Question 1

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) The bedroom had been carefully put in order. (2) The two French windows to the left of the door sparkled with the sunlight reflected onto their clean glass panes. (3) Beneath each window was a carved honey-colored bookcase about three feet high and four feet wide. (4) Both bookcases contained neat rows of leather-bound books. (5) Flush against the back wall stood a magnificent canopy bed covered with an eyelet comforter. (6) Several eyelet-covered pillows were plumped at the head of the bed. (7) Against the right wall was a carved writing table on which lay a neat stack of writing paper and a gold pen. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)   illustration
B)   narration
C)   description
D)   process
E)   definitionF)  comparison/contrastG)  classificationH)  persuasion C

Question 2

Instructions: Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer. (1) Pele and Slouch, my two cats, are so unlike, it s a wonder that they get along. (2) Pele is a short-haired, long-eared, slim but agile feline. (3) His color is silver gray. (4) Slouch, on the other hand, is a long-haired, short-eared, chubby, and clumsy cat. (5) He is brown and gold. (6) Pele has always been a very active cat. (7) He will fetch a crumpled piece of paper as often as I can throw it. (8) I ve yet to tire him out. (9) Jumping to a height of 3 feet is an effortless task for him, or so he makes it seem. (10) His muscle coordination is something to see. (11) If I throw a paper directly at him, he will sit back on his hind legs and catch it with his front paws. (12) Whenever he gets tired of that, he just runs all over the apartment. (13) With people, Pele is extremely gentle. (14) Because Slouch didn t come along until Pele was ten months old, Pele got a lot of attention. (15) He likes being held and petted. (16) On occasion he will jump up next to a visitor with a crumpled piece of paper in his mouth, all primed for fun and games! (17) Slouch, on the contrary, is a lazy but unpredictable cat. (18) His daily exercise consists of walking over to the dish where his food is kept. (19) When he gets tired of that, he will just sit by the bowl as if he were waiting to get hungry. (20) On those long days when the cat food loses its appeal, he will walk around, head bent down, sniffing the floor for imaginary food droppings. (21) His methodical and determined approach to this pastime reminds me of a cow grazing in the fields. (22) But people, beware: don t ever try to hold on to a piece of food while feeding Slouch. (23) He will claw wildly to get it. (24) I was told by his previous owner that he was the runt of the litter, often shoved aside by the larger cats. (25) Perhaps this accounts for his greedy and fearful hunger. (26) Contrary to what might be expected, Pele and Slouch are the best of friends. (27) I have seen Pele help Slouch with the laborious task of washing his long coat. (28) Once in a while, Slouch will join Pele in a game of slow tag, or perhaps they ll just lie together. (29) On sunny afternoons they often sit by the open window, sharing the weird smells drifting in on the breeze. (30) They seem to know they are like two children, each loved in a different way, but nevertheless loved. Angel Reyes, Student What is the thesis statement?

Accepted Answer

A)   Sentence 1
B)   Sentence 2
C)   Sentence 3
D)   Sentence 4
E)   Sentence 5 A

Question 3

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Your journey s first step is to assess your intrests, abilities, and values. Make a list of activities you ve always enjoyed, and consider what they involve and why you like them.

Accepted Answer

A)   intrests
B)   interests, abilities
C)   activities A

Question 4

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select keep or drop for each idea. Topic sentence: Modern fireworks have their origins in tenth-century Chinese pyrotechnics. Fireworks are too loud.

Accepted Answer

A)   Keep
B)   Drop

Question 5

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. These artists, they would puncture a subject s skin with needles that were set in a wooden handle.

Accepted Answer

A)   artists, they
B)   subject s
C)   were

Question 6

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. If cutting back on salt is good for people with hypertension, the good is for everyone else, too.

Accepted Answer

A)   consistency
B)   parallelism
C)   concise language

Question 7

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of A Good Day Care caring teachers who truly like children small class sizes private home or day-care center activities both educational and fun bright and cheerful, colorful, clean reasonable rates structure planned schedule parent/teacher communication safe

Accepted Answer

A)   focused freewriting.
B)   brainstorming.
C)   clustering.
D)   asking questions.
E)   keeping a journal.

Question 8

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Practiced at one time or another by most cultures, tattooing serve three main purposes.

Accepted Answer

A)   time or
B)   cultures, tattooing
C)   serve

Question 9

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Investors should be familiar with three common kinds of investments. (2) The first kind of investment is called a certificate of deposit, or CD. (3) It is the investment option with the least risk. (4) A CD loans your money to your bank for a specific period of time, during which your money collects interest. (5) The second type of investment is a bond, a slightly less conservative way to invest money. (6) With a bond, you invest your money in a business or in the government, which treats your investment as a loan. (7) The third, and riskiest, type of investment of all is in stock. (8) If you buy stock in a company, it means that you own a part of that company, however small. (9) Your fortune will rise and fall with the profits and failures of the company. (10) Each investment option has advantages and disadvantages. (11) It is best to research all options before making your choice. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentence(s)?

Accepted Answer

A)   (2) , (5) , (7) 
B)   (1) , (4) 
C)   (3)

Question 10

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select keep or drop for each idea. Topic sentence: In order to be a good cook, you have to be prepared in the kitchen. I like sharpening knives on a stone.

Accepted Answer

A)   Keep
B)   Drop

Question 11

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Employers should take aggressive steps to end age discrimination at the workplace. (2) According to the AARP, one-third of older American voters say that they or someone they know has experienced some form of age discrimination. (3) This problem is a serious one, as workers fifty-five and older are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. (4) Age discrimination is on the rise in these difficult economic times. (5) Workers who are laid off at age fifty-five or sixty find it difficult to find work. (6) The same is true for men and women who retire early, whether by choice or due to a corporate buyout. (7) Some employers say that older workers will take more time to learn things and will be less willing to work long hours. (8) However, that is a narrow-minded view. (9) Older workers can bring wisdom and expertise to the work environment. (10) In addition, they can prove to be excellent teachers to younger employees who need help. (11) Therefore, employers must treat every worker and job applicant with fairness and objectivity, regardless of age. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentences?

Accepted Answer

A)   (3) , (4) 
B)   (1) , (6) 
C)   (2) , (8) , (10) , (11)

Question 12

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select keep or drop for each idea. Topic sentence: Modern fireworks have their origins in tenth-century Chinese pyrotechnics. Washington, D.C., has great Fourth of July fireworks.

Accepted Answer

A)   Keep
B)   Drop

Question 13

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. They thought it was a strange, odd, and a mystery.

Accepted Answer

A)   consistency
B)   parallelism
C)   concise language

Question 14

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Perhaps the most common use of tattoos however; is for people to identify themselves as members of a particular class or social group.

Accepted Answer

A)   most common
B)   tattoos however; is
C)   themselves

Question 15

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Japanese tattoo artists, who were real fine craftsmen, depicted heroes from folklore and history; some created pictures of entire battle scenes or of religious stories.

Accepted Answer

A)   real
B)   craftsmen, depicted
C)   history; some

Question 16

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Recent research shows that laughter improves health through its positive effects on stress hormones and boosting the immune system. (2) Studies by Dr. Lee Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan of Loma Linda University in California show that belly laughter reduces at least four hormones associated with high levels of stress. (3) Another beneficial effect of laughter, according to these researchers, is an increase in the body s natural ability to kill diseased cells. (4) Laughter seems to reduce pain, too. (5) The Journal of Holistic Nursing reported that patients who were told jokes or watched comic videos after surgery perceived less pain than those who did not get a dose of humor. (6) Consequently, experts recommend taking time to laugh each day, especially during stressful times like finals week. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)   illustration
B)   narration
C)   description
D)   persuasion
E)   definitionF)  comparison/contrastG)  classificationH)  cause/effect

Question 17

Instructions: Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer. (1) Have you ever wanted a huge party, puffy dress, and sparkling tiara? (2) If so, you just may be one of the millions of girls counting the days until their quincea eras. (3) A quincea era is an over-the-top, dramatic, and even funny celebration that occurs when a Hispanic girl turns fifteen, but a quincea era is also an important event in the girl s life, marking her entry into adulthood. (4) Each girl puts her own stamp on the celebration, as several examples will show. (5) One illustration of a memorable quincea era was my cousin Cindy s three years ago. (6) She constantly said she wanted something different from other quincea eras. (7) The first step was her custom-made invitations. (8) Another component of the party was more like a fairytale. (9) A wooden swan was constructed to lead her into the ballroom to perform her waltz. (10) Luckily, her dress wasn t as outlandish as the swan. (11) It was simple, but it was the centerpiece of the party. (12) Many quincea eras are lavish parties like my cousin s, but others focus on the occasion s meaning. (13) My own quincea era four years ago is an example. (14) Despite its simplicity, it was an experience I ll never forget. (15) My family came from far away to the event, and I felt special, knowing they were there to help me transition into adulthood. (16) Even more special were my uncles sincere speeches and my mother s proud and happy words. (17) Yet, despite this joy, I felt a little sad: I was no longer a carefree girl as I would now have to take on some responsibilities. (18) I was scared I would fail, but having my family there showed me the help I would have along the way. (19) A third example is my little cousin, who is 11 years old but already halfway through planning her own quincea era. (20) She has already designed her own dress for the quincea era and picked the location. (21) So far, she feels relaxed, but knowing how I felt during the first few months of planning, I wish her the best of luck. (22) I plan on helping her. (23) I already promised her a spa day before her party, but I hope the meaning of the occasion is what she appreciates the most, not the dress or shoes. (24) As you can see, a quincea era is a pivotal experience in a Hispanic girl s life. (25) She learns there is more to life than clothes and gifts. (26) It s the togetherness of the family and determination that she learns about, two things Hispanics value highly. (27) After the party, we begin our adulthood, our entrance into the real world. (28) Somehow, we still manage to laugh and smile along the way. Diana Valtierra, Student The essay should be broken into five paragraphs. Select the group of sentence numbers below that includes all first sentences of new paragraphs.

Accepted Answer

A)   (1) , (2) , (8) , (16) , (22) 
B)   (1) , (6) , (10) , (15) , (26) 
C)   (1) , (5) , (12) , (19) , (24) 
D)   (1) , (7) , (11) , (20) , (27)

Question 18

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Dose your energy level raise?

Accepted Answer

A)   Dose
B)   your, raise
C)   Dose, raise

Question 19

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Like many college students, you may have arrived on campus unsure of your career direction. In fact, choosing a major is offen one of a person s toughest decisions.

Accepted Answer

A)   arrived
B)   choosing, offen
C)   offen

Question 20

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Food critics always aim for anonymity so that restaurant owners will not recognize them. (2) A case in point is Ruth Reichl. (3) Reichl was food critic for The New York Times for many years. (4) Everyone from bartenders at the Ritz to small bistro owners came to recognize her face and gave her preferential treatment to get their restaurants a good review. (5) To avoid recognition, Reichl used twelve different disguises in order to be treated like an anonymous customer. (6) Sometimes she would manicure her nails, wear makeup, and dress in a black suit for a sophisticated look. (7) At other times she would wear a gray wig and a housedress to have an older, more modest look. (8) Reichl went to great lengths to disguise herself to avoid preferential treatment. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentence(s)?

Accepted Answer

A)   (2) 
B)   (1) , (4) , (6) 
C)   (3) , (5) , (9)

Exam 2: Writing Complete Sentences

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. These artists, they would puncture a subject s skin with needles that were set in a wooden handle.

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. If cutting back on salt is good for people with hypertension, the good is for everyone else, too.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Practiced at one time or another by most cultures, tattooing serve three main purposes.

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. They thought it was a strange, odd, and a mystery.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Perhaps the most common use of tattoos however; is for people to identify themselves as members of a particular class or social group.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Japanese tattoo artists, who were real fine craftsmen, depicted heroes from folklore and history; some created pictures of entire battle scenes or of religious stories.

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Dose your energy level raise?