Writing Diagnostic, Prof. Nelson

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| By Rskranidis

Rskranidis

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Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 68

Questions: 10 | Attempts: 68 | Updated: Jun 16, 2023

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In each of the following sentences some part of the sentence is underlined and bolded. In the answer choices you will find four ways of writing the underlined part. The first choice repeats the underlined part in the original sentence, but the other three are different. If you think the original sentence is better than any of the suggested changes, you should choose letter A; otherwise you should mark one of the other choices. Choose the answer that produces the most effective sentence - clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity. Do not make a choice that changes the meaning Read moreof the original sentence.
A brief explanation is provided for each question. You have 30 minutes!

Questions and Answers

1.

Veronica Geng's humor is intelligent and witty, it takes some thinking to understand her jokes.
- A.
  
  It takes
- B.
  
  they take
- C.
  
  Which takes
- D.
  
  But it takes
Correct Answer
D. But it takes

Explanation
fused sentence, run-on

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2.

Right whales can swim at a speed of up to eight knots, but it is more likely to cruise at about three knots.
- A.
  
  But it is more likely to cruise
- B.
  
  But it is more likely they will cruise
- C.
  
  But they are more likely to cruise
- D.
  
  But, more likely, it cruises
Correct Answer
C. But they are more likely to cruise

Explanation
pronoun reference

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3.

Mary Well's version of "My Guy" is still my most favorite one that I like best.
- A.
  
  My most favorite one that I like best
- B.
  
  My favorite one that I like best
- C.
  
  My most favorite
- D.
  
  my favorite
Correct Answer
D. my favorite

Explanation
wordiness

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4.

Some people worry about overpopulation because of the food and perhaps too many people eat it in the future.
- A.
  
  Because of the food and perhaps too many people eat it in the future
- B.
  
  because in the future there may be too many people and not enough food to feed them
- C.
  
  Because in the future they may have too many people and there will not be enough to feed them
- D.
  
  Because of, in the future, perhaps having too little food for all the people eating it
Correct Answer
B. because in the future there may be too many people and not enough food to feed them

Explanation
parallelism, parallel structure

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5.

Many of the schoolchildren interviewed said they wanted to become doctors or lawyers.
- A.
  
  Doctors or lawyers
- B.
  
  a doctor or a lawyer
- C.
  
  A doctor and a lawyer
- D.
  
  Doctors than lawyers
Correct Answer
A. Doctors or lawyers

Explanation
agreement

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6.

In the article it states that NATO countries face serious reductions of their military budgets.
- A.
  
  In the article it states
- B.
  
  The article states
- C.
  
  They say in the article
- D.
  
  In the article is stated the fact
Correct Answer
B. The article states

Explanation
unclear pronoun reference, usage

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7.

Jeans and other informal costumes are accepted dress now that businesses would once have banned.
- A.
  
  are accepted dress now that businesses would once have banned
- B.
  
  Is an accepted way to dress now but businesses would once have banned it
- C.
  
  That businesses would once have banned are accepted dress now
- D.
  
  That businesses would once have banned is an accepted way to dress now
Correct Answer
C. That businesses would once have banned are accepted dress now

Explanation
agreement, parallelism

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8.

Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman to run for Vice-President on a major-party ticket, her example especially inspired the nation's women and the Italian-American community.
- A.
  
  Her example especially inspired
- B.
  
  Her example was especially inspiring to
- C.
  
  while her example especially inspired
- D.
  
  and her example especially inspired
Correct Answer
D. and her example especially inspired

Explanation
fused sentence

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9.

Some experimental automobiles use natural gas instead of gasoline for fuel, this change reduces the pollutants in their exhaust by ninety percent.
- A.
  
  Fuel, this change reduces
- B.
  
  Fuel, and it reduced
- C.
  
  Fuel, reducing
- D.
  
  fuel, by which it reduces
Correct Answer
C. Fuel, reducing

Explanation
fused sentence

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10.

Erosion by rivers, continuing over thousands of years, has carved vast, deep valleys.
- A.
  
  rivers, continuing over thousands of years,
- B.
  
  rivers having continued over thousands of years and
- C.
  
  Rivers, it continues over thousands of years and
- D.
  
  Rivers continues over thousands of years, it
Correct Answer
A. rivers, continuing over thousands of years,

Explanation
non-restrictive clause

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Writing Diagnostic, Prof. Nelson

Veronica Geng's humor is intelligent and witty, it takes some thinking to understand her jokes.

Right whales can swim at a speed of up to eight knots, but it is more likely to cruise at about three knots.

Mary Well's version of "My Guy" is still my most favorite one that I like best.

Some people worry about overpopulation because of the food and perhaps too many people eat it in the future.

Many of the schoolchildren interviewed said they wanted to become doctors or lawyers.

In the article it states that NATO countries face serious reductions of their military budgets.

Jeans and other informal costumes are accepted dress now that businesses would once have banned.

Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman to run for Vice-President on a major-party ticket, her example especially inspired the nation's women and the Italian-American community.

Some experimental automobiles use natural gas instead of gasoline for fuel, this change reduces the pollutants in their exhaust by ninety percent.

Erosion by rivers, continuing over thousands of years, has carved vast, deep valleys.