Which of the following actions should NOT take place during the revising, editing, and proofreading steps of the writing process?
- A. Improving word choice
- B. Replacing irrelevant or weak sentences
- C. Identifying sentences that require citations
- D. Determining the argument the composition will defend
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During the revising, editing, and proofreading steps of the writing process, the focus is on refining the existing content rather than creating new material. Improving word choice, replacing irrelevant or weak sentences, and identifying sentences that require citations are tasks that fall within these steps to enhance the overall quality and clarity of the writing. Determining the argument the composition will defend is a task that belongs to the drafting stage, where the main ideas and arguments are formulated. Therefore, deciding on the argument is not a step that should take place during revising, editing, and proofreading.
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Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation?
- A. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
- B. Graham still needs the following items for his class, a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel.
- C. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.
- D. Graham still needs the following items for his class - a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Choice A demonstrates correct punctuation. The sentence uses a colon to introduce a list, which is the most appropriate punctuation in this context. A colon is typically used to signal that a list or explanation follows, making it the suitable choice here. Choices B, C, and D either use a comma, semi-colon, or dash incorrectly to introduce the list, deviating from the standard punctuation rule for listing items. Therefore, they are incorrect in the context of this sentence.
Which of the following is NOT an effective brainstorming strategy?
- A. Making a list of possible topics/subtopics
- B. Daydreaming until inspiration strikes
- C. Freewriting, then reading over what you wrote
- D. Asking yourself who, what, where, when, why, and how
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Daydreaming is a passive process and may not always lead to concrete ideas. Effective brainstorming involves actively generating ideas through structured methods. Making a list of topics/subtopics helps organize thoughts, freewriting encourages continuous idea flow, and asking specific questions prompts deeper thinking and idea generation. Daydreaming, on the other hand, lacks structure and may not consistently yield productive results in a brainstorming session.
Every morning we would wake up, eat breakfast, and break camp. Which of the following is the correct revision for the sentence?
- A. NO CHANGE
- B. we would wake up, eat breakfast, and break camp.
- C. would we wake up, eat breakfast, and break camp?
- D. we are waking up, eating breakfast, and breaking camp.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'we would wake up, eat breakfast, and break camp.' The original sentence is a list of actions in the past, so the verb 'break' should also be in the past tense to maintain consistency. Choice A is incorrect because 'broke' is incorrect in this context. Choice C is a question format and does not fit the original sentence structure. Choice D changes the tense to present progressive, which does not match the past tense context of the sentence.
Which of the following sentences contains a homophone error?
- A. Their decision to stay home was vindicated when they heard about what happened.
- B. Jane was given a prescription for oral paste to put on her mouth ulcers.
- C. The team from Cincinnati led the league in scoring last year.
- D. What effect will this new legislation have on hospital policy?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because 'aural' and 'oral' are homophones, but they have different meanings. 'Aural' refers to hearing, while 'oral' refers to the mouth or spoken words. In the context of treating mouth ulcers, the correct term should be 'oral paste.' Choices A, C, and D do not contain homophone errors. In choice A, 'heard' is correctly used in the context of listening. Choice C is grammatically correct and does not involve homophones. Choice D correctly uses 'effect' and does not involve homophones.
During trips to the beach, he preferred to swim at the pool, and whenever he went hiking, he avoided touching any plants for fear that they might be poison ivy.
- A. Leave it where it is now.
- B. Move the sentence so that it comes before the preceding sentence.
- C. Move the sentence to the end of the first paragraph.
- D. Omit the sentence.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sentence is well-placed where it is, as it provides context to the narrative about the individual's preferences. Moving it before the preceding sentence or to the end of the first paragraph would disrupt the flow of information and may confuse the reader. Omitting the sentence would result in a gap in the story, leaving the reader questioning the individual's behavior without a clear explanation. Thus, leaving the sentence where it is now is the best choice for maintaining coherence in the narrative.