Keystone Exams Review: English Composition

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of Active Voice?

The subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb.

The subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. (correct)

A word or phrase close to the noun it is modifying.

A clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.

An adjective clause modifies which of the following?

A conjunction

An adverb

A verb

A noun or pronoun (correct)

What is the purpose of an adverb clause?

Establishes a thesis

Functions as a verb

Functions as an adverb (correct)

Modifies a noun

What does the term Antecedent refer to?

The word or phrase to which a pronoun refers Signup and view all the answers

What is an Appositive?

A word or phrase close to the noun it is modifying. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Argument/Position in writing?

The position or claim the writer establishes. Signup and view all the answers

Define Audience in the context of writing.

The intended readers of a piece of writing. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by Body in a piece of writing?

The internal paragraphs within a piece of writing. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Cause/Effect organizational structure.

An organizational structure that analyzes the reasons leading to and the results of an action, event, or trend. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Claim in persuasive writing?

The opinion statement in a piece of persuasive writing. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of Clarity in writing.

A quality of writing indicative of appropriate word choice and sentence structure that yields clear and concise text. Signup and view all the answers

What does a Clause consist of?

A group of words that contains a subject and predicate. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cohesiveness mean in writing?

A quality of writing indicative of a logical flow of an argument and its correlating ideas and details. Signup and view all the answers

What are Commonly Confused Words?

Words that are mistakenly used because of similarity in spelling, pronunciation, or context. Signup and view all the answers

Define Compare/Contrast as an organizational structure.

An organizational structure that shows common and/or differing features of characters, situations, objects, or ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Conclusion in a piece of writing?

The final paragraph that provides a sense of completeness for the reader. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Conjunction?

A connecting word that joins clauses or sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Content/Meaning refer to in writing?

The essence and substance that constitute the body of a written text. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Controlling Idea/Main Idea of a piece of writing?

The writer's central thought and chief topic. Signup and view all the answers

What are Conventions of Language?

Grammar, mechanics, and language usage. Signup and view all the answers

Define Counterargument.

An argument opposing the claim or position provided. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Dangling Modifier?

A word or phrase not clearly attached to the word it modifies. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to Edit a piece of writing?

To correct grammar, mechanics, and word usage in text. Signup and view all the answers

Explain Exposition/Expository writing.

A form of writing that explains, defines, instructs, or clarifies information. Signup and view all the answers

What is Focus in writing?

What the writer establishes as the central point of interest. Signup and view all the answers

Define Fragment in writing.

A group of words that is not a complete sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Gerund?

The -ing form of a verb that is used as a noun. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Grammar in writing?

The system of rules that provides definition and structure. Signup and view all the answers

Define Infinitive.

The word 'to' plus the base form of a verb. Signup and view all the answers

Explain what Informative writing is.

A form of writing synonymous with expository or explanatory writing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Introduction in a piece of writing?

The opening integral to what follows. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Irregular Verb?

A verb that does not use -ed to form the past tense. Signup and view all the answers

Define Irrelevant Details.

Details not vital or illustrative to a piece of writing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Misplaced Modifier?

A modifier that is not placed correctly in the sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Modal Auxiliary Verb?

A helping verb that indicates ability, intention, or probability. Signup and view all the answers

Define Modifier.

Adjectives, adverbs, phrases, and clauses that describe or modify other words. Signup and view all the answers

Explain Organizational Strategies.

Methods that establish topic and purpose and address counterclaims. Signup and view all the answers

What is an Organizational Structure in writing?

A plan or framework that the writer uses to organize text. Signup and view all the answers

Define Parallel Structure.

Putting sentence elements or ideas in similar grammatical form. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Participle?

A verb form that functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb. Signup and view all the answers

What is Passive Voice?

The subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb. Signup and view all the answers

What does Persuasion mean in writing?

A form of writing that focuses on convincing the reader. Signup and view all the answers

What are Persuasive Strategies?

Intentional writing strategies used to influence an audience. Signup and view all the answers

Define Phrase.

A group of words that does not contain a subject and/or a predicate. Signup and view all the answers

What is Precise Language?

Specific language and vocabulary that clearly communicate the writer's ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Predicate?

The part of a sentence that contains the verb and all of its modifiers. Signup and view all the answers

Define Prepositional Phrase.

A phrase consisting of a preposition and its object. Signup and view all the answers

What is Process Analysis?

Writing that explains how something is done or operates. Signup and view all the answers

What is Problem/Solution as an organizational strategy?

A structure that presents a problem and possible solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pronoun Case?

The function of a pronoun within a sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What does Purpose refer to in writing?

The writer's intent to inform, entertain, or persuade. Signup and view all the answers

Define Redundancy.

The overuse of certain words, phrases, or details. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Relevant Detail?

A detail that supports controlling ideas and provides evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to Revise a piece of writing?

The process of revisiting work and making changes in content or organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Run-On Sentence?

Two or more complete sentences without correct punctuation or conjunctions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sentence Structure refer to?

The grammatical arrangement of words in sentences. Signup and view all the answers

Define Sentence Types.

Refers to simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What is Sentence Variety?

The presence of multiple sentence structures and beginnings in a text. Signup and view all the answers

What is Style in writing?

The writer's choices regarding language and structure to communicate. Signup and view all the answers

Define Stylistic Techniques.

Elements of writing used to distinguish and strengthen a piece. Signup and view all the answers

What is Syntax?

The pattern or structure of word order in sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What is Subject-Verb Agreement?

A grammatical rule where the subject must agree with its verb. Signup and view all the answers

What is Task in writing?

The assigned writing dictated by purpose, audience, and structure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Thesis?

The basic argument or main idea advanced by a writer. Signup and view all the answers

What is Tone in writing?

The writer's established attitude toward the audience or subject. Signup and view all the answers

Define Topic Sentence.

A sentence that describes the main idea of a paragraph. Signup and view all the answers

What are Transitional Words/Expressions?

Words that provide cues about relationships between sentences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Unity refer to in writing?

A quality where all components work together to create a cohesive piece. Signup and view all the answers

What is Usage in writing?

The process of choosing and using the correct word. Signup and view all the answers

Define Verbal.

A form of a verb used as an adjective, adverb, or noun. Signup and view all the answers

What is Voice in writing?

The fluency, rhythm, and liveliness in writing that makes it unique. Signup and view all the answers

What does Word Choice refer to?

Choosing correct and thoughtful words to convey tone and style. Signup and view all the answers

What is Wordiness?

When a writer uses more words than necessary to express a point. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

English Composition Key Concepts

Active Voice: Subject performs the action of the verb (e.g., "The man kicked the can").
Adjective Clause: Modifies a noun/pronoun, introduced by relative pronouns (e.g., "who," "that") as in "My aunt, who left her bag in the taxi, missed her flight."
Adverb Clause: Functions as an adverb, providing context such as time or reason (e.g., "I saw a bear when I was hiking").
Antecedent: The noun or phrase that a pronoun refers to (e.g., "The students gave their best performance").
Appositive: A noun or phrase that renames or adds information about another noun (e.g., "My neighbor, Mr. Roberts, is very quiet").
Argument/Position: A claim that is supported by evidence and may include counterarguments.
Audience: The intended readers of a written piece, essential for tailoring content.
Body: The main paragraphs that develop the theme of the writing.
Cause/Effect: Structure analyzing reasons behind events and results.

Writing Structure and Techniques

Claim: Opinion statement in persuasive writing.
Clarity: Quality marked by clear word choice and sentence structure.
Clause: Group of words with a subject and predicate; independent clauses can stand alone.
Cohesiveness: Logical flow in writing, ensuring related ideas connect.
Commonly Confused Words: Words often misused due to spelling or context (e.g., accept/except).
Compare/Contrast: Structure highlighting similarities and differences.
Conclusion: Final paragraph that reinforces main ideas and leaves a clear impression.
Conjunction: Connecting words that link clauses or phrases (e.g., "and," "but").

Key Components of Writing

Content/Meaning: Core ideas and information in a written text.
Controlling Idea/Main Idea: Central thought guiding the writing.
Conventions of Language: Rules for grammar, punctuation, and usage.
Counterargument: An opposing viewpoint that enhances credibility.
Dangling Modifier: A modifier not clearly linked to the word it modifies (e.g., "At the age of two, my father took me...").
Edit: Revising grammar, mechanics, and word choice for clarity.
Exposition/Expository: Writing that explains or clarifies information.
Focus: Central point that all elements of writing support.

Grammar and Style

Fragment: An incomplete sentence missing a subject or predicate.
Gerund: -ing form of a verb used as a noun (e.g., "Running is fun").
Grammar: System of language rules.
Infinitive: Base form of a verb with "to" (e.g., "To run").
Irregular Verb: Verbs that do not follow standard past tense rules (e.g., "go" becomes "went").
Irrelevant Details: Non-essential information that distracts from the main topic.
Misplaced Modifier: A modifier positioned awkwardly, causing confusion.
Modal Auxiliary Verb: Verbs expressing ability or possibility (e.g., "can," "may").

Writing Organization and Purpose

Organizational Strategies: Methods for arranging ideas (chronological, compare/contrast).
Organizational Structure: Framework guiding the organization of text.
Parallel Structure: Similar grammatical forms for clarity (e.g., "swimming, biking, and sleeping").
Participle: Verb form acting as a noun or adjective, ends with -ing or -ed.
Passive Voice: Subject receives action of the verb (e.g., "The man was struck by lightning").
Persuasion: Writing aimed at convincing the audience of a viewpoint.
Persuasive Strategies: Techniques used to influence the audience's opinions.
Phrase: A group of words without a subject and predicate.

Enhancements and Revisions

Precise Language: Specific vocabulary that clearly conveys ideas.
Predicate: The part of a sentence that contains the verb and its modifiers.
Prepositional Phrase: Phrase beginning with a preposition and containing a noun.
Process Analysis: Writing explaining how something works in sequential steps.
Problem/Solution: Presenting an issue and exploring potential resolutions.
Pronoun Case: Function of a pronoun as subject, object, or possessive.
Purpose: Writer's intent to inform, entertain, or persuade.
Redundancy: Unnecessary repetition of language or ideas.

Advanced Concepts

Relevant Detail: Essential information supporting the main idea.
Revise: The process of making substantial changes to content or organization.
Run-On Sentence: Two or more sentences incorrectly joined without punctuation.
Sentence Structure: Arrangement of words, including various types (simple, complex).
Sentence Types: Includes simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
Sentence Variety: Use of multiple sentence formats for enhancing writing.
Style: Personal choices in language and sentence structure by the writer.
Stylistic Techniques: Methods distinguishing a piece to enhance effectiveness.
Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases in sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensures subjects match their verbs in number and tense.
Task: Assigned writing influenced by purpose, audience, and structure.
Thesis: The central argument or main idea of a written piece.
Tone: Writer's attitude towards the subject and audience.
Topic Sentence: Introduces the main idea of a paragraph.
Transitional Words/Expressions: Cues indicating relationships between ideas.
Unity: The cohesive quality of writing, where elements align effectively.
Usage: Selecting appropriate words and phrases in writing.
Verbal: Forms of verbs functioning as different parts of speech.
Voice: Unique quality making the writing recognizable to the writer.
Word Choice: Thoughtful selection of words for clarity and tone.
Wordiness: Excessive use of words leading to vague expressions.

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Enhance your understanding of English composition with this flashcard quiz focused on essential terms like active voice, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses. Ideal for students preparing for the Keystone Exams, this quiz is designed to improve your grasp of grammatical concepts and their applications in writing.