CAEC Writing Preparation Course: Voice, audience, tone and word choice

1. Question 1 of 16

   In writing, who is the 'audience'?

   • AThe people you are writing for
   • BThe person who wrote the prompt
   • COnly your friends
   • DThe title of your essay
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The people you are writing for

   Knowing your audience helps you choose the right tone and words (outcome 2.1).

2. Question 2 of 16

   You are writing to your town council. Which tone is most appropriate?

   • AVery casual, like a text to a friend
   • BAngry and sarcastic
   • CRespectful, confident and formal
   • DUnsure and apologetic
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Respectful, confident and formal

   A formal, respectful and confident tone suits officials you want to persuade.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Which sentence is too casual for a persuasive essay?

   • AResidents have raised several concerns about the plan.
   • BHonestly, this plan is super sketchy and kinda dumb.
   • CThis plan has serious problems that council should consider.
   • DThe plan may cost more than it saves.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Honestly, this plan is super sketchy and kinda dumb.

   Slang such as 'super sketchy' and 'kinda dumb' does not suit a formal audience.

4. Question 4 of 16

   Which word is more precise than 'good' in: 'The new park would be good for the town'?

   • Apretty good
   • Bnice
   • Cokay
   • Dbeneficial
   Show answer

   Answer: D. beneficial

   'Beneficial' says exactly what you mean: it brings benefits. Precise diction creates a clearer voice.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Which sentence sounds the most confident?

   • AI guess library hours are something, I don't know.
   • BLibrary hours might or might not need changing.
   • CI believe the town should extend library hours.
   • DI kind of think maybe the town could possibly extend library hours.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. I believe the town should extend library hours.

   Hedging words like 'kind of', 'maybe' and 'possibly' weaken a persuasive voice.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Which sentence disagrees respectfully?

   • AOnly selfish people would ever vote against building this new park.
   • BAnyone who worries about noise is just being ridiculous and selfish.
   • CPeople who complain about park noise should simply move somewhere else.
   • DSome residents worry about noise, but the park would close at 9 p.m.
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Some residents worry about noise, but the park would close at 9 p.m.

   You persuade more readers when you answer their concerns politely instead of insulting them.

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which wording says the same thing as 'due to the fact that' in the fewest words?

   • Aon account of the fact that
   • Bin light of the fact that
   • Cbecause
   • Dowing to the fact that
   Show answer

   Answer: C. because

   'Because' says the same thing in one word. Cutting extra words makes writing clearer.

8. Question 8 of 16

   What is a rhetorical question?

   • AA question that can only be placed in the essay's title
   • BA question that the scorer must answer in writing after the test
   • CA question asked for effect, to make the reader think, not to get an answer
   • DA trick question that has no correct answer at all
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A question asked for effect, to make the reader think, not to get an answer

   For example, 'Who would not want safer streets?' A rhetorical question can make a point strongly if used sparingly.

9. Question 9 of 16

   What is 'voice' in writing?

   • AThe font and text size that you use on the computer
   • BThe writer's personality, shown through word choice and style
   • CThe total number of words that the essay contains
   • DHow loudly the essay would sound if it were read aloud
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The writer's personality, shown through word choice and style

   Outcome 2.2 asks you to use diction and stylistic choices to create voice.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Which sentence uses a strong, exact verb?

    • AThe new schedule will improve bus service.
    • BThe new schedule will make bus service better.
    • CThe new schedule will have an effect on bus service in a way.
    • DThe new schedule will do things for bus service.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The new schedule will improve bus service.

    'Improve' is a single strong verb. The others use weak verbs like 'make', 'do' or 'have' with extra words.

11. Question 11 of 16

    Which sentence avoids a cliché?

    • AWhen it comes to recycling, it is what it is, and we all know that.
    • BRecycling saves the town money and keeps waste out of the landfill.
    • CRecycling is the best thing since sliced bread, and that is just a fact.
    • DAt the end of the day, recycling is a win-win for everybody in town.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Recycling saves the town money and keeps waste out of the landfill.

    Clichés are tired, overused phrases. Plain, specific words make a clearer argument.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Why can exaggeration, such as 'This is the worst idea in human history,' weaken your essay?

    • AReaders stop trusting a writer who overstates
    • BIt makes the essay too short to earn points
    • CIt always turns the sentence into a fragment
    • DIt always counts as a spelling error
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Readers stop trusting a writer who overstates

    Overstated claims sound emotional rather than reasoned, so the reader may doubt the rest of your argument.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Which sentence uses an appeal to emotion that suits a persuasive essay?

    • APicture a child waiting in the dark at a bus stop with no shelter from the wind.
    • BYou are a bad person if you disagree with building more bus shelters.
    • CBus shelters can be found in many places across Canada and the world.
    • DBus shelters are usually made of glass and metal, with a bench inside.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Picture a child waiting in the dark at a bus stop with no shelter from the wind.

    A vivid, fair picture helps the reader feel why the issue matters, without insulting anyone.

14. Question 14 of 16

    A writer uses the word 'important' five times in one paragraph. What is the best fix?

    • AReplace some uses with more exact words such as 'essential' or 'urgent'
    • BUse 'important' even more often, to add emphasis
    • CDelete the whole paragraph and start over from the top
    • DWrite the word 'important' in capital letters each time it appears
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Replace some uses with more exact words such as 'essential' or 'urgent'

    Repeating the same word sounds flat. Varied, precise word choice strengthens voice.

15. Question 15 of 16

    A writer switches from 'we' to 'you' to 'one' in the same paragraph. What is the problem?

    • AThe essay sounds far too formal for its audience
    • BEvery sentence in the paragraph becomes a fragment
    • CThe point of view is inconsistent
    • DThere is no problem, because all three words are pronouns
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The point of view is inconsistent

    Keep the same point of view so the reader can follow who you are talking about.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Which sentence best suits a letter to a newspaper about a local issue?

    • AMain Street is a street that exists in our neighbourhood, near some shops.
    • BI don't really care that much, but maybe someone should look at Main Street.
    • COur neighbourhood needs a crosswalk on Main Street before someone is hurt.
    • Dlol main st is a total mess rn, somebody pls fix it before it gets worse!!
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Our neighbourhood needs a crosswalk on Main Street before someone is hurt.

    It is clear, serious and urgent. The others are too casual, too flat or not persuasive.

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