why is it not recommended to edit while you write your first draft

ATI TEAS 7

Practice English TEAS TEST

1. Why is it not recommended to edit while writing your first draft?

A. It is considered prewriting.
B. It wastes effort.
C. It clouds judgment.
D. It changes the organization.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'It wastes effort.' Editing while writing the first draft can be counterproductive as it interrupts the flow of ideas and slows down the writing process. Instead of focusing on perfecting each sentence or paragraph, it is more beneficial to get all ideas down first during the initial drafting phase. Choice A is incorrect as editing is not part of the prewriting stage. Choice C is incorrect because editing may affect the quality of judgment but is not the primary reason to avoid it during the first draft. Choice D is incorrect because changes in organization can be made during the revision stage, not necessarily while writing the initial draft.

2. What is the best way to punctuate the dialogue, 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.

A. 'Are you coming?' she asked? 'Maybe,' I replied.
B. 'Are you coming?' she asked. 'Maybe,' I replied.
C. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.
D. 'Are you coming?' she asked, 'Maybe,' I replied.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct way to punctuate dialogue is to enclose each speaker's words in quotation marks. Additionally, the question mark should be placed inside the closing quotation mark of the question. In this case, the correct answer is B as it adheres to the punctuation rules for dialogue. Each character's dialogue is correctly enclosed in quotation marks, and the question mark is appropriately positioned inside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice A is incorrect as the question mark is placed outside the closing quotation mark of the question. Choice C is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked.' Choice D is incorrect as it uses a comma instead of a period after 'she asked' and incorrectly places the comma inside the closing quotation mark of the question.

3. When writing a letter to the school board of a public school, which of the following greetings would be most appropriate?

A. Dearest School Board,
B. To Whom It May Concern,
C. Dear Sir and/or Ma’am,
D. Hello all,

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When addressing a formal letter to the school board, 'Dear Sir and/or Ma’am' is the most appropriate greeting as it shows respect and professionalism. Choice A, 'Dearest School Board,' is too informal and overly personal for a professional communication. Choice B, 'To Whom It May Concern,' is more suitable for general inquiries when the recipient is unknown, not for addressing a specific group like a school board. Choice D, 'Hello all,' is too casual and lacks the formality required when addressing a school board.

4. Which of the following sentences uses a comma correctly?

A. Let's eat Grandma!
B. Let's eat, Grandma!
C. Lets eat, Grandma!
D. Lets, eat Grandma!

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Let's eat, Grandma!' The comma is correctly used to separate the direct address 'Grandma' from the rest of the sentence. In choice A, there should be a comma after 'eat' to separate the direct address. Choice C is missing an apostrophe in 'Lets,' and there should be a comma after 'eat' to separate the direct address. Choice D incorrectly places a comma after 'Lets,' and there should be a comma after 'eat' to separate the direct address.

5. Which of the following sentences uses second person point of view?

A. I don't want to make plans for the weekend before I see my work schedule.
B. She had to miss the last three yoga classes due to illness.
C. Pluto is no longer considered a planet because it is not gravitationally dominant.
D. Be sure to turn off all of the lights before locking up for the night.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. This sentence uses the second person point of view by directly addressing the reader or listener with the phrase 'Be sure to.' It is instructing or advising someone on what action to take, making it a clear example of second person point of view. Choices A, B, and C all use first person (I) or third person (she, Pluto), which do not involve direct interaction with the reader or listener, unlike the second person point of view present in choice D.