West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses active voice?
- The report was completed by the team.
- Mistakes were made by the supervisor.
- The supervisor reviewed the report thoroughly. (Correct answer)
- The decision had been reached by the board.
Correct answer: The supervisor reviewed the report thoroughly.
Active voice places the subject ('the supervisor') before the verb ('reviewed'), making the sentence direct and clear.
Question 2: Which sentence contains a fused (run-on) sentence error?
- She ran fast, but she missed the bus.
- He finished the project it was submitted on time. (Correct answer)
- Although tired, she continued working.
- The test was difficult; however, she passed.
Correct answer: He finished the project it was submitted on time.
Two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction, creating a fused sentence.
Question 3: Which sentence demonstrates correct use of a compound-complex structure?
- She sang beautifully.
- She sang, and he played piano.
- Although she was nervous, she performed well, and the crowd applauded. (Correct answer)
- She was nervous but performed well.
Correct answer: Although she was nervous, she performed well, and the crowd applauded.
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause, as shown here.
Question 4: Which word correctly completes: 'The data _____ inconclusive according to the researchers.'
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- is being
- has been being
Correct answer: were
'Data' is the plural form of 'datum' and takes a plural verb ('were') in formal academic usage.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly uses a conditional structure?
- If she would have studied, she would have passed.
- If she had studied, she would have passed. (Correct answer)
- If she studied, she would had passed.
- If she has studied, she would pass.
Correct answer: If she had studied, she would have passed.
The past perfect ('had studied') is used in the if-clause, and 'would have passed' in the result clause for past unreal conditions.
Question 6: Which sentence avoids redundancy?
- The final conclusion was reached at the end.
- She made a brief summary of the report.
- They collaborated together on the new innovation.
- He summarized the report concisely. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: He summarized the report concisely.
'Summarized concisely' avoids repeating ideas; the other options contain redundant word pairs.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'who' versus 'whom'?
- Whom is leading the new initiative?
- She is the candidate whom the board selected. (Correct answer)
- The teacher who the students admire most retired.
- Whom do you think will get the job?
Correct answer: She is the candidate whom the board selected.
'Whom' is correct because it is the object of 'selected'; substituting 'him' confirms object case is needed.
West B Test Writing: Grammar and Sentence Structure 4
Which sentence correctly uses active voice?