8th grade writing & editing

Question 1

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 2

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. The beach was a nice place to go.
• C. It was a very nice, good beach.
• D. The beach was really nice.

Question 3

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. Similarly
• C. For example
• D. Nevertheless

Question 4

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

Question 5

What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Racing down the hill, the cyclists reached sixty kilometres an hour.

• A. an appositive
• B. a participle phrase

Question 6

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.

Question 7

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? The author grew up in a fishing village. ___, many of her novels are set by the sea.

• A. Unsurprisingly
• B. In contrast
• C. Nevertheless
• D. However

Question 8

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

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

Question 9

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 10

Plain: The forest was scary. Which revision best SHOWS rather than tells?

• A. The forest was scary and frightening.
• B. Twisted branches clawed at the sky, and somewhere in the dark a twig snapped.
• C. I thought the forest was really scary.
• D. The forest was very, very scary.

Question 11

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Solar panels have become far cheaper since 2010. ___, more households are installing them.

• A. However
• B. Consequently
• C. Nevertheless
• D. For instance

Question 12

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

Question 13

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 14

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

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

Question 15

Which choice completes the text with the most logical transition? Chess requires memory and planning. ___, studies suggest it may improve pupils' concentration.

• A. In contrast
• B. Accordingly
• C. Nevertheless
• D. Previously

Question 16

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

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