NFST Writing Ability 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the active voice most effectively?
- The report was submitted by the attaché before the deadline.
- The attaché submitted the report before the deadline. (Correct answer)
- Submission of the report was accomplished by the attaché.
- It was the attaché who had submitted the report.
Correct answer: The attaché submitted the report before the deadline.
Active voice places the subject (attaché) before the verb, making the sentence clearer and more direct.
Question 2: Which word is spelled correctly?
- accomodate
- accommodate (Correct answer)
- accommadate
- acomodate
Correct answer: accommodate
'Accommodate' is spelled with double 'c' and double 'm'.
Question 3: Choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement.
- Neither the ambassador nor the staff members was informed.
- Neither the ambassador nor the staff members were informed. (Correct answer)
- Neither the ambassador nor the staff members has been informed.
- Neither the ambassador nor the staff members is informed.
Correct answer: Neither the ambassador nor the staff members were informed.
When 'neither/nor' joins subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it ('staff members' = plural, so 'were').
Question 4: Which transition word best indicates a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' introduces a contrasting point despite what was previously stated.
Question 5: Identify the sentence that avoids redundancy.
- We must cooperate together on this diplomatic effort.
- The final conclusion of the summit was peace.
- The summit resulted in a peace agreement. (Correct answer)
- We must end and terminate hostilities completely and entirely.
Correct answer: The summit resulted in a peace agreement.
'The summit resulted in a peace agreement' uses no redundant words, unlike the others which repeat meaning unnecessarily.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The diplomat arrived early; and began the briefing.
- The diplomat arrived early; however, the meeting was delayed. (Correct answer)
- The diplomat arrived early; but left without comment.
- The diplomat arrived; early for the briefing.
Correct answer: The diplomat arrived early; however, the meeting was delayed.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses, especially when followed by a conjunctive adverb like 'however'.
Question 7: Which revision makes this sentence most concise? 'Due to the fact that the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend.'
- Owing to the fact that the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend.
- Because the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend. (Correct answer)
- In light of the cancellation of the meeting, our attendance did not occur.
- Given the cancellation situation, we failed to attend.
Correct answer: Because the meeting was cancelled, we did not attend.
'Because' is a concise replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that'.
NFST Writing Ability 2
Which sentence uses the active voice most effectively?