English Language

Writing and Communication Skills

1,426 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

You should not try to do which of the following while writing a report?

  1. inform the reader about an event

  2. state the sequence of events

  3. base the report on facts

  4. persuade the reader to do something
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Options A, B and C: A report is written to convey information about a particular topic. Hence, it must be based on facts.

While reporting an event, it must lay out information on that event, by stating what happened and other importance details covering that event.
These options, hence, state things that should be done. The question asks for the option that should not be done while writing a report.
Hence options A, B and C are wrong.
Option D: A report should not be persuasive, but merely informative.
Hence option D is correct.

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

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. 

Multiple choice summary writing english

Which of the following statements is correct?

  1. A note should not contain grammatically correct sentences.

  2. Following grammatical rules in note writing is very important.

  3. A note should contain detailed information.

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

Choice A is correct as note need not be grammatically correct, it must communicate a detail in general. Choice B is wrong as it does not have follow grammar. Choice C is wrong as it need give details Choice D is wrong

Multiple choice summary writing english

The correct sequence in the format of note-writing is __________________.

  1. Heading, sub-heading, points, key

  2. Introduction, body and conclusion

  3. Table of contents, chapters, bibliography

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
There is a fixed note making format. One needs to follow this note making format in order to have a clear and unambiguous understanding from it. The note making format has 
1. Heading: shows the title or the heading of note.
2. Sub-heading: is a subdivision of the main topic. As many subheadings as one wants can be used.
3. Points: are the part of the main topics. 
4. Key: shows the various codes, symbols or the abbreviation used. It helps to get a clear understanding of the keys used in the note making format. Thus, A is correct. B is format for paragraph. C is format for books.
Multiple choice summary writing english

Which of the following helps to identify the main ideas in a passage?

  1. Understanding the main point of the passage without thinking about the details

  2. Looking for repetition of words, phrases or similar 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.

Identification of main ideas in the passage is the most important and preliminary step in summary writing. This involves 1. understanding the main idea of the passage and 2. Looking for repetition of words, phrases or similar ideas- this helps us to understand the main point the writer has to say and helps to write an efficient summary that covers the entire text.
Therefore Option A and B are correct.
Option C the answer.