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Exercise: Language: Appropriate language (autoscored)

In each of the following items, select the choice that avoids colloquial expressions, slang, and other informal terms and contains no errors in denotation or connotation.

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Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this exercise set, you must answer every question before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.

Desdemona has the attitude of a wimp; she just lies down and dies, accepting her death as par for the course.

Desdemona’s attitude is that of a submissive victim; she simply lies down and dies, accepting her death as inevitable.

Desdemona’s attitude is that of a wimp; she just lies down and dies, accepting her death as inevitable.

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It wasn’t until 1981 that a lady landed a seat on the Supreme Court.

It wasn’t until 1981 that a lady won a seat on the Supreme Court.

It wasn’t until 1981 that a woman won a seat on the Supreme Court.

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All candidates strive for the same results: to make the other guy look gross and to persuade voters that they are suited to the job.

All candidates strive for the same results: to discredit their opponents and to persuade voters that they are qualified for the position.

All candidates strive for the same results: you try to make the other guy look gross and to persuade voters that you’re okay for the job.

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The peregrine falcon population reached its low point in 1970, when there were no wild pairs of breeding peregrine falcons anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains.

The peregrine falcon population reached its apex in 1970, when there were no wild pairs of breeding peregrine falcons anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains.

The peregrine falcon population reached its acme in 1970, when there were no wild pairs of breeding peregrine falcons anywhere east of the Rocky Mountains.

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Often, instead of firing an incompetent teacher, school officials will transfer the person to another school to avoid the problems involved in a dismissal.

Often, instead of firing an incompetent teacher, school officials will transfer the person to another school to avoid the hassles involved in a dismissal.

Often, instead of firing a lousy teacher, school officials will transfer the person to another school to avoid the hassles involved in a dismissal.

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The Democrats are conspiring on a new education bill.

The Democrats are plotting a new education bill.

The Democrats are proposing a new education bill.

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The more she ripped into him about his actions, the more he rebelled and continued doing what he pleased.

The angrier she became over his actions, the more he rebelled and continued doing what he pleased.

The more she flipped out about his actions, the more he rebelled and continued doing what he pleased.

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The federal government finally banded the use of the pesticide DDT.

The federal government finally nixed the use of the pesticide DDT.

The federal government finally banned the use of the pesticide DDT.

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My family lived in Trinidad for the first ten years of my life, and we went through a lot; but when we came to America, we thought we had it made.

My family lived in Trinidad for the first ten years of my life, and we experienced many hardships, but when we came to America, we thought we had it made.

My family lived in Trinidad for the first ten years of my life, and we experienced many hardships, but when we came to America, we thought our prospects were good.

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Each presidential election year, Republicans gather at a national convention to choose a party leader.

Each presidential election year, packs of Republicans swarm together at a national convention to choose a figurehead.

Each presidential election year, Republicans gather at a national convention to choose a leader who can disguise their extremist policies.