When proofreading your writing, what should be your primary focus?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When proofreading your writing, the primary focus should be on checking for clarity, consistency, and overall flow. This involves ensuring that the content is clear, logical, and flows smoothly from one point to the next. While enhancing originality can be important, it is secondary to ensuring that the writing effectively communicates its message. Ignoring minor grammatical errors like typos can detract from the professionalism and impact of the writing. Replacing common words with thesaurus alternatives should be done sparingly and only when it enhances the clarity or impact of the text, rather than as a routine practice during proofreading.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: An adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. In this sentence, 'anxiously' describes how the patient 'waited'. Therefore, the adverb in the sentence is 'anxiously'. Choice A, 'waited', is a verb and not an adverb. Choice C, 'doctor's', is a possessive noun and not an adverb. Choice D, 'news', is a noun and not an adverb. The correct adverb that modifies the verb 'waited' in the sentence is 'anxiously'.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: her.' Pronouns replace nouns. In this sentence, 'her' is a pronoun that replaces a specific female person's name, indicating ownership of the homework. Pronouns like 'her,' 'he,' 'it,' and 'they' are commonly used to avoid repetition of nouns and make sentences less repetitive and more concise. Choices A, B, and D are not pronouns. 'Quickly' and 'before' are adverbs, while 'finished' is a verb. Therefore, they do not replace nouns and cannot function as pronouns in this context.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: but.' Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. In the sentence 'He went to the store, but they were already closed,' 'but' is a conjunction that joins two contrasting ideas - him going to the store and finding it closed. Choice 'A: went' is a verb, not a conjunction. Choice 'B: to' is a preposition, not a conjunction. Choice 'D: they' is a pronoun, not a conjunction.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The determiner in the sentence is 'few.' Determiners specify the quantity or identity of a noun. In this case, 'few' indicates the number of birds present. Choice A, 'happily,' is an adverb modifying a verb or an adjective, not a determiner. Choice B, 'branches,' is a noun referring to parts of a tree, not a determiner. Choice D, 'tree,' is a noun identifying the main subject of the sentence, not a determiner.