Choose Precise and Concise Language - 7th Grade Writing

  1. Which revision is more concise: "in order to" or "to"?
    To. Removes unnecessary words "in order" before infinitive.
  2. Which option is more concise: "each and every" or "each"?
    Each. "Each and every" is redundant; one word suffices.
  3. What is redundancy in writing?
    Unnecessary repetition of the same idea or meaning. Redundancy wastes words by repeating information already stated.
  4. What is wordiness in writing?
    Using more words than necessary to express an idea. Wordiness clutters writing with unnecessary words.
  5. Which option is more concise: "a total of ten students" or "ten students"?
    ten students. "A total of" adds no meaning; the number alone suffices.
  6. What does it mean to write concisely in an academic sentence?
    Use the fewest words needed without losing meaning. Concise writing eliminates unnecessary words while preserving clarity.
  7. Which revision is more concise: "a total of ten students" or "ten students"?
    Ten students. "A total of" adds no meaning to the number.
  8. Which revision is more concise: "The reason is because" or "Because"?
    Because. "The reason is" and "because" both show cause; use one.
  9. Which revision is more concise: "due to the fact that" or "because"?
    Because. One word replaces a five-word phrase with same meaning.
  10. Which option is more concise: "in the event that" or "if"?
    If. Simple conjunction replaces wordy conditional phrase.
  11. Which sentence is more concise: "There are many students who agree" or "Many students agree"?
    Many students agree. Removes empty phrase "There are" to start with subject.
  12. Find and correct the wordiness: "In my opinion, I think the rule is unfair."
    I think the rule is unfair. "In my opinion" and "I think" mean the same; use only one.
  13. Find and correct the redundancy: "The reason is because the bus was late."
    The reason is that the bus was late. "The reason is" and "because" both indicate cause; use only one.
  14. Which option is more concise for time: "at this point in time" or "now"?
    Now. One word replaces wordy time phrase.
  15. Find and correct the redundancy: "They returned back to the classroom."
    They returned to the classroom. "Return" already means "go back"; "back" is redundant.
  16. Which revision is more concise: "There are many students who like art" or "Many students like art"?
    Many students like art. "There are...who" construction wastes words; direct statement is clearer.
  17. Find and correct the redundancy: "completely finished". What is the concise revision?
    Finished. "Finished" already means completely done.
  18. Which option is more precise for movement: "went" or "hurried"?
    Hurried. Specific verb shows how someone moved.
  19. Choose the most precise word: "said" or "whispered" for speaking very quietly.
    Whispered. "Whispered" precisely describes quiet speech.
  20. What does it mean to write concisely in academic English?
    Use the fewest words needed without losing meaning. Concise writing eliminates unnecessary words while preserving clarity.
  21. Choose the most precise revision: "very tired" or "exhausted".
    Exhausted. One precise word replaces a wordy phrase.
  22. Which option is more concise: "at this point in time" or "now"?
    now. Replaces a wordy time phrase with a single, clear word.
  23. Find and correct the redundancy: "The reason is because the bus was late."
    The reason is that the bus was late. "The reason is" and "because" both indicate cause; use only one.
  24. What is the best rule for choosing precise language when multiple words seem correct?
    Choose the most specific word that matches the exact meaning and tone. Precision means exact fit for context, not just correctness.
  25. Find and correct the redundancy: "Each and every student must sign the form."
    Each student must sign the form. "Each" and "every" mean the same thing; use only one.
  26. What is redundancy in writing?
    Repeating the same idea unnecessarily in nearby words or phrases. Redundancy wastes words by restating the same concept.
  27. Which revision is more concise: "The book was read by Maria" or "Maria read the book"?
    Maria read the book. Active voice uses fewer words than passive voice.
  28. What is wordiness in writing?
    Using more words than necessary to express an idea. Wordiness clutters writing with extra words that add no value.
  29. Which revision is more concise: "at this point in time" or "now"?
    Now. One word replaces a wordy phrase about the present time.
  30. Which option is more concise: "has the ability to" or "can"?
    Can. Simple verb replaces wordy phrase about ability.
  31. Which option is more precise for evidence use: "shows" or "demonstrates"?
    demonstrates. "Demonstrates" implies proof; "shows" is less academic.
  32. Choose the most precise word for a neutral tone: "The movie was good" or "The movie was entertaining."
    The movie was entertaining. "Entertaining" precisely describes the movie's quality.
  33. Find and correct the redundancy: "The final outcome will be decided tomorrow."
    The outcome will be decided tomorrow. "Outcome" already implies finality; "final" is redundant.
  34. Identify the best concise revision: "He made the decision to leave."
    He decided to leave. Strong verb replaces weak verb + noun construction.
  35. Which option is more concise: "in order to" or "to"?
    to. Eliminates two unnecessary words while keeping the same meaning.
  36. What is redundancy in writing, and what is the best general fix for it?
    Repeating the same idea; delete repeated words or combine ideas once. Redundancy says the same thing twice in different ways.
  37. Find and correct the redundancy: "He repeated the story again."
    He repeated the story. "Repeat" means "do again"; "again" is redundant.
  38. Which option is more concise: "due to the fact that" or "because"?
    because. One word replaces a five-word phrase with identical meaning.
  39. Which revision removes empty words: "I personally believe that" or "I believe"?
    I believe. "Personally" is redundant with "I believe."
  40. What is wordiness in writing, and what is the best general fix for it?
    Using more words than needed; remove filler and tighten phrasing. Wordiness uses unnecessary words that don't add meaning.
  41. Choose the most precise word: "walked" or "strolled" for a slow, relaxed walk.
    Strolled. "Strolled" precisely conveys the manner of walking.
  42. Find and correct the wordy phrase: "The book that I read yesterday" (meaning one specific book).
    The book I read yesterday. "That" is unnecessary when the meaning is clear.
  43. Find and correct the redundancy: "The end result was surprising." What is the concise revision?
    The result was surprising. "End" and "result" mean the same; keep only one.
  44. Find and correct the redundancy: "In my opinion, I think the rule is unfair."
    I think the rule is unfair. "In my opinion" and "I think" express the same idea.
  45. Find and correct the wordiness: "There are many students who want to join the club."
    Many students want to join the club. Removes empty phrase "There are...who" for direct statement.
  46. Which option is more concise: "future plans" or "plans"?
    plans. All plans are for the future; "future" is redundant.
  47. Find and correct the redundancy: "free gift". What is the concise revision?
    Gift. All gifts are free by definition.
  48. Find and correct the redundancy: "past history". What is the concise revision?
    History. All history is past by definition.
  49. What does it mean to write precisely in an academic sentence?
    Use exact words that clearly express the intended meaning. Precise writing chooses specific words that convey exact meaning.
  50. Which option is more precise for describing a claim: "says" or "argues"?
    argues. "Argues" indicates reasoning; "says" merely reports speech.
  51. Which option is more concise: "a large number of" or "many"?
    Many. One word replaces four-word quantity phrase.
  52. Which option is more precise for a formal essay: "a lot" or "many"?
    many. "Many" is specific and formal; "a lot" is vague and casual.
  53. Find and correct the wordiness: "It is important to note that" at the start of a sentence.
    Delete the phrase. This empty phrase adds no meaning and wastes words.
  54. What does it mean to write precisely in academic English?
    Use exact words that clearly match the intended meaning. Precise writing chooses specific words that convey exact meaning.
  55. Which option is more precise for a strong opinion: "really liked" or "admired"?
    Admired. Strong verb conveys exact emotion vs. weak verb + adverb.
  56. Find and correct the wordiness: "It is important to note that the test is on Friday."
    The test is on Friday. "It is important to note that" adds no meaning.

Study these flashcards