9th grade writing & editing

Question 1

A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go?

• A. It should not be added.
• B. after sentence 3
• C. before sentence 1
• D. after sentence 2

Question 2

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The glacier has retreated almost two kilometres since 1950___ scientists expect the pace to increase.

• A. (no punctuation)
• B. ;
• C. ,
• D. :

Question 3

Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ the tickets were expensive, the concert sold out in minutes.

• A. Although
• B. Unless
• C. Because
• D. So that

Question 4

Octopuses have three hearts. They are remarkable animals. Which choice makes the main idea 'remarkable animals' and adds the heart fact as supporting detail?

• A. Octopuses have three hearts, and they are remarkable animals and.
• B. Because they are remarkable animals, octopuses have three hearts.
• C. Octopuses are remarkable animals; but they have three hearts.
• D. Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals.

Question 5

A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go?

• A. It should not be added.
• B. after sentence 2
• C. before sentence 1
• D. after sentence 3

Question 6

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The engineer who designed the tower___ studied architecture in Lisbon before moving to Toronto.

• A. (no punctuation)
• B. :
• C. ;
• D. ,

Question 7

Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. Lena prefers science, ___ her twin loves history.

• A. so that
• B. because
• C. unless
• D. whereas

Question 8

Octopuses have three hearts. They are remarkable animals. Which choice makes the main idea 'remarkable animals' and adds the heart fact as supporting detail?

• A. Octopuses have three hearts, and they are remarkable animals and.
• B. Because they are remarkable animals, octopuses have three hearts.
• C. Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals.
• D. Octopuses are remarkable animals; but they have three hearts.

Question 9

A writer wants to add this sentence: "This ability makes them excellent rescue animals." [1] Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. [2] They can detect a single drop of scent in a swimming pool of water. [3] Many breeds also have great stamina. Where should the new sentence go?

• A. after sentence 3
• B. after sentence 2
• C. before sentence 1
• D. It should not be added.

Question 10

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The author's first novel was rejected by twelve publishers___ the thirteenth accepted it and it became a bestseller.

• A. ; eventually,
• B. , eventually
• C. , eventually,
• D. eventually,

Question 11

Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. The plants died ___ nobody watered them.

• A. although
• B. because
• C. whereas
• D. unless

Question 12

Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast?

• A. Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• B. Most trees grow a few centimetres a year, and bamboo also grows.
• C. Because most trees grow slowly, bamboo grows fast.
• D. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, so some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.

Question 13

[1] Tardigrades are tiny animals less than a millimetre long. [2] For example, they have survived the vacuum of space. [3] They are famous for surviving extreme conditions. [4] They can also withstand temperatures close to absolute zero. To make the paragraph most logical, sentence 3 should be placed…

• A. before sentence 2.
• B. after sentence 4.
• C. where it is now.
• D. before sentence 1.

Question 14

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Although the village is remote___ it attracts thousands of hikers each summer.

• A. .
• B. ;
• C. :
• D. ,

Question 15

Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ the tickets were expensive, the concert sold out in minutes.

• A. Unless
• B. So that
• C. Although
• D. Because

Question 16

The bridge was closed. Engineers found cracks in its supports. Which choice shows the cause most clearly?

• A. The bridge was closed although engineers found cracks in its supports.
• B. The bridge was closed unless engineers found cracks in its supports.
• C. The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports.
• D. The bridge was closed, but engineers found cracks in its supports.