Unit 1
Read the sentence.
Only two students in our class were prepared for the debate; as a result, they dominated the discussion.
Which word most precisely matches the meaning of dominated as it is used in the sentence?
controlled
If you use a thesaurus to look up a synonym of the word resilient, what word are you most likely to find?
adaptable
Which words are synonyms of succinct?
Select all that apply.
concise
brief
When you analyze an audience, what does “understanding an audience’s biases” mean?
knowing their preconceived notions and addressing them objectively
Which word shares a root with the word veracity?
very
The scientist wanted to fabricate a new compound.
fabricate (fab-ri-kate) v.
1. to doctor / 2. to contrive / 3. to fake / 4. to create
Which definition of fabricate is used in the sentence?
definition 4
Imagine that you are a writer whose task is to write an article for an audience of amateur chefs about how to make quick snacks for a party.
Which information would be most important to include in the text?
simple, easy-to-follow directions
What does bio- mean in the word biodegradable?
life
In which sentence is the word usurp used correctly?
After the mayor ordered a tax increase, the council members accused him of trying to usurp their powers.
Read the excerpt from the concluding paragraph of an argumentative speech.
By calling and writing our representatives in Congress, we can make our voices heard.
Which option correctly identifies the element being used in the excerpt?
call to action
Which option contains the correct meaning of the prefix mis- as it is used in the word misconception?
in an improper manner
Which parts of the writing process are typically used to generate ideas at the beginning of a project?
Select all that apply.
mapping
brainstorming
Your informational essay includes evidence about how much global warming has increased during the 20th century.
Which graphic aid or multimedia feature would most effectively clarify this trend of rising temperatures for readers?
line graph
Which suffix would you add to the noun critic to create a related adjective?
-al
Read the sentence.
Before accepting any scholarship offers, Sonia researched each town’s options for off-campus-apartments that weren’t too far away.
Which option explains why the use of a hyphen in the sentence is incorrect?
Hyphens should not be used between a modifier and a noun.
Read the sentence.
As the weather turned to pouring rain, we yelled, “Carpe diem!” and decided to play outside in the little streams that were collecting on the sidewalk.
The words carpe diem are a Latin phrase that means “seize the day.” In the context of the sentence, which is the best definition of carpe diem?
enjoy the present
If you use a dictionary to look up the word exacerbate, what definition are you most likely to find?
worsen
Read the dictionary entry.
incumbent
adjective 1. imposed as an obligation or duty; obligatory 2. lying, leaning, or resting on something else 3. currently holding a specified office
noun 4. a person who holds an office
Read the sentence.
The incumbent senator was the favored candidate in the state’s primary election.
Which definition of incumbent fits the meaning and part of speech of the word as it is used in the sentence?
definition 3
Which is the most accurate definition of syntax as a rhetorical feature?
strategically arranging words and phrases within a sentence to emphasize a point
If your friend told you that “starfish” is a misnomer, what question would you most likely ask your friend?
Why is the creature’s name incorrect?
What is the meaning of the word arduous?
extremely difficult to achieve
What is the meaning of emulate?
to strive to imitate or approach equality with
What is the meaning of the word affluence?
abundance of wealth
What is the meaning of the word candor?
frankness or honesty
What is the meaning of the word anarchy?
a state of lawlessness and absence of government