Deck 19: Introducing the Paragraph

Question 1

An important concept in revising for style is ___________, that is, saying what we mean with no wasted words.

A) repetition
B) coordination
C) verbiage
D) concision

Answer 1

concision

Question 2

Which of the following is not something to reduce when revising for economy and clarity?

A) specific, vivid details that are critical to the meaning
B) empty words and padded phrases
C) redundant expressions
D) inflated clauses and phrases

Answer 2

specific, vivid details that are critical to the meaning

Question 3

Which of the following is not a redundant expression?

A) important essentials
B) every one
C) past history
D) sum total

Answer 3

every one

Question 4

Which of the following is not a redundant expression?

A) continue on
B) link together
C) intentionally try
D) come back

Question 5

Which of the following sentences does not contain a slang expression or colloquialism?

A) I was bummed out last night.
B) I was psyched about the party.
C) I was excited to get the invitation.
D) I was blown away by the band.

Question 6

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence:
Danita totally freaked out when she saw the present that she had received for graduation.

A) Danita went completely berserk with insane happiness when she laid her eyes on the gift that she had been given for her graduation.
B) Danita was ecstatic when she saw her graduation present.
C) There are no errors.

Question 7

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence: IMO, she should dump him ASAP.

A) She should end her relationship with him immediately.
B) In my humble opinion, she should dump him as soon as she can possibly arrange it.
C) There are no errors.

Question 8

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence: Car insurance is now required in every state.

A) Needless to say, in this day and age, car insurance is a must-have in all fifty states.
B) These days, all drivers in all states must be able to prove that they have insurance for each and every one of their cars.
C) There are no errors.

Question 9

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence:
I am attempting to find an automotive vehicle that is big in size but cheap on gas.

A) I'm looking for a large car that is fuel efficient.
B) At the present time, I am in the process of locating an automobile that is big without being a gas guzzler.
C) There are no errors.

Question 10

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence:
I have no intention of leaving until I am able to learn the true facts of this terrible tragedy.

A) I will not leave until I get the facts on this tragedy.
B) I ain't going nowhere until I dig up the truth on this extremely terrible and tragic event.
C) There are no errors.

Question 11

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentences:
I like hanging out with my BFF, Beverly. She's the type of person who will always have your back no matter what.

A) I like chilling out with my best friend, Beverly. She always has my back no matter what the situation may be.
B) I enjoy spending time with my best friend, Beverly. She always watches out for me.
C) There are no errors.

Question 12

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentence:
Jackie is now employed at the local medical center working as a nurse in the surgery department.

A) Jackie is employed at the local hospital, where she currently works as a nurse in the surgical department.
B) Jackie works at the local hospital as a surgical nurse.
C) There are no errors.

Question 13

Identify which option corrects the word choice errors in the following sentences:
Did the frog dissection totally gross you out? I just knew I was gonna hurl right then and there.

A) Did the frog dissection make you feel sick to your stomach? I was so scared I was going to barf.
B) Did the frog dissection make you sick? I was afraid that I would throw up.
C) There are no errors.

Question 14

Which of the following is not an empty or padded expression?

A) suddenly
B) regardless of the fact that
C) in the final analysis
D) at the present time

Question 15

The polishing phase of the writing process should include attention to style-that is, how you say what you say.

Question 16

If you want to communicate clearly with sharp images, you should choose specific words.

Question 17

You should use forms of to be, to do, to have, to make, and to get as much as possible; these verbs are some of the most energetic verbs in the English language.

Question 18

You should avoid overusing the words very, really, and extremely.

Question 19

Which of the following sentences is more specific than the other?

Question 20

Which of the following sentences is more specific than the other?

Question 21

Which of the following sentences is more specific than the other?

Question 22

Which of the following sentences is more specific than the other?

Question 23

The point in trimming deadwood is not to write short sentences or to cut all repetition. The point is to remove words that interfere with meaning.

Question 24

As you write, you should use words like extremely, definitely, and very as often as possible because they will intensify your description.

Question 25

Padded phrases are stock expressions that use more words than needed to make their point.

Question 26

The word because is preferred over the phrase due to the fact that.

Question 27

There is no such thing as too many examples or explanations. When it comes to writing, more is always better.

Question 28

It is important to remember what your readers already know so that you do not waste their time with unnecessary details.

Question 29

You should consider the elements of language that affect the tone of your work-that is, the attitude you reveal toward your subject and your audience.

Question 30

Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, it's acceptable to use common slang expressions and texting abbreviations in your college writing.