Question 1

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Networks should not present children s shows that contain violence. (2) Children fed a constant diet of TV violence begin to believe that brutality is acceptable. (3) Seeing dogs, cats, and mice pushing each other off roofs and hitting each other with bricks in these shows, children are bound to assume that brutality is and should be a way of life. (4) Another reason for keeping violence out of children s shows is that young viewers may get the idea that violence is not really painful. (5) For example, my neighbor has told me that after a Saturday morning of violent cartoons, her son Paul tends to hit and bully his sister and then seems amazed when, unlike the smiling cartoon characters, she cries. (6) Most important, the consequences of letting our children watch these shows are frightening to imagine. (7) We may be raising a generation of adolescents and then adults so used to watching cruelty on television that they will not be moved to stop it when they see it in real life. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  persuasion
F) comparison/contrast
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 2

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. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) comparison/contrast
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 3

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: Gilberto learned how to play the trumpet, but it took a long time. In time, Gilberto s tongue and lip muscles became strong.

Accepted Answer

A)  Keep 
B)  Drop

Question 4

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Why is money such a problem issue for couples? (2) Psychologists and others have identified several causes. (3) One cause of financial tension is that people who overspend tend to marry people who hoard their money. (4) The hoarders feel happy and in control when they are not spending, whereas the overspenders feel happy and in control when they are spending. (5) Another reason is that most couples have more difficulty communicating about money than about any other subject. (6) Although they may talk to each other about everything else under the sun, they can t seem to communicate about money or how they feel about it. (7) A third cause of trouble involves gender differences, including differences in how men and women see the world and operate in it. (8) Some of these differences may go back to the early roles of men as hunters and women as food gatherers. (9) Rob Becker, in his theater piece, Defending the Caveman , describes men going out to buy a shirt, wearing it until it dies, and then going out to kill another shirt while women, the gatherers, shop early and accumulate items for later giving. (10) Even though this picture may strike us as funny and we know people who are exceptions to all the generalizations, money issues continue to plague our relationships. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentences?

Accepted Answer

A)  (2), (3), (5) 
B)  (2), (10) 
C)  (3), (5), (7)

Question 5

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Music aficionados will always argue over compact discs and records. (2) LPs, or long playing records, have been around since the invention of the phonograph. (3) Many jazz fans say that LP records give jazz and blues music a certain character. (4) They refer to the authentic pops and scratches audible even on a good recording after several plays. (5) Classical music fans, however, stand by compact discs as the best way to listen to recorded music. (6) Though LPs capture the pops and scratches, CDs capture both the highs of virtuoso violins and the lows of tubas with a clarity that LPs cannot replicate. (7) Although record companies produce fewer and fewer LPs each year, they will always have die-hard fans who will stand by vinyl. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  persuasion 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) comparison/contrast
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 6

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 word or words in the thesis statement indicate the type of development used?

Accepted Answer

A)  unlike 
B)  wonder 
C)  color 
D)  get along

Question 7

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Christopher Reeve s story includes an extraordinary twist of fate. (2) This star played Superman, the fictional hero who inspired fans with his ability to overcome obstacles and save others from harm. (3) How ironic that in 1995, this Hollywood heartthrob was paralyzed from the neck down in a horse-jumping accident and came to personify that superhuman perseverance himself. (4) Before his accident, Reeve was not only a famous actor but a pianist, an athlete who performed his own film stunts, a pilot, and all-round outdoorsman. (5) After being injured, he depended on a ventilator to breathe and operated his wheelchair by sipping or puffing on a straw. (6) However, this brave man went on to direct and narrate award-winning films, write the best-selling autobiography Still Me , and inspire thousands of people through speeches and interviews. (7) He also raised millions of dollars for research on spinal cord injuries. (8) By the time he died in 2004, Christopher Reeve had become a hero of a different kind; his heroism depended not on physical strength but on courage, optimism, and a sense of purpose. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) comparison/contrast
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 8

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. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentences?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

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 What pattern of development does the writer use?

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) persuasion
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 10

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. Gradually, attitudes toward soap began to change and did not stay the same.

Accepted Answer

A)  consistency 
B)  parallelism 
C)  concise language

Question 11

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: Gilberto learned how to play the trumpet, but it took a long time. Nonetheless, his mother brought him to his weekly lessons.

Accepted Answer

A)  Keep 
B)  Drop

Question 12

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. For a German, however, this is not enough; the German is usually happyer when he or she is seperate from other people, behind a door or wall, for example.

Accepted Answer

A)  happyer 
B)  happyer, seperate 
C)  enough, seperate

Question 13

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. Be careful if you re setting off fireworks.

Accepted Answer

A)  Keep 
B)  Drop

Question 14

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Vegans refrain from eating all animal products, including eggs dairy products and even honey.

Accepted Answer

A)  refrain 
B)  products, including 
C)  eggs dairy products and

Question 15

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Accepted Answer

A)  The long grass outside the cottage was heavy with drops of water. 
B)  The thunderstorm was over, but its effects were everywhere. 
C)  Puddles in the driveway reflected a thick gray sky. 
D)  The sea was still churning, throwing debris onto the beach. 
E)  Inside, books and papers were damp.
F) A scraggly dog with wet, matted hair trotted dismally down the beach.
G) The matches in the kitchen refused to light.

Question 16

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. Don t forget to search for career resources on the Web. For example, the U.S. goverment s online Occupational Outlook Handbook at http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm offers a wealth of current information about hundreds of career opportunities.

Accepted Answer

A)  goverment s 
B)  wealth 
C)  wealth, opportunities

Question 17

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. Have clean sponges and cleansers by the sink.

Accepted Answer

A)  Keep 
B)  Drop

Question 18

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. The earliest forms of fireworks were Roman candles and fiery pinwheels.

Accepted Answer

A)  Keep 
B)  Drop

Question 19

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) I hadn t seen my childhood bedroom in the two years since I had left for France. (2) My parents kept everything in place, as if I had never left. (3) An enormous poster of Michael Jordan was still tacked to the front of the door. (4) On the wall were markings of my height, from age three to eighteen. (5) In the bookcase next to my bed stood all the science fiction novels and copies of Sports Illustrated that I had read in middle and high school. (6) Above the bed, a model airplane hung, suspended by thin wires. (7) I lay on the bed, now too small for me, and watched the model airplane move gently in the breeze. Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) persuasion
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Question 20

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 pattern of development does the writer use?

Accepted Answer

A)  illustration 
B)  narration 
C)  description 
D)  process 
E)  definition
F) comparison/contrast
G) classification
H) cause/effect

Exam 2: Writing Complete Sentences

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. Gradually, attitudes toward soap began to change and did not stay the same.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Vegans refrain from eating all animal products, including eggs dairy products and even honey.

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?