NFST Writing Ability 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence most clearly conveys a formal tone appropriate for diplomatic correspondence?
- We need to talk about the trade deal ASAP.
- This office requests a prompt response regarding the proposed trade agreement. (Correct answer)
- Could you get back to us whenever about the trade thing?
- Yo, what's the status on that trade deal we discussed?
Correct answer: This office requests a prompt response regarding the proposed trade agreement.
Formal diplomatic writing uses precise, respectful, and professional language.
Question 2: Which word is the best replacement for the vague word 'things' in a formal report?
- stuff
- matters (Correct answer)
- items and things
- whatever
Correct answer: matters
'Matters' is a precise and formal replacement for the vague word 'things' in professional writing.
Question 3: Choose the sentence that avoids a misplaced modifier.
- The officer only reviewed the cable from Paris.
- Only the officer reviewed the cable from Paris. (Correct answer)
- The officer reviewed only the cable from Paris.
- The officer reviewed the cable only from Paris.
Correct answer: Only the officer reviewed the cable from Paris.
Placing 'only' directly before the word it modifies ('the officer') clarifies that no one else performed the review.
Question 4: Which sentence uses 'which' and 'that' correctly?
- The report which you submitted was late, but the one that was on time won approval.
- The report that you submitted was late, but the one which was on time won approval.
- The report that you submitted was late, but the one that was on time won approval. (Correct answer)
- The report which you submitted was late, but the one which was on time won approval.
Correct answer: The report that you submitted was late, but the one that was on time won approval.
'That' introduces restrictive (essential) clauses, while 'which' introduces non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses set off by commas.
Question 5: What does 'coherence' in writing primarily mean?
- Using the most complex vocabulary available.
- Ideas flow logically and are clearly connected throughout the text. (Correct answer)
- Each sentence is grammatically perfect.
- The document is longer than one page.
Correct answer: Ideas flow logically and are clearly connected throughout the text.
Coherence means that ideas are arranged logically and connected so the reader can follow the argument easily.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly punctuates a non-restrictive relative clause?
- The ambassador who speaks French will lead the delegation.
- The ambassador, who speaks French, will lead the delegation. (Correct answer)
- The ambassador who speaks French, will lead the delegation.
- The ambassador who, speaks French, will lead the delegation.
Correct answer: The ambassador, who speaks French, will lead the delegation.
Non-restrictive clauses add non-essential information and must be set off by commas on both sides.
Question 7: Which revision most improves this wordy sentence: 'At this point in time, we are not in a position to be able to provide an answer.'?
- Currently, we are not yet in a position to provide an answer.
- We cannot answer now. (Correct answer)
- At this moment, we currently cannot provide any answer whatsoever.
- We are presently unable to be providing an answer at this time.
Correct answer: We cannot answer now.
'We cannot answer now' eliminates all redundancy while preserving the full meaning of the original sentence.
NFST Writing Ability 4
Which sentence most clearly conveys a formal tone appropriate for diplomatic correspondence?