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Attempts Attempt1 score is3Attempt 2 was not attempted.-Attempt 3 was not attempted.-
Keep the Highest 3 out of 33 / 3
6. Using Exact Language
Choose specific words and phrases in your writing and use vivid and exact language.
Directions: Answer the following questions about exact language.
Which of the following statements are true about good writing? Check all that apply.
Some overused general verbs include to see and to eat.
The sentence "We see shows" is less vague than the sentence "We love watching exciting crime
television shows."
You need a large vocabulary to write well.
Using colorful adjectives is one way to replace vague language.
The sentence "We eat french fries" is more vague than the sentence "We devour salty french fries."
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Correct Answer
Some overused general
verbs include to see and to
eat.
Using colorful adjectives
is one way to replace
vague language.
The sentence "We eat
french fries" is more
Exact Language
Example of vague language:
I got coffee.
Revision using exact language:
I quickly grabbed a hot cup of coffee at the corner store before racing off to work.
Explanation: The revised sentence gives more exact information because it contains
specific and precise language.
Explanation
Avoid overused general verbs such as "to see" and "to eat"
whenever possible. Instead, try to use more exact verbs to fit
within the context of your sentences.
Good writers use specific and vivid words and phrases. You can
use colorful adjectives to replace vague language in your
writing.
The sentence "We devour salty french fries" is less vague
because it gives more exact information about how the writer
Correct Answer
vague than the sentence
"We devour salty french
fries."
Finally, the museum closed, and
we devoured large hamburgers and
french fries at a diner near the
museum.
Correct Sentence
We happily strolled to the Museum
of Contemporary Art in downtown
Chicago.
We gazed at abstract art for hours.
Explanation
eats the french fries and how the french fries taste. The
verb devour and the adjective salty contain more precise
language.
Explanation
The most lively verb is "strolled." The
verbs walked and went are overused and general verbs.
The most lively verb is "gazed." The
verbs saw and watched are overused and general
verbs.
The most lively verb is "devoured." The
verbs ate and saw are overused and general verbs.
Additionally, the verb saw probably does not describe
what the writers were doing.
1.We happilyError! Filename not specified.strolled to the Museum of Contemporary Art in
downtown Chicago.
2.WeError! Filename not specified.gazed at abstract art for hours.
3.Finally, the museum closed, and weError! Filename not specified.devoured large
hamburgers and french fries at a diner near the museum.
Points:
1 / 1
Explanation:
Directions: You just saw an amazing movie called Fireflies Cove. You've been asked to write a detailed
movie review for a new web publication. It is important that you share how good the movie is with
your readers.
Your movie review has a weak sentence in need of revision. Complete the revision by choosing the
sentence ending with the most exact language.
Original Sentence: The scenery is cool.
Revised Sentence: The scenery isError! Filename not specified.artistic and unique because it
was filmed using a brand-new type of technology .
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
The sentence "We love watching exciting crime television shows" is less vague than "We see shows."
Having a large vocabulary is not as important as writing with exact and precise language.
Complete the sentences that follow by clicking on the blank spaces and selecting the most lively verbs.
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The best revision is "The scenery is artistic and unique because it was filmed using a brand-new type
of technology." This statement has the most precise language. It tells us why the scenery is special in
this movie. The other two sentences are vague because they do not provide enough detailed
information about why the scenery is particularly interesting in Fireflies Cove.
Directions: You recently saw an ad for restaurant reviewers. You are interested in being paid to write
about your favorite restaurants. To be considered, you need to submit a sample restaurant review. A
good review must include detailed information about the restaurant.
Your restaurant review has a few weak sentences in need of revision. Complete the revisions by
choosing the sentence endings with the most exact language.
Original Sentences:
The staff at Kabul is good.
The owner talks a lot.
Revised Sentences:
The staff at KabulError! Filename not specified.is knowledgeable, friendly, and sincere .
Points:
1 / 1
The ownerError! Filename not specified.talks to every customer so that everyone feels welcome
and special .
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
The best revision for the first sentence is "The staff at Kabul is knowledgeable, friendly, and sincere."
This statement has the most precise language. It tells us exactly why the staff is good at the
restaurant. The other two sentences are vague because they do not provide enough detailed
information about why the staff at Kabul is good.
The best revision for the second sentence is "The owner talks to every customer so that everyone feels
welcome and special." This statement has the most precise language. It tells us exactly why the
owner's demeanor is important; his friendliness makes customers feel good. The other two sentences
are vague because they do not provide enough detailed information about the effect of the owner's
personality on the customers.
Directions: Click on the blank spaces and select the correct answers from the provided answer options.
Choose the options with the most exact language.
Many people are using social websites toError! Filename not specified.express their true feelings
about marriage, school, or friends . Private details about people's lives areError! Filename not
specified.rapidly disappearing . Some people feel that sharing details about their personal lives
isError! Filename not specified.both freeing and communicative . Other people feel that
knowingError! Filename not specified.so many personal details about their friends' lives is too
much information. Some couples are now evenError! Filename not specified.arguing and showing
their hot tempers via social websites.
Points:
1 / 1
Close Explanation
Explanation:
Correct Sentence
Many people are using social
websites to express their
true feelings about
marriage, school, or
friends.
Private details about people's
lives are rapidly
disappearing.
Some people feel that
sharing details about their
personal lives is both
freeing and
communicative.
Other people feel that
knowing so many personal
details about their friends'
lives is too much
information.
Some couples are now
even arguing and showing
their hot tempers via social
websites.
This is the most precise sentence because it includes the
adjective rapidly to emphasize how fast private details are
disappearing.
This sentence has the most vivid choice of language. The
words freeing and communicative describe exactly how
people feel about sharing details.
Explanation
This sentence contains the most specific information because
it tells us exactly how people are expressing their feelings.
The phrase "so many personal details" is the most precise
way to complete the sentence because it uses the most exact
language.
In this sentence, arguing is the most precise way to describe
how couples are expressing their feelings, and the
adjective hot provides a more vivid description of couples'
tempers.
