writing exam
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final_exam_edcp103_spring_2014.docxEDCP 103 Final Exam
Spring 2014
Section I: Multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank
Each question in this section is worth 1 point.
Questions 1-6
Three passages out of the four in each question contain sentence fragments or run-on sentences. Choose the one correct sentence that is error-free.
1.
A) Taking classes at night helps me develop my job skills it also works well with my schedule.
B) Taking classes at night helps me develop my job skills, it also works well with my schedule.
C) Taking classes at night helps me develop my job skills; it also works well with my schedule.
D) Taking classes at night helps me develop my job skills. And also works well with my schedule.
2.
A) There are several good techniques for cleaning a room. For example, starting at the top of the room.
B) If time is limited, don’t worry, you can set aside fifteen minutes a day until you are done.
C) Label a box for items to be donated. And another one for trash.
D) When dealing with clutter, try to find a place for each item the first time you pick it up.
3.
A) Both authors use imagery in their writing, it helps them create more vivid descriptions.
B) The beach has become crowded lately I don’t even like to go there.
C) Each trainer at the gym has been educated about gym safety and knows how to use all of the equipment.
D) The health effects of pesticides are not completely known, scientists continue to research this topic.
4.
A) Check the library’s hours before you leave; it closes early on some days.
B) An advisor can help students understand their degree plans. To help with course selection.
C) We take our dog to be groomed once a month. Although it is expensive.
D) Why bother making the bed, it will just get messed up again tomorrow.
5.
A) Joseph had laser eye surgery. Because he wanted to drive without glasses.
B) Joseph had laser eye surgery. To be able to drive without glasses.
C) Joseph had laser eye surgery, he wanted to drive without glasses.
D) Joseph had laser eye surgery because he wanted to drive without glasses.
6.
A) The Italian restaurant down the street is pretty good. Even though the service is slow.
B) We usually go there once a week, I always order ravioli.
C) If the weather is nice, we’ll sit outside, but the dining room is also pleasant.
D) I recommend ordering dessert the tiramisu is delicious.
Questions 7-12
Fill in the blank with the correct verb that agrees in number with the subject. Choose from those listed in parentheses.
7. The executive committee publicizes its decisions through our newsletter. (publicizes, publicize)
8. The children or the babysitter are going to clean up that mess. (is, are)
9. Sprawled across the floor were numerous clues to who committed the crime. (was, were)
10. There are four areas of the park in which dogs are welcome. (is, are)
11. A cup of tea and a good TV show help me relax after a long day. (helps, help)
12. A full box of cookies was too tempting for the children to pass up. (was, were)
Questions 13-16
Choose the sentence that uses correct parallel structure.
13.
A) The types of music I enjoy are pop, R&B, and relaxing to jazz.
B) The types of music I enjoy are pop, jazz, and R&B is my favorite.
C) I enjoy listening to pop, R&B, and jazz.
D) I enjoy listening to pop, R&B, and also like jazz.
14.
A) The volunteers gathered their supplies, loaded the truck, and set off for the work site.
B) The volunteers gathered their supplies, loaded the truck, and they all set off for the work site.
C) The volunteers gathered their supplies, are loading the truck, and set off for the work site.
D) The volunteers are gathering their supplies, loaded the truck, and setting off for the work site.
15.
A) Craig always keeps his cell phone with him to check his email, update his calendar, and it has all his contacts in it.
B) Craig always keeps his cell phone with him to check his email, update his calendar, and contacting his friends.
C) Craig always keeps his cell phone with him to check his email, update his calendar, and contact his friends.
D) Craig always keeps his cell phone with him to check his email, update his calendar, and mainly he wants to contact friends.
16.
A) By participating in school meetings, students learn to listen to others, express their own concerns, and they take turns leading the meeting.
B) By participating in school meetings, students learn to listen to others, express their own concerns, and lead a meeting.
C) By participating in school meetings, students learn to listen to others, express their own concerns, and to lead a meeting.
D) By participating in school meetings, students learn to listen to others, express their own concerns, and leading the meeting.
Questions 17-22
Select the sentence that uses correct punctuation
17.
A) Juan is the smartest student in our class, Juliet said.
B) “Juan is the smartest student in our class,” Juliet said.
C) “Juan is the smartest student in our class” Juliet said.
D) “Juan is the smartest student in our class, Juliet said.”
18.
A) The father picked up his two daughters skate’s.
B) The father picked up his two daughter’s skates.
C) The father picked up his two daughters skates.
D) The father picked up his two daughters’ skates.
19.
A) Whenever, it rains heavily the basement floods.
B) Whenever it rains heavily, the basement floods.
C) Whenever, it rains heavily, the basement floods.
D) Whenever it rains heavily the basement, floods.
20.
A) I have studied for hours but I’m still nervous about my history test.
B) I have studied for hours, but I’m still nervous about my history test.
C) I have studied for hours but; I’m still nervous about my history test.
D) I have studied for hours but, I’m still nervous about my history test.
21.
A) UMUC, which is located in Maryland is the largest public nontraditional university.
B) UMUC which, is located in Maryland, is the largest public nontraditional university.
C) UMUC, which is located in Maryland, is the largest public nontraditional university.
D) UMUC which is located in Maryland is the largest public nontraditional university.
22.
A) Its too warm to wear a coat in this spring weather.
B) It’s’ too warm to wear a coat in this spring weather
C) It’s too warm to wear a coat in this spring weather.
D) Its’ too warm to wear a coat in this spring weather.
Questions 23-24
Select the sentence with no errors in capitalization.
23.
A) There is one goal that Traci put before all others: graduating by December.
B) My Mother and Father are hoping that I will move out by next year.
C) Visiting the eiffel tower was an unforgettable experience.
D) Jordan is studying Psychology with a minor in Anthropology.
24.
A) We plan to visit a Theme Park during our next weekend trip.
B) Driving East in the morning can irritate one’s eyes because of the sun.
C) The Presidents’ Day picnic will be held at Fairview Park.
D) The President of our Book Club will preside over the monthly meeting.
Section II: Revising Sentences
Each question in this section is worth 2 points.
Questions 25-30
Rewrite the passages to eliminate any sentence fragments or run-on sentences.
A: The aquarium had not been cleaned for months, algae was building up on the glass and had started to obscure the view of the fish.
26. John’s computer got the virus but didn’t crash mine did.
A: John’s computer got the virus but didn’t crash while mine did.
27. Their dog needs to go to obedience classes he’s always jumping on people at the door.
A: Their dog needs to go to obedience classes since he is always jumping on people at the door.
28. Online classes offer many conveniences, on the other hand there are some unique challenges faced by online students.
A: : Online classes offer many conveniences, but on the other hand there are some unique challenges faced by online students.
29. There are many issues that parents of teenagers need to be aware of. Such as peer pressure to use drugs.
A: There are many issues that parents of teenagers need to be aware of, such as peer pressure to use drugs.
30. If a new employee wants to make a good impression. Make sure to arrive on time, also dress appropriately for the job.
A: If a new employee wants to make a good impression, he should make sure to arrive on time and also dress appropriately for the job.
Questions 31-35
Revise the sentences to eliminate errors in pronoun use.
31. I work much better when the boss doesn’t hover over you with instructions on what to do.
A. I work much better when the boss doesn’t hover over me with instructions on what to do.
32. My older brother is an electrician, but I’m not interested in it.
A. My older brother is an electrician, but I’m not interested in this job.
33. I discovered when I went to sell my old textbooks that they’ve put out new editions, and nobody wants to buy them.
A. I discovered when I went to sell my old textbooks that they’ve put out new editions, and nobody wants to buy the old ones
34. If the team leader wants to hold a meeting, then they should choose a time that is convenient for everyone.
A. If the team leader wants to hold a meeting, then he should choose a time that is convenient for everyone.
35. When an athlete is getting ready for competition, you have to be mentally and physically prepared.
A. When an athlete is getting ready for competition, you have to be mentally and physically prepared.
Questions 36-40
Each passage contains one or more shifts in tense. Revise each passage so that it maintains consistent tense.
36. A deer makes its way cautiously out of the woods and steps into the meadow, but when a flock of geese flies noisily overhead, the deer ran back to the shelter of the trees.
37. As I look through the file folder, I wonder if I might have thrown away this month’s bank statement by accident. Then I remembered that I brought it to work and never brought it home.
38. Martin stayed home from work when his son had the flu, and he discovered just how busy a day at home can be. His son was constantly asking for drinks and wants to be entertained.
39. When we decided to throw a surprise party, we had no idea it would be so surprising for everyone. We were waiting for the guest of honor to show up at the front door when suddenly he sneaks in from the back door and yells “Surprise!”
40. When the kids arrived at the field, their coach was waiting for them. To their surprise, he says, “Come on! We’ve been waiting for you.”
Questions 41-46
Correct the passages by adding punctuation. The punctuation marks you may need are quotation marks, commas, apostrophes, question marks, exclamation marks, and periods.
41. Do you ever wonder about the future of the Internet asked George What will be the browser of the future
42. Sally told me that my socks were dirty my shoes were unpolished and my shirt was wrinkled but I didn’t pay any attention to her because I was in a hurry
43. Weve decided that the groups presentation will be on conserving water
44. The passengers hurried toward the trains platform as the conductor shouted All aboard
45. Saving money staying healthy and spending time with family are three reasons to eat more meals at home
46. When looking at a web page ask yourself whether the information comes from a reliable source
Section III: Composing and Revising Paragraphs
Each question in this section is worth 4 points.
47. Following are a topic sentence and a concluding sentence. Use these sentences and additional sentences with supporting details to write a well-developed paragraph of approximately 150 words.
Topic sentence: Parents can take several steps to help their children enjoy reading.
Concluding sentence: If parents follow some of these ideas, their children have a good chance of reading more on their own and doing better in school.
48. The following paragraph is not unified. Please re-write the paragraph to improve its unity by removing any sentences that do not focus on the paragraph’s main topic.
My family experienced some memorable events during my family’s trip to Disney World last summer. The drive to Disney World from our house took nine hours and was extremely boring. The first really memorable experience was meeting Mickey Mouse. The kids had been waiting for it all summer, and we took lots of pictures of them with Mickey. That evening, we ate at McDonald’s because the food in the park was so expensive. The next morning, we had another memorable experience: visiting the water park. We all had a wonderful time splashing and riding the water slides. We won’t ever forget when Ethan’s swim trunks fell down at the bottom of one of the slides! The most memorable part of the trip was seeing the fireworks at Epcot. We had a truly magical evening sitting together as a family and watching the show light up the sky. It was a little cold that night, so we all made sure to bring sweaters. Overall, our visit to Disney World was a terrific trip with lots of experiences to remember.
49. The following paragraph is not coherent. The ideas do not flow logically from one sentence to the next. Please re-write the paragraph to improve its coherence. You will want to consider adding transitional expressions to the paragraph as you rewrite the paragraph. In addition, you will want to consider the logical order of the sentences as you rewrite the paragraph.
You need to use all sentences in the paragraph. In other words, do not eliminate any sentences when you rewrite the paragraph.
Working as a lifeguard last summer was the best job I have ever had in my life. I met some very interesting people. I also got free food from the snack bar as one of the perks of the job. Paul, another lifeguard, was from Somalia. I learned so much from him about his culture while working with him. I also had the opportunity to see some free concerts that the pool was sponsoring. One of the bands was quite amazing. I plan to keep in touch with the drummer, who I think has quite a future in Indie music. Getting a free lunch at the snack bar certainly helped me cut costs. Anna, a swim coach, was the most hilarious person I have ever met. She had great stories to tell about her days on the swim team in college. The job was great, and I hope to go back next summer and work there again.
Section IV: Essay
The essay is worth 20 points.
50. In a five-paragraph essay of at least 450 words, explain three ways that people can help improve their communities. Your essay will be graded based on the effectiveness of the introduction (including thesis statement) and conclusion; the unity, coherence, and support in the body paragraphs; and mechanical correctness.
