Question 1

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Spain is considered to be the fourth largest country in the euro zone.
A)is considered to be
B)is considered as
C)is
D)are

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "is"
Wordy phrases can affect sentence clarity. Omitting "considered to be" does not change the sentence's intended meaning. Since Spain is one country, "is" is the appropriate form of "to be" to use in the sentence.

Question 2

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Private debt becoming public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.
A)Private debt becoming public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.
B)Private debt becoming public debt, because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.
C)Private debt is becoming public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.
D)Private debt is public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Private debt is becoming public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability."
Without a proper verb before "becoming," the original sentence is actually a sentence fragment. "Is" can act as helping verb, and combining it with "becoming" creates a complete sentence.

Question 3

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The conflict between India and Pakistan dates back to the 1940's when they both gained their independence from Great Britain.
A)1940's
B)1940s
C)1940s'v
D)1940

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "1940s"
Years listed in sentences do not require apostrophes. Since "1940" refers to a specific year, an s added to the end of the year indicates a range within that decade.

Question 4

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
In total there have been four wars between the two countries.
A)In total there have been four wars between the two countries.
B)In total, there have been four wars, between the two countries.
C)In total, there have been four wars between the two countries.
D)In total; there have been four wars between the two countries.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "In total, there have been four wars between the two countries."
A comma is needed to set off the introductory phrase "In total" from the main part of the sentence. A comma is unnecessary after "wars," and a semicolon does not properly complete the sentence.

Question 5

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
At the center of the controversy is Jammu and Kashmir (a territory both nations claim).
A)Kashmir (a territory both nations claim).
B)Kashmir, (a territory both nations claim).
C)Kashmir - (a territory both nations claim).
D)Kashmir; (a territory both nations claim).

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Kashmir (a territory both nations claim)."
Parenthesis can be used to surround information that provides an explanation. No punctuation, such as a comma, dash, or semicolon, is necessary before the parenthesis.

Question 6

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Unemployment and social unrest have undermined the government's position also.
A)have undermined the government's position also.
B)undermined the government's position also.
C)have undermined the government's position.
D)have also undermined the government's position.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "have also undermined the government's position."
In the original sentence, "also" is not in the proper position. Since "also" indicates that there are other ways the government's position has been undermined, the best position for the adverb is before the verb it modifies.

Question 7

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Because job prospects is lacking, millions of people are leaving Spain.
A)is
B)its
C)was
D)are

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "are"
The verb "is" does not agree with the subject "job prospects." Since the subject is plural, "are" is the appropriate form of the verb to use.

Question 8

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
It is crucial for the Spanish government to show it has control over country.
A)over country
B)over the country
C)over a country
D)over an country

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "over the country"
The original sentence lacks the proper article. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles and refer to nonspecific nouns. Since country refers to Spain - "the" - which is the definite article, is the appropriate article to use in this sentence.

Question 9

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The government has requested loans to help their banks, but the government has not been able to repay the money.
A)the government
B)they
C)it
D)its

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "it"
Using "the government" two times in a sentence is redundant. Replace "the government" with the proper pronoun will eliminate the redundancy. "It" is a single pronoun that can represent "government."

Question 10

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Although Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, only a small percentage of the land is arable.
A)Although Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, only a small percentage of the land is arable.
B)Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, and only a small percentage of the land is arable.
C)Since Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, only a small percentage of the land is arable.
D)Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, so only a small percentage of the land is arable.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, and only a small percentage of the land is arable."
The conjunctions "although," "since," and "so" imply a relationship behind the mineral and petroleum deposits and the arable land - land that is suitable for farming. "And" joins two independent clauses that address separate features of Egypt.

Question 11

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Some Egyptians work in agriculture, producing corn, fruit, rice, cotton and barley near the Nile Valley and Nile River Delta.
A)producing corn, fruit, rice, cotton and barley
B)producing corn;fruit; rice; cotton; and barley
C)producing: corn, fruit, rice, cotton and barley
D)producing corn, fruit, rice, cotton, and barley

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "producing corn, fruit, rice, cotton, and barley"
Use a comma in a sentence with a series of three or more words to avoid ambiguity. Semicolons are inappropriate in this sentence. Avoid using a colon after a verb in a sentence that includes a list.

Question 12

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves and remain unemployed and live in poverty.
A)Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves and remain unemployed and live in poverty.
B)Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves, and remain unemployed and live in poverty.
C)Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves. They will remain unemployed and will live in poverty.
D)Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves; and will remain unemployed and will live in poverty.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves. They will remain unemployed and will live in poverty."
The initial sentence is too long, which can lead to reader confusion. Separating it into two different sentences adds clarity to the intended meaning. An additional comma or a semicolon does not add clarity.

Question 13

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Many tourists fear terrorism and of being targeted by religious political parties.
A)of being targeted
B)of targets
C)agendas
D)attacks

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "attacks"
"Being targeted" indicates the passive voice. Using the active voice can make a sentence more concise. "Agendas" does not fit within the context of the sentence. "Attacks" relates to terrorism and places emphasis on what the tourists fear.

Question 14

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
President Morsi is currently seeking to get foreign investment and businesses to Egypt in order to begin mending the economy.
A)get
B)attract
C)find
D)encourage

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "attract"
"Get" and "find" are both synonymous with "going after something." "Encourage" has a similar meaning to "inspire," but the sentence would need additional wording for "encourage" to fit within the context of the sentence. "Attract" - meaning "to draw in" - is the best word to use in this sentence.

Question 15

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
He does face opposition from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces since they have put limitations on the authority of the president and other elected officials.
A)they have
B)they has
C)it have
D)it has

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "it has"
Since there is one Supreme Council of the Armed Force, the singular pronoun "it" is the appropriate form to use in this sentence. The verb "has" agrees with the subject "it."

Question 16

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
One of Egypts' most profitable revenues was tourism, but the industry has suffered due to the revolution.
A)Egypts'
B)Egypts's
C)Egypt's
D)Egypts

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Egypt's"
An apostrophe can indicate possession. For a single noun, insert the apostrophe and an s after the noun. For plural nouns, insert the apostrophe after the s. Egypt refers to a single country, the apostrophe and the s should appear after the country's name.

Question 17

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m.
A)December 7, 1941
B)December 7, 1941,
C)December 7 1941
D)December, 7, 1941

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "December 7, 1941,"
Insert commas after the day and after the year when listing a date in a sentence. A comma after the month is unnecessary.

Question 18

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The commander in chief of Japan's fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto believed that attacking Pearl Harbor would allow Japan to rebuild its defenses.
A)Japan's fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto believed
B)Japan's fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto believed
C)Japan's fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, believed
D)Japan's fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, believed

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Japan's fleet, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, believed"
"Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto" is an appositive because it is the proper noun identifying the "commander in chief." Using commas before and after the appositive properly completes the sentence.

Question 19

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
He plans the attack on Pearl Harbor with considerable care and trained his men extensively.
A)He plans the attack
B)He planned the attack
C)He is planning the attack
D)He will plan the attack

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "He planned the attack"
Since this event already occurred, the past tense form of the verb "plan" can properly complete this sentence. "Plans," "is planning," and "will plan" indicate present and future tenses. "Planned" is the past tense form.

Question 20

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
On the day of the attack three cruisers, two tankers, two battleships, six aircraft carriers, and nine destroyers sailed to a point north of Hawaii.
A)On the day of the attack three cruisers
B)On the day, of the attack three cruisers
C)On the day of the attack, three cruisers
D)On the day of the attack; three cruisers

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "On the day of the attack, three cruisers"
A comma is needed to set off the introductory phrase "On the day of the attack" from the main part of the sentence. A comma is unnecessary after "day," and a semicolon does not properly complete the sentence.

Quiz 19: Composition

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Spain is considered to be the fourth largest country in the euro zone.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Private debt becoming public debt because of the lack of steady growth and credit availability.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The conflict between India and Pakistan dates back to the 1940's when they both gained their independence from Great Britain.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. In total there have been four wars between the two countries.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. At the center of the controversy is Jammu and Kashmir (a territory both nations claim) .

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Unemployment and social unrest have undermined the government's position also.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Because job prospects is lacking, millions of people are leaving Spain.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. It is crucial for the Spanish government to show it has control over country.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The government has requested loans to help their banks, but the government has not been able to repay the money.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Although Egypt is rich in mineral and petroleum deposits, only a small percentage of the land is arable.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Some Egyptians work in agriculture, producing corn, fruit, rice, cotton and barley near the Nile Valley and Nile River Delta.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Until Morsi creates jobs and increases income, many people, especially youths, will be unable to support themselves and remain unemployed and live in poverty.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Many tourists fear terrorism and of being targeted by religious political parties.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. President Morsi is currently seeking to get foreign investment and businesses to Egypt in order to begin mending the economy.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. He does face opposition from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces since they have put limitations on the authority of the president and other elected officials.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. One of Egypts' most profitable revenues was tourism, but the industry has suffered due to the revolution.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The commander in chief of Japan's fleet Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto believed that attacking Pearl Harbor would allow Japan to rebuild its defenses.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. He plans the attack on Pearl Harbor with considerable care and trained his men extensively.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. On the day of the attack three cruisers, two tankers, two battleships, six aircraft carriers, and nine destroyers sailed to a point north of Hawaii.