Take this Quiz: AP Lang — style, syntax and revision | Zestly

Question 1

The report on the local dam project reads: 'The engineers surveyed the site for three weeks. They mapped the riverbed and the surrounding topography. They identified the primary fault lines. They failed.' What is the rhetorical effect of the final short sentence?

Accepted Answer

It creates a jarring sense of finality that emphasises the unexpected collapse of the project.

Answer

It serves to balance the rhythm of the paragraph by matching the length of the preceding sentences.

Answer

It provides a summary of the previous three sentences to ensure the reader understands the conclusion.

Answer

It functions as a transition to a new paragraph about the financial costs of the failure.

Question 2

A report has two facts to place in one sentence: a fire damaged the equipment, and the researcher delayed the experiment. The report is an account of the researcher's decisions. Which version puts the right fact in the main clause?

Accepted Answer

After the fire damaged the equipment, the researcher delayed the experiment.

Answer

The fire damaged the equipment, which delayed the experiment.

Answer

The equipment was damaged by the fire, and the experiment was delayed.

Answer

The researcher delayed the experiment, and the fire damaged the equipment.

Question 3

A student writes: 'The committee values honesty, being punctual, and that members should be reliable.' Which revision fixes the parallelism?

Accepted Answer

The committee values honesty, punctuality, and reliability.

Answer

The committee values honesty, being punctual, and being reliable.

Answer

The committee values honesty, to be punctual, and reliability.

Answer

The committee values honesty, punctuality, and they want reliability.

Question 4

A report states: 'The decision was made to close the library at midnight.' Why is this passive construction potentially problematic in a formal report?

Answer

It makes the sentence too long and difficult to read.

Answer

It creates a tone that is too informal for a report.

Answer

It forces the reader to focus on the library rather than the time.

Answer

It obscures the identity of the decision-makers, avoiding accountability.

Question 5

A memoir reads: 'The implementation of the plan by the team resulted in the achievement of success.' Which revision restores the verbs to improve clarity?

Answer

The plan was implemented by the team, and success was achieved.

Answer

The team achieved success by implementing the plan.

Answer

The team implemented the plan and achieved success.

Answer

Success was achieved by the team implementing the plan.