Editing for Word Choice: Titanic

This exercise asks you to find and replace incorrectly chosen words.

Examples:

i. Michiko has been a student at this college during three years.
Answer: Michiko has been a student at this college for three years.

ii. Their are 850 active volcanoes around the world.
Answer: There are 850 active volcanoes around the world.

iii. Jackson was unable to present the results on Monday due to illness.
Answer: No change

First read the paragraph first for overall meaning.

To open a dictionary in a new window, click a link: [Newbury House Online Dictionary] [Dictionary.com] [Merriam-Webster Dictionary]

1 In 1912, the Titanic, a luxurious ocean liner, sailed on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. 2 The ship was the largest and most extravagant of it's day. 3 In April 14, after two days at sea, the ship collided with an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland. 4 The ship started to fill up with water because of a large hole appeared in its side. 5 Passengers rushed too the lifeboats after they heard the alarm, but there was no enough room for all of them. 6A distress signal was sent, but the radio operator of the only vessel in the vicinity had gone off duty, and no one on that ship heard the call for help. 7A second ship, the Carpathia, heard the call, changed course, and rushed toward the Titanic. 8 Two hours and forty minutes before it hit the iceberg, the Titanic sank in 12,000 feet of water in freezing whether. 9 Twenty minutes later, the Carpathia arrived and rescued the passengers who had been able to get into lifeboats. 10 Of the 2,224 passengers, fewer then one-third survived; this tragedy was too unexpected. 11 After the sinking of the Titanic, the International Ice Patrol was established, and safety rules were developed. 12 These rules require lifeboat drills on every ship and enough room on the lifeboats for every passenger. 13 In addition, their must be a radio operator on duty at all times.

Source: Improving the Grammar of Written English, The Editing Process, Benson and Byrd

Now analyze each sentence for word choice errors. If there is no word choice error, write No change. If there are any word choice errors (1 or more), revise the sentence, typing in the correct word or words. Shortcut: Copy the sentence, paste it in the box, and edit the word or words.There are ten (10) word choice errors. There are no other error types, so do not make any other changes. When you are finished, click Click here to check your answer to reveal the correct answer for each item.

1. In 1912, the Titanic, a luxurious ocean liner, sailed on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City.


2. The ship was the largest and most extravagant of it's day.


3. In April 14, after two days at sea, the ship collided with an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland.


4. The ship started to fill up with water because of a large hole appeared in its side.


5. Passengers rushed too the lifeboats after they heard the alarm, but there was no enough room for all of them.


6. A distress signal was sent, but the radio operator of the only vessel in the vicinity had gone off duty, and no one on that ship heard the call for help.


7. A second ship, the Carpathia, heard the call, changed course, and rushed toward the Titanic.


8. Two hours and forty minutes before it hit the iceberg, the Titanic sank in 12,000 feet of water in freezing whether.


9. Twenty minutes later, the Carpathia arrived and rescued the passengers who had been able to get into lifeboats.


10. Of the 2,224 passengers, fewer then one-third survived; this tragedy was too unexpected.


11. After the sinking of the Titanic, the International Ice Patrol was established, and safety rules were developed.


12. These rules require lifeboat drills on every ship and enough room on the lifeboats for every passenger.


13. In addition, their must be a radio operator on duty at all times.


Edit for Word Choice: Tornadoes

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