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 writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following is a characteristic of a good conclusion of a paragraph?

  1. Summarizing the points stated in the paragraph

  2. Using linking words that indicate conclusions being drawn

  3. Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

A good conclusion is an essential of a well written paragraph.
It is not merely the last line of the paragraph. It summarizes the points stated in the paragraph. Linking words like hence, therefore etc are used to link the ideas to the conclusion. Repeating words from the topic sentence in a conclusion helps to remind the reader the directing and controlling force of the paragraph.
Hence 'All of the above' - Option D is the correct answer. 

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following is not a preliminary step in paragraph writing?

  1. Read the topic carefully

  2. Look for key terms or words in the topic

  3. Start writing without any preparation

  4. Think about what you already know about the topic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

The question is on which of the given options is not an important step in paragraph writing.
Paragraph writing is to be done on a given topic.

1. The first step, therefore, is to read the topic. Thus, option A is not the correct answer.
2. On reading the topic, one should then look for important words in the topic to know what is to be written in the paragraph. This being one of the initial steps makes option B the incorrect answer.  

3. Before starting to write a paragraph, on has to think about the topic, by drawing a rough diagram/outline or by jotting down points. Therefore, Option D is incorrect.
4. One is not supposed to start writing a paragraph without any preparation as it will lead to a scattered/incohesive paragraph. This is not a preliminary step in paragraph writing. Therefore, Option C is the correct answer.
 

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following contributes towards a better understanding of a paragraph?

  1. Topic sentence

  2. Continuity in flow of ideas

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

Various factors contribute towards better understanding of a paragraph.
The topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Similarly, the flow of ideas in a paragraph should be continuous. Haphazard presentation of ideas confuses the reader resulting in the paragraph not being understood.
Therefore, Option C is the correct answer- Both Option A and B contribute towards a better understanding of a paragraph.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-written paragraph?

  1. Relevant information

  2. Linking of ideas

  3. Comprehensive sentences

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A well written paragraph is supposed follow a central idea. Thus, linking of ideas is important. The information regarding the central idea should be relevant. Thus, A is incorrect. For a well written paragraph, each sentence should be backed by logical reasoning that stays in one paragraph. Hence, the sentences must be comprehensive and relevant. Thus, C is also incorrect.
Hence, only D is correct. 

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

While writing a paragraph, what immediately follows the main idea?

  1. The conclusion

  2. Illustration of the main idea

  3. Revision of the paragraph

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option B.

The conclusion ends the paragraph by summing up the ideas expressed.
This is followed by the revision of the paragraph to look for any kind of error and ensure that the unity of the paragraph is maintained. This is the last step in paragraph writing.
Hence Option A and C are incorrect.
After the main idea, a writer has to illustrate upon it by explaining and providing suitable examples. Therefore Option B - illustration of the main idea is the correct answer.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following does NOT hold true for a paragraph?

  1. A paragraph is a container of only one idea.

  2. A paragraph should contain a convincing conclusion.

  3. All of the ideas in each sentence of a paragraph should point to one main idea.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

We have to identify the point that does NOT hold true for a paragraph.
Option A is the incorrect option because a paragraph concentrates on one idea only.
A convincing conclusion is a characteristic of a well-written paragraph, therefore Option B is incorrect.
While a paragraph concentrates on one main idea, it is supported by subordinate ideas. However, these subordinate ideas should ultimately support and point towards the main idea. This makes option C the incorrect option.
Hence option D- none of the above is the correct answer.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following is NOT a part of writing a paragraph?

  1. Reading the topic

  2. Introduction

  3. Conclusion

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

The question is identification of the steps NOT involved in paragraph writing.
Options A, B and C are important steps in paragraph writing. To write a paragraph we first read the topic, then write the introduction which starts the paragraph and then conclude the paragraph by summing up the ideas expressed in the paragraph.
Therefore, option D -none of the above is the correct answer.   

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Which of the following is a salient feature of a strong paragraph?

  1. The length of the paragraph.

  2. It contains one main idea or topic.

  3. The topic.

  4. The writer's vocabulary.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option B

The question is on the salient or most important feature of a strong paragraph.
The length of a paragraph in no way contributes to its strength. A paragraph should be comprehensive. Therefore, Option A is the incorrect option.
A paragraph can be written on any topic. It is thus not a feature of a paragraph - making option C the incorrect option.
Similarly, the writer's vocabulary does not really contribute to the making of a strong paragraph if the writing is not comprehensive or the idea expressed in the paragraph is not unified. This makes option D incorrect.
A strong paragraph contains one main idea supported by supportive ideas. This unity is an essential feature of paragraph writing. Hence option B is the correct answer.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

Complete the given sentence.
A topic sentence ______________________.

  1. is a sentence which contains the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph

  2. is the main topic of the paragraph

  3. helps the reader to understand the writer's ideas better.

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

D is correct as a topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph in which it occurs. It also helps the reader to understand the writer's ideas better as it guides the reader as to the interpret the main idea, because of the topic sentence leading them to it. 
B is incorrect as the topic sentence has a larger function than just mentioning the main topic of the paragraph. As both A and C are correct, hence, only A and C are incorrect.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

In paragraph writing, we support our topic sentence with the following, except:

  1. Examples

  2. Statistical data

  3. Details

  4. Topic sentence
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

After mentioning the main idea of the paragraph, the next step that follows is the illustration of the topic and the main idea. This is done by providing supporting explanation through examples, statistical data and other supporting details. Thus, option A, B, and C are the incorrect options since the question is what is NOT a part of the illustration of the topic. 
The topic sentence (Option D) is the directing force of the paragraph and not a part of the illustration of the topic. Hence Option D is the correct option.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

The concluding sentences have a crucial role in paragraph writing. They __________________.

  1. Link the current paragraph with the following paragraph

  2. Draw together the information presented in the paragraph

  3. Both A and B

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

The concluding sentences play an important role in paragraph writing.
They link the current paragraph with following paragraph, in case of short paragraphs in an entire paragraph.
These sentences summarize and draw together the information in the paragraph.
Therefore, Option A and B are correct. Hence Option C is the correct option.

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

The concluding sentence helps to impress the reader only if -

  1. It binds the argument together

  2. It rephrases the main topic

  3. It guides the reader regarding the information given in the paragraph

  4. Both A and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option D.

The concluding sentence of a paragraph should be impressive to the reader.
It should not be a mere repetition or a re-phrasal of the main topic. Hence option B is the incorrect option.
An effective concluding sentence is one that binds the argument of the paragraph together and also helps the reader to understand the information given in the paragraph i.e. it acts as a guide to the reader.
Hence option A and C both are correct, making Option D the correct answer.  

Multiple choice writing a paragraph writing english

The controlling idea of a paragraph is -

  1. The idea that focuses on the topic by giving direction to the composition.

  2. The main subject matter covered in the paragraph.

  3. The conclusion of a paragraph.

  4. The first line of a paragraph.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option A

The question is on the definition of the controlling idea of a paragraph.
The controlling idea contains your opinion on the topic. It shows what direction you are going to take in writing about the topic. It helps the reader to understand your purpose for writing the paragraph. 
It is not a particular line in the paragraph. Hence Option D is incorrect.
The conclusion of a paragraph ends the paragraph by summarizing the ideas expressed in it. Option C is therefore not the correct answer.
Option B is also incorrect because actually the main subject matter covered in the paragraph depends on the controlling idea. The main subject is in accordance with the direction of the composition of paragraph.
So, according to the definition mentioned above, Option A is the correct answer.
The controlling idea of a paragraph is the idea that focuses on the topic by giving direction to the composition.

Multiple choice introduction to punctuation punctuation english

Identify the suitable punctuation(s) for the given statement:
Is it always necessary for one to sit argue and debate 

Hint - don't include the Oxford comma.

  1. ; and ?

  2. , and .

  3. ; and ,

  4. , and ?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
A comma is required between different items in a list. and a question mark is used to mark an end to an interrogative sentence. Thus, the correct option is Option D.
The remaining options are incorrect.
Option A - A semi colon is used in lists with internal commas.
Option B - A period is used to mark an end to a declaratory sentence.
Option C - A comma is never used to mark an end to a sentence.


Multiple choice inverted commas/quotation marks punctuation english

Which one of the following is used to enclose certain contents which the writer sets out apart so that the flow of the sentence is not interrupted?

  1. Brackets

  2. Quotation marks

  3. Comma

  4. Colon
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
According to general rule, quotation marks are used in pairs to set off direct speech, a quotation so that the flow of the sentence is not interrupted. Thus, the correct answer will be Option B. The other remaining options are incorrect.
Option A - Brackets are used in pairs in a sentence to set apart additional or non essential information.
Option C - A comma is used to indicate a pause in a sentence.
Option D - A colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence.