Style, tone and word choice (ACT English)

Question 1

A eulogy for a beloved teacher: "Mr Osei was okay and stuff and people kind of liked him." Which revision best suits the occasion?

• A. Mr Osei was a teacher who taught.
• B. Mr Osei? Yeah, decent guy.
• C. Mr Osei's patience and humour shaped the lives of countless students.
• D. Mr Osei was okay and people liked him, mostly.

Question 2

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

• A. The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• B. We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.
• C. The drug definitely cures all patients.
• D. Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.

Question 3

A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal?

• A. Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.
• B. People were there. Food was there too.
• C. The market had people in it, plus food.
• D. There were many people and also some food items.

Question 4

A report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise?

• A. The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.
• B. The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff.
• C. The charity helped many families with things.
• D. The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff.

Question 5

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

• A. The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• B. The drug definitely cures all patients.
• C. Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.
• D. We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.

Question 6

A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal?

• A. There were many people and also some food items.
• B. People were there. Food was there too.
• C. Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.
• D. The market had people in it, plus food.

Question 7

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

• A. Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.
• B. The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• C. We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.
• D. The drug definitely cures all patients.

Question 8

An academic essay reads: "The study's methodology was, like, super solid, so its conclusions are pretty legit." Which revision best matches the essay's formal tone?

• A. The study's methodology was totally awesome, so its conclusions rock.
• B. The study's methodology was rigorous, so its conclusions are credible.
• C. The study's methodology was solid-ish, so its conclusions are kind of fine.
• D. The methodology? Solid. The conclusions? Legit.

Question 9

A report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise?

• A. The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.
• B. The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff.
• C. The charity helped many families with things.
• D. The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff.

Question 10

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

• A. Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.
• B. The drug definitely cures all patients.
• C. We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.
• D. The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.

Question 11

A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal?

• A. People were there. Food was there too.
• B. Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.
• C. The market had people in it, plus food.
• D. There were many people and also some food items.

Question 12

A scientific abstract: "We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients a bit, perhaps." Which revision is appropriately cautious but not wordy?

• A. The drug definitely cures all patients.
• B. The results suggest the drug may benefit some patients.
• C. We think maybe the drug might possibly help some patients.
• D. Perhaps, maybe, the drug could possibly help.

Question 13

A report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise?

• A. The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff.
• B. The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.
• C. The charity helped many families with things.
• D. The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff.

Question 14

A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal?

• A. People were there. Food was there too.
• B. Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.
• C. There were many people and also some food items.
• D. The market had people in it, plus food.

Question 15

A travel article aims to evoke the atmosphere of a night market: "There were a lot of people and some food." Which revision best achieves the writer's goal?

• A. There were many people and also some food items.
• B. People were there. Food was there too.
• C. Crowds jostled between stalls where skewers hissed over glowing coals.
• D. The market had people in it, plus food.

Question 16

A report on a charity's work: "The charity helped a whole bunch of families with stuff." Which revision is most precise?

• A. The charity helped many families with things.
• B. The charity was helpful to families in lots of ways and stuff.
• C. The charity helped heaps of families with various stuff.
• D. The charity provided food and housing support to 340 families.