Question 1

When writers make errors, ______.
A) they make it harder for readers to trust them
B) they don't really do any damage to their reputations
C) it has no effect on their publications
D) readers rarely notice

Accepted Answer

Errors made by writers can undermine their credibility and make it harder for readers to trust their work, as it may reflect a lack of attention to detail or expertise.

Question 2

The more you can do to make your material clear and concise, ______.
A) the better chance readers will become bored
B) the better chance you have of drawing readers and retaining them
C) the more likely you will lose audience because they are not challenged
D) the more likely your material will be ignored

Accepted Answer

The clearer and more concise your material is, the more engaging it becomes for readers, increasing the likelihood of attracting and retaining them.

Question 3

Random capitalization, misspelled words, or awkward construction will ______.
A) not be noticed by readers
B) only be noticed by other writers
C) bother readers even if they can't articulate it
D) have no effect on your writing

Accepted Answer

Random capitalization, misspelled words, or awkward construction can bother readers even if they can't articulate exactly what is wrong, as these issues disrupt the flow and clarity of the writing.

Question 4

A simple sentence builds from a ______.
A) verb-noun structure
B) noun-noun-verb structure
C) direct object-noun-verb structure
D) noun-verb structure

Accepted Answer

A simple sentence is built from a noun-verb structure, where the noun serves as the subject and the verb tells what the subject does or is.

Question 5

Students use diagram sentences ______.
A) to help them see how each sentence was constructed
B) to help plot out the story
C) to help visualize the story
D) for fun

Accepted Answer

Diagramming sentences helps students understand how a sentence is constructed by visually breaking down its parts, such as the subject, verb, and objects, which aids in grammar comprehension.

Question 6

Writers often find the need to use adjectives and adverbs when ______.
A) they choose concrete nouns and vigorous verbs in their sentences
B) they fail to choose concrete nouns and vigorous verbs in their sentences
C) they have something important to write
D) they have something unimportant to write

Accepted Answer

Adjectives and adverbs are often used to add detail or description, which might be necessary when the nouns and verbs used are not concrete or vigorous enough to convey the intended meaning or imagery on their own.

Question 7

______ puts the object in the sentence first.
A) Redundancy
B) Wordiness
C) Active-voice construction
D) Passive-voice construction

Accepted Answer

Passive-voice construction puts the object of the sentence first, making the subject either come later or be omitted entirely.

Question 8

______ will control the pace and flow of your writing.
A) Sentence length
B) Sentence width
C) Paragraph length
D) Word length

Accepted Answer

Sentence length affects the rhythm and speed at which a reader processes the text, thereby controlling the pace and flow of writing.

Question 9

Commas work like ______.
A) stop signs
B) yield signs
C) detour signs
D) construction signs

Accepted Answer

Commas act like yield signs in writing, signaling the reader to pause briefly, which helps to clarify the meaning of sentences, much like how a yield sign signals a driver to slow down and prepare to stop if necessary.

Question 10

______ sentences pack a punch.
A) Extra long
B) Long
C) Short
D) Medium

Accepted Answer

Short sentences can be very impactful because they are direct and to the point, making them stand out and easily remembered.

Question 11

______ sentences usually contain one or two key points and help move from the sentence above to the sentence below with intrinsic transitions.
A) Short
B) Long
C) Extra long
D) Medium

Accepted Answer

Medium sentences are typically used to convey key points and provide smooth transitions between ideas, balancing detail and readability.

Question 12

______ sentences can create a sense of speed or a feeling of unyielding chaos.
A) Long
B) Short
C) Medium
D) Extra long

Accepted Answer

The answer of ______ sentences can create a sense of...

Question 13

Clarity is ______.
A) not as important as grammar
B) sometimes more important than grammar
C) optional
D) elusive

Accepted Answer

Clarity is often prioritized over strict adherence to grammatical rules in communication, as the primary goal is to convey a message effectively.

Question 14

Reading your work aloud ______.
A) is not important
B) has value only for broadcast writers
C) has value for all writers
D) is a waste of time

Accepted Answer

Reading work aloud helps all writers to catch errors, improve flow, and ensure clarity in their writing, making it a valuable practice for anyone engaged in writing.

Question 15

The AP Stylebook is ______.
A) short for "All-Purpose" Stylebook
B) no longer necessary
C) used only in book publishing
D) used as the primary source for standardization

Accepted Answer

The AP Stylebook is used as the primary source for standardization in news writing, journalism, and other forms of media communication, guiding on grammar, punctuation, usage, and journalistic style.

Question 16

Ten percent of the rules in the AP Stylebook ______.
A) cover 90% of style questions
B) are never used in contemporary writing
C) have to deal with numbers
D) have to deal with titles

Accepted Answer

A) Ten percent of the rules in the AP Stylebook are designed to cover 90% of style questions, making it a highly efficient resource for addressing the most common issues encountered in writing.

Question 17

Write quickly but edit ______.
A) slowly
B) lowly
C) when you can
D) in half the time

Accepted Answer

The correct phrase is "Write quickly but edit slowly," emphasizing the importance of taking time to carefully review and refine written work after the initial drafting process.

Question 18

A cliché is a ______.
A) handy shortcut
B) worn-out phrase
C) funny way to end a story
D) good way to start a story

Accepted Answer

A cliché is a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought, hence it is considered a worn-out phrase.

Question 19

In order to eliminate words that shouldn't be there, ______.
A) write faster
B) try to become more general
C) try to become more specific
D) write slowly

Accepted Answer

To eliminate unnecessary words, being more specific helps in making the text concise and focused, directly addressing the intended message without superfluous details.

Question 20

______ occur when people don't know how a word works or what it means and thus misapply modifiers to it.
A) Split infinitives
B) Run-ons
C) Clichés
D) Redundancies

Accepted Answer

Redundancies occur when unnecessary modifiers are added to words because people misunderstand their meaning, leading to repetitive or unnecessary expressions.

Quiz 3: Grammar, Style and Language Basics

When writers make errors, ______.

The more you can do to make your material clear and concise, ______.

Random capitalization, misspelled words, or awkward construction will ______.

A simple sentence builds from a ______.

Students use diagram sentences ______.

Writers often find the need to use adjectives and adverbs when ______.

______ puts the object in the sentence first.

______ will control the pace and flow of your writing.

Commas work like ______.

______ sentences pack a punch.

______ sentences usually contain one or two key points and help move from the sentence above to the sentence below with intrinsic transitions.

______ sentences can create a sense of speed or a feeling of unyielding chaos.

Clarity is ______.

Reading your work aloud ______.

The AP Stylebook is ______.

Ten percent of the rules in the AP Stylebook ______.

Write quickly but edit ______.

A cliché is a ______.

In order to eliminate words that shouldn't be there, ______.

______ occur when people don't know how a word works or what it means and thus misapply modifiers to it.