Exam 1: Writing Effective Paragraphs

Instructions: For each of the following sentences, choose the correct pronoun to fill in the blank. Select the letter of the correct answer. Mamadou and ____ thought that skydiving might be fun to try.

Instructions: Select the correct noun for each blank. Louise dictated several ____ to her secretary.

Instructions: Choose the correct spelling of each of the following words. Choose the correct spelling.

Instructions: Each of the following groups of things has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong; it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then select the letter of the one item that does not belong. Next, select the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group. Part A: Apartments a. two-bedroom b. three-bedroom c. penthouse d. studio apartment Part B: Basis of classification: a. location in the building b. number of bedrooms c. cost of rent

Instructions: In each set below, choose the sentence in which all the apostrophes are used correctly. Select the letter of the correct answer. Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?

Instructions: In each set of sentences below, select the letter of the sentence that includes an error. Which sentence includes an error?

Instructions: For each paragraph below, select the number of the topic sentence. Identify the topic sentence of the paragraph below. (1) Statistics show that the average American generates about 4 pounds of trash every day. (2) When you multiply that by the number of people living in the United States, you realize we throw away about 210 million tons of stuff each year. (3) That s a lot of trash. (4) However, we can all combat this problem by taking three steps: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. (5) Reduce refers to lessening the amount of trash you generate. Buy only the amount you need. (6) Persuade manufacturers to reduce the amount of packaging they use. (7) Mow your lawn with a mulching mower and leave the clippings on the grass. (8) Reuse means finding other locations for items besides the garbage can. (9) Figure out other ways you can use things like cans or plastic bags. (10) Share unused portions with neighbors or charities. (11) Donate unwanted items to others rather than throwing them away. (12) If you can t reuse, recycle . (13) The recycling process can be applied to glass, paper, plastics, steel, and cardboard, which can be made into useful products rather than thrown into an overflowing landfill.

Instructions: In each group, select the letter of the sentence that is limited enough to be the thesis statement of a good essay. Choose the thesis statement.

Instructions: Select the correct preposition in parentheses for each of the following sentences. ( On , In ) June of 1863, the Confederate forces pushed north to Pennsylvania.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Mexico City is a fascinating mixture of modern and traditional ways of life. (2) The city boasts sleek skyscrapers, such as the famous Latin America tower. (3) However, it also proudly displays its graceful Spanish colonial palaces and public buildings, many of which are 300 years old. (4) Glittering stores line the main shopping streets, offering the latest in international styles of clothing and house furnishings. (5) Yet old fashioned street markets fill the city, from the great food market of the Merced to stalls in small plazas selling such pi atas and paper Christmas decorations. (6) Huge modern factories in the northern section turn out most of Mexico s clothing, steel, cement, appliances, and electrical supplies. (7) In contrast, craftspeople line the city s streets with their handmade baskets, pottery, metalwork, and textiles. Give the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Instructions: Each general statement below is followed by several examples. Select the letter of the example that does not clearly illustrate the generalization. Many conveniences of modern life that we take for granted are less than seventy years old.

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Select the correct verb for each blank. We may attempt to persuade them to spend a little time at the ballet, but if they prefer not to, there ____ always other vacations, when they will be a bit older.

Instructions: The following sentences form a passage. Select the correct past tense verb for each blank. People ____ going early here, too.

Instructions: For each group of sentences below, select the letter of the sentence that is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph. Select the good topic sentence.

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. To mend a broken heart, follow these steps. ____ By the end of the first week, you should be distracting yourself with positive activities such as spending time with friends and making lists of things you want to accomplish. ____ Communicating your feelings will help you feel better, so call a supportive friend or family member on the second day. ____ On the first day after your break-up, give yourself permission to mourn your loss by calling in sick to work, eating anything you want, and crying. ____ After the first week and throughout the months to come, remember that healing takes time, and continue doing things that will help you build your self-confidence. ____ Force yourself to go out on the third day; taking a walk, going out for coffee, or exercising will improve your mood.

Instructions: In each set below, select the letter of the sentence in which capital letters and punctuation have been used correctly. Which sentence uses capital letters and punctuation correctly?

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Anyone can conquer clutter by following a series of steps. (2) First of all, pick just one area on which to focus your attention. (3) This might be a shelf, a closet, or even just one drawer. (4) Second, round up some bags or boxes and label them so that you have one of each of the following: Repair , Relocate , Donate , Sell , Store , Throw Away , and Return . (5) Next, sort all of the items in the area by placing them in one of the bags or boxes, depending on what needs to happen to it. (6) Then, take action on each pile. (7) Put Repair , Donate , and Return items in your car so that you can drop them off on your next errand run; take the items in the Relocate box to the places where they belong; toss out the Throw Away items; and so on. (8) Finally, clean your newly decluttered area and give yourself a reward for a job well done! Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates time?

Instructions: Each one of the following groups contains one correct sentence. Select the letter of the one correct sentence. Which sentence is correct?

Instructions: Select the letter of the word in the sentence that is a look-alike/sound-alike error. Before she new what she was doing, Annice had walked a whole block past the bus stop.

Instructions: The paragraphs of the following essay have been scrambled so that they are out of order. Read them and then answer the question(s) that follow. Visual Memories of Arizona _____ (1) First, was the massive 415 foot center field wall that surrounded the beauty that was the diamond. (2) Lush green grass swayed gently back in forth in the soft breeze. (3) The cloudless blue skies allowed the golden-yellow sun to beat down on us. (4) Two shattered wood bats, both from my doing, lay in the garbage can in the long crowded dugout. (5) The smell of pine tar filled the air as batters rubbed it on the bat handles for an extra grip. (6) The pitcher s mound is where I took root most of the time, staring the opposing batters down and waiting for the sign to be called. (7) This was one of the most beautiful fields I had ever played on. _____ (8) Finally, my Grandma s cozy little house was the perfect place to come and relax after a long day of baseball. (9) Paintings that my grandma had made of fruit, vegetation, and scenery cluttered the walls all over the house. (10) Also, the granite floors and countertops brought a nice sense of style to the house, and if anyone knew my grandma, they would know she s all about style. (11) My room was small and contained all her sewing materials and art supplies. (12) The table and countertops were lined with: fresh fruit, muffins, and a platter of eggs and bacon every morning for us to eat before our long days of baseball. (13) Behind her house was one of the seven golf courses that could be found in her city. (14) My Grandma s house was the ultimate post game getaway. _____ (15) Next, were the spectacular mountain views, the cacti and palm trees, and the animals that are native to the western area. (16) Enormous mountains bordered the highways and the diamonds that we played on. (17) Palm trees ran down both sides of the road that my grandma lived on along with a few strays that could be found by the field. (18) Green, prickly cacti were in every yard as shrubbery and were also outside of buildings and the ball diamonds. (19) We even came across a roadrunner and a jack rabbit after one of our games; however, the roadrunner didn t look anything like it did on television. (20) Arizona is probably the most spectacular state I have ever visited. _____ (21) My trip to Arizona will stay with me for the rest of my life. (22) I will never forget all the amazing people I met or the memories I made with them. (23) The ball diamonds, beautiful scenery, and my Grandma s little house made my trip what it was. (24) Now I can only wait to see what next year s trip holds for me. _____ (25) I recently took a trip to Arizona for a father-son baseball tournament. (26) On the plane trip there it was very crowded and noisy, mostly from the baby crying the whole way there. (27) Once we got there we could immediately feel the climate change as the heat was dry; our lips became chapped and our skin became dry. (28) My teammates were some of the best I could have ever asked for. (29) Above all, the ball diamonds, lush scenery, and my Grandma s cozy little house are the things that I remember the most. Sam Foutch, Student Part A: Select the letter of the answer that numbers the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay. a. 4, 1, 3, 2, 5 b. 2, 4, 3, 5, 1 c. 5, 2, 1, 3, 4 Part B: Which of the five types of sensory information does the writer emphasize in the third paragraph in the reordered sequence? a. smell b. sound c. sight Part C: Which of the following paragraphs in the reordered sequence does NOT begin with a transitional expression? a. paragraph 3 b. paragraph 4 c. paragraph 5