Question 1

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. Before the war, Japan incorporated the islands into their territory.
A)Before the war
B)During the war
C)Through the war
D)After the war

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "After the war"
It is important for sentences to follow a logical order. The preceding sentence states that China controlled the lands until the "end" of the war. Logically, Japan would incorporate the islands after the war ended, not before, through, or during the war.

Question 2

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II.
A)control
B)controls
C)controlling
D)controlled

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "controlled"
Since the sentence refers to an event that has already occurred, the past tense form of the verb "control" is necessary to properly complete the sentence. "Controlled" is the past tense form of "control."

Question 3

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands.
A)Both nations claims sovereignty
B)Both nations claim sovereignty
C)Both nations claimed sovereignty
D)Both nations will claim sovereignty

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Both nations claim sovereignty"
The verb should agree with the subject. The plural noun "nations" agrees with "claim." The past tense and future tense forms of the verb are inappropriate with this sentence.

Question 4

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
In order to combat this issue many countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions.
A)In order to combat this issue many
B)In order to combat this issue, many
C)In order to combat this issue: many
D)In order to combat this issue; many

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "In order to combat this issue, many"
A comma is needed to set off the introductory phrase "In order to combat this issue" from the main part of the sentence that begins with "many." Colons and semicolons are inappropriate types of punctuation for this sentence.

Question 5

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations.
A)There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations.
B)There are a group of islands, located in the East China Sea, that are the subject of a dispute between two nations.
C)A group of islands located in the East China Sea that is the subject of a dispute.
D)A group of islands located in the East China Sea is the subject of a dispute between two nations.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "A group of islands located in the East China Sea is the subject of a dispute between two nations."
Wordiness can affect sentence clarity and cause confusion. Setting aside unnecessary words and phrases can strengthen a sentence. Removing inappropriate commas and "there are" and "that" do not change the sentence's meaning. The phrase "between two nations" is necessary because it tells readers "who" is disputing the islands.

Question 6

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as Senkaku.
A)Diaoyu; in Japan
B)Diaoyu. in Japan
C)Diaoyu, in Japan
D)Diaoyu: in Japan

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Diaoyu; in Japan"
Semicolons can separate two independent clauses - clauses that can stand alone as sentences - that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. A period can also separate two independent clauses, but the first letter in the following sentence should be capitalized. A comma or colon is inappropriate for this sentence.

Question 7

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people of the Congo have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values.
A)With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people
B)With over 200 ethnic groups represented, the people
C)With over 200 ethnic groups represented. The people
D)With over 200 ethnic groups represented; the people

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "With over 200 ethnic groups represented, the people"
A comma is needed to separate the introductory phrase "With over 200 ethnic groups represented" from the main part of the sentence. A period or semicolon is inappropriate punctuation to use with this sentence.

Question 8

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Thousand of new visitors come to the country each year.
A)Thousand
B)Many thousand
C)There are thousands
D)Hundreds of thousands

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Hundreds of thousands"
"Thousand" indicates one thousand, which does not fit within the context of the sentence. Using "there are thousands" results in a grammatically incorrect sentence. "Hundreds of thousands" properly reflects the number of visitors traveling to Belize.

Question 9

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Many factors, including the climate, fishing, the Mayan's ruins, and the world's second longest barrier reef support the growth of tourism.
A)the Mayan's ruins
B)the Mayans's ruins
C)the Mayan ruins
D)the Mayans' ruins

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "the Mayan ruins"
"Mayan" should act as adjective in this sentence because it describes the ruins. An apostrophe, which is used to show possession, is unnecessary to properly complete this sentence.

Question 10

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Building infrastructure and developing oil reserves is becoming increasingly important to the economy.
A)is
B)are
C)was
D)were

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "are"
"Infrastructure" and "oil reserves" refer to more than one thing. Therefore, a plural form of "to be" is necessary to properly complete the sentence. "Becoming" indicates that something is presently happening and will continue to happen so "are" is the appropriate verb form to use in this sentence.

Question 11

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
In Belize tourism has become one of the fastest growing sources of employment and income.
A)In Belize tourism has become
B)In Belize, tourism has become
C)In Belize tourism, has become
D)In Belize tourism has become,

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "In Belize, tourism has become"
A comma is needed to separate the introductory phrase "In Belize" from the main part of the sentence. Commas are unnecessary after "tourism" and "become."

Question 12

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Unemployment is considered to be a problem even though inflation is considerably low.
A)is considered to be
B)is likely
C)is
D)should be

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "is"
Setting aside excess words in a sentence can enhance sentence clarity. Removing the phrase "considered to be" does not change the intended meaning of the sentence. "Likely" is an unnecessary word and "should be" does not fit within the context of the sentence.

Question 13

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Belize grows four main crops: cacao, sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits.
A)Belize grows four main crops: cacao, sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits.
B)Belize grows four main crops: cacao; sugar; bananas; and citrus fruits.
C)Belize grows four main crops; cacao, sugar, bananas and citrus fruits.
D)Belize grows four main crops. Cacao, sugar, bananas and citrus fruits.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Belize grows four main crops: cacao, sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits."
Colons can be used before lists in sentences. In the original sentence, the colon is properly used before the list of crops. Semi-colons are inappropriate for this sentence. Using a period instead of a colon creates a complete sentence and a sentence fragment.

Question 14

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Main cash crop for Belize was sugar, but in recent years, citrus fruits have become the leading source of crop income.
A)Main cash crop
B)A main cash crop
C)The main cash crop
D)An main cash crop

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "The main cash crop"
The sentence should begin with the definitive article "the" because "cash crop" refers to a one specific thing - sugar. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles.

Question 15

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Another important source of income for Belize is the influx of money from the Belizean's that work abroad.
A)Belizean's
B)Belizeans's
C)Belizeans'
D)Belizeans

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "Belizeans"
An apostrophe can show possession. "Belizeans" does not need an apostrophe because it is the plural form of Belizean and not possessive.

Question 16

Choose the most logical order of sentences from this paragraph. If you think the original order is best, choose option A.
[1] In late January 2011, protests broke out in Cairo, Egypt because of anger over corruption, high food prices, unemployment rates, and the government's repression of its citizens. [2] After the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces gained control, it implements plans for a more democratic government. [3] The prolonged demonstrations led to the ouster of longtime president Hosni Mubarak.
A)1, 2, 3
B)3, 1, 2
C)1, 3, 2
D)2, 3, 1

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "1, 3, 2"
The protests led to a result. The Supreme Council gained control after an event. The result or event that connects those sentences is the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. Therefore, the logical order of the sentences is 1, 3, 2.

Question 17

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The economy in Egypt has suffered due to the fact that there was a political upheaval caused by the revolution and the removal of President Mubarak.
A)due to the fact that
B)due to
C)because
D)through

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "because"
Wordiness can affect sentence clarity. Using "due to" or "through" will make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Inserting the conjunction "because" maintains the meaning of the sentence while setting aside unnecessary words.

Question 18

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has offered a loan to the government during the transition period. However, the IMF released a statement in April 2012 stating that it would withhold the loan because of concerns of instability.
A)has offered
B)have offered
C)offers
D)offered

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "offered"
"Has offered" and "have offered" indicate the present perfect tense - an action in the past that continues into the present. Since the IMF stated that it was withholding the loan, it is not currently offering the loan. "Offers" is a present tense form of "offer." The past tense form of the verb, "offered," fits best within the context of the sentence.

Question 19

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
After the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces gained control, it implements plans for a more democratic government. Mohamed Morsi became the first democratically elected and Islamic president in June 2012.
A)gained control, it implements plans
B)gains control, it implements plans
C)gained controls, it implements plans
D)gained control, it implemented plans

Accepted Answer

The best choice is "gained control, it implemented plans"
In the original sentence, the past tense verb "continued" and the present tense verb "implements" creates faulty parallelism. The verbs in the sentence should have the same tense. Since an event - the election of Mohamed Morsi - occurred after the Supreme Council took control, the verbs in the first sentence should convey something that happened in the past. "Implemented" is the past tense form of "implement."

Question 20

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A.
Belize, who was known as British Honduras, was a British colony from 1862 to 1981 when it assumed its independence.
A)who was known as British Honduras
B)known as British Honduras
C)which was known as British Honduras
D)was known as British Honduras

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose the answer which best rewords the...

Quiz 19: Composition

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Japan control the disputed East China Sea islands until World War II.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Both nations claims sovereignty over the islands.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. In order to combat this issue many countries are adopting water conservation and security solutions.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. There are a group of islands located in the East China Sea that are the subject of a dispute between two nations.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. China calls the islands Diaoyu; in Japan, they are known as Senkaku.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. With over 200 ethnic groups represented the people of the Congo have a wide variety of customs, traditions, and values.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Thousand of new visitors come to the country each year.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Many factors, including the climate, fishing, the Mayan's ruins, and the world's second longest barrier reef support the growth of tourism.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Building infrastructure and developing oil reserves is becoming increasingly important to the economy.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. In Belize tourism has become one of the fastest growing sources of employment and income.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Unemployment is considered to be a problem even though inflation is considerably low.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Belize grows four main crops: cacao, sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Main cash crop for Belize was sugar, but in recent years, citrus fruits have become the leading source of crop income.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Another important source of income for Belize is the influx of money from the Belizean's that work abroad.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. The economy in Egypt has suffered due to the fact that there was a political upheaval caused by the revolution and the removal of President Mubarak.

Choose the answer which best rewords the italicized portion. If you think the original wording is best, choose option A. Belize, who was known as British Honduras, was a British colony from 1862 to 1981 when it assumed its independence.