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Teacher Certification · 5724

Praxis Communication and Literacy: Writing Practice Test

Praxis Communication and Literacy: Writing (5724) practice targets sentence-level editing and clear, accurate written communication. Questions sample grammar, punctuation, word choice, paragraph organization, cohesion, and faithful summaries. These skills support teachers when preparing instructional materials, communicating with families and colleagues, and revising explanations so readers can follow the intended meaning.

Exam overview

Exam providerETS Praxis
Exam code5724
CategoryTeacher Certification

About the Praxis Communication and Literacy: Writing Exam

Effective writing depends on decisions at several levels. At the sentence level, writers apply subject–verb agreement, comparative forms, and precise distinctions between commonly confused words such as “affect” and “effect.” Punctuation choices—including commas in a series, commas around nonessential clauses, and commas for direct address—help make relationships between ideas clear. At the paragraph level, writers select transitions, arrange information logically, and introduce a new focus without disrupting flow. Revision also involves replacing vague wording with specific language and summarizing a source accurately, including its competing benefits and costs rather than distorting its emphasis. These skills are useful when drafting directions, describing a classroom program, summarizing educational information, or editing correspondence. Strong answers preserve meaning while improving correctness, clarity, cohesion, and organization.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

Which revision best improves the cohesion between these sentences? “Nora collected feedback from three classes. The feedback showed that students wanted more time for independent reading.”

  1. ANora collected feedback from three classes. This feedback showed that students wanted more time for independent reading.
  2. BNora collected feedback from three classes. Independent reading is something students do on their own.
  3. CNora collected feedback from three classes. Three classes provided feedback to Nora.
  4. DNora collected feedback from three classes. The feedback was feedback about reading.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Replacing the repeated phrase with “This feedback” creates a clear link to the preceding sentence while preserving the meaning. The other revisions are repetitive or introduce an unnecessary general statement.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses “affect” and “effect”?

  1. AThe revised schedule had a positive affect on attendance.
  2. BThe revised schedule effected attendance in a positive way.
  3. CThe revised schedule had a positive effect on attendance.
  4. DThe revised schedule effected a positive affect on attendance.
Show answerCorrect answer: C

In this sentence, “effect” is a noun meaning a result. “Affect” is usually a verb meaning to influence, while “effect” can also be a verb meaning to bring about.

Question 3

Choose the sentence with correct punctuation for a nonessential clause.

  1. AThe school’s oldest building which opened in 1924, now houses the library.
  2. BThe school’s oldest building, which opened in 1924 now houses the library.
  3. CThe school’s oldest building, which opened in 1924, now houses the library.
  4. DThe school’s oldest building which opened, in 1924, now houses the library.
Show answerCorrect answer: C

The clause “which opened in 1924” adds nonessential information, so it is set off with a comma at both its beginning and its end.

Question 4

A writer is summarizing an article that presents both benefits and costs of remote work. Which approach would make the summary most accurate?

  1. AReport only the benefits because they appear first in the article.
  2. BInclude the main benefits and costs in proportion to their importance in the article.
  3. CAdd the writer’s own recommendation about remote work.
  4. DList minor examples while leaving out the article’s central points.
Show answerCorrect answer: B

An accurate summary represents the source’s central ideas fairly and gives them emphasis proportionate to their importance. It should not substitute the summarizer’s opinion or focus on minor details.

Question 5

A writer is revising an informational paragraph for clarity. Which sentence is the most precise?

  1. ASeveral things affected attendance at the event.
  2. BAttendance at the event was affected in a number of ways.
  3. CRain and a delayed bus route reduced attendance at the event.
  4. DThere were factors that had an effect on how many people attended.
Show answerCorrect answer: C

C names the specific causes and states their effect directly. The other choices use vague wording or unnecessary phrases, making the information less precise.

Question 6

Which sentence correctly uses the comparative form of the adjective?

  1. AThis route is more shorter than the one we took yesterday.
  2. BThis route is most shorter than the one we took yesterday.
  3. CThis route is shorter than the one we took yesterday.
  4. DThis route is shortest than the one we took yesterday.
Show answerCorrect answer: C

“Shorter” is the comparative form of “short” and is used when comparing two routes. Adding “more” or “most” to “shorter” is redundant or incorrect in this construction.

Question 7

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to separate items in a series?

  1. AThe workshop covered outlining, drafting, and revising.
  2. BThe workshop covered outlining drafting and, revising.
  3. CThe workshop covered, outlining, drafting and revising.
  4. DThe workshop covered outlining, drafting and revising,.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Commas separate the items in the series. The comma before “and” is a standard choice in formal writing and makes the list boundaries clear.

How to use this practice test

The free US Practice Tests practice session draws up to 20 random questions from the available bank of 50. Work through each item by identifying the specific writing decision it tests, such as punctuation, agreement, cohesion, or summary accuracy. Results appear after the session, helping you identify which skills need more targeted review.

Preparation tips

  • For each punctuation item, identify the sentence structure first: distinguish a nonessential clause from an essential clause, and check whether a comma is needed for a series or direct address.
  • When choosing between commonly confused words or grammatical forms, test the word in context and verify its function before selecting an answer.
  • Revise sample paragraphs by tracing how each sentence connects to the next; add or adjust transitions only when they clarify the relationship between ideas.
  • Practice writing concise summaries that retain a source’s main point and represent both benefits and costs without adding unsupported claims.
  • Compare alternative topic sentences for a paragraph about a school program; choose the one that clearly signals the paragraph’s focus and fits the surrounding organization.
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