This short quiz will help you sharpen your writing skills. Answers are posted below.
Part I Correct the errors in the sentences below.
1. Peyton said, “I didn’t put anything into her drink”.
2. Several of us have been studing hard for the sergeants’ exam next month.
3. Captain Fillmore updated us about COVID-19 recommendations, then she answered our questions.
Part II Read the two sentences below. Then choose the best response: a, b, or c.
#1 I ascertained that the aforementioned Stanley Willis was in fact the same person named as responsible for the damage to the car owned by the person who reported the incident, namely Gail Albertson.
#2 Gail Albertson told me that Stanley Willis had damaged her car.
a) #1 has more useful information
b) #2 has more useful information
c) #3 both have the same amount of useful information
ANSWERS
Part I Correct the errors in the sentences below.
1. Peyton said, “I didn’t put anything into her drink.” [In the US, periods and commas always go inside quotation marks. There are no exceptions.]
2. Several of us have been studying hard for the sergeants’ exam next month. [studying, not studing]
3. Captain Fillmore updated us about COVID-19 recommendations, and then she answered our questions. [You can’t join two sentences with then. Use and then, along with a comma.]
Part II Read the two sentences below. Then choose the best response: a, b, or c.
a) I ascertained that the aforementioned Stanley Willis was in fact the same person named as responsible for the damage to the car owned by the person who reported the incident, namely Gail Albertson.
b) Gail Albertson told me that Stanley Willis had damaged her car.
a) #1 has more useful information
b) #2 has more useful information
c) #3 both have the same amount of useful information:
-
- I interviewed Gail Albertson
- She reported damage to her car
- She said that Stanley Willis caused the damage
Sentence #2 is a better choice for a police report. Short, factual sentences save time for everyone.
How did you do?
