PSEE Written Communication 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is grammatically correct and most appropriate for a formal government document?
- The report, which was submitted last week, have been reviewed by the director.
- The report, which was submitted last week, has been reviewed by the director. (Correct answer)
- The report which was submitted last week has been reviewed by the director.
- The report was submitted last week and the director have reviewed it.
Correct answer: The report, which was submitted last week, has been reviewed by the director.
'The report' is singular, requiring 'has been' (not 'have been'). The non-restrictive clause requires commas on both sides.
The subject is 'The report' (singular), requiring 'has been' (not 'have been'). The phrase 'which was submitted last week' is a non-restrictive relative clause and should be set off by commas on both sides. Option B satisfies both grammar rules.
Question 2: Choose the most concise and clear version: 'Due to the fact that the budget has been reduced, it will be necessary for us to cut costs.'
- Because the budget has been reduced, we must cut costs. (Correct answer)
- In view of the budget reduction that has occurred, cost cutting will be needed.
- The budget being reduced means cost reductions will be necessary for us.
- The reduction of the budget is the reason why we must cut costs now.
Correct answer: Because the budget has been reduced, we must cut costs.
'Due to the fact that' simplifies to 'Because.' 'It will be necessary for us to' simplifies to 'we must.' Option A is the clearest and most concise.
'Due to the fact that' is a wordy substitute for 'Because.' 'It will be necessary for us to' is a roundabout way to say 'we must.' Option A combines both simplifications. Conciseness is a key criterion in PSEE written communication sections.
Question 3: A colleague drafted: 'The committee will meet on Tuesday, March 12th, at 10 a.m. in the morning.' What is wrong with this sentence?
- 'a.m.' should be 'AM' in formal documents.
- 'March 12th' should be 'March 12.'
- 'in the morning' is redundant with 'a.m.' (Correct answer)
- The sentence needs a direct object.
Correct answer: 'in the morning' is redundant with 'a.m.'
'a.m.' already means 'in the morning,' so 'in the morning' is redundant and should be removed.
'a.m.' stands for 'ante meridiem,' meaning before noon — i.e., in the morning. Adding 'in the morning' after '10 a.m.' is redundant. Identifying and eliminating redundancy is a standard PSEE written communication skill.
Question 4: Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The policy will ___ everyone in the department.'
- effect
- affect (Correct answer)
- impact on
- effecting
Correct answer: affect
'Affect' is the verb meaning to have an influence on. 'Effect' is usually a noun. 'Affect' is the correct verb choice here.
In this sentence, the blank is a verb ('will ___'). 'Affect' (verb) = to influence. 'Effect' (noun) = the result. 'Impact on' is grammatically awkward with 'will.' The correct answer is 'affect.' The affect/effect distinction is commonly tested in PSEE written communication.
Question 5: Which version uses parallel structure correctly?
- The manager's duties include reviewing files, to attend meetings, and the supervision of staff.
- The manager's duties include reviewing files, attending meetings, and supervising staff. (Correct answer)
- The manager's duties include to review files, attending meetings, and staff supervision.
- The manager's duties include file review, to attend meetings, and supervising of staff.
Correct answer: The manager's duties include reviewing files, attending meetings, and supervising staff.
Parallel structure requires the same grammatical form for all listed items. Option B uses the -ing form consistently: reviewing, attending, supervising.
In a list following 'include,' all items should use the same form. Option B uses three gerunds (-ing forms): reviewing, attending, supervising. Options A, C, and D mix infinitives, gerunds, and nouns, violating parallel structure.
Question 6: Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
- The director however, did not approve the proposal.
- The director, however did not approve the proposal.
- The director, however, did not approve the proposal. (Correct answer)
- The director however did not approve the proposal.
Correct answer: The director, however, did not approve the proposal.
'However' used as a conjunctive adverb in the middle of a sentence must be set off by commas on both sides.
When 'however' interrupts a main clause as a conjunctive adverb, it is set off by commas on both sides: 'The director, however, did not approve the proposal.' Options A and B are missing one comma; option D has no commas. Comma usage with conjunctive adverbs is a standard PSEE punctuation topic.
PSEE Written Communication 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct and most appropriate for a formal government document?