PCAT Writing Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- She studied pharmacokinetics; and passed the exam easily.
- She studied pharmacokinetics; she passed the exam easily. (Correct answer)
- She studied; pharmacokinetics and passed the exam easily.
- She studied pharmacokinetics, she passed the exam easily.
Correct answer: She studied pharmacokinetics; she passed the exam easily.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: What is the term for an argument that attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself?
- Straw man fallacy
- Ad hominem fallacy (Correct answer)
- False dichotomy
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Ad hominem fallacy
An ad hominem fallacy deflects from a logical argument by attacking the character or motives of the person instead.
Question 3: Which revision improves the vague pronoun reference: 'The doctor told the patient that he needed surgery.'?
- The doctor told the patient that they needed surgery.
- The doctor told the patient, 'You need surgery.' (Correct answer)
- He told the patient that surgery was needed by him.
- The doctor and patient discussed that he needed surgery.
Correct answer: The doctor told the patient, 'You need surgery.'
Using a direct quote eliminates pronoun ambiguity by clarifying who needs surgery.
Question 4: Which type of evidence is generally considered most credible in a health sciences essay?
- Anecdotal reports from individual patients
- Data from peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials (Correct answer)
- Testimonials from popular health websites
- Opinions from social media influencers in healthcare
Correct answer: Data from peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials
Peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials represent the gold standard of evidence in health sciences.
Question 5: What is the effect of varying sentence length in an essay?
- It confuses the reader about the main argument
- It creates rhythm, emphasis, and improves readability (Correct answer)
- It signals that the writer lacks organizational skills
- It is appropriate only in creative writing, not academic writing
Correct answer: It creates rhythm, emphasis, and improves readability
Alternating between short and long sentences creates rhythmic variety and helps emphasize key points.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly punctuates a nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause?
- Metformin which is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes is generally well-tolerated.
- Metformin, which is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, is generally well-tolerated. (Correct answer)
- Metformin; which is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes; is generally well-tolerated.
- Metformin: which is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes: is generally well-tolerated.
Correct answer: Metformin, which is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, is generally well-tolerated.
Nonrestrictive clauses add extra information and must be set off with commas, as shown in option B.
Question 7: In the PCAT writing section, which element most directly demonstrates critical thinking?
- Using a large number of sophisticated vocabulary words
- Writing the longest possible essay within the time limit
- Analyzing assumptions, evaluating evidence, and drawing reasoned conclusions (Correct answer)
- Avoiding any use of first-person perspective
Correct answer: Analyzing assumptions, evaluating evidence, and drawing reasoned conclusions
Critical thinking involves examining assumptions, weighing evidence, and arriving at well-reasoned conclusions rather than merely presenting facts.
PCAT Writing Skills 5
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?