TSI Writing Practice Test #2 2

Question 1

Which sentence is correct?

Accepted Answer

Whoever finishes first may leave early.

Answer

"Whoever" is used as the subject of the clause "whoever finishes first." "Whomever" is used as an object, which is incorrect here since the pronoun is the subject of "finishes."

Question 2

Which version of the sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

Accepted Answer

She submitted a well-written report.

Answer

Compound modifiers before a noun are hyphenated. "Well-written" modifies "report" and comes before it, so it requires a hyphen. No hyphen is needed if the modifier comes after the noun (e.g., "the report was well written").

Question 3

Choose the sentence with correct modifier placement.

Accepted Answer

She eats only vegetables on weekdays.

Answer

The intended meaning is that she eats nothing but vegetables (not meat, etc.) on weekdays. Placing "only" directly before "vegetables" makes this meaning clear. Each placement changes the meaning.

Question 4

A student writes: "In today's society, many people use technology on a daily basis." What is wrong with this sentence?

Accepted Answer

It uses several redundant and clichéd phrases that add no meaning

Answer

"In today's society" and "on a daily basis" are padding clichés. "Daily" is simpler and more direct than "on a daily basis." Good academic writing avoids these empty phrases.

Question 5

Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb?

Accepted Answer

The data show that temperatures are rising.

Answer

"Data" is technically a plural noun (singular: datum), so in formal academic writing it takes a plural verb: "data show." In informal usage "data shows" is common but not preferred in formal contexts.

TSI Practice Test

TSI Practice Test

TSI Writing Practice Test #2 2