Question 1

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971.
A)reverted back
B)reverting back
C)reverted
D)reversion

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "reverted"
Redundant words can affect sentence clarity. "Reverted" means to return to something, therefore, using it with "back" results in a redundant phrase. Using "reverted" is appropriate for this sentence.

Question 2

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location.
A)islands
B)islands'
C)islands's
D)island's

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "islands'"
An apostrophe can show the possessive case of nouns by using an apostrophe and s. An apostrophe after the s can indicate a plural noun or a noun that ends in s.Since the passage refers to more than one island, the plural form of the word should have an apostrophe after s.

Question 3

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s.
A)have been locked
B)are locked
C)will be locked
D)had been locked

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "have been locked"
Using the present perfect tense - "have been" - indicates that an event has happened in the past and is not complete. China and Japan are still disputing the territory, so they disputed it in the past and continue to dispute it.

Question 4

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Food manufacturers argue that the bill is unnecessary because GMO are safe.
A)Food manufacturers argue
B)Food manufacturers argues
C)Food manufacturer argue
D)Food manufacturer argues

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Food manufacturers argue"
Since the passage refers to more than one manufacturer, the plural form of the noun is appropriate. "Argue" agrees with the plural "manufacturers."

Question 5

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe.
A)Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe.
B)Genetically modified food corporations point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe.
C)Corporations point to hundreds of studies that show genetically modified foods are safe.
D)Food corporations argue that hundreds of studies that show that they are safe.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Corporations point to hundreds of studies that show genetically modified foods are safe."
Wordiness can affect sentence clarity and cause confusion. Setting aside unnecessary words and phrases can strengthen a sentence. "Genetically modified" describes the food and not the corporations. The term is a necessary part of the sentence because it indicates which foods are safe.

Question 6

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The result of the ballot initiative will reverberate throughout the nation.
A)reverberate
B)demonstrate
C)influence
D)surprise

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "reverberate"
"Demonstrate" can mean to show, which does not fit within the context of the sentence. The meanings of "influence" and "surprise" are also inappropriate. "Reverberate" fits best within the sentence because it implies the decision will have an effect on other states.

Question 7

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people.
A)Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is
B)Etiquette, that is sometimes unwritten is
C)Etiquette, that is sometimes unwritten, is
D)Etiquette which is sometimes unwritten is

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is"
The clause "which is sometimes unwritten" includes relevant information, but is not needed to complete the sentence. Therefore, it is a non-restrictive clause and should be offset by commas at the beginning and at the end of the phrase. "Which" is a pronoun used with non-restrictive clauses. Generally, "that" is a part of a restrictive clause.

Question 8

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Some people believe that the genetic modification of foods effects safety.
A)effects
B)effect
C)affect
D)affects

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "affects"
"Affect" is a verb meaning "to influence." "Effect" is a noun meaning "result." A verb is necessary between "foods" and "safety" to properly complete the sentence. "Affects" agrees with the singular subject "modification."

Question 9

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
They believe labeling will drive food costs and will confuse consumers.
A)drive
B)hamper
C)increase
D)enforce

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "increase"
"Drive" can mean to direct in a particular direction. One of the meanings of "hamper" is to "hold back," which is inappropriate based on the context of the passage. "Enforce" implies that the law will apply to food cost. "Increase" fits best within the sentence because it means to "expand or make larger."

Question 10

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Genetic modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration of genetic material through processes not found in nature.
A)modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration
B)modification, also called genetic engineering, is the alteration
C)modification, also called genetic engineering, are the alteration
D)modification, also called genetic engineering, were the alteration

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "modification, also called genetic engineering, is the alteration"
The original sentence is missing a verb in order to properly complete the sentence. Since "modification" is a singular noun, the verb should also be singular. "Is" is a singular verb form of "to be."

Question 11

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Scientists use genetically modified organisms to protect crops. add variety to certain foods.
A)protect crops. add variety
B)protect crops and add variety
C)protect crops to add variety

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "protect crops and add variety"
The original sentence has an inappropriate period that results in a complete sentences and a sentence fragment. The coordinating conjunction "and" properly joins the two clauses.

Question 12

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Some countries such as the United States have ample sources of water.
A)countries such as the United States
B)countries, such as the United States
C)countries, such as the United States,
D)countries, such as the United States;

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "countries, such as the United States,"
Commas can be used before and after non-essential phrases. These parenthetical expressions can be set aside and not change the meaning of a sentence. The United States is listed as an example. If the country is set aside, it would not change the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, that phrase can be set off by commas.

Question 13

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
As water resources dwindle, competition for available sources rose.
A)rose
B)rises
C)risen
D)raised

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "rises"
The present tense verb "dwindle" is inconsistent with the past tense verb "rose." Generally, the verbs in the sentence should have the same tense. "Risen" indicates the perfect and subjunctive tenses and "raised" is a past tense form of "raise." "Rises" is a present tense form that is consistent with "dwindle."

Question 14

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Nations may claim rights to a particular body of fresh water or they may plan to build dams and other projects on rivers.
A)fresh water or they may
B)fresh water. Or, they may
C)fresh water; or they may
D)fresh water, or they may

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "fresh water, or they may"
Commas are used before coordinating clauses such as "or" in sentences with two independent clauses. Periods and semicolons are inappropriate types of punctuation to use with this sentence. Since the clause after "or" can stand alone as a sentence, a comma is needed before the conjunction.

Question 15

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
As a result, drinkable water has become a region of conflict that could eventually lead to greater hostilities between nations.
A)region
B)source
C)place
D)course

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "source"
"Region" refers to a part or section and does not fit within the context of the sentence. "Place" and "conflict" are also inappropriate. "Source" can mean "origin" or "cause," which does help convey the sentence's meaning because drinkable water is the "cause" of conflict.

Question 16

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Accounting for fresh water locked in glaciers, icecaps, or otherwise inaccessible, the water humans have is less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water available for human consumption.
A)the water humans have is less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water available for human consumption.
B)less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water, is available for human consumption.
C)humans can only consume less than a tenth of a percent of the Earth's water.
D)the amount of water available for human consumption is less than a tenth of a percent.

Accepted Answer

Wordy sentences can affect sentence clarity. A comma is unnecessary between "water" and "is." Stating that "humans can only consume" implies that the water is not available for other uses. Beginning the clause with "the amount of water available…" maintains the meaning of the sentence while setting aside unnecessary and repetitious words.

Question 17

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Pollution, population growth, and wasteful irrigation practices they are contributing to a worldwide water shortage.
A)they are contributing
B)are contributing
C)they were contributing
D)have been contributing

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "are contributing"
"Are contributing" indicates the present continuous form, which expresses something that is currently happening. The pronoun "they" is unnecessary and affects the sentence's clarity. Since the factors causing water shortages are ongoing, past tense forms of verbs are inappropriate.

Question 18

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
When the clear precious liquid becomes scarce, countries begin to assert claims on fresh water supplies.
A)the clear precious liquid
B)the clear precious, liquid
C)the clear, precious liquid
D)the clear, precious, liquid

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "the clear, precious liquid"
A comma is needed to separate the adjectives "clear" and "precious." A comma after "precious" is unnecessary.

Question 19

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
If two or more nations which disagree on water rights or building projects, conflicts can emerge.
A)If two or more nations which disagree
B)If two or more nations, which disagree
C)If two or more nations disagree
D)If two or more nations that disagree

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "If two or more nations disagree"
Although the pronouns "which" and "that" can represent "two or more nations," they are unnecessary to convey the intended meaning of the sentence. Setting aside "which" clarifies the sentence's meaning.

Question 20

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895.
A)uninhabited islands and controlled them
B)uninhabited islands. And controlled them
C)uninhabited islands, and controlled them
D)uninhabited islands; and controlled them

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "uninhabited islands and controlled them"
Commas are used before coordinating clauses such as "and" in sentences with two independent clauses. Periods and semicolons are inappropriate types of punctuation to use with this sentence. Since the clause after "and" cannot stand alone as a sentence, no punctuation is needed before the conjunction.

Quiz 19: Composition

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. That authority reverted back to Japan in 1971.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. In 1969, the United Nations reported that there was a possibility of large oil reserves in the East China Sea near the islands location.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. China and Japan have been locked in a territorial dispute since the 1970s.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Food manufacturers argue that the bill is unnecessary because GMO are safe.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Corporations that produce genetically modified foods point to hundreds of studies that show that they are safe.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The result of the ballot initiative will reverberate throughout the nation.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Etiquette, which is sometimes unwritten, is a code that governs the expectations of social behavior of people.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Some people believe that the genetic modification of foods effects safety.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. They believe labeling will drive food costs and will confuse consumers.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Genetic modification, also called genetic engineering, the alteration of genetic material through processes not found in nature.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Scientists use genetically modified organisms to protect crops. add variety to certain foods.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Some countries such as the United States have ample sources of water.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. As water resources dwindle, competition for available sources rose.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Nations may claim rights to a particular body of fresh water or they may plan to build dams and other projects on rivers.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. As a result, drinkable water has become a region of conflict that could eventually lead to greater hostilities between nations.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Pollution, population growth, and wasteful irrigation practices they are contributing to a worldwide water shortage.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. When the clear precious liquid becomes scarce, countries begin to assert claims on fresh water supplies.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. If two or more nations which disagree on water rights or building projects, conflicts can emerge.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. China asserts that they discovered the eight uninhabited islands and controlled them until the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1895.