MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

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Prepare for the MTEL Communication Literacy Skills Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Get fully equipped for your exam!

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Which phrase correctly replaces "kind of" to improve sentence clarity?

Jan was kind of saddened by the test results
Jan was somewhat saddened by the test results
Jan was a bit saddened by the test results
Jan was rather saddened by the test results

The correct answer is: Jan was somewhat saddened by the test results

The phrase "somewhat" effectively replaces "kind of" in this context, enhancing the clarity and precision of the sentence. "Somewhat" conveys a moderate degree of emotion, indicating that Jan felt a certain level of sadness without being overly vague or casual. This choice ensures that the reader understands that Jan's sadness is not extreme but is still significant. In contrast, both "a bit" and "rather" can introduce ambiguity or an informal tone that may not be as suitable for clearly expressing the emotional response in a formal context. "A bit" tends to downplay the emotion further, while "rather" may imply a more intense reaction than intended. Therefore, using "somewhat" provides a balance that retains the emotional nuance while maintaining clarity in communication.