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 report writing english

Select the best option to fill in the blank:
A report should be _________ oriented. 

  1. reporter

  2. reader

  3. writer

  4. publisher
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option B: A report is a short, concise document written for a particular purpose and audience. Its tone, style and structure depends on whether it's written for students, teachers or for an organisation. Hence, it should be reader-oriented and option B is correct.

Option A: A 'reporter' is 'a person who reports, especially one employed to report news, or conduct interviews for the media'. A report focuses on the report and should be catered for those reading the report.
Option C: The report should not be writer-oriented. The writer's function is to convey information, and himself isn't the focus.

Option D: The publisher's function is to issue books, journals and magazines. The report does not cater to the publisher, but the audience.

Hence options A, C and D are wrong.

Multiple choice report writing english

Which of the following best describes the content of the introductory paragraph in a report?

  1. It should be the shortest paragraph in the report

  2. It should be the longest paragraph in the report

  3. It should contain the writer's opinion.

  4. It should inform the reader of the event/incident
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option D: The main function of an introductory paragraph is to introduce the report to the reader. This is done by informing the reader about the event/incident. Hence option D is correct.

Options A and B: This option does not describe the nature of the content. Also, it is not the length of the paragraph that matters, but the content.
Option C: An introductory paragraph of a report does not contain the writer's opinion.
Hence options A, B  and C are wrong.

Multiple choice report writing english

Select the best option to fill in the blanks:
The conclusion of a report should ____________________.

  1. be based on facts

  2. only contain recommendations

  3. be based on reader-opinion

  4. be a restatement of the event
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option A: A report's function is to convey information. Hence it should be based on facts. The same way, one must conclude the report based on facts. Hence option A is correct.

Option B: When a report's purpose is to recommend, then it ends with recommendations. If the purpose of the report is to give information about something or someone, then the recommendation isn't required. Hence this option isn't suitable.
Option C: The report is written for the reader, and by the writer. Hence, the reader's opinion cannot be recorded by the writer.
Option D: The conclusion can end by restating the event, or summarizing it. But, it shouldn't summarize it. Also, it's not necessary (should) to end a report with a restatement.
Hence options B, C and D are wrong.

Multiple choice report writing english

Select the best option:
Which of the following is true of the body of a report?

  1. It should be 3 paragraphs long

  2. It should be a single paragraph long

  3. It should analyze the event/incident in detail

  4. It should summarize the entire event
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option C: The body of a report contains the main content covering the event or incident. Hence it must be in detail, covering all the important points and including its analysis. Hence option C is correct.

Option A and B: The body of the report is not limited to length. What matters is the content and quality. Hence options A and B are wrong.
Option D: Usually, the report's conclusion includes the summary of the report, and not the body. The body contains matter crucial to that event, so how would contain the summary as well?
Hence option D is also wrong.

Multiple choice report writing english

Select the best option:
A report should not be which of the following?

  1. Short and concise

  2. Imaginative

  3. Clear and easy to read

  4. Accurate and up-to-date
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option B: A report is based on events that have happened, and is entirely based on facts. So, a report should not be imaginative, and option B is correct.

Option A: A report should be short and concise. It should include all the important events, and descriptive where necessary. It shouldn't waver off as an essay.
Option C: A report should be clear and easy to read. The purpose of the report is to describe an event, and not complicate it.
Option D: The events reported must be accurate and updated, so that it's relevant till the time it gets published or submitted.
Hence options A, C and D are wrong.

Multiple choice report writing english

Identify the section(s) of report writing from the following:

  1. Title

  2. Summary

  3. Introduction, body and conclusion

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

The correct answer is option D.

Report writing contains title, summary, introduction, body, and conclusion. 
Therefore, it includes all options A,B, and C.
Hence option D - All of the above is the correct answer.

Multiple choice report writing english

Following are characteristics of a well-written report, EXCEPT ________.

  1. Use of jargon

  2. Use of active voice

  3. Good grammar

  4. Correct punctuation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is option A.

There are certain rules to be followed in report writing:
  • The active voice should be used. 
  • The writer should ensure the use of correct and good grammar and punctuation.
  • The vocabulary should be comprehensive and use of jargon is not advisable. Use of jargon does not contribute in any way to a well-written report.
The question is on which option is not a characteristic of a well-written report.
Option A is the correct answer as the remaining 3 options are the characteristics of a well-written report.

Multiple choice report writing english

Identify the correct sequence of steps involved in writing a report. 

  1. Writing a report and checking it

  2. Research, selection of topic and writing the report

  3. Selection of topic, research, writing the report and finalizing the report

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

The correct answer is Option C. 

Report writing is not a simple task. There are various steps to be followed in the correct order to ensure a well-written report.
The first step is selection of a topic to write a report on. Then the writer conducts research and collects necessary data to form his report. This is followed by writing the report and the last step is finalizing the report.
This correct sequence is mentioned in Option C and thus it is the correct answer.

Multiple choice summary writing english

Mr. Kilner and writer Michael Wright joined forces to tell the story of the students in their book, The Fortunate Souls. In the book, it is stated that China sent one hundred twenty boys to America to acquire knowledge about developments that could help modernize their country.

  1. "The Fortunate Souls" by Mr. Kilner and Michael Wright tells the story of Chinese boys who were sent by China to America to learn about developments that could modernize their country.

  2. "The Fortunate Souls" by Mr. Kilner and Michael Wright tells the story of Chinese boys who came to America to learn how to modernize their country.

  3. In the book, "The Fortunate Souls", the story of many Chinese boys who went to America to learn how to help their country is told.

  4. The book, "The Fortunate Souls" is about many Chinese boys who learnt how to help their country.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is option B. This option mentions the whole idea of the given sentence in minimum number of words which makes the sentence nearly one third of the main sentence. Option A is incorrect as even though it mentions the whole idea but the sentence is longer and does not adhere to the format of summarizing. Options C and D are incorrect as they do not portray the whole idea even though the sentences are smaller.

Multiple choice summary writing english

Identify the main idea/point in the following:

Through the long, carpeted hallways, where her dormmates silently threw questioning glances at her, out through the majestic steel gates that barricaded the college grounds from the outside world, and down the road that led to her home Clara ran.

  1. Clara runs away from college.

  2. Clara drops out of college.

  3. Clara stays in a dorm at a college.

  4. Clara's dormmates dislike her.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The main idea or point of a text or the main point summary should include the most important fact contained in the text.
The correct answer is Option A. The text suggest that Clara ran through all the hallways and then through the steel gates out of her college. So, the main idea is given by Option A.
Options B, C and D are incorrect as the complete fact of the text is not appropriately contained in these summaries.

Multiple choice summary writing english

Identify the main idea/point of the following:

He walked carefully into the tiny room. Then he saw a picture above the mantlepiece. He pondered over who was in the picture. He walked over the polished wooden floors. He was certain he had seen that face before. He looked once more at the white hair and empty eyes. He couldn't remember where he had seen them before. Finally, it struck him: he was a friend of his father.

  1. A man walks into a room and looks at the pictures.

  2. A man looks at a picture and tries to remember the person in it.

  3. A man tries to remember something.

  4. A picture is seen by someone.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The main idea or point of a text or the main point summary should include the most important fact contained in the text.
The correct answer is Option B. The text suggest that a man walks into a room where he sees a picture and tries to remember the person in it and finally remembers it. So, the main idea is given by Option B.
Options A, C and D are incorrect as the complete fact of the text is not appropriately contained in these summaries.

Multiple choice summary writing english

Following are important steps in identifying the main concepts of a text, EXCEPT -

  1. Looking for key words

  2. Dividing the text into sections

  3. Including your own views

  4. Understanding the text
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

The question is on the step which is not a part of identifying the main concepts of a text.
In summary writing, it is first essential to understand the text. Then a writer divides the text into sections to understand the ideas presented and looks for key words in the text to facilitate identification of important points to be included in the summary. Therefore Option A,B and D are not the correct options.
In summary writing, it is to be noted that a writer only writes on the important ideas of the text. He is NOT supposed to include his own views. Thus option C is not part of identification of the main concepts of a text- Option C is the correct answer. 

Multiple choice summary writing english

'The summary should cover the original as a whole.' This statement means that __________________________________.

  1. an effective summary covers the main ideas and concepts of the passage

  2. a summary should contain every detail

  3. a summary can contain views other than those expressed by the writer

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct answer is option A.

The summary should cover the original as a whole - this statement means that though shorter in length, a summary should reflect and express the essence of the text.
It should not contain every detail covered - only relevant and important details are to be contained. Option B is therefore not the correct answer.
A summary is a brief statement and hence includes only the views expressed by the writer. It should not contain views other than those written by the writer. Option C is thus the incorrect option.
We are now left with option A that correctly defines a summary.
An effective summary covers the main ideas and concepts of the passage.
Option A is the correct answer.

Multiple choice summary writing english

The heading of a note serves which of the following purpose?

  1. Gives detailed information

  2. Reflects the main idea of the passage

  3. Ends the note

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

The heading of a note reflects the main idea of the passage. It makes the purpose of the note abundantly clear. Thus, B is correct.
The main body gives the detailed information Hence, A is incorrect.
The name ends the note. Hence, C is incorrect.
As, only B is correct, hence, D is incorrect. 

Multiple choice summary writing english

Subheading in a note is framed on the basis of these, EXCEPT _______________.

  1. Detailed information

  2. Associated ideas

  3. Main idea

  4. Conclusion
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Subheadings are the subdivisions of the main topic. As many subheadings can be used as required. It is like the heading to the subsections of the passage. Thus, subheadings give detailed information and can also communicate the main idea or even the conclusion. They are not used for associated ideas as they only address the issue at hand. Thus, only B is correct.