Below are multiple-choice questions designed to help identify and understand common writing issues in research papers. Each question presents a sentence or short passage with a writing issue, and the choices highlight the specific problem.
Question 1
Sentence: The experiment was conducted, and it showed stuff about how plants grow faster with sunlight.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Overly technical language
B. Vague or informal word choice
C. Incorrect citation format
D. Lack of active voice
Answer: B. Vague or informal word choice
Explanation: The word “stuff” is vague and informal, inappropriate for research writing, which requires precise and formal language. Terms like “stuff” should be replaced with specific descriptions, such as “results” or “evidence,” to convey clarity and professionalism.
Question 2
Sentence: According to a study, Smith (2020) says that 75% of participants improved, but I think it’s probably higher now.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Improper use of first-person perspective
B. Missing statistical evidence
C. Incorrect verb tense
D. Overly complex sentence structure
Answer: A. Improper use of first-person perspective
Explanation: Research writing typically avoids first-person pronouns like “I” to maintain objectivity. The phrase “I think it’s probably higher now” introduces personal opinion, which is inappropriate unless explicitly justified in the research context.
Question 3
Sentence: The data was collected from participants and then we put it into a graph and it showed trends.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Run-on sentence structure
B. Inconsistent verb tense
C. Lack of specificity in describing methods
D. Overuse of passive voice
Answer: C. Lack of specificity in describing methods
Explanation: The phrase “we put it into a graph and it showed trends” lacks detail about the methodology and results. Research writing requires clear, specific descriptions of how data was visualized (e.g., type of graph) and what trends were observed.
Question 4
Sentence: The researcher’s findings were totally groundbreaking and super important for the field.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Exaggerated or subjective language
B. Incorrect use of citations
C. Lack of supporting evidence
D. Grammatical errors
Answer: A. Exaggerated or subjective language
Explanation: Terms like “totally groundbreaking” and “super important” are subjective and exaggerated, which undermines the objective tone required in research writing. Claims of significance should be supported with evidence, not superlatives.
Question 5
Sentence: The study was done in 2019, it involved 50 people, they were given a survey.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Overuse of commas
B. Sentence fragment
C. Lack of parallel structure
D. Comma splice
Answer: D. Comma splice
Explanation: The sentence improperly joins independent clauses (“The study was done in 2019,” “it involved 50 people,” “they were given a survey”) with commas, creating a comma splice. These clauses should be separated by periods, semicolons, or coordinating conjunctions for clarity and grammatical correctness.
Question 6
Sentence: The experiment is conducted in a controlled environment, and the results were analyzed using statistical software.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Incorrect use of passive voice
B. Inconsistent verb tense
C. Misplaced modifier
D. Lack of subject-verb agreement
Answer: B. Inconsistent verb tense
Explanation: The sentence shifts from present tense (“is conducted”) to past tense (“were analyzed”) without a clear reason. In research writing, tense should remain consistent unless the context (e.g., describing methods vs. results) justifies a shift. For example, use past tense for completed actions: “The experiment was conducted… and the results were analyzed…”
Question 7
Sentence: Each participant complete a questionnaire, and their responses was recorded.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Inconsistent verb tense
B. Subject-verb agreement errors
C. Improper use of pronouns
D. Comma splice
Answer: B. Subject-verb agreement errors
Explanation: The sentence contains two subject-verb agreement errors: “Each participant complete” should be “Each participant completes” (singular subject with singular verb), and “their responses was” should be “their responses were” (plural subject with plural verb). Research writing requires precise grammar to maintain clarity and credibility.
Question 8
Sentence: The researcher collects data last year and will publish the findings next month.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Run-on sentence
B. Inconsistent verb tense
C. Lack of parallel structure
D. Incorrect punctuation
Answer: B. Inconsistent verb tense
Explanation: The sentence mixes present tense (“collects”), past tense (“last year”), and future tense (“will publish”) in a way that confuses the timeline of actions. For consistency in research writing, the sentence should align tenses, e.g., “The researcher collected data last year and will publish the findings next month.”
Question 9
Sentence: The samples were tested, and the machine breaks down during the process.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Inconsistent verb tense
B. Sentence fragment
C. Improper use of conjunctions
D. Vague pronoun reference
Answer: A. Inconsistent verb tense
Explanation: The sentence shifts from past tense (“were tested”) to present tense (“breaks down”) without justification. In research writing, past tense is typically used for methods and results, so it should read, “The samples were tested, and the machine broke down during the process.”
Question 10
Sentence: The study group consist of 30 participants, and they responds to the survey promptly.
What is the primary writing issue in this sentence?
A. Comma splice
B. Subject-verb agreement errors
C. Lack of specificity
D. Overuse of passive voice
Answer: B. Subject-verb agreement errors
Explanation: The sentence has two subject-verb agreement issues: “The study group consist” should be “The study group consists” (singular subject with singular verb), and “they responds” should be “they respond” (plural subject with plural verb). Proper agreement is critical for grammatical accuracy in research writing.
Punctuation rules
Below are multiple-choice questions designed to help students learn punctuation rules in the context of research writing. Each question presents a sentence with a punctuation issue, and the choices identify the specific problem. Explanations are provided to clarify the correct usage and reinforce learning.
Key Punctuation Rules for Research Writing
- Commas in a Series: Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more, including before the final item (e.g., “A, B, and C”).
- Commas with Introductory Elements: Place a comma after introductory phrases or clauses (e.g., “In 2020, the study began”).
- Comma Splices: Avoid joining independent clauses with just a comma; use a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction (e.g., “The study ended; results were published”).
- Colons for Lists or Explanations: Use a colon to introduce a list or explanation when the preceding clause is complete (e.g., “The study used two tools: surveys and interviews”).
- Apostrophes for Possession: Use apostrophes for possessive nouns (e.g., “Smith’s research” for singular, “researchers’ findings” for plural).
- Semicolons with Conjunctive Adverbs: When joining independent clauses with words like “however” or “therefore,” use a semicolon before and a comma after (e.g., “The results were clear; however, limitations existed”).
Question 11
Sentence: The study, conducted in 2021 showed significant results in patient recovery rates.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing comma after an introductory clause
B. Incorrect use of a comma before the verb
C. Missing period at the end of the sentence
D. Incorrect use of a semicolon
Answer: B. Incorrect use of a comma before the verb
Explanation: The comma after “2021” incorrectly separates the subject (“The study”) from its verb (“showed”). In research writing, a comma should not interrupt the subject-verb connection unless it’s part of a nonessential clause. Corrected: “The study conducted in 2021 showed significant results in patient recovery rates.”
Question 12
Sentence: The researchers used three methods: surveys interviews and observations to collect data.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing commas in a series
B. Incorrect use of a colon
C. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
D. Overuse of semicolons
Answer: A. Missing commas in a series
Explanation: In a series of three or more items, commas are needed to separate each element for clarity. The sentence lists “surveys interviews and observations” without commas. Corrected: “The researchers used three methods: surveys, interviews, and observations to collect data.” Note: The colon is correctly used to introduce the list.
Question 13
Sentence: The results were promising however the sample size was small.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing comma after an introductory phrase
B. Incorrect use of a semicolon
C. Comma splice
D. Missing conjunction
Answer: C. Comma splice
Explanation: The sentence joins two independent clauses (“The results were promising” and “the sample size was small”) with only a conjunctive adverb (“however”) and no punctuation. A comma splice occurs when independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma (or, in this case, no punctuation). Corrected: “The results were promising; however, the sample size was small.” Use a semicolon before and a comma after “however” when it joins independent clauses.
Question 14
Sentence: Dr. Smiths research on climate change was published in a peer reviewed journal.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing hyphen in a compound adjective
B. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
C. Incorrect use of a comma
D. Missing colon before a list
Answer: B. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
Explanation: “Dr. Smiths research” should be “Dr. Smith’s research” to indicate possession. In research writing, possessive nouns require an apostrophe to follow standard grammar rules. Additionally, “peer reviewed” should be hyphenated as a compound adjective (“peer-reviewed journal”), but the primary issue is the missing apostrophe.
Question 15
Sentence: The data was collected from participants in three cities Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing commas in a series
B. Incorrect use of a colon
C. Overuse of commas
D. Missing quotation marks
Answer: A. Missing commas in a series
Explanation: In a series of three or more items, commas are required to separate each element, including before the final item (using the Oxford comma for clarity in research writing). The sentence lists “Chicago, New York and Los Angeles” without a comma before “and.” Corrected: “The data was collected from participants in three cities: Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.”
Question 16
Sentence: The study focused on renewable energy sources such as solar wind and hydro.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing commas in a series
B. Incorrect use of a semicolon
C. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
D. Overuse of commas
Answer: A. Missing commas in a series
Explanation: When listing three or more items in a series, commas are needed to separate each element, including before the final item (using the Oxford comma for clarity in research writing). The sentence lists “solar wind and hydro” without commas.
Corrected Sentence: The study focused on renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro.
Question 17
Sentence: The experiments results were published in a journal but the data was incomplete.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
B. Comma splice
C. Incorrect use of a colon
D. Missing comma after an introductory phrase
Answer: A. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
Explanation: “The experiments results” should be “The experiment’s results” to show possession (singular experiment). Possessive nouns in research writing require an apostrophe for grammatical accuracy. The use of “but” to join clauses is correct here, so there is no comma splice.
Corrected Sentence: The experiment’s results were published in a journal, but the data was incomplete.
Question 18
Sentence: The researcher collected data from 100 participants however only 80 responses were valid.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing comma after an introductory clause
B. Comma splice
C. Incorrect use of quotation marks
D. Overuse of semicolons
Answer: B. Comma splice
Explanation: The sentence joins two independent clauses (“The researcher collected data from result in 100 participants” and “only 80 responses were valid”) with just the conjunctive adverb “however” and no punctuation. When a conjunctive adverb like “however” connects independent clauses, a semicolon is needed before it and a comma after.
Corrected Sentence: The researcher collected data from 100 participants; however, only 80 responses were valid.
Question 19
Sentence: The methodology was outlined in the report which included surveys interviews and case studies.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing commas in a series
B. Incorrect use of a comma before a relative clause
C. Missing colon before a list
D. Overuse of apostrophes
Answer: A. Missing commas in a series
Explanation: The list “surveys interviews and case studies” lacks commas to separate the items. In research writing, a series of three or more items requires commas, including before the final item. Additionally, a colon could improve clarity before the list, but the primary issue is the missing commas.
Corrected Sentence: The methodology was outlined in the report, which included surveys, interviews, and case studies.
Question 20
Sentence: The teams hypothesis was tested in a controlled lab setting and the results were significant.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing comma in a compound sentence
B. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
C. Incorrect use of a semicolon
D. Missing comma after an introductory phrase
Answer: B. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
Explanation: “The teams hypothesis” should be “The team’s hypothesis” to indicate possession (singular team). Possessive nouns require an apostrophe. The compound sentence is correctly joined with “and” without a comma, as it’s a simple coordination.
Corrected Sentence: The team’s hypothesis was tested in a controlled lab setting, and the results were significant.
Question 21
Sentence: The study examined two variables temperature and humidity and their impact on crop growth.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing colon before a list
B. Missing commas in a series
C. Incorrect use of a dash
D. Overuse of quotation marks
Answer: B. Missing commas in a series
Explanation: The sentence lists “two variables temperature and humidity” without a comma between “variables” and “temperature” or before “and.” In research writing, a series of two or more items requires commas for clarity, especially when the list is part of a larger sentence. A colon could be used to introduce the variables, but the primary issue is the missing commas.
Corrected Sentence: The study examined two variables, temperature and humidity, and their impact on crop growth.
Question 22
Sentence: The data was analyzed using a new software program GraphPad Prism which produced reliable results.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing comma before a nonessential clause
B. Incorrect use of a semicolon
C. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
D. Overuse of colons
Answer: A. Missing comma before a nonessential clause
Explanation: The phrase “GraphPad Prism which produced reliable results” is a nonessential relative clause, providing additional information about the software. In research writing, nonessential clauses should be set off by commas. A comma is needed before “which” to separate the clause from the main sentence.
Corrected Sentence: The data was analyzed using a new software program, GraphPad Prism, which produced reliable results.
Question 23
Sentence: The lead researcher stated The findings suggest a strong correlation between variables in her presentation.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Missing colon after an introductory clause
B. Missing quotation marks around a direct quote
C. Incorrect use of a comma in a series
D. Missing semicolon between independent clauses
Answer: B. Missing quotation marks around a direct quote
Explanation: The phrase “The findings suggest a strong correlation between variables” is a direct quote from the researcher and requires quotation marks in research writing to indicate verbatim speech. The sentence lacks these quotation marks, which affects clarity and proper attribution.
Corrected Sentence: The lead researcher stated, “The findings suggest a strong correlation between variables,” in her presentation.
Question 24
Sentence: The research team included experts from multiple fields–biology, chemistry, physics–who collaborated on the project.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Incorrect use of dashes
B. Missing commas in a series
C. Overuse of semicolons
D. Missing apostrophe in a possessive noun
Answer: A. Incorrect use of dashes
Explanation: The sentence uses double hyphens (“–“) instead of proper em dashes (“—”) to set off the list “biology, chemistry, physics.” In research writing, em dashes are used to separate parenthetical information or lists for emphasis, and they should not have spaces around them. Many word processors automatically convert “–” to “—” (or you can use a single hyphen if an em dash is unavailable).
Corrected Sentence: The research team included experts from multiple fields—biology, chemistry, physics—who collaborated on the project.
Question 25
Sentence: The study had one major limitation; the sample size was too small to generalize findings.
What is the primary punctuation issue in this sentence?
A. Incorrect use of a semicolon
B. Missing comma after an introductory phrase
C. Overuse of colons
D. Missing quotation marks
Answer: A. Incorrect use of a semicolon
Explanation: The semicolon is misused because the second clause (“the sample size was too small to generalize findings”) is not a complete independent clause that explains or contrasts the first clause; it’s more of an explanation. A colon is appropriate here to introduce the limitation’s description. Semicolons are used to join two closely related independent clauses or separate complex list items.
Corrected Sentence: The study had one major limitation: the sample size was too small to generalize findings.
Additional Practice Corrections
To further reinforce learning, here are two more sentences with different punctuation issues, followed by corrections and explanations:
Practice Sentence 1
Sentence: The results were consistent across all groups however the researchers noted some outliers.
Issue: Comma splice (joining two independent clauses with only a conjunctive adverb).
Explanation: When “however” connects two independent clauses, a semicolon is needed before it and a comma after.
Corrected Sentence: The results were consistent across all groups; however, the researchers noted some outliers.
Practice Sentence 2
Sentence: The survey included questions about participants health education and income levels.
Issue: Missing commas in a series.
Explanation: A series of three or more items requires commas between each element, including before the final item (Oxford comma) for clarity in research writing.
Corrected Sentence: The survey included questions about participants’ health, education, and income levels.
Note: An apostrophe was also added to “participants’” to correctly indicate possession.
Key Non-Grammatical Issues in Research Writing
Logical Organization: Ensure the paragraph flows logically, with clear connections between the study’s purpose, methods, findings, and implications.
Vague or Informal Language: Avoid terms like “stuff,” “awesome,” or “a bunch” and use precise, formal language (e.g., “significant findings,” “multiple variables”).
Lack of Specificity: Provide detailed descriptions of methods, populations, and results (e.g., sample size, specific outcomes) to ensure clarity and reproducibility.
Subjective or Biased Tone: Maintain objectivity by avoiding personal opinions (“I believe”) and exaggerated claims (“totally changes everything”) unless supported by evidence.
Unsupported Claims: Back all conclusions with data or findings (e.g., cite specific results or metrics) to maintain credibility.
Question 31
Paragraph: The research was super interesting and looked at a bunch of factors affecting climate change. It was done by some scientists who found really important stuff. Their work will totally change how we think about environmental policies.
What is the primary non-grammatical writing issue in this paragraph?
A. Vague or informal word choice
B. Lack of logical structure
C. Overuse of passive voice
D. Missing citations
Answer: A. Vague or informal word choice
Explanation: The paragraph uses informal and vague terms like “super interesting,” “a bunch of factors,” “really important stuff,” and “totally change,” which are inappropriate for the formal and precise tone required in research writing. Terms should be specific and objective to maintain credibility and clarity.
Corrected Paragraph: The research examined several factors influencing climate change. Conducted by a team of scientists, the study provided significant findings. These results are expected to influence environmental policy development.
Note: Specific terms (e.g., “several factors,” “significant findings”) replace vague phrases, and informal language is replaced with a formal tone.
Question 32
Paragraph: The study was about employee satisfaction. The researchers asked people how they felt about their jobs and got some answers. Those answers showed that people want better working conditions and more money.
What is the primary non-grammatical writing issue in this paragraph?
A. Lack of specificity in describing methods or results
B. Subjective tone
C. Inappropriate use of first-person perspective
D. Overly complex sentence structure
Answer: A. Lack of specificity in describing methods or results
Explanation: The paragraph lacks detail about the research methodology (e.g., how data was collected, sample size) and results (e.g., what specific findings were observed). Phrases like “asked people how they felt” and “got some answers” are too vague for research writing, which requires precise descriptions to ensure clarity and reproducibility.
Corrected Paragraph: The study investigated employee satisfaction in the retail sector. Researchers administered a survey to 200 employees to assess their job satisfaction levels. The findings indicated that 75% of respondents prioritized improved working conditions and higher salaries.
Note: Specific details about the sample, method (survey), and results (75%, specific demands) were added for clarity.
Question 33
Paragraph: I believe the experiment was a huge success because it proved our point. The results were awesome and everyone should care about them. We’re confident that this is the best approach moving forward.
What is the primary non-grammatical writing issue in this paragraph?
A. Subjective or biased tone
B. Lack of specificity in methodology
C. Inappropriate use of passive voice
D. Missing statistical evidence
Answer: A. Subjective or biased tone
Explanation: The paragraph uses subjective language (“I believe,” “huge success,” “awesome,” “everyone should care”) and a biased tone, which is inappropriate for research writing. Research writing requires an objective tone, avoiding personal opinions and exaggerated claims unless supported by evidence.
Corrected Paragraph: The experiment yielded significant results, supporting the hypothesis. The findings demonstrated a consistent pattern across all tested variables. These outcomes suggest that the approach is effective and warrants further investigation.
Note: Subjective phrases were replaced with objective language, and claims are presented neutrally without personal pronouns.
Question 34
Paragraph: The study looked at stress levels. It found that stress is bad for health. The researchers used some tests and wrote a report about it. This is important because stress is a big problem.
What is the primary non-grammatical writing issue in this paragraph?
A. Vague or overly simplistic descriptions
B. Inappropriate use of technical jargon
C. Lack of logical organization
D. Overuse of direct quotations
Answer: A. Vague or overly simplistic descriptions
Explanation: The paragraph uses overly simplistic and vague phrases like “stress is bad for health,” “some tests,” and “stress is a big problem,” which lack the depth and precision expected in research writing. Specific details about the study’s scope, methods, and findings are needed to convey credibility and usefulness.
Corrected Paragraph: The study examined stress levels among university students. It found that elevated stress significantly correlated with increased blood pressure and anxiety symptoms. The researchers conducted standardized psychological assessments and published their findings in a detailed report. These results highlight the need for stress management interventions in educational settings.
Note: Specific details about the population, findings (e.g., blood pressure, anxiety), and methods (standardized assessments) were added.
Question 35
Paragraph: The research team worked on a project about renewable energy. They found that solar energy is better than wind energy. Their data was interesting and will be useful for policymakers. The project took a long time to complete.
What is the primary non-grammatical writing issue in this paragraph?
A. Unsupported claims or conclusions
B. Inappropriate informal tone
C. Lack of methodological detail
D. Overly complex sentence structure
Answer: A. Unsupported claims or conclusions
Explanation: The claim that “solar energy is better than wind energy” is presented without evidence or explanation, which is a significant issue in research writing. Conclusions must be supported by specific data or findings to be credible. Additionally, “interesting” is vague, and the methodology is undescribed, but the unsupported claim is the primary issue.
Corrected Paragraph: The research team investigated renewable energy sources, focusing on solar and wind energy. Their findings indicated that solar energy had a higher efficiency rate (25% more output per unit area) than wind energy in the tested regions. These results, derived from field experiments, provide valuable insights for policymakers. The project spanned 18 months to ensure comprehensive data collection.
Note: The unsupported claim was replaced with specific findings (e.g., 25% efficiency), and details about the method and duration were added.
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