Writing Skills & Composition Flashcards
7 cards from real ELSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Writing Skills & Composition flashcards as text
Which revision correctly fixes the subject-verb agreement error in 'The list of items were checked before shipping'?
Answer: The list of items has been checked before shipping.
The subject is 'list' (singular), so the verb must be singular; 'has been checked' is correct.
Which organizational pattern is most appropriate for a cause-and-effect essay?
Answer: Block or chain structure linking causes to their resulting effects
Cause-and-effect essays use block or chain structures to clearly show relationships between events and their consequences.
Which sentence demonstrates effective use of specific, concrete detail?
Answer: It was a cold winter morning with temperatures hovering near 10°F.
Specific details like 'cold winter morning' and '10°F' create a vivid, precise picture for the reader.
What is the correct way to integrate a quotation into an essay?
Answer: Introduce the quotation, include it with proper punctuation, and then explain its relevance.
Effective quotation integration requires a signal phrase, proper punctuation, and analysis explaining how the quote supports the argument.
Which sentence uses 'whom' correctly?
Answer: The candidate whom the committee selected was qualified.
'Whom' functions as an object; in option D, the committee selected 'whom,' making it the object of the verb 'selected'.
Which best describes the purpose of a concluding paragraph in an essay?
Answer: To synthesize the main points and reinforce the significance of the argument
A strong conclusion synthesizes—rather than merely summarizes—the essay's main points and underscores their broader significance.
Which of the following sentences contains an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement?
Answer: Neither of the managers submitted their reports on time.
'Neither' is singular and traditionally requires a singular pronoun, making 'his or her' the strictly grammatical choice, though 'their' is increasingly accepted.