TCAP Conventions Practice

Ernest Rutherford’s life story is both surprising and inspirational. Although ambicious in his youth, Ernest Rutherford could not have anticipated that he would one day become a famous scientist.

Which change, if any, should be made to the underlined text?

• ambisious

• ambitious

• ambitous

• No change

Answer explanation

The correct spelling of the word is ambitious.

Which change, if any, shows the best way to revise the underlined text?

After many years of hard work, he made a discovery. After a great deal of research, he discovered electrons. Electrons are fundamental particles of matter.

• He made a discovery after many years. He discovered fundamental particles called electrons after a great deal of research.

• After many years of research and hard work, he discovered the fundamental particles of matter called electrons.

• After many years of hard work, he discovered a fundamental particle of matter called electrons after a great deal of research.

• No change

Answer explanation

After many years of hard work, he made a discovery. After a great deal of research, he discovered electrons. Electrons are fundamental particles of matter.

B. After many years of research and hard work, he discovered the fundamental particles of matter called electrons.

This choice gets rid of the unnecessary repetition of ideas. All key ideas are clear and to the point.

Which change, if any, should be made to the underlined text?

Joined together into molecules, tiny atoms making up everything in the world.

• Since being joined together into molecules, tiny atoms making up everything in the world.

• Everything in the world being made up of tiny atoms joined together into molecules.

• Tiny atoms, joined together into molecules, make up everything in the world.

• No change

Answer explanation

This option communicates the idea most clearly.

Answers A, B, and D use the incorrect verb form making up. To use a verb for with -ing, you must add a helping verb (was making up, is making up. etc.)

Which change, if any, shows the best way to revise the underlined text?

Nonetheless, the fact that there were particles even smaller than molecules or atoms was discovered by Rutherford.

• Nonetheless, particles even smaller than molecules or atoms were discovered by Rutherford.

• Nonetheless, Rutherford discovered that there were particles even smaller than molecules or atoms.

• Nonetheless, the fact that was discovered by Rutherford was that there were particles even smaller than molecules or atoms.

• No change

Answer explanation

Option B uses active voice - Rutherford discoverd.... instead of passive voice (were discovered, was discovered,)

Which change if any should be made to the underlined text.

Electrons float around inside the atom just as bits of fruit in a pudding does.

• the atom just as bits of fruit in a pudding do

• the atoms just as a bit of fruit in a pudding do

• the atoms just as a bit of fruit in a pudding have done

• No change

One never knows what treasures might be found in one’s own backyard. For instance, an absurd discovery occurred in China quite by chance.

Replace an absurd with A:

• an absurd

• an incredible

• a meaningless

• a ridiculous

Answer explanation

absurd means illogical or unreasonable

Incredible best fits the description of the discovery since it is referred to as "treasure."

In March of 1974, a farmer was in the middle of digging a deep well when he saw a clay soldier in the dirt.

Replace in the middle of digging a deep well with

• in the middle of digging a deep well

• in the middle of a deep well

• digging a deep well

• digging a well

Answer explanation

digging a well provides the most concise revision

It can be inferred that the farmer was "in the middle of digging" from the word digging alone. "in the middle of" is not needed.

All wells are deep. The description is not necessary.

The clay figures were ordered by Emperor Qin Shihuang, considered the first emperor of China, more than 2,200 years ago. China was helped unified and the Great Wall of China was started by him.

Replace China was helped unified and the Great Wall of China was started by him. with

• China was helped unified and the Great Wall of China was started by him.

• The Great Wall of China was started by him and China was helped unified by him too.

• He helped unify China and also started construction on the Great Wall of China.

• China was helped unified by him and he started construction on the Great Wall of China.

Answer explanation

Option C is the only option in active voice.

The other 3 are passive: was helped and was started.

C uses the verb "helped"

Replace Defending the tomb of Qin Shihuang from thieves and marauders, some believe this is what the terra cotta army was meant for. with

• Defending the tomb of Qin Shihuang from thieves and marauders, some believe this is what the terra cotta army was meant for.

• From thieves and marauders the tomb of Qin Shihuang was defended, some believe this is what the terra cotta army was meant for.

• Some believe this terra cotta army was meant to defend the tomb of Qin Shihuang from thieves and marauders.

• Some believe this terra cotta army from thieves and marauders was defending the tomb of Qin Shihuang.

Whatever the reason the terra cotta army is a magnificent spectacle to view.

Replace reason the with

• reason the

• reason; the

• reason, the

• reason . . . the