Writing Flashcards

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. Children who aren't nurtured during infancy are more likely to develop attachment disorders, which can cause persisting and severely problems later in life.

Answer: which can cause persistent and severe problems

The correct answer uses the adjectives 'persistent' and 'severe' to modify the noun 'problems.' 'Persisting' is a present participle and 'severely' is an adverb, neither of which correctly describes the noun in this context. Additionally, 'problems' should be plural to match the context of multiple issues.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. While speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving, velocity measures how fast an object is moving and also indicates in what direction it is traveling.

Answer: and also indicates in what direction

The correct option maintains parallel structure and proper verb tense. The sentence compares speed and velocity, so 'velocity measures... and also indicates' correctly mirrors the earlier clause. 'In what direction' is the standard and most concise phrasing.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer: Many companies are now using social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace to market there service and product.

Answer: to market their services and products

The correct answer uses the possessive pronoun 'their' to indicate that the services and products belong to the companies. 'There' is an adverb indicating a place. Additionally, 'services' and 'products' should be plural to reflect that companies typically offer multiple services and products.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. An autoclave is a tool used mainly in hospitals to sterilizing surgical tools and hypodermic needles.

Answer: to sterilize surgical tools and hypodermic needles

The correct answer uses the infinitive form 'to sterilize' after 'to.' When 'to' is used as part of an infinitive verb, it should be followed by the base form of the verb, not the -ing form (gerund). Therefore, 'to sterilizing' is grammatically incorrect.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. The bizarre creatures known by electric eels are capable of emitting an incredible 600 volts of electricity.

Answer: The bizarre creatures known as electric eels

The correct answer uses the idiom 'known as' to identify the creatures. When referring to what something is called or identified as, 'known as' is the appropriate phrase. 'Known by' typically refers to recognition through a characteristic or action, and 'known to' implies familiarity or awareness.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer: A key factor taken into account during city planning is where major services and amenities will be located.

Answer: A key factor taken into account during city planning is

The original sentence is grammatically correct and concise. The subject 'A key factor' is singular, and the verb 'is' correctly agrees with it. The phrase 'taken into account during city planning' acts as a participial phrase modifying 'factor' and is correctly placed.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer: Jupiter with its numerous moons, and Great Red Spot, has been studied extensively by astronomers.

Answer: Jupiter, with its numerous moons and Great Red Spot,

The correct answer properly uses commas to set off the non-essential phrase 'with its numerous moons and Great Red Spot.' This phrase provides additional information about Jupiter but is not crucial to the main clause. No comma is needed before 'and' when listing two items ('moons and Great Red Spot').

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer. Many gardeners are now making their own backyard compost, which is not only cheap, but also helps to cut down on landfill waste.

Answer: which is not only cheap, but also helps to cut down on landfill waste

The original sentence is grammatically correct and maintains parallel structure. The phrase 'not only cheap, but also helps to cut down' balances an adjective ('cheap') with a verb phrase ('helps to cut down'). The other options introduce grammatical errors or awkward phrasing, such as incorrect adverb usage or unnecessary commas.

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. The first choice is the same as the original sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer: The growth of the security industry can be large attributable to the fact that people are less trusting of others than they once were.

Answer: The growth of the security industry can be largely attributed

The correct answer uses the adverb 'largely' to modify the verb participle 'attributed.' Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, while 'large' is an adjective. Additionally, 'attributed' is the correct past participle form needed to complete the passive voice construction 'can be attributed to'.

Select the best edit for the underlined part. These books, which was published in the late eighteenth century, are very valuable.

Answer: books, which were published in the late eighteenth century

The correct answer ensures subject-verb agreement within the relative clause. The relative pronoun 'which' refers to 'books,' which is plural. Therefore, the verb in the clause must also be plural ('were published'), not singular ('was published'). The commas correctly set off the non-essential clause.

Select the best edit for the underlined part. Working as a receptionist for my uncle’s business taught me to handle customer complaints, answering the telephone, and how to maintain a Rolodex.

Answer: how to handle customer complaints, how to answer the telephone, and how to maintain a Rolodex.

The correct answer establishes parallel structure within the list of skills. Each item in the list should follow the same grammatical pattern. By using 'how to handle,' 'how to answer,' and 'how to maintain,' the sentence achieves clear and consistent parallelism.

Select the best edit. In a large city, you may have massive traffic jams on your daily commute to work.

Answer: In a large city, massive traffic jams may be part of the daily commute to work.

The correct answer improves clarity and avoids the informal and potentially ambiguous 'you.' By rephrasing the sentence to focus on the traffic jams themselves, it becomes more objective and formal. This eliminates the need for a specific, undefined 'you' or 'person' as the subject.

Select the best edit. We could watch the stars sitting on the balcony

Answer: Sitting on the balcony, we could watch the stars.

The correct answer resolves the dangling modifier issue present in the original sentence. In the original, 'sitting on the balcony' incorrectly appears to modify 'the stars.' By placing the participial phrase at the beginning and ensuring it modifies 'we,' the sentence clearly states that the people were sitting on the balcony.

Rewrite, beginning with: The drama club had to … the next words should be:

Answer: reschedule the picnic because of rain.

The correct answer provides the most concise and grammatically sound completion of the sentence. It directly states the action and the reason without unnecessary words or awkward phrasing. The other options are either redundant or grammatically less efficient.

Select the sentence with correct punctuation and correct use of the word: however The best choice will be:

Answer: The other generals, however, understood it and, leaving aside the question of Moscow, spoke of the direction the army should take in its retreat.

The correct answer properly punctuates 'however' as an interrupter, setting it off with commas on both sides. When 'however' functions as a conjunctive adverb interrupting a sentence, it requires commas before and after it. Additionally, the non-essential phrase 'leaving aside the question of Moscow' is also correctly set off by commas.

Select the best edit for the underlined part. If a person wants to succeed in school, they have to study.

Answer: they have to study

The original sentence is grammatically acceptable in modern English. While 'a person' is singular, the use of 'they' as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun is widely accepted to avoid gender-specific language or the awkward 'he or she.' This maintains conciseness and inclusivity.