DRILLS ON COHERENCE, BREVITY AND UNITY

Activity 1: Cross out the unnecessary words/expressions in each of the following sentences:

1. The faculty of teachers was addressed by the principal.

2. The youth must get involved in the current problems of today.

3. A disobedient student who breaks the rule should be punished.

4. He is an able and competent leader.

5. The island completely surrounded by water, measures 5 acres in size.

Activity 2: Rewrite each sentence expressing the parallel ideas in parallel structures:

1. They spend much time on basketball and learning to swim.

2. Our adviser told us that we should study our lessons and to join some interesting organizations.

3. Romnick is intelligent, religious and he is full of energy.

4. We must do our work conscientiously, thoroughly, and with patience.

5. Cherry is successful not only because of perseverance but also by being patient.

Activity 3: Underline the misplaced modifier in each of the following sentences and rewrite the sentence
putting the modifier near the modified word.:

1. The dog met its master wagging its tail.

2. The man as big as a pumpkin bought the apple.

3. Birds fascinated the painter flying through the air.

4. The chandelier came from Germany hanging from the ceiling.

5. The gun started the relay fired by the coach.

Activity 4: Supply the appropriate doer of the action to correct the dangling verbal in each sentence:

1. To get a license, a test must be passed.

2. Picking her up in his arms, the child was rushed to the doctor.

3. After listening to the arguments of each group, a decision was made.

4. While watching from the sidewalk, a parade passed by.

5. To be healthy, a doctor should be seen twice a year.

Activity 5: Choose the letter of the sentence that employs the rules on conciseness, unity and brevity:
Write the letter on the blank before the number:

_________ 1. A. Many people forget compliments after a few minutes they remember insults for years.
B. Many people forget compliments after a few minutes; however, they remember insults
for years.
_________ 2. A. The President must represent not only his political party but also the entire nation.
B. The President must not only represent his political party but also the entire nation.
_________ 3. A. Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while travelling on the back of an envelope.
B. While travelling, Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope.
_________ 4. A. I like sailing because you get plenty of sun.
B. I like sailing because I get plenty of sun.
_________ 5. A. Before putting the car in the garage, Dad cleaned it out.
B. Dad cleanout the car out before putting it in the garage.

Activity 6: What unnecessary shift is found in each of the following sentences. Write A if there shift in
pronoun or point of view and B if there is shift in tense or voice of the verb:
________ 1. If a student does his homework daily, you can pass the tests easily.
________ 2. The youngster rushed into the room and bursts into tears.
________ 3. They are aware of the energy crisis and some steps are being undertaken.
________ 4. If you play, electronic games, they should be scheduled.
________ 5.Once you buy a camera, we must be ready to spend it.

Activity 7: Rewrite each sentence in Task 6 making the corrections on the unnecessary shift:

1.___________________________________________________________________________________.

2.__________________________________________________________________________________.

3.__________________________________________________________________________________.

4.__________________________________________________________________________________.

5.__________________________________________________________________________________.