Writing Skills & Composition Flashcards

Which of the following best describes a 'topic sentence' in a paragraph?

Answer: The first sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

A topic sentence opens a paragraph and states its main point, guiding everything that follows.

A student writes: 'I have went to the market yesterday.' What is wrong with this sentence?

Answer: The verb tense is incorrect — 'went' should be used with simple past, not 'have'.

'Have went' is incorrect; use either 'went' (simple past) or 'have gone' (present perfect).

In PET Writing Part 3 (story), which element most helps create tension?

Answer: Short, punchy sentences and time pressure for the character.

Short sentences speed up the pace, and placing the character under pressure creates suspense.

Which sentence uses the correct punctuation for a list?

Answer: I need eggs, milk, bread, and butter.

Items in a list are separated by commas, with 'and' before the final item.

You receive a note asking: 'Can you explain why you were absent and suggest how you will catch up?' Which response best addresses both questions?

Answer: I had a bad cold last week. I plan to borrow notes from a classmate and finish the assignment by Friday.

This answer clearly states the reason and gives a concrete, realistic plan to catch up.

Which linking phrase is best used to add a further point that supports the same idea?

Answer: Furthermore

'Furthermore' adds an additional supporting point, reinforcing the same argument.

When writing for PET, which approach best improves the range of vocabulary used?

Answer: Use a thesaurus-style approach by substituting synonyms and varied expressions where appropriate.

Using synonyms and varied expressions demonstrates a wider vocabulary range and improves the writing score.