WEST B WRITING - MULTIPLE CHOICE ITEMS

HELPFUL HINTS correct answer: 1. Skip ahead to read the questions about the particular passage first. 2. Understand the passage as a whole and comprehend its overall intention, meaning, or main idea. Understand the role of "audiences" and "purpose" in written communication. correct answer: Assess the appropriateness of a written selection for a specific purpose or audience. Determine the likely effect on a an audience of a writer's choice of a particular word or words (evoke, sympathize, etc.). Recognize persuasive techniques used by writer in a passage. Understand idea development, fluency, and organization within writing. correct answer: Identify organizational methods used by the writer. Distinguish between effective and ineffective thesis statements. Recognize unnecessary shifts in point of view (1st to 3rd person) or distracting details that impair development of the main idea within a written selection. Recognize appropriate use of transitional words and phrases to convey text structure. Take notice of examples of focused, concise, and well-developed writing. Recognize writing that effectively communicates intended messages. correct answer: Distinguish between effective and ineffective development of ideas within a paragraph. Understand the use of paragraphing to reinforce text structure. Determine whether supporting details in a written selection are essential or non-essential. Apply revision strategies to written works. correct answer: Apply revision strategies affecting voice, syntax, transitions, organization, clarity. coherence, and point of view in a written selection. Make revisions that improve the fluency and focus of a written selection or that improve cohesion and effective sequence of ideas. Improve clarity and effectiveness through changes in word choice. Eliminate or replace unnecessary or imprecise words or phrases. Insert appropriate transitional words into a passage where necessary to help convey structure and meaning. Recognize wordiness, redundancy, and ineffective repetition in sentences and paragraphs. Recognize the use of standard writing conventions. correct answer: Recognize the use of standard writing conventions (grammar) to help with clarity. Understand the standard use of verbs: a) Subject-verb agreement b) Verb tense c) Consistency of tense d) Nouns (plural and possessive forms) e) Pronouns (pronoun-antecedent agreement)