12th grade writing & editing

Question 1

Is the proposed answer correct? Purpose: a post for your friends' group chat inviting them to a beach clean-up. Which version suits the audience and purpose best? → The beach will be cleaned.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 2

Is this the right way to classify the student's version? Original (Lee, 2019): "Teenagers who sleep less than seven hours are more likely to report low mood." Student: Teenagers who sleep under seven hours are more likely to report a low mood (Lee, 2019). → patchwriting (too close to the original)

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 3

Is the proposed edit for the part in brackets the best choice? She returned the book [back to the library again]. → to the library

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 4

Claim: "Homework should be optional in secondary school." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Homework is boring and nobody likes it.
• B. Some people think homework is good, and they are right.
• C. Admittedly, homework can build independent study habits; however, the same habits can be built through optional projects that students actually choose.
• D. Homework should be optional because I said so.

Question 5

Is the proposed answer correct? Claim: "Professional athletes should be role models." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it? → Granted, athletes did not ask to be role models; nevertheless, their huge influence on young fans brings a responsibility they cannot simply ignore.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 6

Which statement is this: arguable, specific thesis?

• A. Social media has changed the way teenagers communicate.
• B. In this essay I will talk about climate change.
• C. In Macbeth, Shakespeare presents ambition not as a personal flaw alone but as a force encouraged by the people around Macbeth, especially his wife.

Question 7

Which choice is best for the part in brackets? Choose NO CHANGE if the original is best. The museum, which opened in [1902 is] the oldest in the region.

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. 1902, is
• C. 1902; is
• D. 1902 — is

Question 8

"We analysed the data and we found that prices went up a lot when the factory shut." Which revision uses nominalisation to sound more formal and concise?

• A. We looked at the data and prices went up loads when the factory shut.
• B. The data was analysed by us and we found prices went up a lot.
• C. Prices, when the factory shut, went up, we found, a lot.
• D. Analysis of the data revealed a sharp price increase following the factory's closure.

Question 9

How should the student's version be classified? Original (Okafor, 2021): "Urban trees reduce summer temperatures by shading streets and releasing water vapour." Student: Urban trees reduce summer temperatures by shading streets and releasing water vapour.

• A. acceptable paraphrase (with citation)
• B. correctly cited quotation
• C. patchwriting (too close to the original)
• D. plagiarism

Question 10

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. There were many people and also some food items.
• D. The market had people in it, plus food.

Question 11

Purpose: a post for your friends' group chat inviting them to a beach clean-up. Which version suits the audience and purpose best?

• A. Beach clean-up Saturday 10am — bring gloves and snacks! Who's in? 🌊
• B. Pursuant to our previous discussion, attendance is mandatory.
• C. The beach will be cleaned.
• D. Dear friends, I hereby formally request your attendance at a coastal litter-removal event.

Question 12

What kind of statement is this, as the thesis of an essay? Schools should replace one hour of screen time a day with outdoor learning, because it improves both concentration and wellbeing.

• A. arguable, specific thesis
• B. just a fact
• C. too broad or vague
• D. an announcement of the topic

Question 13

Is the proposed answer correct? Purpose: a speech to Year 7 pupils encouraging them to join the reading club. Which line suits the audience and purpose best? → Notwithstanding prior commitments, attendance is encouraged.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 14

Is this the right way to classify the student's version? Original (Okafor, 2021): "Urban trees reduce summer temperatures by shading streets and releasing water vapour." Student: Urban trees reduce summer temperatures by shading streets and releasing water vapour. → plagiarism

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 15

Is the proposed edit for the part in brackets the best choice? Her argument was [more stronger] than his. → stronger

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 16

Claim: "Cities should ban cars from their historic centres." Which sentence best concedes a point and then rebuts it?

• A. Shopkeepers are always wrong about everything.
• B. Cars are noisy.
• C. Although some shops fear losing customers, they are right, so we should not ban cars.
• D. Although some shops fear losing customers, several cities found that footfall actually rose after their centres went car-free.