That *is* the kind of thing that makes you wish organizations like this
one could issue the equivalent of the medieval Church's Interdiction
(can we make the head of ATI kneel in the snow for hours? Ok, analogy
taken too far...).
At any rate, for what it's worth, I'd divide those examples into two
categories: the Needlessly Draconian, and the Hopelessly Wrong (with (B)
and (D) being hard to place):
ND: (A), (F), and (E). (A) makes sense if (and only if) you're
writing for publishing house whose style guide has already stipulated
that you must adhere to the Chicago-style recommendations for which and
that. (F) involves the kind of ambiguity that will only create
comprehension problems for people who will have trouble with reading the
sentence in the first place, or, for that matter, figuring out how
wheels work. I actually do like their suggested version, but there's a
very large difference between an "improvement" and a "correction."
Although the original in (E) does sound clumsy, if it occurred in a
conversation about the cooking and laundry duties, it could work.
HW: (C) and (G). I particularly like the idea of an imperative
modal. Perhaps, in an alternate universe, Churchill commanded the troops
into battle by shouting, "Shall you fight them on the beaches...." (G)
wins the Grammar Raspberry award, though for the way it requires a
writer to discard a viable option in favor of bad punctuation.
On those other two - This test is hardly alone in confusing "text
syllables" with "real syllables." It's sad, but unsurprising. The fact
that someone thought (D) was an example of excellent English writing
serves as a kind of summary comment on the test itself.
Bill Spruiell
Dept. of English
Central Michigan University
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Kischner
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 1:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: A Test of Essential Academic Skills
A psychologist friend of mine now living in Idaho is coaching nurses for
a test they must pass in English skills. The test used by the state of
Idaho for this purpose is called the "Test of Essential Academic Skills"
and is published by "ATI" which stands for Assessment Technologies
Institute. In her coaching, my friend is using the official Pre-Test
Study Manual published by ATI.
She has been so shocked by what she has found in the Test Study Manual
that she called to ask if I know of an official professional body that
might pronounce judgment on a company putting out shoddy, error-filled
material. I don't think ATEG is in the business of issuing such
pronouncements, but I wonder if people out there with what are now
called "creds" in English grammar and usage would be willing to express
themselves on the materials. Does anybody know to whom one might report
ATI?
These examples are all from the ATI-published official Pre-Test Study
Manual for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). "ATI" stands
for the Assessment Technologies Institute.
Example A: See Page 175, Item #19
Original: The building which was a firetrap was torn down.
Corrected: The building, which was a firetrap, was torn down.
Example B: See Page 175, Item #23
Original: We expect them moment
arily.
Corrected: We expect them moment-
arily. [This is supposed to be an example of
correct syllabication.]
Example C: See Page 175, Item #26
Original: May I interrupt you for a moment?
Corrected: May I interrupt you for a moment. [Reason given is that
the imperative requires a period rather than a question mark.]
Example D: See Page 178, Example #1:
A teacher's work (it has often been spoken), begins when the dismissal
bell rings. [This is offered as an example of good English usage. Note
the punctuation.]
Example E: See Page 184, Item #12
Original: On Saturdays, the cooking is done by me and the laundry is
done by my sister.
Corrected: Saturdays, I do the cooking and my sister does the laundry.
Example F: See Page 190, Item #9
Original: Mr. Thomas was fired from Washington High because so many
students failed the exam. This was unfortunate.
Corrected: It is unfortunate Mr. Thomas was fired from Washington High
because so many students failed the exam. [Reason given is that the
referent is ambiguous for "This" in the second sentence of the original.
Is the corrected version much better, though?]
Example G: See Page 191, Item #11
Original: The meeting lasted all day, and nothing was accomplished.
Corrected: The meeting lasted all day, however nothing was
accomplished. [Reason given is that in the first sentence two ideas of
unequal importance were joined by a coordinating conjunction. Can you
believe the corrected version?]
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