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Knowledge of Language

Develop a well-organized paragraph

Which of the following sentences is a thesis statement?

Solution
The rise of social media platforms has significantly impacted human communication, leading to both positive interactions and challenges in mental well-being.

Answer choice C gives us an introduction of the topic that is about follow (topic sentence, but furthermore it also gives us the author's opinion or judgement on the overall topic ( social media's impact as positive interactions and challenges in mental well-being).


Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English spelling

Which of the following sentences is correctly written?

Solution
Either they or he are going to be late for the meeting.

When using "either/or," the verb tense should agree with the subject closer to the verb. In this case, "he" is singular, while "they" is plural. Since "he" is closer to the verb "are," the verb should be singular to agree with "he."

Option "a" is incorrect because "is" is used with "brother," which is incorrect subject-verb agreement. Option "b" is incorrect because "were" is used, which is past tense, but the sentence is in the present tense. Option "c" is incorrect because "am" is used, which agrees with "I" but not with "you."

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English punctuation

Select all that apply. Which of the following sentence uses incorrect punctuation?

Solution
The child wore a bear themed costume to the party. She bought the latest eye catching dress from the store.

The correct way to write this sentence is: She bought the latest eye-catching dress from the store.

We put a hyphen after a noun (e.g. eye) when the noun is being used as an adjective despite not being one. In this case, the word "eye" is used in conjunction with "catching" to describe the word "dress." Neither "eye" nor "catching" are adjectives. They are nouns and verbs being used as adjectives.

If we were to use an actual adjective over a noun that is being used as an adjective, we wouldn't have to use a hyphen. For example, we could say:She bought the latest long dress from the store.

The correct way to write this sentence is: The child wore a bear-themed costume to the party.

We put a hyphen after a noun (e.g. bear) when the noun is being used as an adjective despite not being one. In this case, the word "bear" is used in conjunction with "themed" to describe the word "costume." Neither "bear" nor "themed" are adjectives. They are nouns being used as adjectives.

If we were to use an actual adjective over a noun that is being used as an adjective, we wouldn't have to use a hyphen. For example, we could say:

The child wore bear costume to the party.


Other examples of needing to use hyphens when using nouns or verbs as adjectives are:

He wore a water-resistant watch to the beach.She wore a blue-green dress to the event.The chef prepared a mouth-watering dish for the guests.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English spelling

Which of the following sentences uses correct English spelling?

Solution
The screws on the chair were too lose, so I tightened them.

"Loose" means not tight or relaxed, while "lose" means to misplace or not win. In option "b," "loose" is used correctly to describe the screws on the chair being too relaxed, and then being tightened to make them secure.

Option "a" is incorrect because "loose" is misspelled and should be "lose" since the sentence refers to misplacing keys. Option "c" is incorrect because "loose" should be "lose" to indicate weight loss. Option "d" is incorrect because "lose" should be used instead of "loose" to indicate that the cat ran out of the house.

Knowledge of Language

Use grammar to enhance clarity in writing

Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the use of transition words to enhance clarity in writing when comparing two different approaches to problem-solving?

Solution
Some people prefer a systematic approach to problem-solving, while others rely on intuition.

A is correct because the use of the transition word "while" effectively highlights the contrast between the two different approaches to problem-solving. This enhances the clarity of the sentence by helping the reader understand the comparison being made.

B is incorrect because the absence of a transition word makes the sentence less clear and harder to understand. The reader may not immediately grasp the comparison being made between the two approaches.

C is incorrect because the sentence structure is incorrect, making it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning. The use of "on the other hand" is not appropriately placed within the sentence.

D is incorrect because the use of the transition word "so" implies a cause-and-effect relationship between the two approaches, which is not the intended meaning. The sentence should highlight the contrast between the two approaches, not suggest that one approach is the result of the other.

Knowledge of Language

Develop a well-organized paragraph

Select all that apply. Which of the following could function well as a topic sentence in a well-organized paragraph?

Solution
The pervasive impact of climate change has been felt across various ecosystems, necessitating immediate global action. Advancements in technology over the past decade have revolutionized the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. Mindfulness practices, rooted in ancient traditions, have gained immense popularity in recent years for their proven benefits in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

A) The pervasive impact of climate change has been felt across various ecosystems, necessitating immediate global action.This topic sentence introduces a paragraph or section about the widespread effects of climate change and the urgency of addressing it.

B) Advancements in technology over the past decade have revolutionized the way businesses operate and interact with their customers.This topic sentence sets the stage for a discussion on the transformative role of recent technological developments in the business world.

C) Mindfulness practices, rooted in ancient traditions, have gained immense popularity in recent years for their proven benefits in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.This topic sentence would lead into a paragraph or section about the rise in popularity and benefits of mindfulness practices

D) After grabbing my morning coffee, I usually take a short walk in the park before heading to work.This sentence is more of a descriptive or narrative detail rather than a statement that introduces or summarizes the main idea of a paragraph or section that is to follow.

Knowledge of Language

Evaluate if language meets the needs of an audience for a provided rhetorical context

Which of the following sentences is most appropriate for a professional business proposal?

Solution
Our innovative product will significantly impact the market landscape.

B is incorrect because the use of informal language, such as "like" and "totally," is not appropriate for a professional business proposal. This type of language may be perceived as unprofessional or even disrespectful.

A is correct because it uses formal language and conveys the idea in a clear, concise manner. This type of language is appropriate for a professional business proposal, as it demonstrates professionalism and respect for the audience.

C is incorrect because it uses informal language, such as "Dude," and an overly casual tone. This type of language is not suitable for a professional business proposal.

D is incorrect because it uses vague and informal language, such as "pretty cool and stuff," which does not effectively convey the importance of the product or its potential impact on the market.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English spelling

Which of the following sentences uses proper English?

Solution
Who's going to the party tonight?

The correct answer is option "a." "Who" is a subject pronoun used to ask about a person, while "whose" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership. In option "a," "who" is used correctly to ask about the subject of the sentence, and "whose" is not necessary since the sentence does not ask about ownership.

Option "b" is incorrect because "whose" should be followed by a noun to indicate ownership. Option "c" uses "who's" correctly as a contraction of "who is," but "jacket" should follow "whose" to indicate ownership. Option "d" is incorrect because "whose" is used correctly to indicate ownership, but "you" should be replaced with "you're" to make the sentence grammatically correct.


Knowledge of Language

Use grammar to enhance clarity in writing

Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the use of grammar to enhance clarity in writing when describing a person's feelings about an event?

Solution
Excited and nervous, her heart raced as the day of the big presentation approached.

B is correct because it effectively uses a participial phrase ("Excited and nervous") to modify the subject ("her heart") and provide information about the person's feelings. The sentence structure is clear and easy to understand, demonstrating how proper grammar can enhance clarity in writing.

A is incorrect because it places the adjectives "excited" and "nervous" after the verb "raced," making it unclear what the adjectives are modifying. The sentence structure is confusing and does not effectively convey the person's feelings.

C is incorrect because it places the comma after "approached," which makes the adjectives "excited" and "nervous" unclear in their role as modifiers. The sentence structure is less clear than option A.

D is incorrect because the use of two commas around "and nervous" disrupts the flow of the sentence, making it less clear than option A. The sentence structure in option A is more concise and effectively conveys the person's feelings.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English punctuation

Which of the following sentences DOES NOT use correct punctuation?

Solution
Let’s eat grandma!

The correct answer is option "a." There should be a comma after “eat”. Otherwise, you’re saying that you should eat grandma as opposed to inviting grandma to eat.

Knowledge of Language

Evaluate if language meets the needs of an audience for a provided rhetorical context

When addressing a business audience, it is important to use language that is:

Solution
Formal and professional

Answer choice A: Casual and informalThis answer is incorrect because in a business setting, it's important to maintain a professional demeanor and to present oneself as competent and credible. Using casual or informal language can detract from this and may not be perceived as appropriate or respectful.

Answer choice B: Formal and professionalThis answer is correct. Using formal and professional language in a business setting helps establish credibility, demonstrates respect for the audience, and conveys the message effectively.

Answer choice C: Technical and specializedThis answer is not necessarily incorrect, but it depends on the context and the specific audience. In some cases, a highly technical or specialized audience may expect and appreciate technical language, but in other cases, this type of language may be too complex or off-putting for the audience.

Answer choice D: Conversational and friendlyThis answer is not necessarily incorrect, but it also depends on the context and the specific audience. In some cases, a more conversational and friendly approach may be appropriate, especially if the speaker is trying to establish rapport with the audience. However, in a business setting, it's usually best to err on the side of formality and professionalism.

Vocabulary

Determine the meaning of words by analyzing word parts

What does the word "disparate" mean in the passage below?

Despite the varying backgrounds and experiences of the team members, they were tasked with finding a solution to a complex problem, but the disparate opinions among them made it difficult to reach a consensus on the project plan and move forward with the project in a cohesive manner.

Solution
Diverse

The word "disparate" means different, diverse, or unequal.

In the context of the sentence, "disparate opinions" refers to the different or diverse opinions that the team members had, which made it difficult for them to reach a consensus and move forward with the project in a cohesive manner. Option B, "diverse," accurately reflects this meaning and is the correct answer. Option A, "similar," is not accurate because the sentence states that the opinions are different. Option C, "equal," is not accurate because the sentence does not suggest that the opinions are equal. Option D, "consistent," is not accurate because the sentence states that the opinions are not consistent, but rather diverse.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English spelling

Select all that apply. Which of the following sentences has incorrect spelling?

Solution
The virus' origin is still under investigation. The dresses's colors were vibrant and eye-catching.

The correct way to spell it is: The virus's origin is still under investigation.

Despite "virus" ending in "s", the word is singular and for singular words ending in "s" we add an apostrophe and another "s" at the end.

The correct way to spell it is: The dresses' colors were vibrant and eye-catching.

The word "dresses" is in plural; therefore, we just add an apostrophe at the end but don't need to add another "s".

Conventions of Standard English

Use correct sentence structures

Which of the following options is a complex sentence?

Solution
Even though it was raining, we decided to go for a walk in the park.

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

c) joins a dependent clause “Even though it was raining” with an independent clause “we decided to go for a walk in the park”

A compound sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma, semicolon, or conjunction. There are no dependent clauses in a compound sentence.

a) joins two independent clauses together: “I finished my work early” and “I went to the gym to work out”

b) joints two independent clauses together: “Although I am allergic to cats” and “I still love them”

A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of just one independent clause. A simple sentence has no dependent clauses.

d) They went for a walk in the park

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English spelling

Which of the following corrects a spelling error in the sentence?

They’re going to the grocery store farther down the road as its produce selection is more affordable.

Solution
There are no spelling errors in the sentence

There are no spelling errors in the original sentence.

Learn the most common spelling rules of the english language in particular the use of "its" vs. "it's" and "their" vs. "they're

Knowledge of Language

Develop a well-organized paragraph

A well-organized paragraph is to contain all the sentences shown below (placed in no particular order). In which order should the sentences be placed in order to create a well-organized paragraph?

(I) Nero was a controversial figure, known for his extravagance, cruelty, and erratic behavior. (II) He was responsible for the deaths of many of his own family members, including his mother, and he was widely believed to have started the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE in order to clear space for a grand new palace. (III) During the reign of Emperor Nero in the first century CE, the Roman Empire experienced a period of great turmoil and upheaval. (IV) Nero's rule ended in 68 CE, when he was given the death penalty following a revolt by the Roman Senate. (V) The fire destroyed much of the city and left thousands homeless.

Solution
III, I, II, V, IV

A well-organized passage begins with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the whole paragraph. The main idea of this whole paragraph is how Emperor Nero behaved as an emperor. Sentences I and III are acceptable options for the topic sentence, although sentence III is a bit better since it follows a chronological order.

The rest of the sentences (I, II, V) are supporting details to the initial topic sentence. Meanwhile, sentence IV is a conclusion to the whole paragraph discussing the end of Nero’s life and therefore the end of his time as emperor.

Conventions of Standard English

Use correct sentence structures

Which of the following four answer options includes a dependent clause?

Solution
After the storm passed, the sky cleared up.

Solution: The correct answer is option "c" A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence and functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb within a sentence.

In option "c" "After the storm passed" is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought on its own and relies on the independent clause "the sky cleared up" to complete the sentence.

Option "a" is a simple sentence that contains only one independent clause, "The sun was shining brightly." Option "b" is also a simple sentence that contains only one independent clause, "She ran a marathon in under three hours."

Option "d" is a compound sentence that contains two independent clauses, "The dog barked loudly at the mailman” and “the mailman walked away from it”.

Knowledge of Language

Use grammar to enhance clarity in writing

Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the use of grammar to enhance clarity in writing?

Solution
Sarah hurried up because she was late to the party.

A is incorrect because the sentence structure implies that Sarah hurried up as a result of being late to the party. However, the correct meaning is that Sarah hurried up in order to avoid being late.

B is correct because the sentence uses proper grammar and sentence structure to convey a clear, logical meaning. The cause-and-effect relationship between Sarah's lateness and her decision to hurry up is clearly communicated.

C is incorrect because the placement of commas creates confusion and disrupts the flow of the sentence. The intended meaning is difficult to understand.

D is incorrect because the comma placement and sentence structure are incorrect, making it difficult for the reader to understand the intended meaning. Proper grammar is essential for enhancing clarity in writing.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English punctuation

Which of the following sentences uses incorrect punctuation?

Solution
She said I could go to the party if I finished my homework but I didn't finish it.

We need to add a comma before the coordinating conjunction "but” because it joins two independent clauses: She said I could go to the party if I finished my homework and I didn't finish it

Notice that option B) also has the conjunction “but”, but it doesnt require a comma. It is correct as it is. Let’s dissect that sentence.

“The market is open not only on Saturday” is an independent clause; however, “ also on Sunday” which is the clause that follows the conjunction “but” is not an independent clause. It doesn’t have a subject + verb to make it an independent clause. For that reason, we do not add a comma before the conjunction “but”.

Conventions of Standard English

Use conventions of standard English punctuation

Which of the following sentences uses correct English punctuation?

Solution
My favorite subjects are math, science, and English; I enjoy learning new things.

The correct answer is option "c." A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. In option "c," the semicolon is correctly used to join the two independent clauses "My favorite subjects are math, science, and English" and "I enjoy learning new things." These clauses are closely related and the semicolon indicates a stronger connection  than a period would.

Option a) should have a comma before “and” as this coordinating conjunction joins the two independent clauses: “I went to the store” and “ it was a funny sight” together.

Option "b" uses a semicolon incorrectly by adding a conjunction after the semicolon, which is not necessary.

Option "d" uses a semicolon correctly to join two independent clauses, but the conjunction "but" is not a strong enough contrast to require a semicolon, so a comma would be more appropriate.

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