PRINCIPLES OF GOOD WRITING BY L.A HILL MCQ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the primary goal of good writing according to L.A. Hill?
a) Using complex vocabulary
b) Communicating ideas clearly
c) Writing long sentences
d) Impressing the readerWhich of the following violates the principle of clarity?
a) "The cat sat on the mat."
b) "The feline creature positioned itself atop the woven floor covering."
c) "She answered the question directly."
d) "He ran quickly."How can redundancy be avoided in writing?
a) By repeating key points
b) By eliminating unnecessary words
c) By using synonyms excessively
d) By writing longer paragraphsWhich sentence is the most precise?
a) "The man walked somewhat quickly."
b) "The man sprinted."
c) "The individual moved at a rapid pace."
d) "The guy went fast."What is the problem with this sentence: "Due to the fact that it was raining, we stayed inside."?
a) It is too short
b) It is wordy (use 'Because' instead)
c) It lacks subject-verb agreement
d) It uses passive voiceWhich sentence demonstrates the best variety in structure?
a) "He ran. He jumped. He laughed."
b) "After running, he jumped and laughed."
c) "He ran and jumped and laughed."
d) "Running, jumping, laughing."What is a common error in sentence construction?
a) Using too many passive sentences
b) Always using short sentences
c) Avoiding conjunctions
d) Writing only complex sentencesHow can a writer avoid monotony in sentences?
a) By varying sentence length and structure
b) By using only compound sentences
c) By avoiding punctuation
d) By repeating the same sentence patternWhich sentence is grammatically incorrect?
a) "She enjoys reading, writing, and painting."
b) "She enjoys reading, writing, and to paint."
c) "She enjoys reading, to write, and painting."
d) "She enjoys to read, write, and paint."What is the best way to combine these sentences: "He was tired. He went to bed."?
a) "He was tired, he went to bed."
b) "Because he was tired, he went to bed."
c) "He was tired and he went to bed."
d) "Tired, he went to bed."
What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
a) To conclude the paragraph
b) To introduce the main idea
c) To provide a supporting detail
d) To ask a questionWhich paragraph lacks coherence?
a) "Dogs are loyal pets. They protect their owners. Many families love them."
b) "Dogs are loyal. The sky is blue. I like pizza."
c) "Dogs provide companionship. They also help in rescue missions."
d) "Dogs bark loudly. Some breeds are very intelligent."What is the best way to ensure paragraph unity?
a) Sticking to one main idea
b) Including multiple unrelated facts
c) Writing very long paragraphs
d) Using only complex sentencesWhich transition word best fits: "He studied hard; _____, he failed the exam."?
a) However
b) Therefore
c) Moreover
d) SimilarlyWhat is wrong with this paragraph?
"Exercise is important. It keeps you healthy. Some people prefer jogging. Books are a great source of knowledge."
a) It lacks unity (shifts from exercise to books)
b) It has no topic sentence
c) It uses incorrect grammar
d) It is too short
Which sentence uses the most appropriate word choice?
a) "The teacher elucidated the concept."
b) "The teacher explained the concept clearly."
c) "The teacher articulated the concept."
d) "The teacher verbalized the concept."What is the problem with this sentence: "He was very happy."?
a) It is vague (could use a stronger word like 'ecstatic')
b) It is too formal
c) It has incorrect grammar
d) It is a run-on sentenceWhich sentence avoids clichés?
a) "At the end of the day, hard work pays off."
b) "Persistent effort leads to success."
c) "Every cloud has a silver lining."
d) "Better late than never."What is the best revision of: "The student’s performance was not up to the mark."?
a) "The student’s performance was unsatisfactory."
b) "The student’s performance was bad."
c) "The student’s performance was not good."
d) "The student’s performance was subpar."Which sentence is too informal for academic writing?
a) "The experiment yielded significant results."
b) "The results were totally awesome!"
c) "The findings support the hypothesis."
d) "Further research is necessary."Which sentence is the most concise?
a) "She left quickly."
b) "She made a rapid exit from the room."
c) "She exited the room in a hurried manner."
d) "She left the room as fast as she could."What is the best revision of: "In spite of the fact that it rained, we went out."?
a) "Although it rained, we went out."
b) "Despite the rain, we went out."
c) "Even though it was raining, we went out."
d) "We went out regardless of the rain."Which phrase is redundant?
a) "Final outcome"
b) "Past history"
c) "Unexpected surprise"
d) All of the aboveHow can this sentence be improved: "The reason why he failed is because he didn’t study."?
a) "He failed because he didn’t study."
b) "The reason he failed is due to not studying."
c) "His failure was caused by a lack of studying."
d) "He didn’t study, which is why he failed."Which sentence avoids wordiness?
a) "The meeting was postponed."
b) "The meeting was rescheduled for a later date."
c) "The meeting was moved to a different time."
d) "The meeting did not take place as originally planned."
Which sentence uses active voice?
a) "The chef prepared the meal."
b) "The meal was prepared by the chef."
c) "The meal had been prepared by the chef."
d) "The meal was being prepared by the chef."When is passive voice acceptable?
a) When the doer is unknown or unimportant
b) When emphasizing the subject’s action
c) When writing instructions
d) NeverWhich sentence is stronger?
a) "Mistakes were made by the team."
b) "The team made mistakes."
c) "Errors were committed by the team."
d) "The team was responsible for the errors."How can this sentence be improved: "The book was read by the students."?
a) "The students read the book."
b) "The book had been read by the students."
c) "The students were reading the book."
d) "The book was being read by the students."Which sentence is passive?
a) "The letter was sent yesterday."
b) "She sent the letter yesterday."
c) "He will send the letter tomorrow."
d) "They are sending the letter now."
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
a) "Neither the teacher nor the students were present."
b) "Neither the teacher nor the students was present."
c) "Neither the teacher or the students were present."
d) "Neither the teacher nor the students is present."What is the error in: "Each of the students have a book."?
a) Subject-verb agreement ("each" takes a singular verb)
b) Incorrect preposition
c) Missing article
d) Wrong tenseWhich sentence is correct?
a) "She is taller than me."
b) "She is taller than I (am)."
c) "She is taller than myself."
d) "She is taller than I are."What is wrong with: "The data shows a trend."?
a) "Data" is plural ("the data show")
b) Incorrect verb tense
c) Missing article
d) No errorWhich sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
a) "After finishing the report, she submitted it."
b) "After finishing the report, it was submitted."
c) "After finishing the report, the submission was done."
d) "After finishing the report, the deadline was met."
Which sentence uses commas correctly?
a) "She bought apples, oranges, and bananas."
b) "She bought apples oranges and bananas."
c) "She bought apples, oranges and bananas."
d) "She bought apples, oranges, and, bananas."What is the correct punctuation for: "However we decided to go"?
a) "However, we decided to go."
b) "However; we decided to go."
c) "However we decided to go."
d) "However—we decided to go."Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
a) "She loves reading; he prefers movies."
b) "She loves reading; and he prefers movies."
c) "She loves reading; movies are his preference."
d) "She loves reading; however movies."What is the correct apostrophe use?
a) "The dog’s tail wagged."
b) "The dogs’ tail wagged."
c) "The dogs tail wagged."
d) "The dog’ tail wagged."Which sentence has correct capitalization?
a) "She visited Paris, France, last summer."
b) "She visited paris, france, last summer."
c) "She visited Paris, france, last Summer."
d) "She visited Paris, France, last summer."
Which sentence is most formal?
a) "The findings indicate a significant correlation."
b) "The results show a big connection."
c) "It looks like there’s a link."
d) "You can see they’re related."What is the best tone for professional writing?
a) Clear, respectful, and objective
b) Casual and humorous
c) Emotional and opinionated
d) Vague and indirectWhich sentence is inappropriate for academic writing?
a) "The experiment was a total disaster!"
b) "The experiment yielded unexpected results."
c) "The methodology requires refinement."
d) "Further research is warranted."How can this sentence be made more formal: "The guy’s idea was kinda smart."?
a) "The man’s idea was somewhat intelligent."
b) "The dude’s idea was pretty clever."
c) "His idea was kinda brilliant."
d) "The guy had a smart idea."Which sentence best considers the audience?
a) "For a general audience, technical terms should be explained."
b) "Use jargon to impress readers."
c) "Assume the reader knows everything."
d) "Write the same way for all audiences."
What improves logical flow in writing?
a) Using transitions between ideas
b) Jumping between unrelated points
c) Avoiding paragraph breaks
d) Repeating the same sentence structureWhich sentence disrupts coherence?
a) "First, gather materials. Next, follow the steps."
b) "First, gather materials. I like pizza."
c) "First, gather materials. Then, begin the experiment."
d) "First, gather materials. After that, proceed carefully."What is the best transition for contrast?
a) "However"
b) "Furthermore"
c) "Similarly"
d) "Therefore"Which paragraph order is most logical?
a) Introduction → Main Points → Conclusion
b) Conclusion → Introduction → Main Points
c) Main Points → Conclusion → Introduction
d) Random order for creativityHow can this sentence be improved for flow: "He woke up. He brushed his teeth. He left."?
a) "After waking up, he brushed his teeth and left."
b) "He woke up, and he brushed his teeth, and he left."
c) "Waking up, teeth brushed, he left."
d) "He woke up. Then, he brushed his teeth. Finally, he left."What is the best way to conclude an essay?
a) Summarize key points and provide a final thought
b) Introduce a new argument
c) Repeat the introduction word-for-word
d) End abruptlyWhich sentence is ambiguous?
a) "She saw the man with binoculars." (Who had binoculars?)
b) "She used binoculars to see the man."
c) "The man she saw carried binoculars."
d) "Through binoculars, she observed the man."How can this sentence be clarified: "The professor told the student he was brilliant."?
a) "The professor said to the student, 'You are brilliant.'"
b) "The brilliant professor told the student."
c) "He was brilliant, the professor told the student."
d) "The student told the professor he was brilliant."Which sentence avoids ambiguity?
a) "After eating, the dog was fed by the owner."
b) "The dog was fed after the owner ate."
c) "The owner fed the dog after eating." (Ambiguous: Who ate?)
d) "After the owner ate, the dog was fed."What is the issue with: "Visiting relatives can be boring."?
a) Unclear whether "visiting" is a verb or adjective
b) Incorrect verb tense
c) Missing subject
d) No errorWhich revision fixes ambiguity: "The police shot the suspect with a gun."?
a) "The police, using a gun, shot the suspect."
b) "The suspect with a gun was shot by police."
c) "The police shot the gun-carrying suspect."
d) "The gun was used by police to shoot the suspect."
Which sentence emphasizes the deadline?
a) "The report was submitted, though late, by John."
b) "Although John submitted the report, he missed the deadline."
c) "John submitted the report after the deadline passed."
d) "The deadline was missed when John submitted the report."How can emphasis be added to "She won the race"?
a) "Not only did she compete—she won the race!"
b) "She participated and won the race."
c) "The race was won by her."
d) "Winning the race, she succeeded."Which sentence subordinates the less important idea?
a) "While it rained heavily, the game continued." (Emphasizes the game)
b) "The game continued, and it rained heavily."
c) "It rained heavily, but the game continued."
d) "The game continued despite heavy rain."What is the best way to combine these sentences for emphasis on the result?
"He trained daily. He won the championship."
a) "Because he trained daily, he won the championship."
b) "He trained daily, and he won the championship."
c) "He won the championship after training daily."
d) "Training daily led to his championship win."Which sentence buries the key point?
a) "In a surprising turn of events, despite initial setbacks, the team won."
b) "The team won despite initial setbacks."
c) "Against all odds, the team emerged victorious."
d) "The team’s victory was unexpected."
Which sentence lacks parallelism?
a) "She likes hiking, swimming, and to ride bicycles."
b) "She likes hiking, swimming, and riding bicycles."
c) "She enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling."
d) "Her hobbies include hiking, swimming, and biking."Correct the parallelism error: "The plan was creative, practical, and could be implemented easily."
a) "The plan was creative, practical, and easy to implement."
b) "The plan was creative, practical, and implemented easily."
c) "The plan was creative, practical, and it could be implemented easily."
d) "The plan was creative, practical, and easily implemented."Which sentence uses parallel structure?
a) "He aims to finish the project, present it, and celebrate success."
b) "He aims to finish the project, presenting it, and celebrate success."
c) "He aims finishing the project, to present it, and celebrating success."
d) "He aims for finishing the project, presenting it, and to celebrate success."Which phrase is parallel?
a) "Reading books, writing essays, and solving problems"
b) "Reading books, to write essays, and solving problems"
c) "To read books, writing essays, and solved problems"
d) "Books to read, essays writing, problems solving"How can this list be made parallel?
"Her duties include answering calls, to greet visitors, and filing reports."
a) "Her duties include answering calls, greeting visitors, and filing reports."
b) "Her duties include to answer calls, greeting visitors, and filing reports."
c) "Her duties include answering calls, to greet visitors, and reports filing."
d) "Her duties include calls answering, visitors greeting, and reports filing."
Which sentence avoids clichés?
a) "Think outside the box for solutions."
b) "Consider innovative approaches to solve the problem."
c) "At the end of the day, effort matters."
d) "Every cloud has a silver lining."What is the problem with: "The ball is in your court now."?
a) It’s a cliché
b) It’s too formal
c) It’s grammatically incorrect
d) It’s ambiguousWhich sentence replaces jargon for clarity?
a) "The software simplifies data analysis."
b) "The software leverages robust analytics for optimal data parsing." (Jargon-heavy)
c) "The software facilitates ETL processes."
d) "The software is a game-changer for big data."How can this cliché be revised: "Avoid biting off more than you can chew."?
a) "Don’t take on more tasks than you can handle."
b) "Refrain from overcommitting."
c) "Avoid overwhelming yourself."
d) All of the aboveWhich phrase is jargon-free?
a) "The manager explained the new policy clearly."
b) "The manager disseminated the policy framework."
c) "The manager operationalized the new paradigm."
d) "The manager initiated a synergistic policy shift."
What makes a strong essay introduction?
a) A hook, background, and thesis statement
b) A summary of all arguments
c) A lengthy quotation
d) A list of questionsWhich is the best hook for an essay on climate change?
a) "In 2023, global temperatures reached record highs—again."
b) "Climate change is a big problem."
c) "This essay discusses climate change."
d) "Many people worry about the environment."What should a conclusion avoid?
a) Introducing new arguments
b) Restating the thesis
c) Summarizing key points
d) Ending with a thought-provoking statementWhich conclusion is most effective?
a) "While challenges remain, renewable energy offers a viable path to a sustainable future."
b) "That’s all I have to say about renewable energy."
c) "Renewable energy is good for the environment."
d) "In conclusion, renewable energy is important."How can this introduction be improved?
"This essay is about social media. It has pros and cons."
a) "While social media connects billions, its impact on mental health is increasingly controversial."
b) "Social media is popular but has drawbacks."
c) "Let’s talk about social media’s good and bad sides."
d) "Many people use social media every day."
Which sentence is persuasive without being aggressive?
a) "Evidence suggests that recycling programs reduce waste significantly."
b) "Only fools ignore recycling!"
c) "Recycling is obviously the best option."
d) "You must recycle, or you’re part of the problem."What tone is appropriate for a formal proposal?
a) Professional and evidence-based
b) Casual and humorous
c) Emotional and urgent
d) Vague and indirectWhich sentence uses a respectful tone?
a) "We appreciate your consideration of our proposal."
b) "You’d better approve this proposal."
c) "This proposal is clearly the best choice."
d) "We demand a response by Friday."How can this sentence be made more diplomatic?
"Your report is full of errors."
a) "The report could benefit from further revision."
b) "Your report has many mistakes."
c) "This report is unacceptable."
d) "You didn’t proofread well enough."Which phrase softens criticism?
a) "It might be helpful to clarify this point."
b) "This section is confusing and poorly written."
c) "You failed to explain this properly."
d) "This makes no sense."Which sentence contains a hasty generalization?
a) "Some cats are aloof; therefore, all cats are unfriendly."
b) "After trying one brand, I concluded all similar products are inferior."
c) "My neighbor's dog barks, so all dogs must be noisy."
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What logical error appears in: "If we allow students to redo this test, soon they'll want to redo every assignment"?
a) False analogy
b) Slippery slope
c) Ad hominem
d) Straw man
Answer: b) Slippery slope
Which sentence demonstrates circular reasoning?
a) "The law is fair because it's just."
b) "She's trustworthy because she never lies."
c) "This policy works because it's effective."
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What is the most effective combination of these sentences:
"The experiment failed. The equipment was faulty. The results were inconclusive."
a) "The experiment failed because the equipment was faulty, making results inconclusive."
b) "Due to faulty equipment, the failed experiment yielded inconclusive results."
c) "The experiment failed when faulty equipment produced inconclusive results."
d) All are equally effective
Answer: d) All are equally effective
Which combined version maintains the original meaning most precisely?
Original: "He studied hard. He wanted to succeed. The exam was difficult."
a) "Although the exam was difficult, he studied hard because he wanted to succeed."
b) "Wanting to succeed, he studied hard for the difficult exam."
c) "He studied hard for the difficult exam as he wanted to succeed."
d) All maintain the original meaning
Answer: d) All maintain the original meaning
Which word best completes this sentence for academic writing:
"The data _____ a correlation between the variables."
a) shows
b) indicates
c) proves
d) suggests
Answer: d) suggests
Choose the most precise verb:
"The speaker _____ his point with three examples."
a) made
b) showed
c) illustrated
d) emphasized
Answer: c) illustrated
Which sentence uses anaphora effectively?
a) "We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields."
b) "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
c) "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What rhetorical device is used in: "The pen is mightier than the sword"?
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Synecdoche
d) Metonymy
Answer: d) Metonymy
Which practice violates ethical writing standards?
a) Using selective evidence to support your argument
b) Failing to acknowledge counterarguments
c) Presenting speculation as fact
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What is the ethical problem with "patchwriting"?
a) It's a form of plagiarism
b) It shows poor writing skills
c) It misrepresents sources
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Which element is crucial in persuasive writing but less important in expository writing?
a) Clear thesis
b) Emotional appeal
c) Evidence
d) Logical organization
Answer: b) Emotional appeal
What distinguishes academic writing from journalistic writing?
a) Use of passive voice
b) Depth of analysis
c) Objectivity
d) All of the above
Answer: b) Depth of analysis
Which sentence uses the dash correctly?
a) "The results—unexpected as they were—changed our approach."
b) "Three factors—cost, time, and quality—determined our decision."
c) "We reconsidered—the evidence demanded it—our initial hypothesis."
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
When should a semicolon be used instead of a comma?
a) To separate items in a complex list
b) To join independent clauses without a conjunction
c) To introduce a quotation
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
Section 24: Writing for Digital Media
What principle is most important for online writing?
a) Formality
b) Brevity
c) Complexity
d) Passive voice
Answer: b) Brevity
How does digital writing typically differ from print writing?
a) More use of bullet points
b) Shorter paragraphs
c) More subheadings
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What is the most effective editing strategy for improving clarity?
a) Reading aloud
b) Using grammar checkers
c) Peer review
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Which technique helps identify wordiness?
a) Eliminating "to be" verbs
b) Searching for prepositional phrases
c) Highlighting adverbs
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Section 26: Writing for International Audiences
What should writers avoid for international readers?
a) Idioms
b) Cultural references
c) Complex sentence structures
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Which practice improves readability for non-native speakers?
a) Using simple sentence structures
b) Defining technical terms
c) Avoiding humor
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
How does scientific writing typically differ from humanities writing?
a) More use of passive voice
b) Greater emphasis on objectivity
c) Less use of first-person pronouns
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Which element is more important in humanities writing?
a) Thesis development
b) Interpretive analysis
c) Voice
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should an academic abstract always include?
a) Research methodology
b) Key findings
c) Implications
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should be avoided in abstracts?
a) Citations
b) Jargon
c) Background information
d) Both a and b
Answer: d) Both a and b
What is essential in a grant proposal?
a) Clear objectives
b) Detailed budget
c) Evaluation plan
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should be avoided in proposals?
a) Exaggerated claims
b) Vague timelines
c) Unsubstantiated needs
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What distinguishes a good literature review?
a) Synthesis of sources
b) Critical analysis
c) Identification of gaps
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should be avoided in literature reviews?
a) Annotated bibliography style
b) Over-reliance on secondary sources
c) Lack of organization
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What do journal editors typically look for?
a) Originality
b) Methodological rigor
c) Clear writing
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What is the most common reason for manuscript rejection?
a) Poor writing quality
b) Lack of originality
c) Methodological flaws
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Section 32: Writing Book Reviews
What should academic book reviews emphasize?
a) The book's contribution to the field
b) Strengths and weaknesses
c) Relation to other works
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should be avoided in book reviews?
a) Excessive summary
b) Personal attacks
c) Unsubstantiated claims
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What makes an effective personal statement?
a) Specific examples
b) Clear motivation
c) Authentic voice
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should be avoided in personal statements?
a) Clichés
b) Exaggeration
c) Generic statements
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What is essential in technical writing?
a) Precision
b) Consistency
c) Accessibility
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What should technical writers avoid?
a) Ambiguity
b) Jargon without definition
c) Complex sentence structures
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What facilitates accurate translation?
a) Simple sentence structures
b) Cultural neutrality
c) Consistent terminology
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
What complicates translation?
a) Wordplay
b) Cultural references
c) Idioms
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
How is digital technology changing writing?
a) Increasing multimedia integration
b) Encouraging shorter forms
c) Changing citation practices
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
0 Comments