PTE Academic Writing Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Walking to the library, she found the book.
- Walking to the library, the book was found. (Correct answer)
- She was walking to the library when she found the book.
- The book was found on her way to the library.
Correct answer: Walking to the library, the book was found.
"Walking to the library, the book was found" contains a dangling modifier — the participial phrase "walking to the library" incorrectly modifies "the book" rather than a person. Dangling modifiers are common grammar errors in PTE Academic Writing.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a complex sentence?
- The student studied hard.
- The student studied hard, and she passed the exam.
- Because the student studied hard, she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- The student studied; she passed the exam.
Correct answer: Because the student studied hard, she passed the exam.
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. "Because the student studied hard, she passed the exam" has a subordinate clause ("because...") and a main clause.
Question 3: What is "parallel structure" in academic writing?
- Using two contrasting ideas in the same sentence
- Using the same grammatical form for elements in a list or comparison (Correct answer)
- Writing parallel sentences of the same length
- Using synonyms to avoid repeating words
Correct answer: Using the same grammatical form for elements in a list or comparison
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for elements joined in a series or comparison. Example: "She enjoys reading, writing, and studying" (not "reading, to write, and study"). It improves clarity and is assessed in PTE grammar scoring.
Question 4: Choose the correctly punctuated academic sentence:
- However the results were significant.
- However, the results were significant. (Correct answer)
- However; the results were significant.
- However: the results were significant.
Correct answer: However, the results were significant.
Introductory conjunctive adverbs like "however," "therefore," and "furthermore" are followed by a comma. "However, the results were significant." is correctly punctuated. Using a semicolon before it would require it to join two independent clauses.
Question 5: In a PTE Academic essay, what is the recommended word count and time limit?
- 100–200 words in 15 minutes
- 200–300 words in 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- 300–500 words in 25 minutes
- 150–250 words in 30 minutes
Correct answer: 200–300 words in 20 minutes
The Write Essay task in PTE Academic allows 20 minutes and expects 200–300 words. Responses under 200 words risk losing points for development; responses significantly over 300 words may introduce more errors.
Question 6: What does "cohesion" refer to in PTE Academic essay writing assessment?
- The range and accuracy of vocabulary used
- The grammatical complexity of sentences
- The use of linking words and devices to connect ideas (Correct answer)
- The relevance of content to the essay prompt
Correct answer: The use of linking words and devices to connect ideas
Cohesion refers to how ideas are linked within and between sentences using connectors, pronouns, and transitions. It contributes to the Written Discourse score and ensures the essay reads smoothly rather than as disconnected statements.
PTE Academic Writing Skills 3
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?