Clarity Through Grammar/Mechanics Practice Test

A science teacher is defending the use of open-note quizzes. She argues that memorization matters, but real scientific work depends on using references accurately and interpreting data under constraints. She cites her own gradebook: students who struggled on closed-note quizzes often improved when allowed to annotate formulas and focus on explaining reasoning. Critics claim open-note quizzes are “too easy,” yet the teacher notes that she writes questions requiring application, not recall. By allowing notes, students can demonstrate understanding rather than anxiety, they argue. Which revision eliminates ambiguity and improves sentence mechanics in the bolded sentence?

A local newspaper editorial argues that public libraries should expand their digital services, not shrink them. The writer notes that e-book checkouts in the county increased by 28% last year while physical circulation fell slightly. Critics claim that investing in apps and online databases will make libraries feel less “community-centered,” but the editorial insists that access is the community’s core value. It points out that job seekers use library Wi‑Fi and resume software, and students rely on online tutoring subscriptions the library negotiates at scale. To keep libraries relevant, the county should fund digital access for patrons who can’t afford it, which the editorial calls essential. Which revision eliminates ambiguity in the bolded sentence?