Spot the Grammar Error
What is wrong with this sentence?
In social studies class, students learn about world war ii.
Correct Answer:
❌ Error: improper capitalization of a proper noun
✔ Correction:
In social studies class, students learn about World War II.
Choose the best cohesive device.
The experiment was repeated ___ the results were unclear.
Options:
A. although
B. because
C. therefore
✅ C. therefore
✔ Shows result of the first idea
✔ Clear cause-and-effect relationship
Which word is more precise in academic writing?
The study shows a ___ difference between the two groups.
Options:
A. big
B. clear
C. significant
✅ C. significant
✔ Indicates importance, not size or visibility
True or False: Writing more words automatically gives you a higher ACCESS score.
❌ False
✔ Quality > quantity
✔ Clear ideas matter most
What type of sentence is this, and why?
Although the data was limited, the results were still significant.
✅ Complex sentence
✔ Dependent clause: Although the data was limited
✔ Independent clause: the results were still significant
Find the grammar error.
After finishing the assignment students submitted their work.
❌ Error: missing comma after introductory phrase
✔ Correction:
After finishing the assignment, students submitted their work.
Which word best completes the sentence?
The article presents strong evidence; ___, some researchers remain unconvinced.
Options:
A. for example
B. however
C. similarly
Correct Answer:
✅ B. however
✔ Signals contrast
✔ Matches opposing ideas
Choose the best word.
The author’s goal is to ___ the reader that school uniforms are beneficial.
Options:
A. inform
B. persuade
C. explain
✅ B. persuade
✔ Matches argumentative purpose
✔ Very ACCESS-relevant
Which sections together make up the largest part of your overall ACCESS score?
Options:
A. Listening and Speaking
B. Reading and Writing
C. Speaking only
Correct Answer:
✅ B. Reading and Writing
✔ About 70% of the overall score
✔ This is why we focus so much on these skills in class
What type of sentence is this?
The experiment failed, but the researchers continued their work.
✅ Compound sentence
✔ Two independent clauses
✔ Joined by a coordinating conjunction (but)
Identify the error and correct it.
Many students studied for the test they still felt unprepared.
❌ Error: run-on sentence (two independent clauses)
✔ Possible corrections:
Many students studied for the test, but they still felt unprepared.
OR
Many students studied for the test. They still felt unprepared.
Choose the best transition.
Students practiced writing every day. ___, their writing became clearer.
Options:
A. However
B. As a result
C. For example
Answer:
✅ B. As a result
✔ Direct cause → result
✔ No trick meaning shifts
Which word best completes the sentence?
The scientist ___ that further research is necessary.
Options:
A. thinks
B. believes
C. concludes
✅ C. concludes
✔ Based on evidence
✔ Academic tone
✔ Others are too subjective
True or False: ACCESS is a timed test, and you are penalized if you take longer.
❌ False
✔ ACCESS is not timed
✔ You can take the time you need
✔ Rushing hurts more than going slowly
This sentence attempts to be compound-complex. What is wrong, and how would you fix it?
Although the study was important, but the sample size was small, and the results were unclear.
✔ Error: double conjunction (although + but)
✔ Fix example:
Although the study was important, the sample size was small, and the results were unclear.
Why is this sentence incorrect?
The experiment was difficult, the results were surprising.
❌ Error: comma splice
✔ Correction options:
The experiment was difficult, and the results were surprising.
OR
The experiment was difficult. The results were surprising.
Which transition does NOT fit the sentence?
Students practiced speaking; ___, their pronunciation improved.
Options:
A. therefore
B. as a result
C. however
Answer:
✅ C. however
Which word is too vague for academic writing in this sentence?
The results ___ support the theory.
A. clearly
B. strongly
C. really
Correct Answer:
✅ C. really
Why this works:
✔ “Really” is informal and unclear
✔ The other options add specific strength
What should you do if you don’t know one word while speaking on ACCESS?
Options:
A. Stop talking and stay silent
B. Start talking about other things you can explain
C. Explain the idea using different words
✅ C. Explain the idea using different words
✔ Paraphrasing shows strong language control
✔ Silence lowers scores
Which sentence would likely score higher on ACCESS writing, and why?
A. The government made new laws. The environment improved.
B. After the government made new laws, environmental conditions improved.
✅ B
✔ Complex sentence
✔ Clear cause-and-effect
✔ More academic and cohesive
This sentence has three errors. Find and fix them.
When students finish the test they was allowed to leave the room.
❌ Errors:
1️⃣ Missing comma after introductory clause
2️⃣ Incorrect verb tense (was → were)
3️⃣ Verb tense inconsistency
✔ Correction:
When students finish the test, they are allowed to leave the room.
OR
When students finished the test, they were allowed to leave the room.
Choose the best transition.
The study had a small sample size. ___, the findings are still valuable.
Options:
A. Nevertheless
B. As a result
C. For example
✅ A. Nevertheless
Choose the word that best completes the sentence without exaggerating or weakening the claim.
The new policy had a ___ impact on student attendance.
Options:
A. minimal
B. noticeable
C. dramatic
✅ B. noticeable
Why this is challenging:
✔ All options are grammatically correct
✔ Only one is neutral, precise, and academic
✔ Tests control, not vocabulary size
Which response would likely receive a higher ACCESS Writing score, and why?
A. Students should wear uniforms because it is good for school.
B. Students should wear uniforms because they reduce distractions and help create a more focused learning environment.
✅ B
Why
More specific reasons
Clear cause-and-effect
More academic tone
Combine the sentences into one compound-complex sentence appropriate for ACCESS.
Technology has improved communication. It creates new challenges. People must learn to adapt.
Although technology has improved communication, it also creates new challenges, and people must learn to adapt.
✔ Dependent clause
✔ Two independent clauses
✔ Clear relationships