Writing Ability: Sentence Clarity Flashcards

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Answer: The suspect fled on foot; officers established a perimeter and began a search.

Option B correctly joins two independent clauses that are closely related.

Which revision improves: 'The investigation was conducted by Detective Martinez and the case file was reviewed by Sergeant Thompson and recommendations were made by the DA.'?

Answer: Detective Martinez conducted the investigation, Sergeant Thompson reviewed the case file, and the DA made recommendations.

Option A converts all clauses to active voice with clear subjects and parallel structure.

Identify the sentence with a subject-verb agreement error:

Answer: The evidence collected from multiple scenes prove the defendant's guilt.

'Evidence' is singular (uncountable noun). The verb should be 'proves,' not 'prove.'

Which sentence uses the correct word?

Answer: The officer cited the suspect for a traffic violation.

'Cited' means to issue a citation. 'Sighted' means to see. 'Sited' means to place at a location.

Which sentence is free of redundancy?

Answer: The suspect was described as approximately 6 feet tall.

Option C has no redundancy. Others contain: 'returned back,' 'present time/currently/ongoing,' 'cooperated together.'

Choose the clearest revision: 'It was determined by the responding officers that the individual who was the victim had sustained injuries that were not life-threatening in nature.'

Answer: Responding officers determined that the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Option A converts to active voice, eliminates unnecessary words, and delivers information directly.