English Composition Trivia Test! Quiz

1. There were to/too/two many books to/too/two read and not enough time to read them.

To, too

Too, to

Two, too

To, two

Two, to

The correct answer is "too, to". In this sentence, "too" is used to indicate an excessive amount of books, while "to" is used to show the purpose or destination of reading them.

Explanation

The correct answer is "too, to". In this sentence, "too" is used to indicate an excessive amount of books, while "to" is used to show the purpose or destination of reading them.

2. What's wrong with this sentence? We should abolish the death penalty. Many respected people, such as actor Guy Handsome, have publicly stated their opposition to it.

Actor should be capitalized.

"Abolish" is not used properly.

Mr. Handsome's opinion does not necessarily make something true.

Nothing.

The given correct answer explains that the sentence is flawed because it implies that Mr. Handsome's opinion automatically makes the statement true, which is not necessarily the case. It highlights the logical fallacy of appealing to authority, where the opinion of a respected individual is used as evidence to support a claim without considering other factors or evidence.

Explanation

The given correct answer explains that the sentence is flawed because it implies that Mr. Handsome's opinion automatically makes the statement true, which is not necessarily the case. It highlights the logical fallacy of appealing to authority, where the opinion of a respected individual is used as evidence to support a claim without considering other factors or evidence.

3. What's wrong with this sentence? President Jones raised taxes, and then the rate of violent crime went up. Jones is responsible for the rise in crime.

Should be "rised taxes"

Unsupported connection between the raising of taxes and the crime rate.

Comma should come after Jones.

Nothing.

The correct answer is "Unsupported connection between the raising of taxes and the crime rate." The sentence suggests that President Jones is responsible for the rise in crime solely based on the fact that he raised taxes. However, this is an unsupported connection as there is no evidence or logical explanation provided to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between tax increase and crime rate.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Unsupported connection between the raising of taxes and the crime rate." The sentence suggests that President Jones is responsible for the rise in crime solely based on the fact that he raised taxes. However, this is an unsupported connection as there is no evidence or logical explanation provided to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between tax increase and crime rate.

4. What's wrong with this sentence? Guns are like hammers--they're both tools with metal parts that could be used to kill someone. And yet, it would be ridiculous to restrict the purchase of hammers--so restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous.

There should not be a comma after yet.

The similarities between guns and hammers do not have anything to do with the main concern of gun safety.

Ridiculous is not used properly.

Nothing.

The sentence suggests that because guns and hammers have similarities as tools, restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous as restricting the purchase of hammers. However, the correct answer states that the similarities between guns and hammers do not have anything to do with the main concern of gun safety. This means that comparing the two tools based on their similarities is irrelevant when discussing the issue of gun safety and restrictions on purchasing guns.

Explanation

The sentence suggests that because guns and hammers have similarities as tools, restrictions on purchasing guns are equally ridiculous as restricting the purchase of hammers. However, the correct answer states that the similarities between guns and hammers do not have anything to do with the main concern of gun safety. This means that comparing the two tools based on their similarities is irrelevant when discussing the issue of gun safety and restrictions on purchasing guns.

5. What's wrong with this sentence? Jerusalem is representing the neighborhood in which the Disciples and Apostles lived.

"is representing" should be represents.

Neighborhood should be capitalized.

A comma should come after Jerusalem.

Nothing.

The verb "is representing" should be changed to "represents" because it is more appropriate to use the simple present tense to describe a general fact or a permanent situation. In this case, the sentence is discussing the neighborhood in which the Disciples and Apostles lived, which is a permanent situation. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is "represents."

Explanation

The verb "is representing" should be changed to "represents" because it is more appropriate to use the simple present tense to describe a general fact or a permanent situation. In this case, the sentence is discussing the neighborhood in which the Disciples and Apostles lived, which is a permanent situation. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is "represents."

6. What's wrong with this sentence? Animal experimentation reduces our respect for life. If we don't respect life, we are likely to be more and more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. Soon our society will become a battlefield in which everyone constantly fears for their lives. It will be the end of civilization. To prevent this terrible consequence, we should make animal experimentation illegal right now.

Animal experimentation does not actually lead to war or murder.

"To prevent this terrible consequence" should come after "right now."

Civilization should be capitalized.

Nothing.

The given correct answer states that animal experimentation does not actually lead to war or murder. The passage suggests that if we do not respect life, we will become more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. However, there is no evidence or logical connection provided to support this claim. Therefore, the correct answer points out the lack of causation between animal experimentation and war/murder.

Explanation

The given correct answer states that animal experimentation does not actually lead to war or murder. The passage suggests that if we do not respect life, we will become more tolerant of violent acts like war and murder. However, there is no evidence or logical connection provided to support this claim. Therefore, the correct answer points out the lack of causation between animal experimentation and war/murder.

7. What's wrong with this sentence? The seriousness of punishment should match the seriousness of the crime. Right now, the punishment for drunk driving may simply be fine. But drunk driving is a very serious crime that can kill innocent people. So the death penalty should be the punishment for drunk driving.

It makes drunk driving more serious than it is.

It assumes the innocence of humanity.

It makes the death penalty seem like the only proper punishment.

Nothing.

The given correct answer is that the statement "The seriousness of punishment should match the seriousness of the crime" makes the death penalty seem like the only proper punishment. This is because the statement suggests that the punishment for drunk driving should be the death penalty, which is an extreme and controversial form of punishment. This assumption overlooks other potential punishments that could be effective in addressing drunk driving, such as license suspension, mandatory rehabilitation programs, or stricter fines and penalties.

Explanation

The given correct answer is that the statement "The seriousness of punishment should match the seriousness of the crime" makes the death penalty seem like the only proper punishment. This is because the statement suggests that the punishment for drunk driving should be the death penalty, which is an extreme and controversial form of punishment. This assumption overlooks other potential punishments that could be effective in addressing drunk driving, such as license suspension, mandatory rehabilitation programs, or stricter fines and penalties.

8. What's wrong with this sentence? The movement of the Holy Spirit is not a force that can be controlled and that is something hard to promote.

"the holy Spirit is not a force" is awkward.

"is not a force that can be controlled" is awkward.

"and that is something hard to promote." is awkward.

Nothing.

The correct answer is "and that is something hard to promote." is awkward. This phrase is grammatically correct, but it sounds awkward because it is not clear what is meant by "promote" in this context. The sentence suggests that promoting the movement of the Holy Spirit is difficult, but it does not clarify what exactly is meant by "promote" in relation to the Holy Spirit.

Explanation

The correct answer is "and that is something hard to promote." is awkward. This phrase is grammatically correct, but it sounds awkward because it is not clear what is meant by "promote" in this context. The sentence suggests that promoting the movement of the Holy Spirit is difficult, but it does not clarify what exactly is meant by "promote" in relation to the Holy Spirit.