CSA 1 - Purposive Communication (Part 2)

Part 1A - Accuracy in Communication: English Grammar [Sentence Completion Test]

Choose which word or group of words from the options provided would accurately complete the
sentences.

1. I ________ speak English without a problem now because I have had many lessons.
Answer: can
Feedback: The modal "can" is used as a verb to express ability or potentiality. The "because I
have had many lesson" cues of a statement of "capability" as a result or as an effect.

2. I _______ exhaustively the mathematical problem but I still did not get the right solution.
Answer: analyzed
Feedback: "analyzed" for verb tense consistency as the coordinated clause "I still did not get..."
already provided the verb tense of the sentence through the auxiliary "did"
3. We  ________ off early on the first day of summer so that we could see the sun rise.
Answer: started
Feedback: "started off" is a phrasal verb which means "begin to travel or move"

"left off" may make sense as it is also a phrasal verb. However, in this sentence, its meaning
would not fit. "Left off" as a phrasal verb means "stop or cease"
4. They ________ do their homework today because it is a holiday at the school.
Answer: do not/don't have to

"don't have to" so as to indicate there is no obligation to complete an action as signaled by the
subordinating sentence cued by the conjunction "because"

5. I am very sorry but I ________ what you said just now. Could you repeat it?
Answer: "didn't hear"

Feedback: Simple past in the auxiliary "did" (didn't) is used in this statement to refer to a
recently completed or finished action.

Part 1B - Accuracy in Communication: English Grammar [Sentence Error Analysis]

Choose the letter that carries with it a word, phrase, or sentence that is wrongly constructed.

6. The suspect (A) shocked the jury not only with his frankness and honesty (B) as well as with
(C) what seemed to be genuine cooperation (D) behind his anxious smile. (E) No error
Answer: B since "as well as" is not the appropriate conjunctive pair for NOT ONLY... it should
be "but also"
7. The title of (A) valedictorian goes to (B) whomever (C) has the first highest (D) academic
general weighted average. No error.
Feedback
The error is B.
"whoever" should be used and not "whomever".

"to whomever” would only be correct if it is a direct object in all parts of the sentence, e.g. “…
to whomever you want.” However, in this sentence it is a subject in the prepositional phrase:
“… to whoever has…” and thus should be “whoever” so “who” agrees with “has.” “Whoever”
as subject takes precedence over “whomever” as object.

8. Signs and symptoms of this disease (A)  that call for a doctor visit (B) includes nausea, (C)
dizziness, and fever, as well as (D) diarrhea. (E) No error.
The error is B.

“includes” is incorrect because it is the singular form of the verb, but the subject, “symptoms,”
is plural. The verb should be “include.”
9. Write (A) as quick (B) as you (C) can but (D) as diligently and cautiously as possible when
you take the . (E) No error.
The error is A.

"quick" is not the write word for this since it is an adjective. With "work" being the modified
which is a verb, then an adverb is needed to modify it as in "quickly"

10. The Gumamela flower, after (A) fertilization (B) with the grains of pollen that (C) a bee
careleslly transports, will gradually (D) perish and wither. (E) No error.
The error is D.

This is about redundancy; “perish” and “wither” mean basically the same thing. You don’t
need them both.
Part 1C - Accuracy in Communication: English Grammar [Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement]
In the following sets of sentences, select the sentence that incorrectly or wrongly employs
pronoun-antecedent agreement.
11. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement?
A. If anyone wants the tickets, they need to call me tonight.
B. John and Jane are combining their money to purchase a larger gift for their parents.
C. Sandy was the only one in the class who had his or her homework.
D. Neither Carlo nor Alex wanted to present his own ideas.
Answer: C. Sandy was the only one in the class who had his or her homework.
Feedback
Sandy was the only one in the class who had his or her homework (Sandy is identified, so it must
not be an or between HIS / HER).
12. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement?
A. The tour guide, as well as the entire group, checked their supply list.
B. Either my sister or my cousin will bring her video camera.
C. Roby is one of those teachers who consider themselves privileged to work with students.
D. The members of the team played their hardest.
Feedback
The tour guide, as well as the entire group, checked their supply list. (correct pronoun is
His/her, subject is tour guide which is singular)
13. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement?
A. Nobody in the class completed his or her assignment perfectly.
B. The students, rather than the professor, will present their theory at the conference.
C. Every instructor and every administrator stated his or her opinion.
D. The committee is making their final presentation this evening.
Answer: Every instructor and every administrator stated his or her opinion.
14. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement?
A. Everyone should write their name on the top of their test.
B. Both girls will try to see their relatives in Korea.
C. Neither of them will wear her costume once the performance is over.
D. If students need help, they should make an appointment to meet with a tutor.
Feedback
Everyone should write their name on the top of their test. (Everyone is always singular, thus...
correct pronoun should be his or her)
15. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its Pronoun-Antecedent
Agreement?
A. Each of the students should bring his or her text book to the study session.
B. Both Suzy and Geno brought their children with them to the meeting.
C. Everyone wanted to share their observations.
D. When people are interrogated relentlessly, they tend to grow weary.
Feedback
Everyone wanted to share their observations. (Correct pronoun must be his or her NOT their, as
everyone is singular)
Part 1D - Accuracy in Communication: English Grammar [Subject-Verb Agreement]
In the following set of sentences, select the statement that has an error in subject-verb agreement.
16. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its SVA?
A. Neither she nor her mother wants to go to the dinner.
B. The longest of the meetings are the first one of the semester.
C. He and his girlfriend talk on the phone constantly.
D. The professor or one of her research assistants is at every meeting.
Feedback
The longest of the meetings IS the first one of the semester. NOT "are"
17. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its SVA?*
A. Everyone except the lead suspect has given a statement to the police.
B. Either the students or their parents have spoken to the board.
C. There seem to be a growing interest in that class.
D. When all of the tests are finished, the scientists will have more information.
Feedback
There seem to be a growing interest in that class.
(SEEMS to be NOT SEEM to be because the following subject is singular).

18. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its SVA?
A. Has an instructor or one of the lab assistants come to help you?
B. The young couple has a new home in a beautiful neighborhood.
C. Neither the students nor their professor are going to the meeting.
D. Either the professor or his students have prepared the grant submission.
Feedback
Neither the students nor their professor are going to the meeting.

This is a “neither…nor“ case, so the basis of the verb should be the closest subject to the verb
who is the “professor” which is singular… hence, it must be “is going to”.
19. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its SVA?
A. The jury are taking their seats in the courtroom now.
B. Each of her daughters has developed a unique style.
C. The number of students are increasing.
D. Neither Jenny nor her sister has been able to find the missing earring.
Feedback
The number of students are increasing. (must be IS)

"The number" is always singular…

A number is plural…
20. Which of the following sentences has an error in terms of its SVA?
A. He is one of the students who has taken the exam.
B. The problems take them all evening to complete.
C. Neither learner has the assignment completed.
D. Both Suzie and Jeno have published their stories in major journals.
Feedback
He is one of the students "WHO HAVE" taken the exam. NOT WHO HAS.

Part 2A - Literature as Communication: Understanding Literature [Genre and Structure]

This part of the test shall focus on your knowledge about the structures, devices and elements of
major literary genres.

21. Taking into consideration the figure of speech used, what does the quote below mean? "The
best university of all is a collection of books."
Answer: Reading books can provide a person with an excellent education.
22. Which of the following creates drama as a literary piece?
Answer: Playwright

23. Which of the following genres narrates an imagined community or society that seems perfect
in the outside yet dehumanizing and frightening on the inside? The famed bestselling trilogy
"Hunger Games" is an example of this.
Answer: Dystopic Fiction

24. In Freytag's pyramid or triangle, what is known as the unraveling of the plot through a
resolution of the main complication of a literary (especially a dramatic) work?
Answer: denouement

25. Sound words such as BANG, BAM, and BOING are examples of which figurative language?
Answer: Onomatopoeia

26. 'To err is human, to forgive divine.' is the best example of which figurative language?
Answer: Antithesis
27. Which sentence does NOT include a euphemism?
Answer: Alleah said that her uncle died last week.
28. Star Wars and Star Trek are examples of what literary genre?
Answer: science fiction

29. Which of the following is a core structural element of an epic as literary genre? In the
absence of this element, the epic cannot be an epic?
Answer: Hero
30. In literary essays, what is known as an expository text?
Answer: A non-fiction text used to inform, explain, or describe.
31. Which is identified as the force that go in conflict with or that endeavors to hinder a
narrative's main character?
Answer: Antagonist (or the villain)
32. This is a figurative comparison of two or more things using “like” or “as”?
Answer: Simile

33. This literary genre is a non-fictional work in which the writer himself/herself writes his/her
own story.
Answer: autobiography

34. Which of the following is intended to be performed on stage by actors with identified and
distinct roles?
Answer: Drama
35. What poetic structure has no rhyme and follows no regular meter?
Answer: Free Verse
Part 2B - Literature as Communication: Analyzing Literature [Literary Theories and
Approaches to Literary Analysis]
This test highlights the different various lenses or views employed in analyzing and appreciating
literature.

36. Anna approached the analysis of a poem to figure out its meaning by carefully focusing on
the poetic elements and how they all work together to create meaning. What literary theory did
Anna employ in this scenario?
Answer: Formalism or Formalist Approach. Formalism is a critical approach that analyze,
interpret, or evaluate the inherent features of a text.
37. In literature, "new criticism" is also known as _______?
Answer: Formalism
38. While analyzing one of Shakespeare's sonnets, Anita asked to herself: "How well does this
poem accord with the real world? Is it accurate? Is it moral?" What literary lens does Anita use
to critique the sonnet?
Answer: Mimetic Approach / Mimesis
39. What approach to evaluating literature is concerned with the role, position, and influence of
women in a literary text?
Answer: Feminism

40. When examining "Paradise Lost" by John Milton, Student X focuses on the concrete and
tangible description of the Garden of Eden, seed and flower, on the symbols of hands, and on the
specificity of the characters of Adam, Eve, Satan, and God. Student X paid a careful attention to
the epic similes and metaphors, and the point of view from which the narrative is being told.  He
was more focused on the meaning in the text itself while not looking into the biography of
Milton. What lens is Student X employing to analyze Paradise Lost?
Answer: Formalist

41. Who propounds to psychoanalytic theory used in analyzing literary texts while focusing on
the human psyche and desire?
Answer: Psychoanalytic theory is by Sigmund Freud

42. Michel Foucault propounded which of the following school of literary criticism?
Answer: Structuralism

43. In reading the novel Noli Mi Tangere, one focused on the way the Filipinos become alienated
in their own country in terms of power, freedom, and politics. This is an example of which
literary analysis?

Answer: Marxist / Marxism

44. Which literary theory is usually used in analyzing texts in the classroom and is accused of
reading the texts to "subjectively"?
Answer: Reader Response Criticism
45. In the Psychoanalytic approach to literary analysis, long objects are usually seen as ______?
Answer: Phallic Symbols
Part 3 - English Across Professions: Communicating Across Disciplines
This part of the test focuses on the use of English across different communities of practice.

46. Which of the following statements deploy an appropriate language to present the
methodology of a quantitative research work?
Answer: "This study use a descriptive-correlational method to analyze the possible relationship
between students' level of confidence and their linguistic competence."
47. Which communicative genre would best use of a short, direct, and powerful language?
Answer: memorandum
48. Which of the following would be a tactfully honest response to a job interview question
asking for one's expected salary?
Answer: "I believe I have the skills that can be an asset to the company. Hence, I am very much
willing to be paid based on my qualifications and experiences."

49. In writing a business letter, which of the following should be the first and primary entry in
the inside address?
Answer: name of the recipient of the letter

50. In business correspondence through e-mail, what does BCC mean?

Answer: blind carbon copy

51. This is a section in a research grounded technical paper that features definitions, discussions,
and findings from other studies or authors related to the subject/s of the current research
problem. What is this?
Answer: Literature Review

52. In writing the outline of a research paper as a form of academic technical paper, which of the
following lists lists in correct order the sections of a research?
Answer: Title page, Abstract, Introduction, Literature, Methods, Findings, References,
Appendices.
53. In writing a critical literary essay, what do you call a DIRECT quote from the text to support
your thesis or claims? This may also be cited examples from the text that are paraphrased or
described?
Answer: evidences

54. Which type of job interview tests that ability of an applicant to respond under the pressure of
multiple questions from different interviewers at one point in time?

Answer: Panel interview

55. In writing an academic paper like an explanatory or expository essay, which of the following
would best describe a hook?
Answer: It is essentially a statement in the introduction that is intended to grab the reader's
attention.

56. When answering interview questions, it is always important to ____________.

Answer: be specific and clear

57. These are proposals that aim to attract prospective business clients or investors and usually
offered to respond to the needs of consumers?
Answer: business proposal

58. Why should one properly cite in any academic or technical paper?
Answer: To provide proper credit to the authors of ideas that you incorporated in your essay.
59. In what format should the bibliographic entries be written for research papers in the field of
education and social sciences?
Answer: American Psychological Association (APA)

60. In writing most forms of technical paper, why are evidences needed?
Answer: To provide support, proof, and explanation to a claim in the essay or paper.