West B Test Writing: Revision and Editing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision best improves the clarity of this sentence? 'The report was written by the team and it was submitted yesterday.'
- The team wrote and submitted the report yesterday. (Correct answer)
- The report, written by the team, was submitted by them yesterday.
- Yesterday the report was written by the team and submitted.
- The team's report was written and it was submitted yesterday.
Correct answer: The team wrote and submitted the report yesterday.
Combining the two actions into one active-voice sentence eliminates wordiness and improves clarity.
Question 2: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running through the park, she dropped her keys.
- After finishing the exam, the students left the room.
- Exhausted from the hike, the tent was set up quickly. (Correct answer)
- Having studied all night, Marcus felt confident.
Correct answer: Exhausted from the hike, the tent was set up quickly.
The phrase 'Exhausted from the hike' modifies 'tent,' which cannot be exhausted — the subject performing the action is missing.
Question 3: A student writes: 'There are many reasons why students fail. One reason is absences. Another reason is poor study habits.' Which revision best improves sentence variety?
- Students fail for many reasons, including frequent absences and poor study habits. (Correct answer)
- There are many reasons students fail, one being absences, another being poor study habits.
- Students fail. Absences cause failure. Poor study habits also cause failure.
- Many reasons exist for student failure: absences, and additionally poor study habits.
Correct answer: Students fail for many reasons, including frequent absences and poor study habits.
Combining the three choppy sentences into one improves flow and eliminates repetitive structure.
Question 4: Which edit correctly fixes the comma splice in this sentence? 'The conference was canceled, the keynote speaker was ill.'
- The conference was canceled; the keynote speaker was ill.
- The conference was canceled, and the keynote speaker was ill.
- The conference was canceled because the keynote speaker was ill.
- All of the above are correct fixes. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above are correct fixes.
A comma splice can be fixed with a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or a subordinating conjunction — all three options are valid corrections.
Question 5: Which word choice best replaces 'got' to make the following sentence more formal? 'She got the highest score in the class.'
- received
- grabbed
- took
- earned (Correct answer)
Correct answer: earned
'Earned' conveys active achievement and is the most precise and formal replacement for 'got' in this context.
Question 6: Which sentence best demonstrates parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, to swim, and running on trails.
- She likes hiking, swimming, and running on trails. (Correct answer)
- She likes to hike, swimming, and to run on trails.
- She likes hiking, to swim, and trail running.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and running on trails.
All three activities use the gerund (-ing) form, creating consistent parallel structure.
Question 7: A writer wants to strengthen the transition between these sentences: 'The experiment failed. The team continued their research.' Which transition word best shows contrast?
- Therefore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Furthermore
- Consequently
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals that the team continued despite the setback, showing the contrast between failure and perseverance.
West B Test Writing: Revision and Editing Skills 2
Which revision best improves the clarity of this sentence? 'The report was written by the team and it was submitted yesterday.'