Revision and Editing A
Consider the following sentence:
"The Colosseum in Rome, Italy which is considered one of the "new" Seven Wonders of the World, is the largest amphitheater ever built and once could hold up to 50,000 spectators."
Which edit should be made to correct the sentence?
a. Delete comma after Rome.
b. Insert comma after Italy.
c. Delete comma after World.
d. Insert comma after built.
B
Read the following passage:
Cracking the Code
(1) Computer code is part of every electronic interaction, from video games to home thermostats to vehicle GPS systems. (2) Code is a language that computers can interpret, and programmers use it to instruct computers to perform different tasks, such as finding, sorting, or calculating data. (3) People who code have to learn this language. (4) They can construct programs that will perform detailed tasks.
(5) The programs can also perform complex tasks. (6) A coding language uses letters, numbers, and symbols that are arranged in a way that makes sense to a computer. (7) The code that makes up a program tells a computer how to process information. (8) Studying a coding language involves learning the rules for combining phrases and instructions so that they are recognizable to the computer. (9) Once a person understands coding rules, the possibilities for applying them are infinite.
(10) Coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields. (11) For example, code can be used to create programs to track, analyze, and predict changes in the stock market. (12) Code can also be designed to help doctors track and monitor a patient’s health. (13) Jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying, offering salaries that are up to as much as $22,000 a year more than jobs that do not require coding knowledge.
(14) People have a variety of opportunities to learn how to code. (15) In some schools, young people can study computer science and coding just as they study foreign languages. (16) Computer science teachers can use websites and apps that employ games designed to help everyone understand how code works. (17) Even high school students who do not take computer science can learn coding by attending coding workshops and online classes or by watching tutorials online. (18) After studying the basics of coding, some students may become interested in learning how to create programs, such as games and apps.
(19) The late Steve Jobs, a pioneer in computer technology, once said, “Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer . . . because it teaches you how to think.” (20) Learning to code can seem challenging, but one does not need to become an expert programmer to reap the benefits of understanding this language.
What is the best way to combine sentences 3 through 5 to clarify the relationship between ideas?
E. People who code have to learn this language because they can construct programs that will perform detailed and complex tasks.
F. People who code have to learn this language so they can construct programs that will perform detailed or complex tasks.
G. When people who code have to learn this language, it is so they can construct programs that will perform detailed and complex tasks.
H. If people who code have to learn this language, then they can construct programs that will perform detailed as well as complex tasks.
F
This sentence accurately shows the relationship between the ideas of the sentences. Before people can construct programs that will perform detailed and complex tasks, they have to learn a coding language. Knowing that language will, in turn, allow them to build programs that can perform detailed and complex tasks
Read the following passage:
"The Note"
No one had touched the old piano in the auditorium for years—not since the music teacher left and the district cut the program. It sat there, its lid always open, collecting dust and echoes of forgotten melodies.
Jules passed by it every morning on the way to homeroom. At first, it was just a glance. Then a pause. Then, one day, her fingers hovered over the keys. She pressed one down—middle C. The note rang out, clear and unapologetic.
She looked around. No one was there.
It became a ritual. Five minutes early, five minutes of playing. Just the basics—scales, simple chords, the intro to one of her favorite songs. Her fingers stumbled, hesitated, retried.
She never meant for anyone to hear her.
But someone did.
“I didn’t know we had a pianist in our school,” Mr. Lee, the new English teacher, said one morning as he walked in early.
Jules flushed. “I’m not. I mean—I’m not good.”
“You’re not bad either,” he said with a grin. “You ever think of playing something for the spring assembly?”
Jules blinked. “Me?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t have an answer. Not a real one.
She still didn’t feel ready. But she started practicing like she might be.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Jules begins to gain confidence in herself through playing the piano.
This type of trap answer includes information that is not in the passage. What is its name?
Out of Scope
Consider the following sentence:
"To promote their club, a bake sale will be sponsored by the members of the debate team on Wednesday."
How should this sentence be revised?
a. To promote their club, on Wednesday a bake sale will be sponsored by members of the debate team.
b. On Wednesday, to promote their club, a bake sale will be sponsored by members of the debate team.
c. To promote their club, members of the debate team will sponsor a bake sale on Wednesday.
d. Members of the debate team, on Wednesday to promote their club, will sponsor a bake sale.
Read the following passage:
Cracking the Code
(1) Computer code is part of every electronic interaction, from video games to home thermostats to vehicle GPS systems. (2) Code is a language that computers can interpret, and programmers use it to instruct computers to perform different tasks, such as finding, sorting, or calculating data. (3) People who code have to learn this language. (4) They can construct programs that will perform detailed tasks.
(5) The programs can also perform complex tasks. (6) A coding language uses letters, numbers, and symbols that are arranged in a way that makes sense to a computer. (7) The code that makes up a program tells a computer how to process information. (8) Studying a coding language involves learning the rules for combining phrases and instructions so that they are recognizable to the computer. (9) Once a person understands coding rules, the possibilities for applying them are infinite.
(10) Coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields. (11) For example, code can be used to create programs to track, analyze, and predict changes in the stock market. (12) Code can also be designed to help doctors track and monitor a patient’s health. (13) Jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying, offering salaries that are up to as much as $22,000 a year more than jobs that do not require coding knowledge.
Which sentence should follow sentence 5 to best state the main claim in the passage?
A. People should take advantage of opportunities to study and learn basic coding because of its many valuable benefits.
B. People should attempt to understand how code can be used to design programs that are beneficial for a variety of industries and businesses.
C. Schools should offer coding classes because knowing how to code will help students succeed in many types of businesses.
D. Students should prepare for the future job market by studying code and learning how to code programs.
A
This sentence logically follows sentence 5 and introduces the main idea of the passage: that due to the high demand for coding skills across a wide range of industries and disciplines, learning basic coding skills can provide a range of opportunities for personal growth.
Read the following passage:
"The Note"
No one had touched the old piano in the auditorium for years—not since the music teacher left and the district cut the program. It sat there, its lid always open, collecting dust and echoes of forgotten melodies.
Jules passed by it every morning on the way to homeroom. At first, it was just a glance. Then a pause. Then, one day, her fingers hovered over the keys. She pressed one down—middle C. The note rang out, clear and unapologetic.
She looked around. No one was there.
It became a ritual. Five minutes early, five minutes of playing. Just the basics—scales, simple chords, the intro to one of her favorite songs. Her fingers stumbled, hesitated, retried.
She never meant for anyone to hear her.
But someone did.
“I didn’t know we had a pianist in our school,” Mr. Lee, the new English teacher, said one morning as he walked in early.
Jules flushed. “I’m not. I mean—I’m not good.”
“You’re not bad either,” he said with a grin. “You ever think of playing something for the spring assembly?”
Jules blinked. “Me?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t have an answer. Not a real one.
She still didn’t feel ready. But she started practicing like she might be.
According to the passage, when did Jules play the piano?
In the morning, before homeroom.
What things should we annotate/highlight when reading?
people, places, actions people do, and any special information or statistics
Consider the following sentence:
"Fred told Tony that polka-dotted underwear was showing through the ripped seat of his dress pants."
Does this sentence contain a pronoun reference error? If so, how should we fix it?
Yes. His can refer to Fred or Tony. To clarify which male has the ripped pants, change his to Fred's or Tony's.
Read the following passage:
Cracking the Code
(1) Computer code is part of every electronic interaction, from video games to home thermostats to vehicle GPS systems. (2) Code is a language that computers can interpret, and programmers use it to instruct computers to perform different tasks, such as finding, sorting, or calculating data. (3) People who code have to learn this language. (4) They can construct programs that will perform detailed tasks.
(5) The programs can also perform complex tasks. (6) A coding language uses letters, numbers, and symbols that are arranged in a way that makes sense to a computer. (7) The code that makes up a program tells a computer how to process information. (8) Studying a coding language involves learning the rules for combining phrases and instructions so that they are recognizable to the computer. (9) Once a person understands coding rules, the possibilities for applying them are infinite.
(10) Coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields. (11) For example, code can be used to create programs to track, analyze, and predict changes in the stock market. (12) Code can also be designed to help doctors track and monitor a patient’s health. (13) Jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying, offering salaries that are up to as much as $22,000 a year more than jobs that do not require coding knowledge.
Which revision of sentence 10 provides the best transition to the argument in the third paragraph (sentences 10– 13)?
E. Learning a coding language may be difficult, but coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields.
F. Learning a coding language is useful because coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields.
G. Employers in most industries realize that people with coding skills can demand higher salaries in many occupational fields.
H. Even though programming is its own unique field, coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields.
F
This sentence provides the best revision of the transition sentence. The second paragraph ends with “the possibilities for applying them are infinite” (sentence 9), which supports the idea that people in “many occupational fields” (sentence 10) can benefit from having coding skills. The third paragraph illustrates this idea by providing specific examples of occupations that benefit from coding (stock market traders and doctors).
Read the following passage:
"The Note"
No one had touched the old piano in the auditorium for years—not since the music teacher left and the district cut the program. It sat there, its lid always open, collecting dust and echoes of forgotten melodies.
Jules passed by it every morning on the way to homeroom. At first, it was just a glance. Then a pause. Then, one day, her fingers hovered over the keys. She pressed one down—middle C. The note rang out, clear and unapologetic.
She looked around. No one was there.
It became a ritual. Five minutes early, five minutes of playing. Just the basics—scales, simple chords, the intro to one of her favorite songs. Her fingers stumbled, hesitated, retried.
She never meant for anyone to hear her.
But someone did.
“I didn’t know we had a pianist in our school,” Mr. Lee, the new English teacher, said one morning as he walked in early.
Jules flushed. “I’m not. I mean—I’m not good.”
“You’re not bad either,” he said with a grin. “You ever think of playing something for the spring assembly?”
Jules blinked. “Me?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t have an answer. Not a real one.
She still didn’t feel ready. But she started practicing like she might be.
Why does the author include the moment Jules presses middle C?
To symbolize the beginning of her willingness to try and take a risk.
What is the name of the technique we use to narrow our answers from 4 options to 2?
Crossing out
Consider the following sentence:
"Kerry Ann, __________ hates spiders, wears bug-stomping boots wherever she goes."
Which word should fill the blank?
a) who
b) whom
Read the following passage:
Cracking the Code
(1) Computer code is part of every electronic interaction, from video games to home thermostats to vehicle GPS systems. (2) Code is a language that computers can interpret, and programmers use it to instruct computers to perform different tasks, such as finding, sorting, or calculating data. (3) People who code have to learn this language. (4) They can construct programs that will perform detailed tasks.
(5) The programs can also perform complex tasks. (6) A coding language uses letters, numbers, and symbols that are arranged in a way that makes sense to a computer. (7) The code that makes up a program tells a computer how to process information. (8) Studying a coding language involves learning the rules for combining phrases and instructions so that they are recognizable to the computer. (9) Once a person understands coding rules, the possibilities for applying them are infinite.
(10) Coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields. (11) For example, code can be used to create programs to track, analyze, and predict changes in the stock market. (12) Code can also be designed to help doctors track and monitor a patient’s health. (13) Jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying, offering salaries that are up to as much as $22,000 a year more than jobs that do not require coding knowledge.
Which sentence would best follow sentence 13 and support the ideas in the third paragraph (sentences 10– 13)?
A. Experienced programmers, software engineers, and system administrators at large companies can earn well over $100,000 a year.
B. Hospitals, physicians’ offices, and pharmaceutical companies are frequently looking to hire people who code to help with a variety of tasks.
C. Many companies are eager to hire employees who have experience in a specific industry as well as knowledge of basic coding.
D. According to a report from a job market analytics firm, almost half of today’s jobs paying more than $58,000 a year call for some level of coding ability.
D
This sentence provides specific evidence of the job market favoring potential employees who have coding ability. It supports what is stated in sentence 13, that “jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying.”
Read the following passage:
"The Note"
No one had touched the old piano in the auditorium for years—not since the music teacher left and the district cut the program. It sat there, its lid always open, collecting dust and echoes of forgotten melodies.
Jules passed by it every morning on the way to homeroom. At first, it was just a glance. Then a pause. Then, one day, her fingers hovered over the keys. She pressed one down—middle C. The note rang out, clear and unapologetic.
She looked around. No one was there.
It became a ritual. Five minutes early, five minutes of playing. Just the basics—scales, simple chords, the intro to one of her favorite songs. Her fingers stumbled, hesitated, retried.
She never meant for anyone to hear her.
But someone did.
“I didn’t know we had a pianist in our school,” Mr. Lee, the new English teacher, said one morning as he walked in early.
Jules flushed. “I’m not. I mean—I’m not good.”
“You’re not bad either,” he said with a grin. “You ever think of playing something for the spring assembly?”
Jules blinked. “Me?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t have an answer. Not a real one.
She still didn’t feel ready. But she started practicing like she might be.
What can be inferred about Jules's feelings when Mr. Lee suggests she play at the assembly?
She is surprised and unsure but intrigued by the possibility.
True or false: Any answer that takes a stronger position (often more positive or more negative) than the passage takes is a perfectly fine answer to choose!
False; it's a trap. Extremes are always wrong.
Into the dark apartment walked David, __________ we nearly killed with surprise when everyone shouted "Happy Birthday" and jumped from behind the furniture.
Should we use who or whom to fill in this blank?
Whom.
The verb walked has David as its subject; the verb killed has we as its subject; and the verbs shouted and jumped have everyone as their subject. So you need whom, the object form.
Read the following passage:
Cracking the Code
(1) Computer code is part of every electronic interaction, from video games to home thermostats to vehicle GPS systems. (2) Code is a language that computers can interpret, and programmers use it to instruct computers to perform different tasks, such as finding, sorting, or calculating data. (3) People who code have to learn this language. (4) They can construct programs that will perform detailed tasks.
(5) The programs can also perform complex tasks. (6) A coding language uses letters, numbers, and symbols that are arranged in a way that makes sense to a computer. (7) The code that makes up a program tells a computer how to process information. (8) Studying a coding language involves learning the rules for combining phrases and instructions so that they are recognizable to the computer. (9) Once a person understands coding rules, the possibilities for applying them are infinite.
(10) Coding skills are becoming important in many occupational fields. (11) For example, code can be used to create programs to track, analyze, and predict changes in the stock market. (12) Code can also be designed to help doctors track and monitor a patient’s health. (13) Jobs that require coding skills are typically higher paying, offering salaries that are up to as much as $22,000 a year more than jobs that do not require coding knowledge.
Which concluding sentence would best follow sentence 20 and support the argument presented in the passage?
E. People should understand that knowing how to code is becoming an essential requirement for most high- paying jobs.
F. By understanding basic coding concepts, people can participate in an increasingly digital job market.
G. Students who want to secure a high- paying job in the technology industry should become proficient in coding.
H. Since coding is a valuable marketplace skill, today’s students should begin to write their own computer programs.
F
The sentence successfully summarizes the main argument of the passage, which is that coding is involved in all electronic interaction (sentence 1) and is a useful skill to master, especially in many occupational fields (sentence 10).
Read the following passage:
"The Note"
No one had touched the old piano in the auditorium for years—not since the music teacher left and the district cut the program. It sat there, its lid always open, collecting dust and echoes of forgotten melodies.
Jules passed by it every morning on the way to homeroom. At first, it was just a glance. Then a pause. Then, one day, her fingers hovered over the keys. She pressed one down—middle C. The note rang out, clear and unapologetic.
She looked around. No one was there.
It became a ritual. Five minutes early, five minutes of playing. Just the basics—scales, simple chords, the intro to one of her favorite songs. Her fingers stumbled, hesitated, retried.
She never meant for anyone to hear her.
But someone did.
“I didn’t know we had a pianist in our school,” Mr. Lee, the new English teacher, said one morning as he walked in early.
Jules flushed. “I’m not. I mean—I’m not good.”
“You’re not bad either,” he said with a grin. “You ever think of playing something for the spring assembly?”
Jules blinked. “Me?”
“Why not?”
She didn’t have an answer. Not a real one.
She still didn’t feel ready. But she started practicing like she might be.
What is the most likely reason Jules begins to practice more seriously after Mr. Lee's comment?
She starts to believe she might actually be capable of performing.
What is the suggested time breakdown for the exam? Which section should you approach first?
Generally, half-and-half. Approach the section you feel most confident in first. It's likely you'll finish that faster, so you'll have more time for the section you feel less confident in.