THEA THEA Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to catch the bus, Maria dropped her bag.
- Running to catch the bus, the bag was dropped. (Correct answer)
- While Maria was running, she dropped her bag.
- Maria, running fast, dropped her bag.
Correct answer: Running to catch the bus, the bag was dropped.
In option B, the participial phrase 'Running to catch the bus' has no clear subject to modify — the bag cannot run.
Question 2: Which of the following best uses a semicolon correctly?
- She studied hard; but failed the exam.
- She studied hard; she still failed the exam. (Correct answer)
- She studied; hard for the exam.
- She; studied hard for the exam.
Correct answer: She studied hard; she still failed the exam.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 3: In an argumentative essay, what is the primary purpose of a counterargument?
- To confuse the reader with opposing views
- To acknowledge and then refute an opposing viewpoint (Correct answer)
- To replace the thesis with a new claim
- To introduce unrelated evidence
Correct answer: To acknowledge and then refute an opposing viewpoint
Acknowledging and refuting a counterargument strengthens the writer's credibility and overall argument.
Question 4: Which word choice error appears in this sentence: 'The affect of the medicine was immediate'?
- No error; the sentence is correct.
- 'affect' should be 'effect' (Correct answer)
- 'immediate' should be 'imminent'
- 'medicine' should be 'medication'
Correct answer: 'affect' should be 'effect'
'Effect' is the noun meaning result; 'affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence.
Question 5: Which revision improves the following wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, we stayed inside'?
- Because of the fact of rain, we stayed inside.
- Because it was raining, we stayed inside. (Correct answer)
- On account of rain occurring, we stayed inside.
- Seeing as how it was raining, we remained inside.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, we stayed inside.
Replacing 'due to the fact that' with 'because' eliminates unnecessary wordiness.
Question 6: What does 'parallel structure' require in a list?
- Each item must start with a different part of speech
- Each item must be in the same grammatical form (Correct answer)
- Each item must contain at least ten words
- Each item must be separated by a semicolon
Correct answer: Each item must be in the same grammatical form
Parallel structure demands that all items in a series use the same grammatical form (e.g., all nouns or all gerunds).
Question 7: Which transitional phrase signals a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- In addition
- However (Correct answer)
- Therefore
Correct answer: However
'However' signals a shift or contrast, while the others signal addition or conclusion.
THEA THEA Writing 2
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?