West B Test Writing: Revision and Editing Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A writer drafts: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was postponed.' Which revision is most concise?
- Because it was raining, the game was postponed. (Correct answer)
- The game was postponed due to the fact that rain occurred.
- Owing to the fact that it was raining, the game was postponed.
- The game's postponement was due to the fact that it was raining.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, the game was postponed.
'Because' replaces the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that' with a single subordinating conjunction.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
- The three students notebook's were on the desk.
- The students' notebooks were on the desk. (Correct answer)
- The student's notebooks' were on the desk.
- The students notebooks were on the desk.
Correct answer: The students' notebooks were on the desk.
When a plural noun ending in -s shows possession, the apostrophe is placed after the final s.
Question 3: Which revision best corrects the shift in verb tense? 'She walked into the room and sees the message on the board.'
- She walked into the room and saw the message on the board.
- She walks into the room and sees the message on the board.
- She had walked into the room and sees the message on the board.
- Both A and B are correct revisions. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and B are correct revisions.
Consistency is key — either both verbs should be past tense (A) or both present tense (B), eliminating the tense shift.
Question 4: Which sentence is an example of a run-on sentence?
- She studied, and she passed the test.
- She studied she passed the test. (Correct answer)
- Although she studied hard, she still failed.
- She studied; consequently, she passed the test.
Correct answer: She studied she passed the test.
Two independent clauses joined without punctuation or a conjunction create a run-on (fused) sentence.
Question 5: A student writes a persuasive essay. Which revision best strengthens the argument by adding a counterargument and rebuttal?
- Some disagree with uniforms, but uniforms reduce social pressure and keep students focused on learning. (Correct answer)
- School uniforms are good. Students should wear them.
- Many studies show uniforms are beneficial and schools should adopt them.
- Uniforms make students look professional and are therefore a good idea.
Correct answer: Some disagree with uniforms, but uniforms reduce social pressure and keep students focused on learning.
Acknowledging the opposing view and refuting it demonstrates critical thinking and strengthens a persuasive argument.
Question 6: Which edit corrects the pronoun-antecedent agreement error? 'Every employee must submit their timesheet by Friday.'
- Every employee must submit his or her timesheet by Friday.
- Every employee must submit its timesheet by Friday.
- Every employee must submit our timesheet by Friday.
- The original sentence is correct as written. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The original sentence is correct as written.
Modern usage widely accepts 'their' as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun, making the original sentence correct.
Question 7: Which sentence best uses specific, concrete language instead of vague language?
- The thing she did was really nice.
- She volunteered at the food bank every Saturday for a year. (Correct answer)
- Her action was a good and helpful one.
- She did something that benefited many people in the community.
Correct answer: She volunteered at the food bank every Saturday for a year.
Specific details (food bank, every Saturday, for a year) create a clear, vivid picture rather than vague generalities.
West B Test Writing: Revision and Editing Skills 4
A writer drafts: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, the game was postponed.' Which revision is most concise?