8th grade writing & editing

Question 1

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The bridge was designed to carry light traffic. ___, it now handles thousands of lorries every day.

• A. Consequently
• B. For example
• C. Similarly
• D. Nevertheless

Question 2

What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Hidden under the floorboards, the letters stayed secret for a century.

• A. an appositive
• B. a participle phrase

Question 3

The fox crept towards the henhouse. It was sniffing the air. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively using a participle phrase?

• A. The fox sniffing crept the air towards the henhouse.
• B. Sniffing the air, the henhouse was approached by the fox.
• C. Sniffing the air, the fox crept towards the henhouse.
• D. The fox crept towards the henhouse, it was sniffing the air.

Question 4

Plain: Mum was angry. Which revision best SHOWS rather than tells?

• A. Mum felt anger.
• B. Mum's lips pressed into a thin line, and she set her mug down a little too hard.
• C. Mum was very angry indeed.
• D. Mum was cross and angry.

Question 5

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The bridge was designed to carry light traffic. ___, it now handles thousands of lorries every day.

• A. For example
• B. Similarly
• C. Consequently
• D. Nevertheless

Question 6

What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Glowing in the dark, the jellyfish drifted past the boat.

• A. an appositive
• B. a participle phrase

Question 7

Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours. He was exhausted but proud. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively?

• A. Exhausted but proud, Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours.
• B. Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours, he was exhausted but proud.
• C. Jamal, the marathon, exhausted but proud, under four hours.
• D. Exhausted but proud, the marathon was finished by Jamal in under four hours.

Question 8

Plain: The beach was nice. Which revision uses the senses most effectively?

• A. Warm sand sifted between my toes as gulls cried above the salty breeze.
• B. It was a very nice, good beach.
• C. The beach was really nice.
• D. The beach was a nice place to go.

Question 9

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The museum attracted record visitors in July. ___, attendance fell sharply in August.

• A. Therefore
• B. However
• C. Moreover
• D. For example

Question 10

What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Our coach, a former Olympic swimmer, runs the club.

• A. an appositive
• B. a participle phrase

Question 11

Our town has a new library. The library is built from recycled timber. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively?

• A. Built from recycled timber, our town has a new library.
• B. Our town has a new library, the library is built from recycled timber.
• C. Our town has a new library built from recycled timber.
• D. Our town has a new library and the library and it is built from recycled timber.

Question 12

Plain: He walked into the room. Which revision uses the most precise verb?

• A. He crept into the room.
• B. He walked into the room quickly slowly.
• C. He went into the room.
• D. He did walk into the room.

Question 13

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The new policy reduced waste. ___, it saved the council money.

• A. Nevertheless
• B. Instead
• C. However
• D. Moreover

Question 14

What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? The robot, a prototype built by students, won first prize.

• A. an appositive
• B. a participle phrase

Question 15

The Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth. It produces a huge amount of oxygen. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively using an appositive?

• A. The Amazon the largest rainforest on Earth produces a huge amount of oxygen.
• B. The Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth, it produces a huge amount of oxygen.
• C. The Amazon, the largest rainforest on Earth, produces a huge amount of oxygen.
• D. The largest rainforest on Earth produces, the Amazon, a huge amount of oxygen.

Question 16

Plain: He walked into the room. Which revision uses the most precise verb?

• A. He went into the room.
• B. He crept into the room.
• C. He did walk into the room.
• D. He walked into the room quickly slowly.