Written Test Editing and Revision 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision strategy best addresses a paragraph that contains information relevant to two different main ideas?
- Delete the weaker idea entirely
- Split the paragraph into two focused paragraphs (Correct answer)
- Add a transition sentence to connect both ideas
- Move the paragraph to the conclusion
Correct answer: Split the paragraph into two focused paragraphs
Splitting a paragraph ensures each main idea receives focused, organized treatment without confusion.
Question 2: A writer notices that every sentence in a paragraph begins with 'The.' What is the best revision approach?
- Replace 'The' with 'A' in alternating sentences
- Vary sentence openings by using transitions, participial phrases, or inverted structure (Correct answer)
- Add more sentences beginning with 'The' for consistency
- Change all sentences to questions
Correct answer: Vary sentence openings by using transitions, participial phrases, or inverted structure
Varying sentence openings improves rhythm and prevents monotonous repetition.
Question 3: When editing, you find the phrase 'due to the fact that.' What is the best revision?
- Replace with 'because' (Correct answer)
- Replace with 'in light of the fact that'
- Replace with 'on account of the fact that'
- Keep it as is for formality
Correct answer: Replace with 'because'
'Because' is a concise, direct substitute for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of faulty parallelism?
- She likes running, swimming, and cycling.
- He is tall, strong, and handsome.
- They want to travel, seeing new places, and to meet people. (Correct answer)
- The report was clear, concise, and accurate.
Correct answer: They want to travel, seeing new places, and to meet people.
Mixing infinitives ('to travel'), a gerund phrase ('seeing'), and another infinitive ('to meet') breaks parallel structure.
Question 5: A writer uses the passive voice throughout a persuasive essay. What is the most likely effect?
- The essay gains authority and objectivity
- The writing feels distant and reduces impact (Correct answer)
- The essay becomes easier to follow
- The passive voice strengthens the argument
Correct answer: The writing feels distant and reduces impact
Passive voice obscures the actor and weakens the directness needed in persuasive writing.
Question 6: What does 'cutting for concision' mean in the revision process?
- Removing the conclusion
- Eliminating redundant words and unnecessary phrases without losing meaning (Correct answer)
- Shortening every sentence to fewer than ten words
- Deleting all adjectives and adverbs
Correct answer: Eliminating redundant words and unnecessary phrases without losing meaning
Cutting for concision removes verbal clutter while preserving the full meaning of the text.
Question 7: A student's draft reads: 'The results were very, very surprising.' What is the best revision?
- The results were extremely very surprising.
- The results were astonishing. (Correct answer)
- The results were very surprising indeed.
- The results were quite very surprising.
Correct answer: The results were astonishing.
Replacing the weak intensifier 'very, very' with a precise adjective like 'astonishing' strengthens the sentence.
Written Test Editing and Revision 2
Which revision strategy best addresses a paragraph that contains information relevant to two different main ideas?