TSI - Texas Success Initiative Essay and Sentence Revision Questions and Answers 3 Flashcards

Which revision most effectively improves this wordy sentence: "Due to the fact that it was raining outside, the game was postponed."

Answer: Because it was raining, the game was postponed.

"Due to the fact that" is a wordy phrase best replaced with "because," which is concise and equally clear.

A concluding paragraph should primarily accomplish which of the following?

Answer: Restate the thesis in new words and synthesize the main points

A conclusion restates the thesis (in fresh language) and synthesizes — not merely summarizes — the main points to reinforce the overall argument.

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

Answer: The library closes at nine; we should leave soon.

A semicolon joins two independent clauses. "The library closes at nine" and "we should leave soon" are both complete thoughts, making option A correct.

Which revision best fixes the misplaced modifier: "Maria nearly drove her children to school every day for a decade."

Answer: Maria drove her children to school nearly every day for a decade.

"Nearly" should modify "every day," not "drove." Moving it before "every day" clarifies that she almost never missed a day.

What is the primary purpose of a body paragraph's topic sentence?

Answer: To introduce the main idea of that paragraph and connect it to the thesis

A topic sentence signals what the paragraph is about and how it supports the overall thesis, keeping the essay organized and focused.

Which of the following best combines these two sentences into one: "The experiment failed. It provided useful data for future research."

Answer: Although the experiment failed, it provided useful data for future research.

"Although" correctly expresses the contrast between failure and usefulness. "And" doesn't show contrast, the semicolon version creates a fragment, and "because" implies causation rather than contrast.