NFST Writing Ability 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence best demonstrates precise word choice in a government report?
- The situation got worse pretty fast.
- The security situation deteriorated rapidly. (Correct answer)
- Things went downhill real quick.
- It became a bigger problem in a short amount of time.
Correct answer: The security situation deteriorated rapidly.
Precise, formal vocabulary like 'deteriorated' and 'rapidly' is preferred in official government writing.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a topic sentence?
- It provides supporting evidence for the paragraph's argument.
- It summarizes all previous paragraphs.
- It states the main idea that the paragraph will develop. (Correct answer)
- It concludes the essay with a restatement of the thesis.
Correct answer: It states the main idea that the paragraph will develop.
A topic sentence introduces the central idea of a paragraph, guiding the reader about what will follow.
Question 3: Which option corrects the comma splice in: 'The treaty was signed, both parties celebrated.'?
- The treaty was signed both parties celebrated.
- The treaty was signed; both parties celebrated. (Correct answer)
- The treaty was signed, and, both parties celebrated.
- The treaty was signed although both parties celebrated.
Correct answer: The treaty was signed; both parties celebrated.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses that are closely related without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 4: Which is the best example of using specific evidence to support a claim in writing?
- Many experts agree that the policy has been very successful.
- The policy has been good for the region in various ways.
- The policy reduced border incidents by 40% in fiscal year 2025. (Correct answer)
- Everyone knows the policy is working well.
Correct answer: The policy reduced border incidents by 40% in fiscal year 2025.
Specific, quantifiable evidence ('reduced by 40%') is far more persuasive and credible than vague generalizations.
Question 5: Which version of the sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?
- There were less complaints after the new policy was implemented.
- There was fewer problems following the agreement.
- There were fewer complaints after the new policy was implemented. (Correct answer)
- There was less complaints after the new policy was implemented.
Correct answer: There were fewer complaints after the new policy was implemented.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (complaints), while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities.
Question 6: In formal writing, which phrase should generally be avoided?
- This office recommends
- It should be noted that (Correct answer)
- The evidence suggests
- The proposal outlines
Correct answer: It should be noted that
'It should be noted that' is a filler phrase that delays the real content and adds no meaning; it should be cut.
Question 7: Which sentence best uses concrete language over abstract language?
- The initiative resulted in positive outcomes for stakeholders.
- The program improved things for the people involved.
- The literacy program raised graduation rates by 15% in three counties. (Correct answer)
- The intervention had a significant impact on the affected community.
Correct answer: The literacy program raised graduation rates by 15% in three counties.
Concrete language specifies exactly what happened (literacy program, 15% rise, three counties) rather than using abstractions like 'outcomes' or 'impact'.
NFST Writing Ability 5
Which sentence best demonstrates precise word choice in a government report?