This short quiz will help you sharpen your writing skills. Answers are posted below.

Part 1  Correct the English usage errors in these sentences. (Some sentences may not have errors.)

a) Lisa’s mother told me she was watching TV when the electricity suddenly went off.
b)  I questioned he and his wife separately.
c)  Grogan refused to except any help from his daughter.

Part 2   Which sentence is appropriate for a police report? Choose one answer.

a)  I arrived at the scene.
b)  I saw a bruise on Wagner’s right forearm.
c)  I did not believe what Wagner was telling me.

ANSWERS

Part 1 

√  a) Lisa’s mother told me she was watching TV when the electricity suddenly went off.  CORRECT
X  b)  I questioned him and his wife separately.  [You wouldn’t say “I questioned he,” would you? Trust your eyes and ears. If a short sentence is right, the longer sentence will be right too.]
X  c)  Grogan refused to accept any help from his daughter.  [Except means but. It’s the wrong word in this sentence.]

Part 2   Which sentence is appropriate for a police report? Choose one answer.

√ a)  I arrived at the scene.
√ b)  I saw a bruise on Wagner’s right forearm.
X c)  I did not believe what Wagner was telling me. [Opinions don’t belong in a police report. Just state the facts.]

How did you do?