TMU Writing Excellence 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates the most effective use of parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, to swim, and runs every morning.
- She likes hiking, swimming, and running every morning. (Correct answer)
- She likes to hike, swimming, and runs every morning.
- She likes to hike, to swim, and runs every morning.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and running every morning.
Parallel structure requires all items in a series to use the same grammatical form, making option B correct with all gerunds.
Question 2: A student wants to strengthen a weak thesis statement. Which revision is most effective?
- This essay will discuss climate change and its effects.
- Climate change is a serious problem that affects everyone.
- By incentivizing renewable energy adoption, governments can reduce carbon emissions by 40% within a decade. (Correct answer)
- Many people believe that climate change is caused by human activity.
Correct answer: By incentivizing renewable energy adoption, governments can reduce carbon emissions by 40% within a decade.
A strong thesis is specific, arguable, and signals the paper's direction — option C provides a clear claim with specific evidence.
Question 3: Which transition word best indicates a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Consequently
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals a contrast or concession, while the others indicate addition, result, or similarity.
Question 4: In academic writing, what is the primary purpose of a topic sentence?
- To provide evidence for the thesis
- To introduce the main idea of a paragraph (Correct answer)
- To summarize the essay's conclusion
- To cite sources used in the paragraph
Correct answer: To introduce the main idea of a paragraph
A topic sentence states the controlling idea of a paragraph and signals to readers what the paragraph will discuss.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running through the park, Maria noticed the fallen tree.
- Running through the park, the fallen tree was noticed by Maria. (Correct answer)
- Maria, running through the park, noticed the fallen tree.
- While running through the park, Maria noticed the fallen tree.
Correct answer: Running through the park, the fallen tree was noticed by Maria.
In option B, the participial phrase 'Running through the park' incorrectly modifies 'the fallen tree' rather than the person doing the running.
Question 6: Which writing approach best supports a comparison-contrast essay structure?
- Narrating events in chronological order
- Using point-by-point or block organization to examine two subjects (Correct answer)
- Presenting a problem followed by multiple solutions
- Building an argument from least to most persuasive evidence
Correct answer: Using point-by-point or block organization to examine two subjects
Comparison-contrast essays are organized either point-by-point (alternating between subjects) or block style (all of subject A, then all of subject B).
Question 7: When writing a formal academic essay, which pronoun choice is most appropriate?
- Using 'you' to directly address the reader throughout
- Using 'I' extensively to share personal opinions
- Using third-person pronouns to maintain objectivity (Correct answer)
- Alternating between first and second person for variety
Correct answer: Using third-person pronouns to maintain objectivity
Academic writing typically favors third-person perspective to maintain objectivity and a formal, scholarly tone.
TMU Writing Excellence 2
Which sentence demonstrates the most effective use of parallel structure?