AQL Writing and Communication Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to class, the bell rang before she arrived. (Correct answer)
- She ran to class before the bell rang.
- Before the bell rang, she rushed to class.
- The bell rang as she ran to class.
Correct answer: Running to class, the bell rang before she arrived.
In 'Running to class, the bell rang,' the participial phrase 'Running to class' incorrectly modifies 'the bell' rather than 'she.'
Question 2: What is the correct use of a semicolon in academic writing?
- To join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction
- To introduce a list after a complete sentence
- To separate items in a list when those items contain commas
- Both B and C (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both B and C
Semicolons are used to join independent clauses ('I studied; I passed the exam') and to separate list items that already contain commas.
Question 3: What is the main purpose of a concluding paragraph in an academic essay?
- To restate the thesis, summarize key points, and leave the reader with a final thought (Correct answer)
- To introduce new evidence that supports the argument
- To list all the sources cited in the essay
- To ask a series of questions for the reader to answer
Correct answer: To restate the thesis, summarize key points, and leave the reader with a final thought
A conclusion synthesizes the essay's key arguments, restates the thesis in fresh language, and provides a closing thought or call to action.
Question 4: What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
- 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning the result (Correct answer)
- 'Affect' is a noun and 'effect' is a verb
- They are interchangeable in academic writing
- 'Affect' applies only to emotions while 'effect' applies to physical outcomes
Correct answer: 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning the result
'Affect' is typically used as a verb ('stress affects performance') while 'effect' is typically a noun ('the effect of stress on performance').
Question 5: Which paragraph structure places the main point first, followed by supporting details?
- Deductive (top-down) (Correct answer)
- Inductive (bottom-up)
- Narrative
- Descriptive
Correct answer: Deductive (top-down)
A deductive or top-down paragraph structure starts with the topic sentence (main point) and then provides supporting evidence and details.
Question 6: What is 'paraphrasing' in academic writing?
- Restating someone else's idea in your own words while citing the source (Correct answer)
- Copying text directly from a source and placing it in quotation marks
- Summarizing an entire book in one sentence
- Presenting another's idea as your own without citation
Correct answer: Restating someone else's idea in your own words while citing the source
Paraphrasing means rewording a source's idea in your own language and sentence structure, while still crediting the original author.
AQL Writing and Communication Skills 2
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?