TMU Writing Excellence 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is free of comma splice errors?
- The library closes at nine, students should finish their work by then.
- The library closes at nine; students should finish their work by then. (Correct answer)
- The library closes at nine, and students should finish their work by then, or they will lose access.
- The library closes at nine students should finish their work by then.
Correct answer: The library closes at nine; students should finish their work by then.
Option B correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses, avoiding both a comma splice and a run-on sentence.
Question 2: What does 'concision' mean in the context of effective writing?
- Including as many details as possible to fully explain a point
- Conveying ideas using the fewest words necessary without sacrificing clarity (Correct answer)
- Writing conclusions that restate all major points from the essay
- Ensuring each paragraph contains at least five sentences
Correct answer: Conveying ideas using the fewest words necessary without sacrificing clarity
Concision means expressing ideas efficiently, eliminating unnecessary words while preserving meaning and clarity.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of hedging language, commonly expected in academic writing?
- This study proves that exercise eliminates depression.
- The results suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of depression. (Correct answer)
- Exercise is the best treatment for depression.
- Everyone knows that exercise helps with depression.
Correct answer: The results suggest that exercise may reduce symptoms of depression.
Hedging language ('suggest,' 'may') acknowledges uncertainty and avoids overstating conclusions, which is standard in academic writing.
Question 4: A writer notices that a paragraph has three unrelated ideas. What is the best revision strategy?
- Add more transition words to link the unrelated ideas
- Expand each idea into its own focused paragraph (Correct answer)
- Delete two of the ideas and keep only one
- Move the paragraph to the conclusion
Correct answer: Expand each idea into its own focused paragraph
Each paragraph should develop one central idea; splitting the paragraph ensures unity and allows each idea adequate development.
Question 5: Which sentence uses active voice?
- The report was completed by the research team before the deadline.
- Mistakes were made during the editing process.
- The research team completed the report before the deadline. (Correct answer)
- The deadline was met by submitting the report on time.
Correct answer: The research team completed the report before the deadline.
In active voice, the subject ('the research team') performs the action; in passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Question 6: What is the function of a counterargument in a persuasive essay?
- To weaken the writer's position by introducing doubt
- To acknowledge opposing views and then refute them, strengthening credibility (Correct answer)
- To replace the thesis with a more balanced perspective
- To summarize what critics have said without responding
Correct answer: To acknowledge opposing views and then refute them, strengthening credibility
Addressing and refuting counterarguments demonstrates the writer's awareness of the full debate and strengthens the overall argument.
Question 7: Which citation practice violates academic integrity standards?
- Paraphrasing a source and citing the author
- Using a direct quote with quotation marks and a citation
- Changing a few words in a source passage and citing it as a paraphrase (Correct answer)
- Summarizing an article's main argument with a citation
Correct answer: Changing a few words in a source passage and citing it as a paraphrase
Minimal word substitution without genuine paraphrasing is considered patchwork plagiarism, even if a citation is provided.
TMU Writing Excellence 3
Which sentence is free of comma splice errors?