This English Editing section of the LET English Major exam covers 5 expert-reviewed practice questions. Each question has a plain-English explanation and notes on why the wrong answers are wrong.
Sample 1
Which versions correctly improves the grammar and sentence structure of the following sentence? Original: The new teacher, who was hired last week, she is very enthusiastic about teaching and she has a lot of experience.
- A The new teacher, who was hired last week, is very enthusiastic about teaching and has a lot of experience.✓
- B The new teacher, who was hired last week, she is enthusiastic about teaching and has a lot of experience.
- C The new teacher, whom was hired last week, is very enthusiastic about teaching and she has a lot of experience.
- D The new teacher, who was hired last week, is very enthusiastic about teaching and she has a lot of experience.
Answer: A
The original has a 'double subject' problem — 'The new teacher... she is.' You only need one subject. Choice A removes the extra 'she' in both spots, giving a clean sentence. The other choices either keep one extra 'she' or use 'whom' incorrectly (the subject of 'was hired' must be 'who').
Tip: One subject per clause — don't say 'The teacher, she is...' just 'The teacher is...'
Why the other choices are wrong
- B. Still has the extra 'she' before 'is enthusiastic.'
- C. 'Whom' is wrong here — 'who' is the subject of 'was hired.'
- D. Still has extra 'she' before 'has a lot of experience.'
Sample 2
Which sentences best demonstrates parallel structure?
- A She likes to hike, swim, and reading books.
- B He was not only a great actor, but also a talented singer.✓
- C The doctor prescribed medication, to rest, and avoid strenuous activities.
- D The team worked hard, played well, and they were focused.
Answer: B
Parallel structure means matching grammar forms in a list. In B, both parts after 'not only' and 'but also' are noun phrases ('a great actor' and 'a talented singer') — they match. In A, 'reading' breaks the verb pattern ('to hike, to swim, to read'). C mixes a noun, an infinitive, and a base verb. D mixes verbs with a full clause ('they were focused').
Tip: Parallel = same grammar form in each item of a list.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. Should be 'hike, swim, and read' — 'reading' breaks the pattern.
- C. Mixes a noun, an infinitive, and a base verb — not parallel.
- D. Adds 'they were' which breaks the verb-only pattern.
Sample 3
Which of the following revisions correctly improves the coherence and flow of the paragraph? Original: The city council has proposed a new traffic ordinance. This ordinance will require all drivers to observe a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour within the city center. Drivers who violate this speed limit will be fined 500 pesos for the first offense, 1,000 pesos for the second offense, and 2,000 pesos for the third offense. In addition, the ordinance will also prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving.
- A The city council has proposed a new traffic ordinance that will require all drivers to observe a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour within the city center. Drivers who violate this speed limit will be fined 500 pesos for the first offense, 1,000 pesos for the second offense, and 2,000 pesos for the third offense. Furthermore, the ordinance will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving.
- B The city council has proposed a new traffic ordinance that will require all drivers to observe a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour within the city center. Additionally, the ordinance will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving. Drivers who violate the speed limit will face fines of 500 pesos for the first offense, 1,000 pesos for the second offense, and 2,000 pesos for the third offense.✓
- C The city council has proposed a new traffic ordinance. It will require all drivers to observe a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour within the city center. Moreover, the ordinance will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving. Violators of the speed limit will be fined 500 pesos for the first offense, 1,000 pesos for the second offense, and 2,000 pesos for the third offense.
- D The city council has proposed a new traffic ordinance that will require all drivers to observe a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour within the city center. In addition, drivers who violate this speed limit will be fined 500 pesos for the first offense, 1,000 pesos for the second offense, and 2,000 pesos for the third offense. Additionally, the ordinance will prohibit the use of mobile phones while driving.
Answer: B
Choice B groups related ideas together: first all the rules (speed limit + phone ban), then the punishment for breaking rules. That order helps the reader understand. The other choices either repeat 'additionally,' put the fines in the middle and break flow, or use awkward connectors. Note: A and C are also reasonable answers — coherence questions are subjective — but B is the cleanest grouping.
Tip: Coherence = group related ideas; punishments come AFTER the rules they enforce.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. Decent flow but separates the two rules with the long fines list in between.
- C. Choppy first sentences and breaks the rule-then-punishment order.
- D. Repeats 'In addition' and 'Additionally' — clunky transition reuse.
