EXAM REVIEW: REVISING - WORD CHOICE

REVISING: Avoid exaggerated, overly dramatic, or high-sounding language

Don't choose overly complicated words when simple words are enough to express the intended meaning. But don't think that an answer choice is high-sounding just because you don't know what it means.

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

The startup didn't become financially beneficial until it reached a critical mass of customers using the app on a daily basis.

• No change

• profitable

• commercially rewarding

• worthy of great compensation

Answer explanation

The answer is B, the simplest choice. All the other choices are high-sounding ways of saying profitable.

REVISING: Avoid exaggerated, overly dramatic, or high-sounding language

Don't choose overly complicated words when simple words are enough to express the intended meaning. But don't think that an answer choice is high-sounding just because you don't know what it means.

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

The employees put forth a plan to cut spending by fifty percent but their boss rejected their audacious scheme.

• NO CHANGE

• brash industrial action.

• bold proposal.

• spirited counsel.

Answer explanation

The answer is C. All the other choices are overly dramatic and exaggerated.

REVISING: Avoid exaggerated, overly dramatic, or high-sounding language

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

The security company's services are being exited in the short term so that its password algorithms can be reset or strengthened.

• NO CHANGE

• winding down in the interim

• ceasing operations non-permanently

• shutting down temporarily

REVISING: Avoid casual or informal language

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

Tired from the 20 mile hike, Yasmine retired to her tent and snoozed.

• NO CHANGE

• hit the sack.

• slept.

• dozed off.

Answer explanation

The answer is C. The other answers are too informal.

REVISING: Avoid casual or informal language

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

A recently passed law requires that public transportation meet new safety standards, forcing state governments to foot the bill for the construction of new railroads.

• NO CHANGE

• pick up the tab

• pay

• shell out

Answer explanation

Again, the other answers are too conversational.

REVISING: Avoid vague and wordy language

Vague words to look out for include people, things, something, stuff, matters, aspects, tons of.

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

In anticipation of Black Friday, store owners are making sure they have a wide variety of products in stock.

• NO CHANGE

• items for customers

• stuff to sell

• things that can be purchased

Answer explanation

The other answers are unnecessarily vague and wordy.

REVISING: Be aware of commonly confused words

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

Ketchup is a better compliment to french fries then mustard.

• NO CHANGE

• compliment to french fries than

• complement to french fries then

• complement to french fries than

Answer explanation

A complement is something that goes well with something else, whereas a compliment is something nice you say to someone. Than is used for comparisons; then is used to mean at that time or next.

REVISING: Avoid casual or informal language

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

Tired from the 20 mile hike, Yasmine retired to her tent and snoozed.

• NO CHANGE

• hit the sack.

• slept.

• dozed off.

Answer explanation

The answer is C. The other answers are too informal.

PRACTICE - REVISING

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

Establishing himself as the premier authority on food, David Pine was a harsh critic of any chef who did not conform to his standards.

• NO CHANGE

• fall with

• attach to

• meet the bar of

PRACTICE - REVISING

Identify the best way to revise the UNDERLINED PORTION in the sentence below:

The police detective was frustrated by the witness's refusal to cooperate potentially valuable information.

• NO CHANGE

• chip in with

• play ball with

• contribute