TSI - Texas Success Initiative Essay and Sentence Revision Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision best improves the clarity of this sentence: "The report it was written by the committee last Tuesday."
- The committee wrote the report last Tuesday. (Correct answer)
- The report, it was written last Tuesday by the committee.
- Last Tuesday, the report it was written by the committee.
- Written last Tuesday, the report by the committee.
Correct answer: The committee wrote the report last Tuesday.
The original contains a pronoun redundancy ("report it"). The clearest revision uses active voice: "The committee wrote the report last Tuesday."
Question 2: A student wants to strengthen the thesis of an essay arguing for stricter texting-while-driving laws. Which thesis is most effective?
- Stricter texting-while-driving laws are necessary because distracted driving causes thousands of preventable deaths each year. (Correct answer)
- Texting while driving is dangerous and people should stop doing it.
- Many people text while driving even though it is illegal in some states.
- There are several reasons why texting and driving is a problem in the United States.
Correct answer: Stricter texting-while-driving laws are necessary because distracted driving causes thousands of preventable deaths each year.
An effective thesis makes a specific, arguable claim and previews the supporting reason. Only the first option presents a clear position with a specific rationale.
Question 3: Which sentence uses the most appropriate transition to show contrast?
- The weather forecast predicted rain; however, the skies remained clear all day. (Correct answer)
- The weather forecast predicted rain; therefore, the skies remained clear all day.
- The weather forecast predicted rain; in addition, the skies remained clear all day.
- The weather forecast predicted rain; similarly, the skies remained clear all day.
Correct answer: The weather forecast predicted rain; however, the skies remained clear all day.
"However" signals contrast between the prediction and the actual outcome. "Therefore" implies causation, "in addition" implies continuation, and "similarly" implies comparison — all incorrect for this context.
Question 4: Which revision best corrects the dangling modifier: "Running through the park, the trees looked beautiful."
- Running through the park, she noticed the trees looked beautiful. (Correct answer)
- The trees looked beautiful, running through the park.
- Running through the park and the trees looked beautiful.
- While running through the park, beautiful trees were noticed.
Correct answer: Running through the park, she noticed the trees looked beautiful.
The modifier "Running through the park" needs a clear subject. Adding "she" as the subject of the main clause corrects the dangling modifier.
Question 5: In an argumentative essay, where should the counterargument typically be addressed?
- Before the conclusion, after presenting the main arguments (Correct answer)
- In the introduction only
- Only in the thesis statement
- It should never be mentioned in a persuasive essay
Correct answer: Before the conclusion, after presenting the main arguments
Addressing the counterargument after presenting main arguments — and before the conclusion — shows awareness of opposing views and strengthens the writer's credibility.
Question 6: Which sentence is written in parallel structure?
- She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling. (Correct answer)
- She enjoys hiking, to swim, and cycling.
- She enjoys to hike, swimming, and to cycle.
- She enjoys hike, swimming, and to cycle.
Correct answer: She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling.
Parallel structure requires the same grammatical form for coordinated elements. Only "hiking, swimming, and cycling" uses consistent gerund (-ing) forms.
TSI - Texas Success Initiative Essay and Sentence Revision Questions and Answers 2
Which revision best improves the clarity of this sentence: "The report it was written by the committee last Tuesday."