Advanced English Grammar and Writing Techniques Quiz

English Language and Composition

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY

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| By Thames

Thames

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Quizzes Created: 7153 | Total Attempts: 9,523,263

| Questions: 19 | Updated: Oct 24, 2025

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1. What does the term COLLOQUIAL mean?

Referring to words used only in formal settings.

Describing complex and technical language.

Used in some dictionaries to label words appropriate only in informal speech.

Pertaining to old or ancient words.

The term COLLOQUIAL is used to denote words appropriate only in informal speech, as opposed to formal or technical language.

Explanation

The term COLLOQUIAL is used to denote words appropriate only in informal speech, as opposed to formal or technical language.

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About This Quiz

Enhance your understanding of English grammar with our College Composition Grammar quiz. This assessment focuses on evaluating your grammar skills necessary for college-level writing, helping improve both academic performance and written communication.

2. What's your name?

We’ll put your name on your report, certificate, and leaderboard.

2. What does consistency refer to in terms of writing?

The act of using complex vocabulary to impress the reader.

The ability to include contradictory information within the same paragraph.

The result of staying within one pattern and avoiding confusing shifts in tense or grammatical perspective.

The process of changing writing styles frequently to keep the reader engaged.

Consistency in writing refers to maintaining a uniform pattern throughout the piece, which helps in avoiding confusion or disruptions in flow for the reader.

Explanation

Consistency in writing refers to maintaining a uniform pattern throughout the piece, which helps in avoiding confusion or disruptions in flow for the reader.

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3. What is meant by the term CONVENTION?

A religious retreat.

An agreement or treaty between countries.

A large formal meeting for people who belong to the same profession or organization.

The customary way of doing things; what a reader or listener expects or is used to.

The correct answer defines convention as the customary way of doing things or what is expected.

Explanation

The correct answer defines convention as the customary way of doing things or what is expected.

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4. What does the term FORMAL refer to?

The attire required for a black-tie event

The kind of English appropriate in serious discussion and writing.

A type of letter format used in personal correspondence

Informal language used in casual conversations

The term FORMAL refers to the style of English that is suitable for serious discussions and formal writing, characterized by a professional tone and structure.

Explanation

The term FORMAL refers to the style of English that is suitable for serious discussions and formal writing, characterized by a professional tone and structure.

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5. What is grammar?

The study of numbers and their relationships in mathematics.

The study of the past events and people.

The study of the Earth's physical structure and substance.

The study of the forms of words and their arrangement in a language.

Grammar specifically refers to the study of the forms of words and how they are arranged in a language, not other subjects like mathematics, geology, or history.

Explanation

Grammar specifically refers to the study of the forms of words and how they are arranged in a language, not other subjects like mathematics, geology, or history.

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6. What is the definition of INFORMAL English?

Slang or colloquial language used among close friends.

The kind of standard English we use in casual conversations and personal letters.

Formal English used for official documents and speeches.

The type of English used in academic or professional settings.

Informal English refers to the type of standard English used in casual conversations and personal letters, as opposed to formal or academic contexts. It is more relaxed and natural, often incorporating colloquialisms and familiar language.

Explanation

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7. What is the definition of REDUNDANCY?

Necessity, requirement

Efficiency, optimization

Innovation, creativity

Unintentional repetition, needless duplication

Redundancy refers to the unnecessary repetition or duplication of information, which can lead to inefficiency and confusion in communication.

Explanation

Redundancy refers to the unnecessary repetition or duplication of information, which can lead to inefficiency and confusion in communication.

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8. What is the definition of SLANG?

A dialect spoken by a specific cultural group.

Extremely informal language; often used in a disrespectful manner.

A type of formal language used in academic settings.

A form of written communication using abbreviations and acronyms.

Slang refers to extremely informal language that is often used in a disrespectful manner, deviating from more formal speech patterns.

Explanation

Slang refers to extremely informal language that is often used in a disrespectful manner, deviating from more formal speech patterns.

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9. What does the term STANDARD refer to?

A type of musical note

A ruler used for measurement

A flag used in military operations

The language of our institutions - of school, chruch, business, and goverment.

The term 'STANDARD' in this context refers to the language commonly used in various institutions such as school, church, business, and government.

Explanation

The term 'STANDARD' in this context refers to the language commonly used in various institutions such as school, church, business, and government.

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10. What is a pronoun?

An action verb

Word used in place of a noun I, you, who

An adverb

A preposition

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence. It helps avoid repetition and keeps the sentence from sounding redundant. Examples of pronouns include: he, she, it, we, they, etc.

Explanation

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun in a sentence. It helps avoid repetition and keeps the sentence from sounding redundant. Examples of pronouns include: he, she, it, we, they, etc.

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11. What is an adjective?

A word that represents an action or state of being.

Word that descrbies or limits a noun or pronoun: tells which, what kind of or how many: short,... Word that descrbies or limits a noun or pronoun: tells which, what kind of or how many: short, beautiful, honest

A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.

A word that shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and some other word in the sentence.

An adjective is a word that describes or limits a noun or pronoun by telling which one, what kind, or how many. It adds information about the noun/pronoun, such as its size, color, condition, and more.

Explanation

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12. What is a verb?

Person, place, or thing: house, tree

Something that connects words or groups of words: and, but

Action or state of being word: run, is

An adjective describing a noun: blue, fast

A verb is a word that expresses an action or a state of being. In the given correct answer, 'run' represents an action while 'is' represents a state of being. The incorrect answers provided do not fit the definition of a verb.

Explanation

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13. What is an adverb?

A type of punctuation used to separate independent clauses.

A word that modifies a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.

Word that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, tells how, when, where, why, how often: carefully, now, quickly

A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

An adverb is a word that provides more information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb by answering questions like how, when, where, why, or how often. It does not modify nouns, function as punctuation, or represent objects like nouns do.

Explanation

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14. What is a conjunction?

Word used to join words or groups of worsd: and

A type of adverb used to show cause and effect

A punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence

A type of preposition used to indicate location

A conjunction is a part of speech used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences together. The correct answer, 'and', is a common example of a conjunction used to join two words or phrases.

Explanation

A conjunction is a part of speech used to connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences together. The correct answer, 'and', is a common example of a conjunction used to join two words or phrases.

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15. What is an interjection?

A type of verb used to show physical or mental actions

A conjunction that connects two words, phrases, or clauses

An exclamation: an unrelated word which expresses feeling: set off from the rest of a sentence by a... An exclamation: an unrelated word which expresses feeling: set off from the rest of a sentence by a comma or exclamation point: Alas! Oh!

A punctuation mark used to separate items in a list or to indicate a pause in a sentence

An interjection is a word or phrase used to convey strong emotions or feelings in a sentence and is set off by commas or exclamation points.

Explanation

An interjection is a word or phrase used to convey strong emotions or feelings in a sentence and is set off by commas or exclamation points.

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16. What is ambiguity?

A clear and straightforward message

A specific and concise statement

A possible double meaning that may confuse a listener or reader.

A well-defined and unambiguous message

Ambiguity refers to something having multiple meanings which can cause confusion for the recipient of the message.

Explanation

Ambiguity refers to something having multiple meanings which can cause confusion for the recipient of the message.

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17. What is the definition of 'economy'?

The management of the resources of a community, country, etc., especially with a view to its productivity.

The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the... The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money.

A system of trading goods and services in a country.

The sparing use of words, avoiding unnecessary wordiness or duplication.

The correct definition of 'economy' in this context refers to the efficient and concise use of words to convey a message, rather than the economic or financial definition of the term.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'economy' in this context refers to the efficient and concise use of words to convey a message, rather than the economic or financial definition of the term.

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18. What is meant by the term NON-STANDARD?

Language that conforms to strict standards and norms in formal settings.

Slang and colloquial language accepted in all formal contexts.

Technical jargon commonly used in academic and professional environments.

The everyday language of those with little formal education; inappropriate in school, business, or writing.

NON-STANDARD refers to language that doesn't adhere to formal standards and is considered unsuitable for certain contexts like school or business. It often involves informal expressions used by those with limited education.

Explanation

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19. What is the function of a preposition in a sentence?

Shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence: to the houes after me

An adjective used to describe nouns

A type of verb used to show an action

A punctuation mark used to separate items in a list

A preposition is a word that typically comes before a noun or pronoun and indicates the relationship between that noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as location, time, or direction.

Explanation

A preposition is a word that typically comes before a noun or pronoun and indicates the relationship between that noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, such as location, time, or direction.

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