?
- To provide a list of supporting evidence
- To state the main idea that the paragraph will develop (Correct answer)
- To summarize the entire essay argument
- To introduce a counterargument to the thesis
Correct answer: To state the main idea that the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence announces the controlling idea of its paragraph, guiding the reader through the essay's structure.
Question 3: Which revision corrects the comma splice: 'Aspirin reduces inflammation, it also thins the blood.'?
- Aspirin reduces inflammation it also thins the blood.
- Aspirin reduces inflammation; it also thins the blood. (Correct answer)
- Aspirin reduces inflammation, but also it thins the blood.
- Aspirin reduces inflammation, because it also thins the blood.
Correct answer: Aspirin reduces inflammation; it also thins the blood.
A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 4: In PCAT writing, which word choice is most appropriate for a formal persuasive essay?
- Lots of studies show this is true.
- A bunch of researchers have looked into this.
- Numerous studies have demonstrated this phenomenon. (Correct answer)
- Many folks have checked this out and agree.
Correct answer: Numerous studies have demonstrated this phenomenon.
Formal academic writing uses precise, professional vocabulary such as 'numerous studies have demonstrated.'
Question 5: What is a thesis statement's primary role in a PCAT persuasive essay?
- To provide background information on the topic
- To list the evidence that will be discussed
- To present the writer's central argument or position (Correct answer)
- To acknowledge the opposing viewpoint
Correct answer: To present the writer's central argument or position
A thesis statement presents the writer's main claim or position, giving direction to the entire essay.
Question 6: Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?
- The pharmacists' license's were renewed.
- The pharmacist's licenses were renewed. (Correct answer)
- The pharmacists license's were renewed.
- The pharmacists licenses' were renewed.
Correct answer: The pharmacist's licenses were renewed.
Option B correctly uses 'pharmacist's' (singular possessive) and 'licenses' (plural noun without possession).
Question 7: Which revision makes the following sentence more concise: 'Due to the fact that the patient was noncompliant with the medication regimen, the disease progressed rapidly.'?
- Because of the fact that noncompliance occurred with the medication, rapid disease progression happened.
- Because the patient was noncompliant, the disease progressed rapidly. (Correct answer)
- The disease progressed rapidly in the case of the noncompliant patient with the medication.
- The patient being noncompliant with medication caused rapid progression of the disease to occur.
Correct answer: Because the patient was noncompliant, the disease progressed rapidly.
'Due to the fact that' is a wordy phrase best replaced by the concise conjunction 'because.'
PCAT Writing Skills 3
Which sentence is a run-on that requires correction?