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Ethos Quiz (Level B2-C1) - Writing Practice

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B2, C1 📚 Type: Writing ⭐ XP: up to +19 (on pass)

Just finished studying Ethos? Lock in what you learned with 15 practice exercises. This Level B2-C1 quiz is designed as a revision companion — quick to complete, easy to retake, and packed with explanations to solidify your understanding.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: Read the following excerpt from a speech: 'As a neurosurgeon with over twenty years of experience performing complex brain operations, I can assure you that this new medical procedure is both safe and effective.' Which rhetorical technique does the speaker primarily employ?

Question 1 options
The speaker establishes credibility by citing professional qualifications and extensive experience, which is the defining characteristic of ethos — an appeal based on the speaker's authority and trustworthiness.
Q2 15

Question 2: In the sentence 'Having dedicated my career to environmental conservation and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, I urge you to take this climate data seriously,' the writer establishes ___ by referencing professional dedication and scholarly publications.

Question 2 options
By mentioning career dedication and peer-reviewed publications, the writer builds ethos — credibility and authority on the subject — to persuade the audience to trust the claim being made.
Q3 15

Question 3: Ethos can only be established through a writer's or speaker's direct statements about their own qualifications; it cannot be built through the tone, style, or quality of the writing itself.

Question 3 options
This is false. Ethos can be established not only through explicit credentials but also through the writer's command of language, fair treatment of opposing views, careful research, and overall quality of writing, all of which signal credibility to the reader.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which of the following sentences correctly and effectively uses ethos as a persuasive technique in writing?

Question 4 options
'As a licensed structural engineer with fifteen years of bridge inspection experience, I recommend reinforcing the support columns immediately' correctly uses ethos by establishing the speaker's relevant qualifications and expertise to lend authority to the recommendation.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each rhetorical appeal or related concept to its correct definition or example.

Question 5 options
Ethos
Pathos
Logos
Rhetorical triangle
Persuasion through logic and evidence
Persuasion through emotional appeal
Persuasion through credibility and authority
Framework combining ethos, pathos, and logos

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Ethos appeals to credibility, pathos to emotions, logos to logic, and the rhetorical triangle is the framework encompassing all three appeals working together in persuasion.
Q6 15

Question 6: A student is writing a persuasive essay and attempts to use ethos. Which of the following sentences contains an error in how ethos is applied?A) 'As a certified nutritionist, I can confirm that this diet plan meets recommended daily guidelines.' B) 'My grandmother always said vegetables are important, so this diet plan must be scientifically sound.' C) 'Research published by the World Health Organisation supports the nutritional balance of this plan.' D) 'Having studied dietary science for a decade, I have observed consistent benefits from this approach.'

Question 6 options
Sentence B relies on an anecdotal family opinion rather than established expertise or credible authority, which is a flawed application of ethos. A grandmother's personal saying does not constitute the professional credibility that ethos requires.
Q7 15

Question 7: Read the following passage from a persuasive essay on urban planning: 'Our city needs more green spaces. ___. With over two decades of experience in sustainable urban development and having designed parks in twelve major cities, I have seen firsthand how green spaces transform communities.' Which sentence best fills the blank to strengthen the ethos of the passage?

Question 7 options
'This is not merely an opinion but a professional assessment based on extensive research and practice' is the best choice because it bridges the claim with the credentials that follow, reinforcing the writer's authority and expertise — the core of ethos.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence attempts to use ethos but contains an error: 'As someone who has always enjoyed watching cooking shows, I am fully qualified to advise you on the nutritional requirements for managing your diabetes.' Which option correctly fixes the misuse of ethos?

Question 8 options
The original sentence falsely equates casual interest (watching cooking shows) with professional authority on medical nutrition. Replacing the credential with genuine expertise — being a registered dietitian with clinical experience — corrects the ethos by establishing authentic credibility.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts in the correct order to form a well-structured persuasive paragraph that effectively builds ethos:

Question 9 options
  • Based on my research, current labelling regulations are dangerously inadequate and leave the public uninformed about contamination risks.
  • As a microbiologist who has spent fifteen years investigating foodborne pathogens for government agencies, I bring both scientific rigour and practical knowledge to this discussion.
  • I urge policymakers to adopt the stricter standards I have outlined, which are grounded in decades of laboratory evidence.
  • The question of food safety has never been more urgent for consumers.

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

An effective ethos-driven paragraph first introduces the topic (hook), then establishes the writer's credentials, follows with the main claim supported by that authority, and concludes with a call to action that leverages the established trust.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal report for a government committee recommending new cybersecurity protocols. Which opening sentence most effectively establishes ethos for this context?

Question 10 options
Citing a specific professional role, institutional affiliation, and years of relevant experience is the most appropriate way to build ethos in a formal government report. It establishes the writer's authority directly and suits the formal register required.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the key difference between ethos and logos in persuasive writing?

Question 11 options
Ethos persuades by establishing the writer's credibility, character, and authority, while logos persuades through logical reasoning, factual evidence, and structured argumentation. They often work together but target different aspects of the audience's trust.
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version of the following sentence is most appropriate for an academic essay on public health policy?

Question 12 options
The version citing peer-reviewed research and institutional authority uses formal academic register while building ethos through credible sourcing. The other options are either too informal, too emotional, or rely on unverifiable claims — all inappropriate for academic writing.
Q13 15

Question 13: In persuasive writing, ethos is only effective when the writer explicitly lists their qualifications; a writer who demonstrates thorough knowledge of a subject without stating credentials cannot build ethos.

Question 13 options
This is false. Ethos can be built implicitly through demonstrating deep subject knowledge, presenting balanced arguments, using precise terminology, and maintaining a professional tone — all of which signal credibility without the writer explicitly listing qualifications.
Q14 15

Question 14: Read the following sentence: 'As a decorated veteran who served three tours of duty, I can tell you that war is devastating — I still hear the explosions in my nightmares.' Why does the writer combine ethos with another rhetorical technique in this sentence?

Question 14 options
The writer first establishes credibility through military credentials (ethos) and then evokes an emotional response through vivid personal imagery (pathos). Combining both techniques makes the argument more powerful because the audience trusts the speaker's authority while also feeling the emotional weight of the experience.
Q15 15

Question 15: Read the following weak sentence: 'You should listen to me about financial planning because I know a lot about money and stuff.' Which option is the best improved version that effectively employs ethos?

Question 15 options
The improved version replaces vague, informal language with specific credentials — a professional title, a recognised certification, and quantified experience — which are concrete markers of credibility essential for effective ethos in persuasive writing.