Plain Language
Active vs. Passive
Common Mistakes
Things Your Mother Never Taught You
Visual Style
100
A plain language alternative for "acquire"
What is... eg. use buy gain get
100
A reason why writing in active voice is better than writing in passive.
What is.... eg. - less confusing - doesn't hide information - doesn't keep the reader guessing - is easier to understand at first reading - who is doing what is clearer etc.
100
The correct choice between affected and effected in the following sentence: The legislation __________ our members.
What is affected?
100
The correct form of the word in the following sentence: I feel __________ (badly/bad) that there isn't more I can do.
What is bad?
100
The font we use for everyday documents.
What is Calibri?
200
The verb tense you should use whenever possible.
What is simple present tense?
200
This comes first (or near the beginning) in an active sentence.
What is the subject or actor?
200
The plural of board of directors.
What is boards of directors?
200
The correct pronoun for the end of this sentence: The Annie came to the park with Charlie and ______.
What is me?
200
The version of the logo that we use against dark backgrounds.
What is the white logo?
300
The following sentence is an example of this plain language no-no. The Director of Communications is responsible for the management of the Communications Department.
What are hidden verbs?
300
The following sentence, reworded in active voice: An email was sent to all members.
What is: We sent an email to all members.
300
The correct choices between than and then in the following sentence: Turn left at the corner, _____ right at the end of the street.
What is then?
300
The correct choice between who and whom in the following sentence: Do you know _______ did this?
What is who?
300
The two fonts used for CASLPA official documents.
What are Alright and Adelle?
400
The following sentence, re-worded to have AT LEAST five fewer words: CASLPA held a press conference on Parliament Hill October 1 that alerted the public to the fact that a noisy classroom can affect a child's ability to learn as well as impact on teacher's vocal health.
What is: (eg.) On October 1, CASLPA held a press conference on Parliament Hill to raise awareness about noisy classrooms and the risks they pose for child learning and teachers’ vocal health.
400
Often, the passive voice leaves these out.
What are pronouns?
400
The correct form of the word in the following sentence: Canada has an inclusive _____________ (health care/health-care) system
What is health-care?
400
The correct word to complete the following sentence: The waitress brought separate bills for Sally and _____.
What is me?
400
The key you hold down to avoid distorting the logo.
What is the shift key?
500
Three of George Orwell's six rules for writers (paraphrased).
What are: (any three of these, paraphrased) 1. If you can cut a word out, do it. 2. Never use foreign, scientific or jargon words if you have an alternative. 3. Never use a long word where a short one will do. 4. No clichés. 5. No passive voice. 6. Don't follow these rules blindly - think critically!
500
The following sentence, reworded in active voice: "The date of the Board meeting has yet to be determined."
What is "We haven't set a date for the Board meeting yet."
500
The correct word to complete the following sentence: Any student member who wishes to apply must do so within one year of _________ graduation.
What is his or her? or her or his his/her her/his
500
The proper word to complete this Abraham Lincoln quote: "If I _____ two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
What is were?
500
The typeface used in CASLPA's current logo.
What is Alright?
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