U.S. English AP Style Editing Skills Test (For Writing Professionals)
Which
of the following sentences requires editing to correct an error in parallel
structure?
a. We
applauded him not only for admitting his serious offenses and helping the
police, but also for expressing his sincere regret for the pain he had caused.
b. The
merger led to restructuring the internal systems, redefining the roles of each
department and realigning the company's goals with those of its parent company.
c. According
to a recent survey, the average French woman speaks two languages, marries and
divorces twice in her lifetime and drinks 17 gallons of wine a year.
d. "This
is a time not for words, but action!" roared the candidate.
Choose
the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following
sentence.
The
board of directors said that the company could move forward with the new plan without
first seeking the approving of the foreign investors.
a. without
first seeking the assent of the foreign investors
b. without
first seeking approval from the foreign investors
c. without
first seeking the approbation of the foreign investors
d. whether
or not they received the approving from the foreign investors
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct a modifier usage
error?
a. Claire
accidentally dropped the crate on Chad's foot with her barbells in it.
b. Swinging
wildly through the trees, the spectators were delighted by the monkeys.
c. Petra
wanted only one raspberry parfait, but Pedro insisted on giving her three.
d. I
heard that my coworkers planned to throw a birthday party for me while I was
standing outside the door.
Choose
the series of adjectives that best completes the following sentence.
We
have no doubt that the senator's meeting of "goodwill" with our arch
rival will be accompanied by _________ clandestine deal for lucrative building
contracts and ________ talk of future collaborations.
a. some
/ secret
b. any
/ secretive
c. every
/ secreted
d. each
/ secret
Read
the following sentence and identify the style error it contains.
253
students attended the rally on Nov. 23. Of those present, 56 percent belonged
to the freshman class, 12 percent to the sophomore class and two percent to the
junior class.
a. The
number "253" should be spelled out because it is at the beginning of
the sentence.
b. The
month "Nov." should be spelled out instead of abbreviated.
c. The
words "freshman," "sophomore" and "junior" should
be capitalized.
d. The
phrase "two percent" should be written "2 percent."
e. a
and c
f. a
and d
Choose
the series of verb forms that best completes the following passage.
If
any club member _____________ suggest that he was not against opening
membership to women but only against allowing them early tee times, he
____________ shouted out of the room.
a. had
dared to / will be
b. dares
to / is being
c. dared
/ would be
d. would
have dared / would have been
Which
of the following sentences requires editing to correct errors in punctuation?
a. You've
been my best friend for years; however, seeing as you cannot afford to lend me
any more money, I think it's time to end our relationship.
b. As I
listened to the scraping of the shovel on the asphalt, I was reminded of my
cousin Bob's and my father's singing voices.
c. The
two faced each other in silence, each one thinking the other a two-faced
coward.
d. I
just adore this carnivorous plant, which by the way was a gift from your
mother.
The
moment had arrived for the intern to begin his first solo operation and he
couldn't barely contain his excitement. Having been anesthetized, the new
surgeon made his first incision into the patient.
a. Edit
the first sentence to correct the double negative.
b. Delete
the comma after "anesthetized" in the second sentence.
c. Insert
a comma after "operation" in the first sentence.
d. Recast
the last sentence to correct the dangling modifier.
e. c
and d
f. a
and d
Read
the following passage and select the line that contains an error in verb tense
consistency.
a. Her
photo has been on that piano for more than 20 years. I don't have the courage
b. to
remove it because it had always been there — has always belonged there. And who
c. knows?
Perhaps it will still be there 20 years from now after I am long gone.
d. No error
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct errors in
punctuation?
a. Oliver,
Doris's younger brother, asked me, "Would you come with me"? I nodded
my head; however, I didn't want to go with him.
b. Oliver,
Doris' younger brother, asked me, "Would you come with me?" I nodded
my head, however; I didn't want to go with him.
c. Oliver,
Doris's younger brother, asked me, "Would you come with me?" I nodded
my head, however, I didn't want to go with him.
d. Oliver,
Doris' younger brother, asked me, "Would you come with me?" I nodded
my head; however, I didn't want to go with him.
Read
the following sentence and identify the type of grammar or usage error it
contains.
The
differences in the two committees had finally reached an insurmountable level;
each wanted to delve in the problem more deeply, but neither wanted to
cooperate among the other.
a. Errors
in pronoun usage and agreement
b. Incorrect
placement of adjectives and adverbs
c. Incorrect
use of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
d. Errors
in preposition usage
Read
the following passage and select the line that contains a grammar or usage
error.
a. Whether
Steve is aware of it or not,
b. today
is the anniversary of us packing up the
c. house
and hightailing it to Canada. If I were
d. you,
I wouldn't remind him of it.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct errors in word
choice, word usage or spelling?
a. We
racked our brains to come up with a solution to the problem.
b. For
all intensive purposes the case is closed.
c. The
mysterious letter inferred that my wife was having an affair with the butler.
d. The
police chief kept his eye on the growing amount of protesters outside the
mayor's office.
e. The
room could barely acommodate the throng of happy revelers.
The
following sentence is devoid of punctuation. Which of the given editing options
turns it into a coherent, plausible sentence?
At
last I met Dr. Sneeth the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for the
city
a. At
last I met the evil scientist Dr. Sneeth, who had caused such trouble for the
city.
b. At
last I met Dr. Sneeth, the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for the
city.
c. At
last I met Dr. Sneeth, the evil scientist, who had caused such trouble for the
city.
d. I
met Dr. Sneeth — at last! — the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for
the city.
e. All
of the above are acceptable; the final choice would depend on the author's
intention.
Read
the following sentence and choose the option that shows the part of the
sentence that should be edited to eliminate redundancy.
The
board said it would postpone its decision about appointing a superintendent
until later.
a. The
board said
b. it
would postpone its decision
c. about
appointing a superintendent
d. until
later.
e. No
correction required
Read
the following passage (options) and select the line that contains an error in
grammar or usage.
a. We
expect only three things from our camp
b. counselors:
Loyalty, enthusiasm and the desire to help
c. people
in need. If those simple things are not in your repertoire,
d. please
don't apply to our program.
Which
course of action would an editor need to take to correct the
modifier/comparison error in the following passage?
"Your
brother has been behaving strangely lately," Theo remarked. "I mean,
I know he's never been the sharpest marble in the drawer, but I think he's
really lost it now."
a. Delete
"I mean" to eliminate wordiness.
b. Keep
quoted speech together by moving "Theo remarked" to the end of the
passage.
c. Edit
the second sentence to correct the mixed metaphors.
d. Change
"strangely" to "strange."
Choose
the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following
sentence.
After
an entire day of experimenting with new medications, the patient was sorry to
report that her migraine was as bad today as yesterday.
a. was
as bad today just as it was yesterday
b. was
as bad today as it was yesterday
c. was
worse today than it had been yesterday
d. is
as bad today as yesterday
e. This
sentence is correct; the editor should take no action.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct the unnecessary
use of passive voice?
a. The
Nobel Peace Prize was received joyously by the president.
b. His
supporters were so pleased, they began a party in the square that raged all
night.
c. The
spectacle was watched by the town's entire population.
d. When
dawn broke, handcuffs were put on several revelers by the police.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct a comparison
error?
a. Ann
thinks her sister's peach pies are better than the bakery.
b. Did
I ever tell you that you complain more than anyone I know?
c. We
specialize in producing Belgian chocolates that contain 50% less fat.
d. The
symptoms of typhoid quite often resemble those of fever.
Read
the following sentence and choose the option that shows the part of the
sentence that should be edited to eliminate redundancy.
Reps.
Smith and Brown urged fellow legislators to address the need for money for
school funding.
a. Reps.
Smith and Brown urged
b. fellow
legislators to address
c. the
need for money for school funding.
d. No
correction required
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct errors in word
choice, word usage or spelling?
a. The
boss has been trying to wangle tickets to the show for the entire staff.
b. Less
dollars in your paycheck means less money to spend on video games.
c. For
dinner we decided to have steak, potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
d. Local
representatives are doing what they can to ensure proper healthcare for
seniors.
Read
the following sentence and identify the style error it contains.
Many
people in the United States are awaiting the report from the U.N. inspectors.
a. "United
States" should be abbreviated.
b. "U.N."
should be spelled out.
c. "awaiting"
should be "waiting for."
d. There
are no style errors in the sentence.
Read
the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of
action for an editor to take.
1)Why,
Helen wondered, did I ever show my face in Troy?
2)There's
been nothing but infighting, death and destruction
3)—
not to mention the cost of launching those thousand
4)ships.
My choice is clear: I'm moving to Cleveland.
a. Edit
lines (1) and (2) for overuse of commas.
b. Edit
line (2) for spelling.
c. Edit
line (3) for use of em dash.
d. Edit
line (4) for capitalization and use of colon.
e. This
passage is correct; the editor should take no action.
Choose
the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following
sentence.
Herbert
works 60 hours a week and has plans every weekend and he still finds time to
volunteer at the soup kitchen.
a. Herbert
works 60 hours a week and he has plans every weekend and he
b. Working
60 hours a week and having plans every weekend, Herbert
c. Although
Herbert works 60 hours a week and has plans every weekend, he
d. Despite
working 60 hours a week and with plans every weekend, Herbert
Which
of the following sentences requires editing to correct an error in modifier
usage?
a. Mr.
Hoffman or his assistants are ready to help you with the new editing software.
b. Every
salesperson, according to the latest report, has underperformed this quarter.
c. Living
on the first floor, many strange objects rain down from the eighty-two floors
above.
d. The
truck closely followed the car, which was towing a boat.
Which
of the following sentences contains an error in grammar or usage?
a. Twenty
top hats, 12 of which are covered in sequins, have been donated to the theater.
b. Rhonda,
who desperately needs a new car, has started skiing to work.
c. Please
compile a list of all the animals that are currently housed in the shelter.
d. Robert
is one of those people that can't be depended upon to keep his word.
Read
the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course
of action for an editor to take.
Happiness
has always and will always be an elusive element in my life.
a. Set
off the phrase "and will always" with commas.
b. Change
"has always" to "has always been" to correct the parallel
structure of the first clause.
c. Enclose
"Happiness" in quotation marks to show its status as a concept.
d. Change
"elusive" to "illusive" to correct diction error.
Read
the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of
action for an editor to take.
1)So
the guy breaks into our house, steals our stuff and
2)then
slips on the ice in the driveway on his way out,
3)breaking
his ankles. And guess what? He hit us with a
4)personal
injury suite. Isn't that the most ridiculous
5)tragedy
of justice you ever heard of?
a. Edit
lines (1) and (2) for comma usage errors.
b. Edit
line (4) for spelling error.
c. Edit
line (5) for word choice error.
d. b
and c
Choose
the series of verb forms that best completes the following passage.
Our
voyage would have been a different and much duller experience _________ for the
family of dolphins that _________ the ship from Mallorca to Malta.
a. would
it not have been / followed
b. if
it wasn't / had followed
c. had
it not been / followed
d. except
/ were following
Which
of the following sentences contains an error in grammar or usage?
a. Had
I known about the prize, I might have bought a raffle ticket.
b. Perhaps
you should of thought of the consequences before picking a fight with that
bully.
c. Congressional
leaders and White House staff plan to discuss a compromise.
d. If I
were you, I'd think twice about joining those protesters.
All
but one of the following sentences require editing to correct passive voice,
wordiness or redundancy. Consider the underlined phrases, and then select the
sentence that does NOT require editing.
a. Although
we were sure that danger lurked around every corner, in actual fact, the
danger was all in our heads.
b. We
couldn't understand the surprise that was felt by everyone when our
candidate won the election.
c. We
heard that Rep. Nordstrom has more than $1 million available in cash, yet he
won't give his children a dollar even when they beg for it.
d. Amanda,
who just received her master of arts degree, hasn't started interviewing as
of yet.
Which
of the following sentences requires editing to correct an error in subject-verb
agreement?
a. Every
one of the scouts is responsible for his own camping equipment and should come
prepared for a strenuous hike.
b. The
walls of the old villa have been newly plastered with white stucco, which rob
them of their charm.
c. Not
only the horses but also the goat has been rounded up and locked in the barn.
d. The
receptionists and clerks each hope for a substantial bonus this year.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct errors in word
choice, word usage or spelling?
a. He
told jokes for half an hour before finally homing in on the point of his
lecture.
b. The
mayor really hit the nail on the head with his idea - it's the idyllic
solution.
c. The
court's decision impelled the disgraced politician to hand over all his
correspondence.
d. Please
ask the secretary to disperse some money from petty cash for the luncheon.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct grammar or usage
errors?
a. The
film's special affects seemed to have a positive effect on the audience.
b. Can
you please keep this information just between you and I and the lamppost?
c. Trigger
was a horse who starred in many films with his owner, Roy Rogers.
d. Harold
speaks of getting a doctorate degree as if it was the easiest thing to
accomplish.
Read
the following sentence and identify the type of error it contains.
Although
the critic did not like so-called chick flicks, she had to admit that "The
Devil Wears Prada" was far away the best film of the genre she'd seen.
a. Illogical
comparison
b. Incorrect
idiom usage
c. Incorrect
use of quotation marks
d. Verb
tense shift
Read
the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of
action for an editor to take.
1)Greta,
who is completely enamored of her new
2)designer
handbag, is even more enamored of the
3)envious
glances she receives from her pals.
4)Made
of buttery leather, Greta's fashionista friend just
5)had
to run out and get one of her own.
a. Edit
lines (1) and (2) for diction.
b. Edit
lines (2) and (3) for adjective usage.
c. Edit
line (4) for dangling modifier.
d. Edit
line (5) for phrasal verb usage.
e. This
passage does not need editing.
Which
of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct grammar or usage
errors?
a. By
the end of the week, each of the employees had voiced their opinion on the
change.
b. I
knew it was Bob that let his car alarm blare all night.
c. After
the accident, Justine has been unable to resume her teaching again.
d. It
will require careful planning to create systems of protection against future
hurricanes.
Read
the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course
of action for an editor to take.
A
recent study by a team of sociologists at Johns Hopkins University confirmed
that the average female moviegoer expects to see at least three romantic scenes
per film, and that they are seldom disappointed.
a. Change
all verbs to the present tense.
b. Edit
the name of the university for missing apostrophes.
c. Edit
"and that they are seldom disappointed" to correct error in
pronoun-antecedent agreement.
d. This
sentence is correct; the editor should take no action.
Read
the following passage and identify the type of grammar or usage error it
contains.
The
baby giraffe just loved to play with the 10 puma cubs. Their games came
inevitably — and painfully — to an end, however, after the first six times the
giraffe smashed its face against the low tree limbs under which the little
pumas lithely slipped.
a. Comma
splice
b. Pronoun
reference
c. Inconsistent
number usage
d. Parallelism
e. No
error