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Unit 4 of 5

Unit 4: Revision, Editing, and Mechanics

Study guide for CLEP CLEP College Composition — Unit 4: Revision, Editing, and Mechanics. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.

150

Practice Questions

43

Flashcards

6

Key Topics

Key Concepts to Study

sentence-level revision
grammar and usage
punctuation
clarity
concision
passive vs active voice

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 150.

Q1HARD

Which revision of the sentence "Having studied for three years, the exam was easily passed by the student" best corrects errors in parallelism, modifier placement, and diction?

A) Having studied for three years, the student easily passed the exam
B) The exam was passed easily by the student, who had studied for three years
C) Having studied for three years, the student passed the exam with great ease
D) The student, having studied for three years, found the exam to be easy to pass
E) The exam, which the student had studied for three years to pass, was passed easily
Show Answer

Answer: A — Option "Having studied for three years, the student easily passed the exam" correctly revises the sentence to ensure parallelism by maintaining a consistent subject-verb structure, places the modifier 'Having studied for three years' next to the subject it modifies ('the student'), and uses appropriate diction ('easily passed' instead of 'was easily passed').

Q2EASY

The company is currently hiring, and they offer their employees comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, which are only available to those who have been with the company for more than five years, but the new employee does not receive these benefits until they have completed their probation period, after which each one can take advantage of them; however, the benefits that the company provides to its employees are generous, and everyone appreciate them. Which version of the underlined phrase 'everyone appreciate them' is most grammatically correct?

A) everyone appreciates
B) every person appreciates
C) everybody appreciate
D) all people appreciate
E) each individual appreciate
Show Answer

Answer: A — The subject-verb agreement requires that the verb 'appreciate' agree in number with the pronoun 'everyone', which is a singular subject, so 'appreciates' is the correct form of the verb.

Q3EASY

Which of the following is the most logical order of paragraphs in an essay that discusses the benefits and drawbacks of online learning?

A) Introduction, benefits, drawbacks, conclusion
B) Drawbacks, benefits, introduction, conclusion
C) Conclusion, introduction, benefits, drawbacks
D) Benefits, conclusion, introduction, drawbacks
E) Introduction, conclusion, benefits, drawbacks
Show Answer

Answer: A — This order makes the most sense because it introduces the topic, presents the positive aspects, discusses the negative aspects, and then summarizes the main points in the conclusion, creating a logical flow of ideas.

Q4MEDIUM

In context, which of the following is the best revision of sentence 3: 'You go to the gym to work out, but they have a lot of equipment.'

A) You go to the gym to work out, but they have a lot of equipment.
B) You go to the gym to work out, but it has a lot of equipment.
C) When you go to the gym to work out, they have a lot of equipment.
D) You go to the gym to work out; they have a lot of equipment.
E) You go to the gym to work out, and they have a lot of equipment.
Show Answer

Answer: B — You go to the gym to work out, but it has a lot of equipment. is correct because it maintains consistent point-of-view.

Q5EASY

Which sentence most clearly serves as a thesis statement for an essay about the impact of social media on relationships?

A) While social media has many benefits, such as increased connectivity, its effects on personal relationships are multifaceted and far-reaching.
B) Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become integral parts of daily life.
C) The rise of social media has led to a significant increase in social connections for many people.
D) People spend a lot of time on social media, often to the detriment of other aspects of their lives.
E) Understanding the nuances of human communication is essential in today's digital age.
Show Answer

Answer: A — This sentence is the clearest thesis statement because it not only introduces the topic of social media's impact on relationships but also hints at the complexity of this impact, suggesting that the essay will explore both the positive and negative effects, thus providing a clear direction for the essay.

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Study Tips for Unit 4: Revision, Editing, and Mechanics

  • Focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing facts — CLEP tests application
  • Practice with timed questions to build exam-day speed
  • Review explanations for wrong answers — they reveal common misconceptions
  • Use flashcards for key terms, practice questions for deeper understanding

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