Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 63%

In the United States many people do not have enough fiber in their diets. This is unfortunate because fiber is important for cardiovascular and digestive health. According to Lemmon and Oates (2005) fiber can 'reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke by 3 times.' Given this fact it is imperative that our government take action. Before it is too late we must make fiber a higher priority ingredient in school lunches.

The student should focus on which of the following when editing?

Rationale

Formatting in-text citations.

Properly formatting in-text citations is crucial in academic writing as it provides necessary credit to original sources and enhances the credibility of the presented information. In the context of the extract, ensuring that citations are formatted correctly is essential for supporting the claims made about fiber's health benefits.

A (Formatting in-text citations) CORRECT

This choice directly addresses the need for accuracy in attributing information to its sources. The extract references research by Lemmon and Oates (2005), so proper citation formatting is vital to uphold academic integrity and allow readers to trace the source material.

B (Eliminating unnecessary shifts in verb tense) YOUR ANSWER

While maintaining consistent verb tense is important for clarity, the extract does not exhibit any shifts in verb tense that would confuse the reader. The focus is more on the content and citation rather than on verb tense issues, making this choice less relevant for editing in this context.

C (Avoiding sentence fragments) YOUR ANSWER

The extract is composed of complete sentences, and there are no fragments present that require correction. Focusing on sentence fragments would not address the primary editing needs highlighted by the extract's content.

D (Using commas after introductory elements) YOUR ANSWER

Although correct punctuation is important, the extract does not present any issues with introductory elements requiring editing. This choice does not align with the primary concern of ensuring proper citation formatting, which is crucial for the academic integrity of the work.

Conclusion

Editing the extract should prioritize the formatting of in-text citations to ensure that sources are properly credited and that the information presented is credible. While other editing aspects like verb tense and punctuation are important in general, they are not the immediate focus in this case. By enhancing citation accuracy, the student's work will better reflect the importance of fiber in dietary discussions and the need for governmental action.

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