English Language

Writing and Communication Skills

1,464 Questions

This hub tests writing techniques, essay structuring, and effective communication skills. It includes practical exercises on vocabulary replacement, drafting passages, and formatting reports. These English language questions appear in most competitive exams.

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Writing and Communication Skills Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences could best be deleted without detracting from the flow of the passage?

Direction for questions 7 to 12: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – II
(1) In life people have to make choices, in my life I have had to make many, many choices.  (2)  I think that my biggest decision or choice would be my application and move to college. (3) This would be considered the biggest decision I would have to make in my life so far.
(4) When your senior year in high school rolls around, most people have to start thinking about what they want to do with their lives in the next four years, and what will happen after these four years are done.
(5) This was a time in my life when I had to make a choice about what I was going to do. (6)  I knew that I wanted to do something that involved the technology of computers and I thought I wanted to be an engineer. (7) Well that was a choice I made, and it was not exactly a choice I thought about adequately. (8) Engineering just wasn't what I was meant to do.
(9) Computer engineering (the major that I choose first semester) was a lot more than I expected. (10)  I ended up failing Physics, Calculus and Chemistry!  (11)  In addition to that, I was subject to separation from < > college. (12) Well, now a decision really had to be made; a choice had to be made.
(13)  My parents told me to think about other colleges and to think about other things to do instead of college, but I knew that <  > was right for me. (14)  They often suggested that I go to community college for a semester or two and make sure that I was doing something that I wanted to do. (15) I had attended the community college in my area during my last year in high school to take some extra courses, and I truly detested the place.  (16)I really did not want to go anywhere but <  >.
(17)   So I petitioned for readmission to a new department at<  >. (18)  I decided that I should focus my studies on something other than engineering, because it was much more than I had expected, and it was flat out, too hard for me.
(19)  Eventually I was allowed back, and as of right now I am on academic warning.  (20)  This is a result of my low GPA from last semester. (21)  I know this time around I will do better.  (22)  As I really messed up the last semester due to my choice of classes that made me skate on thin ice. (23) My CHOICE to come back and give this my all, and to do well, is the right CHOICE for me. (24)  <  > is the right place for me.
(25)  People sometimes underestimate the power of choice in their lives. (26)  They don't realize the impact that it can have. (27)  Obviously I didn't realize it earlier this year. 

  1. Sentence 2

  2. Sentence 9

  3. Sentence 13

  4. Sentence 16

  5. Sentence 17
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Option (E) is the answer as sentences 18 and 19 reflect the same idea.

Multiple choice

Which of the following should be done with sentence 15 (reproduced below)? Appreciating a moving melody/paragraph has never been my nature and other’s treasuring this perplexes me.

Direction for questions 13 to 18: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – III
(1) I believe my love and fascination with travel is somewhat hereditary. (2) I got interested in traveling to far away places from looking at albums of my father’s many travels. (3) I recall with great fondness many afternoons pouring over the big, bulky albums, labeled on the side - "Greece," "Italy," "France," "Israel," and others. (4) It was with curious awe that I saw my father pictured in exotic locales wondering what rich stories should be accompanying these snapshots of cherished memories.
(5) Of course, my dad would regale us at the dinner table with many a story, as we listened and absorbed his enthusiasm from the retelling of his adventures. (6) Then, we traveled a bit as a family, to Israel, then Belgium and the Netherlands, and then an awe inspiring summer in China.
(7) As I got older, my interest in travel continued, as read books on a variety of topics from world religions to international affairs. (8) Setting my first taste for another culture as a teenager, I spent a summer abroad.
(9) During high school, I took advantage of the study abroad program and spent a semester in Sydney, Australia. (10) The more I traveled, the more I wanted to travel and the more I wanted to share my experiences with others. (11) Trips to Italy, France, and England as a child further enriched my passion for learning about visiting other countries and learning about their cultures.
(12) It culminated in a three month trip around the world, visiting ten countries from Africa, to Southeast Asia and then through Australia and New Zealand. (13) This trip was a life altering, life affirming adventure that influenced my worldview and philosophy on life.

  1. Insert the phrase ‘This implies’ at the beginning.

  2. Delete it; the point has already been made.

  3. Move it to the end of the essay as a summary statement.

  4. Move it to the end of the second paragraph (after sentence 9).

  5. Move it to the beginning of the essay as an introduction.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The best version is option (B), as inclusion of this statement would be redundant. The point has already been made explicit in the sentences 13 and 14; and the second part of the statement (“and others ……. perplexes me”) is the theme of the passage, repeated many times earlier. Hence, (B) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences is best to insert between sentences 7 and 8?

Direction for questions 13 to 18: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – III
(1) I believe my love and fascination with travel is somewhat hereditary. (2) I got interested in traveling to far away places from looking at albums of my father’s many travels. (3) I recall with great fondness many afternoons pouring over the big, bulky albums, labeled on the side - "Greece," "Italy," "France," "Israel," and others. (4) It was with curious awe that I saw my father pictured in exotic locales wondering what rich stories should be accompanying these snapshots of cherished memories.
(5) Of course, my dad would regale us at the dinner table with many a story, as we listened and absorbed his enthusiasm from the retelling of his adventures. (6) Then, we traveled a bit as a family, to Israel, then Belgium and the Netherlands, and then an awe inspiring summer in China.
(7) As I got older, my interest in travel continued, as read books on a variety of topics from world religions to international affairs. (8) Setting my first taste for another culture as a teenager, I spent a summer abroad.
(9) During high school, I took advantage of the study abroad program and spent a semester in Sydney, Australia. (10) The more I traveled, the more I wanted to travel and the more I wanted to share my experiences with others. (11) Trips to Italy, France, and England as a child further enriched my passion for learning about visiting other countries and learning about their cultures.
(12) It culminated in a three month trip around the world, visiting ten countries from Africa, to Southeast Asia and then through Australia and New Zealand. (13) This trip was a life altering, life affirming adventure that influenced my worldview and philosophy on life.

  1. Owning multiple copies of anything by one person seems like a waste.

  2. The very concept of fan amuses me.

  3. By admiring them, I assume that ‘the fans’ outwardly protect their low self – esteem.

  4. Why do we need to give importance to them?

  5. Who would want to waste their time by spending time appreciating them and owning a copy of them?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence 8 highlights the various types of versions of the copies available in the market and also the author’s dilemma on who want to purchase them. Therefore, of all the options, options (A) and (E) seem to fit our prediction. As option (E) is verbose, therefore (A) is the best version, hence the answer.

Multiple choice

What is the best way to deal with sentence 10?

Direction for questions 19 to 24: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV
(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.
(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. Place it before sentence 8.

  3. Change “This was normal” to “Slavery was normal”.

  4. Omit it

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(C) option is the best version. Place it after line 12. This option best makes sense because lines 11 and 12 are in flow with line 9.Since line 9, 11 and 12 describe the kind of work being done by the slaves.

Multiple choice

The primary effect of the final paragraph (sentences 16 – 18) is to

Direction for questions 13 to 18: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – III
(1) I believe my love and fascination with travel is somewhat hereditary. (2) I got interested in traveling to far away places from looking at albums of my father’s many travels. (3) I recall with great fondness many afternoons pouring over the big, bulky albums, labeled on the side - "Greece," "Italy," "France," "Israel," and others. (4) It was with curious awe that I saw my father pictured in exotic locales wondering what rich stories should be accompanying these snapshots of cherished memories.
(5) Of course, my dad would regale us at the dinner table with many a story, as we listened and absorbed his enthusiasm from the retelling of his adventures. (6) Then, we traveled a bit as a family, to Israel, then Belgium and the Netherlands, and then an awe inspiring summer in China.
(7) As I got older, my interest in travel continued, as read books on a variety of topics from world religions to international affairs. (8) Setting my first taste for another culture as a teenager, I spent a summer abroad.
(9) During high school, I took advantage of the study abroad program and spent a semester in Sydney, Australia. (10) The more I traveled, the more I wanted to travel and the more I wanted to share my experiences with others. (11) Trips to Italy, France, and England as a child further enriched my passion for learning about visiting other countries and learning about their cultures.
(12) It culminated in a three month trip around the world, visiting ten countries from Africa, to Southeast Asia and then through Australia and New Zealand. (13) This trip was a life altering, life affirming adventure that influenced my worldview and philosophy on life.

  1. explain contradictions within the essay.

  2. give an example to prove the point of the first paragraph.

  3. continue the essay’s tone of writer’s amusement on the concept of being a ‘fan’.

  4. use persuasion to change the reader’s opinion.

  5. summarize the theme of the essay.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Let’s scrutinize each option: (A) As there are no contradictions in the essay, hence option (A) is ruled out. (B) The first paragraph shows the writer’s dilemma on the concept of ‘fan’ and final paragraph his viewpoint. As no co-relation, hence ruled out.  (C) On the same lines as in (B), option (C) is ruled out. (D) As there is no such contradiction in the passage, hence option (D) is ruled out. (E) As this option sums up the idea of the writer of not being a fan, hence (E) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Of the following, which would be the best way to revise the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)? Although there are still people was probably believe in what the Roman did, but now we classify all people as equal.

Direction for questions 19 to 24: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV
(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.
(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

  1. (As it is now)

  2. but now we have classified all people as equal.

  3. but now we classify all people as equal.

  4. all people have been classified as equal

  5. but now we can classify all people as equal.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

(E) option is the best answer. A comma with a conjunction ‘but’ (representing contrast) is must. Options B, C and D change the verb tense form since we are talking about present ‘now’. So present tense will be used.

Multiple choice

Where is the most logical place to begin a new paragraph?

Direction for questions 1 to 6: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I
(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.

  1. After sentence 4

  2. After sentence 6

  3. After sentence 8

  4. After sentence 10

  5. After sentence 11
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage from sentence 7 - 12 is citing an example followed by conclusion, which supports the writer's view  on a leader (in sentences 1 - 6). Hence, (B) is the answer.

Multiple choice

In the first paragraph, (sentences 1 – 6), the author is primarily

Direction for questions 13 to 18: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – III
(1) I believe my love and fascination with travel is somewhat hereditary. (2) I got interested in traveling to far away places from looking at albums of my father’s many travels. (3) I recall with great fondness many afternoons pouring over the big, bulky albums, labeled on the side - "Greece," "Italy," "France," "Israel," and others. (4) It was with curious awe that I saw my father pictured in exotic locales wondering what rich stories should be accompanying these snapshots of cherished memories.
(5) Of course, my dad would regale us at the dinner table with many a story, as we listened and absorbed his enthusiasm from the retelling of his adventures. (6) Then, we traveled a bit as a family, to Israel, then Belgium and the Netherlands, and then an awe inspiring summer in China.
(7) As I got older, my interest in travel continued, as read books on a variety of topics from world religions to international affairs. (8) Setting my first taste for another culture as a teenager, I spent a summer abroad.
(9) During high school, I took advantage of the study abroad program and spent a semester in Sydney, Australia. (10) The more I traveled, the more I wanted to travel and the more I wanted to share my experiences with others. (11) Trips to Italy, France, and England as a child further enriched my passion for learning about visiting other countries and learning about their cultures.
(12) It culminated in a three month trip around the world, visiting ten countries from Africa, to Southeast Asia and then through Australia and New Zealand. (13) This trip was a life altering, life affirming adventure that influenced my worldview and philosophy on life.

  1. showing a general perspective on the concept of being a ‘fan’.

  2. defining the very concept of being a ‘fan’.

  3. questioning the concept of being a ‘fan’.

  4. manifesting his incredulity on the concept of being a ‘fan’.

  5. citing the characteristics of a ‘fan’.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

We would be tempted to mark (C) as the correct answer as it involves the phrase ‘question’ and the first paragraph involves questions. No doubts, he is questioning but in the forms of questions, he is actually expressing his confusion on the concept of being a ‘fan’. Therefore,  option (D) would be the best version of the sentence, hence the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 5 and 6 (reproduced below)? These were the most obvious reasons for becoming a slave in roman times and yet only one of these points are still popular for today and that is number 4. It is popular today because most slaves of today come from poor families.

Direction for questions 19 to 24: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV
(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.
(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

  1. These were the most obvious reasons for becoming a slave in roman times and yet only the 4th point is the most important today, because most slaves of today come from poor families.

  2. These were the most obvious reasons, yet only the 4th point is important today, because most of the slaves of today come from poor families.

  3. Out of all the reasons, 4th one is most important today, because most of the slaves of today come from poor families.

  4. Most of the slaves of today comes from poor families and the 4th option has thus become important.

  5. Most of the slaves of today come from poor families, because the 4th point is only which is important today.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The best way to combine the two sentences is by a comma (,) and joining it with conjunction of reason 'because', as reason for the 4th option being very important is stated. Options D and E completely distort the original meaning conveyed.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an advantage of essay-type tests?

  1. These tests are reliable.

  2. Evaluation of these tests takes less time and energy.

  3. Validity of these tests is high.

  4. Language abilities and writing style improve through these tests.

  5. Guessing is easy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Language abilities and writing style improve by essay type tests.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is best to add after sentence 15 as a concluding sentence?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. My ethnicity would no longer be important.

  2. The concept of ‘check only one’ would vanish.

  3. The entire world, with time, would unite into one race.

  4. In time, they will no longer be necessary.

  5. With the help of these exhibitions and displays, race relations could be improved.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage focuses the writer’s suggestion of improving race relations, with which he believes that in time, such differences would no longer exist. Second last paragraph sums up the theme of the passage). Hence (D) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Of the following, which is the best way to revise and combine the underlined portions of sentences 20 and 21 (reproduced below)? A writers style cant always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV

(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.

(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

 

  1. reading; these two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

  2. reading, but in Pearl Buck’s case the two influences mentioned above did exist.

  3. reading and the two influences mentioned above existed in Pearl Buck’s case.

  4. reading, nevertheless the above mentioned two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case.

  5. reading barring the existence of the above mentioned influences in Pearl Buck’s case.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence 20 suggests that a writer does not always write from his or her own childhood experiences; and sentences 22 and 23 indicate that the Pearl Buck’s writing style has been influenced from her childhood experiences. (Chinese novels and Bible -2 influences). This sets up the contract in the paragraph. Option (B) retains this transition while using correct tense, hence the answer.

Multiple choice

Which is the best way to deal with sentence 5 (reproduced below)?I dont see my ethnicity as check only one, and I don't feel this is an option.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. Leave it as it is.

  2. Delete the second part beginning with 'and'.

  3. Change 'this' to 'that picking only one'.

  4. Change 'an option' to 'a solution'.

  5. Change 'check only on' to 'the one'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'This' in the sentence is ambiguous, therefore replacing it would give a coherent meaning to the sentence ('check only one' provides the clue). The only option that fits our prediction is option (C), hence the answer.

Multiple choice

In context; which is the best version of the underlined portions of sentences 14 and 15 (reproduced below)? Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different “ethnic customs and traits. It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

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 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. traits, as well as showing racial pride, should be encouraged.

  2. traits that as well shows racial pride, ought to be encouraged.

  3. traits that are as well showing racial pride, must be encouraged.

  4. traits as well as showing racial pride, are encouraged.

  5. traits, which is as well showing racial pride, is encouraged.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This question can be solved by POE:“Ought” in option (B) is incorrectly used as it mean to be compelled by obligation or duty; thereby devoting a stronger implication. ‘That are” in option (C) is redundant, hence ruled out.“Are encouraged” in option (D) is in context inappropriate as the writer is making a suggestion and emphatically it is not happening. On the same lines, option (E) is also ruled out. Hence (A) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Which of the following sentences is best to fit between sentences 3 and 4?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – I

(1) Last summer, I wrote an essay for a Freshman Composition course on the subject of race relations. (2) It was called "A Single-Hued World: Laughable or Logical?", the paper explored the effects of a world where people could not visually distinguish race.
(3)The constantly reoccurring issue of race is one I'm familiar with. (4) I'm biracial and I love it, but I detest standardized forms that demand I label myself as one race. (5) I don't see my ethnicity as "check only one," and I don't feel this is an option.
(6) I do think about race, though, and I feel very strongly that race relations will naturally improve with time, as a two-stage process occurs. (7) First, ethnic differences should continue to be celebrated, as they are currently in California. (8) Cultural holidays, festivals, and trends will gain popularity across nationalities, and races historically degraded will gain the pride necessary to attain cultural confidence. (9) Mexican, Black, Asian Pride will grow greatly, and people will appreciate contrasts between them.
(10) The passing time would lead to equality of races, which will become an obvious state and it will diminish then. (11) In time, equality of races will become an obvious state, and the importance of race will diminish. (12) If people don't have to fight for their value as people, their insecurities will vanish. So in time, I believe racial differences will evolve into a triviality, something easily ignored.

�

 (13) All I could possibly suggest to improve race relations is that this process be allowed to continue without interference. (14) Multicultural exhibitions and displays that inform people about different ethnic customs and traits. (15) It also as well shows racial pride, such issues are encouraged.  
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  1. It annoys me sometimes.

  2. I've known it since my children

  3. The entire society has been ever since grumbling on this issue

  4. Nobody has ever done anything about this issue.

  5. Even our ancestors had been on war about this issue.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The writer is citing his viewpoint on race in this paragraph. Therefore, option (A) and (B) fits our prediction. Option (A) is supported by the phrase - 'I detest standardized forms' in sentence 4, whereas  option (B) is choppy and without any link. Hence, 5 is the answer.