Review of Diction

Click within the small circle to the left of your choice for each answer. A javascript box will appear to tell you that your choice is correct or incorrect. After clicking "OK" within the javascript alert, you may try another answer or proceed to the next question if your first choice was correct. The phrase "prescriptively correct" means that other possibilities might be acceptable in informal writing or speech, but the prescriptively correct option would be most recommended for formal, academic writing.

1. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. The reason he is late is because he had a flat tire.
B. I will be in Colorado for awhile.
C. She was gorged by the bull.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

2. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. Have you visited the excavation cite?
B. He sited only four resources in his research paper.
C. His problem is different than my own.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

3. Which of the following sentences does NOT have a diction error?
A. The word face relates to politeness.
B. Politeness deals with strategic manipulation of emotions.
C. Like I said, the check is in the mail.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

4. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. Try and finish the paper by May.
B. The pollution in the city is aggravating his emphysema.
C. I intend to write the book regardless of the committee's recommendation.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

5. Which of the following expressions is trite?
A. bitter end
B. eat one's heart out
C. quick as a wink
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

6. Which of the following expressions is trite?
A. a rolling stone
B. the best laid plans of mice and men
C. love never faileth
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

7. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. The reason my paper is late is because my computer was swiped.
B. The reason my paper is late is because my computer got stolen.
C. The reason my paper is late is because my computer was stolen.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

8. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. The enormity of his crime was shocking.
B. The enormity of his generosity is wonderful.
C. The enormity of violence in the U.S.A. is shameful.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

9. Which of the following sentences has a diction error?
A. Please lay the gun down on the table.
B. Please lie down.
C. Please lie on the table.
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

10. Which of the following words contains a prefix?
A. disown
B. clinical
C. journal
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

11. What is the etymology of the word twiddle?
A. French
B. an idiom
C. a possible blend of twist and fiddle
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

---

Quiz List

Guide to Grammar and Writing