RLA Quiz

Formal Style in Writing- Read the passage to answer the question below:

Classical music often uses a set structure called sonata form. In sonata form, a piece of music starts out with a section called the exposition that introduces the listener to two or more basic melodies. Then, in a section called the development, these melodies are played with and distorted until they may be nearly unrecognizable. Finally, in the last major section, called the recapitulation, the melodies return, but they are all in the original key, or tonality, of the piece. In other words, sonata form is like a journey on which a traveler is challenged, tested, and returns transformed.

Which statement best evaluates how well this text uses comparisons and technical vocabulary to explain a complex topic?

• It is not effective because the overuse of technical vocabulary makes it difficult for a nonexpert to understand.

• It is not effective because it uses a comparison that is not relevant to the topic.

• It is not effective because it uses informal language rather than technical vocabulary.

• It is effective because the comparison is relevant and the technical vocabulary is used clearly.

Formal Style in Writing- Read the short passage to answer the question below:

(1) I believe that I would make an excellent receptionist at Gecko & Gecko veterinary clinic, because I have extensive customer service experience. (2) As a cashier at Grocery World, I served an average of 70 customers per shift. (3) My customers were always satisfied, because, well, I'm basically a grocery-scanning fiend.

Which revision would best improve this paragraph to maintain a formal tone throughout?

• Change sentence 1 to "I believe that I would make an excellent receptionist at Gecko & Gecko veterinary clinic, because I have a large amount of customer service experience"

• Change sentence 3 to "My customers were always satisfied, because of my speed, skill, and attention to detail"

• Change sentence 2 to "As a cashier at Grocery World, I had the opportunity to provide service to an average of 70 customers per shift".

• There is no informal language, so no change is necessary.

Formal Style in Writing- Which option best uses a comparison to clarify this explanation?

The solar system consists of planets all aligned in nearly the same plane, with each planet orbiting the sun at a fixed distance.

• To explain further, there are eight planets, separated between Mars and Jupiter by an asteroid belt.

• In other words, the planets are like snowflakes: each has unique characteristics determined by how it was formed.

• This means that the solar system has a flat, circular shape.

• Think of the rings of a tree trunk: each planet travels around its own ring, carving out its own path in the solar system.

Wordiness & Redundancy

Read this sentence.

Marine algae produce up to 80 percent of Earth's oxygen, the ocean plant life that generates more oxygen than all of the Earth's plants and trees combined.

Which of these best describes how to reduce wordiness in this sentence?

• Replace "Earth's plants and trees combined" with "the plants and trees that participate in photosynthesis".

• Remove "that generates more oxygen"

• Replace "the ocean plant life that generates more oxygen than" with "which is more than is produced by"

• Remove "up to"

Wordiness & Redundancy

Which sentence should be revised to eliminate excessive wordiness?

• Guided by remote control, the robot is able to hover in place as well as fly in all directions, which gives it flexibility.

• Equipped with a video camera, the robot in flight captures aerial views that provide a unique visual angle.

• Its moveable wings allow the robot to accompany and film people or objects in motion, so it can film the action as it is happening.

• This palm-sized robot has the appearance of a large motorized dragonfly.

Formal and Informal Language:

The great educational institution we call Clifford High School will have a profound effect on each of our lives. Therefore, it is my fervent desire that you vote for Kali Barnes for class president in the upcoming plebiscite tomorrow.

Which statement best describes how the use of language supports or detracts from the author's purpose in this speech to a group of high school students?

• The language is too formal and detracts from the author's ability to relate to the audience.

• The language is appropriately informal and supports the author's goal of appearing nice and nonthreatening.

• The language is appropriately formal and supports the author's aim to impress the audience.

• The language is too informal and makes the author seem disrespectful of the audience.

Formal and Informal Language:

Text 1: Text of a speech to the high school assembly

Finally, I hope you will all get a chance this weekend to check out the craft fair in the town hall lobby. There's amazing stuff there made by local artists, including a few people from our school. It's a great place to find cool holiday gifts that no one will be expecting.

Text 2: Text of a flyer posted at a nursing home

Craft fair this weekend!

Come find unique gifts for everyone on your list. Local artists will offer competitive prices on one-of-a-kind handmade items. Wide aisles and accessible walkways make this a convenient and pleasant shopping experience for everyone.

Early bird specials available.

Town hall lobby

Which statement best describes the difference between each text's use of language?

• The speech use interesting language to get students to shop, while the flyer uses more boring language to keep elderly people from being offended.

• The speech uses conversational language to engage students, while the flyer uses more formal language to provide information to senior citizens.

• The speech uses dense, formal language to impress students, while the flyer uses helpful language to get nursing home residents to buy crafts.

• The speech uses slang to make students think the speaker is cool, while the flyer uses jargon to appeal to senior citizens.

Which change corrects the spelling of the word?

• Change recording to recordding.

• Change gathering to gatherring.

• Change orderring to ordering.

• Change beginning to begining.

Read this sentence.

"Many families in the neighborhood are opposing the city's plan to close down the soccer feild.

Which word is spelled incorrectly?

• neighborhood

• opposing

• families

• feild

Which revision corrects a misspelling in this sentence?

The principal is making students chose between music and art classes.

• Change "classes" to "clases".

• No change is needed.

• Change "chose" to "choose".

• Change "principal" to "principle"