TSI Writing Practice Test #2 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?
- If she were the manager, she would change the policy. (Correct answer)
- If she was the manager, she would change the policy.
- If she is the manager, she would change the policy.
- If she were the manager, she will change the policy.
Correct answer: If she were the manager, she would change the policy.
The subjunctive mood uses "were" (not "was") for hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditions. "Would change" (not "will change") correctly completes the conditional structure.
Question 2: Which option best replaces the vague word "bad" in: "Smoking has bad effects on health."
- Smoking has detrimental effects on health. (Correct answer)
- Smoking has very bad effects on health.
- Smoking has really bad effects on health.
- Smoking has bad, negative effects on health.
Correct answer: Smoking has detrimental effects on health.
"Detrimental" is a precise, formal word meaning harmful or damaging, appropriate for academic writing. Adding "very" or "really" before "bad" still relies on the vague word.
Question 3: Identify the sentence that contains a double negative error.
- "I don't have no money left." (Correct answer)
- "I have no money left."
- "I don't have any money left."
- "I have not any money left."
Correct answer: "I don't have no money left."
Using "don't" and "no" together creates a double negative, which is non-standard in formal English. The correct forms are "I have no money" or "I don't have any money."
Question 4: A writer wants to add a counterargument paragraph to an essay about the benefits of online learning. Where should this paragraph appear?
- After presenting the main supporting arguments, before the conclusion (Correct answer)
- In the introduction, before the thesis
- As the first body paragraph, before any supporting evidence
- It should not be included in a persuasive essay
Correct answer: After presenting the main supporting arguments, before the conclusion
Counterarguments are most effective after the writer has established credibility through supporting arguments. Addressing them before the conclusion shows fairness and allows the writer to refute them.
Question 5: Which version best corrects the agreement error: "The number of students enrolled in online courses are increasing."
- The number of students enrolled in online courses is increasing. (Correct answer)
- The numbers of students enrolled in online courses are increasing.
- The number of students enrolled in online courses are increasing rapidly.
- A number of students enrolled in online courses is increasing.
Correct answer: The number of students enrolled in online courses is increasing.
"The number" (not "a number") is singular and takes a singular verb: "is increasing." "A number of students" would take a plural verb, but "the number" always takes singular.
Question 6: Which type of appeal is used in: "Nine out of ten dentists recommend brushing twice daily."
- Logos — appeal to logic and statistical evidence
- Ethos — appeal to the dentists' authority
- Pathos — appeal to emotion
- Both logos and ethos (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both logos and ethos
The statistic (9 out of 10) is a logical/statistical appeal (logos), while citing dentists as authorities lends credibility (ethos). Both appeals are present in this classic persuasive technique.
TSI Writing Practice Test #2 3
Which sentence correctly uses the subjunctive mood?