Question 1

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The old house had obviously been abandoned long ago.
A) yard choked with tall grass and weeds
B) oak tree with a tire swing
C) rusted iron gate
D) peeling white paint
E) several broken windows
F) spider webs on the front porch

Accepted Answer

While the oak tree with a tire swing is a detail about the surroundings of the old house, it does not provide any relevance to the fact that the house has been abandoned for a long time.

Question 2

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. Spaghetti and meatballs were splattered all over the white kitchen.
A) blotches of sauce on wall behind stove
B) pool of sauce on stovetop
C) crusted saucepan in sink
D) stray spaghetti hanging off edge of stove
E) plates on counter with leftover spaghetti spilling over them
F) a stack of cookbooks on the table

Accepted Answer

The stack of cookbooks on the table is not relevant to the topic sentence, which is about spaghetti and meatballs being splattered all over the white kitchen.

Question 3

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) When he first became a star, the young Elvis Presley wore his coal-black hair in a slicked-back, ducktail haircut. (2) Dark sideburns framed the sides of his handsome face. (3) His intense eyes were blue, and his mouth curled up on one side when he smiled. (4) When he sang, his lips pouted or snarled, depending on the lyrics. (5) On his trim body, he wore loose, open-necked shirts that started a major new fashion trend among young males. (6) On his famous swiveling, wiggling hips, he usually wore black slacks. (7) Elvis definitely had a distinct look, one that made teenage girls melt and boys want to copy him.
How are the details arranged in this paragraph?
A) bottom to top
B) top to bottom
C) front to back

Accepted Answer

The paragraph starts with a description of Elvis' hair and ends with a statement about his distinct look, so the details are arranged in a top to bottom sequence.

Question 4

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) Visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda was like entering a rich mind obsessed with the sea. (2) The peaked ceiling of the main room was covered with beautiful old ship's timbers. (3) Hanging from the ceiling were several large weathered figureheads from ships, one with the wings of an angel. (4) Near the angel, on the stone wall above the fireplace, was the model of an old ship with eleven canvas sails. (5) More life-size carved figureheads, all women, stood on the floor around the room, leaning forward as if listening. (6) Some were painted, some worn to the wood, some missing fingers or noses from the passing of time. (7) On every table and surface were ocean treasures :  shells, starfish, heaped sea glass and beach agate, a brass ship's lantern, and a narwhal tusk.
Select the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is the one that states the overall impression of the subject, and in this paragraph, that sentence is sentence 1. It sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph, describing the impression that visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda leaves on a visitor.

Question 5

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) Visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda was like entering a rich mind obsessed with the sea. (2) The peaked ceiling of the main room was covered with beautiful old ship's timbers. (3) Hanging from the ceiling were several large weathered figureheads from ships, one with the wings of an angel. (4) Near the angel, on the stone wall above the fireplace, was the model of an old ship with eleven canvas sails. (5) More life-size carved figureheads, all women, stood on the floor around the room, leaning forward as if listening. (6) Some were painted, some worn to the wood, some missing fingers or noses from the passing of time. (7) On every table and surface were ocean treasures :  shells, starfish, heaped sea glass and beach agate, a brass ship's lantern, and a narwhal tusk.
Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates place or position?
A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 5
D) Sentence 6

Accepted Answer

Sentences 3, 4, and 5 use transitional expressions indicating place or position ("Hanging from the ceiling," "Near the angel, on the stone wall above the fireplace," "stood on the floor around the room"), while Sentence 6 does not contain such a transitional expression.

Question 6

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) At my Halloween party, my friend George showed up wearing on his head what looked like an ax embedded in his skull. (2) His hair was matted with fake blood. (3) On his face, he used rubber scars and gashes, makeup, and more fake blood to make it look as though he had been sliced and diced. (4) On one eye, he wore another prosthetic rubber device that made his eye appear slashed. (5) More bloody wounds covered his neck. (6) His tattered clothes were spattered with fake blood, and a fake knife protruded from his back. (7) George looked absolutely grotesque in that gory getup.
Select the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 7

Accepted Answer

Sentence 7 states the overall impression of the subject, which is that George looked absolutely grotesque in his gory costume.

Question 7

Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a giraffe.
____ long, knobby-kneed legs that can kick with great force
____ pair of short, bony horns atop head
____ body covered with a coat of brown spots outlined in cream
____ graceful, 4-foot-long neck for munching leaves
____ tongue up to 21 inches long
A) 5, 1, 4, 3, 2
B) 4, 2, 5, 3, 1
C) 1, 3, 2, 5, 4

Accepted Answer

The correct order from head to toe is: horns, neck, body, legs, tongue.

Question 8

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. Our meal at the Captain's Table Restaurant was absolutely delicious.
A) succulent lobster dripping in melted butter
B) fluffy baked potato topped with sour cream and chives
C) meal served on fine china by candlelight
D) fresh, hot French bread
E) crisp salad with creamy bleu cheese dressing
F) for dessert, luscious cheesecake topped with cherries

Accepted Answer

While the other details describe the delicious meal at the Captain's Table Restaurant, option C only talks about the way in which the meal was served, and not about the taste or quality of the food.

Question 9

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. My favorite pair of jeans are beat up and worn out.
A) frayed cuffs
B) made by the Levi's company
C) large hole in one knee
D) paint stains near the zipper
E) missing button
F) torn back pocket

Accepted Answer

The fact that the jeans were made by the Levi's company is not relevant to the topic sentence, which is about the jeans being beat up and worn out.

Question 10

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) When he first became a star, the young Elvis Presley wore his coal-black hair in a slicked-back, ducktail haircut. (2) Dark sideburns framed the sides of his handsome face. (3) His intense eyes were blue, and his mouth curled up on one side when he smiled. (4) When he sang, his lips pouted or snarled, depending on the lyrics. (5) On his trim body, he wore loose, open-necked shirts that started a major new fashion trend among young males. (6) On his famous swiveling, wiggling hips, he usually wore black slacks. (7) Elvis definitely had a distinct look, one that made teenage girls melt and boys want to copy him.
Select the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 7

Accepted Answer

Sentence 7 states that Elvis had a distinct look that made teenage girls melt and boys want to copy him, which is the overall impression of the subject.

Question 11

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) On my right a woods thickly overgrown with creeper descended the hill's slope to Tinker Creek. (2) On my left was a planting of large shade trees on the ridge of the hill. (3) Before me the grassy hill pitched abruptly and gave way to a large, level field fringed in trees where it bordered the creek. (4) Beyond the creek I could see with effort the vertical sliced rock where men had long ago quarried the mountain under the forest. (5) Beyond that I saw Hollins Pond and all its woods and pastures; then I saw in a blue haze the world poured flat and pale between the mountains.
⎯ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , Bantam, 1975, page 41
The main idea of the paragraph above is implied, not stated by a topic sentence. Which of the following sentences most accurately states the main idea?
A) Standing on the hill, I had a broad view of the surrounding countryside.
B) Tinker Creek is a very beautiful place.
C) Returning to the place where I grew up brought back a lot of memories for me. Be

Accepted Answer

The paragraph describes the narrator's vantage point on a hill overlooking Tinker Creek and the surrounding landscape, with details about the woods, trees, grassy hill, and quarry. The main idea can be inferred as the narrator's observation and description of the view from the hill. Choice B is too general and does not capture the specific focus on the view. Choice C does not accurately reflect the content of the paragraph.

Question 12

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The beautiful bride wore traditional wedding attire.
A) long white veil
B) white satin shoes
C) floor-length white gown covered in beads and lace
D) a dainty pearl necklace borrowed from her grandmother
E) a blue garter around her leg
F) a Mickey Mouse watch

Accepted Answer

The Mickey Mouse watch is irrelevant to the traditional wedding attire theme, as it does not fit the conventional or formal style typically associated with such attire.

Question 13

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. In my mind's eye is the plan for the perfect workout room.
A) complete Nautilus home gym in center
B) elliptical machine near the door
C) on shelf above the elliptical machine, a color TV
D) exercise helps me think more clearly
E) hot tub with view of woods through one-way glass
F) a treadmill next to the elliptical machine

Accepted Answer

The irrelevant detail, D, does not describe a physical aspect or component of the workout room, unlike the other options which all relate to equipment or features within the room.

Question 14

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) On my right a woods thickly overgrown with creeper descended the hill's slope to Tinker Creek. (2) On my left was a planting of large shade trees on the ridge of the hill. (3) Before me the grassy hill pitched abruptly and gave way to a large, level field fringed in trees where it bordered the creek. (4) Beyond the creek I could see with effort the vertical sliced rock where men had long ago quarried the mountain under the forest. (5) Beyond that I saw Hollins Pond and all its woods and pastures; then I saw in a blue haze the world poured flat and pale between the mountains.
⎯ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , Bantam, 1975, page 41
Which of the following is NOT a transitional expression that indicates place or position in this paragraph?
A) on my right (sentence 1)
B) before me (sentence 3)
C) beyond the creek (sentence 4)
D) then (sentence 5)

Accepted Answer

"Then" is not a transitional expression indicating place or position, but is used to signify a sequence of events or items.

Question 15

Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a garden.
____ an orchard of apple, pear, and cherry trees past the vegetable beds
____ raspberry and blackberry bushes dividing the flower beds from the neat rows of vegetables
____ paths lined with flowers nearest the house
____ a creek separating the orchard from the forest
____ tomato, bean, squash, and corn plants
A) 4, 2, 1, 5, 3
B) 2, 3, 4, 5, 1
C) 1, 5, 4, 3, 2

Accepted Answer

The correct order is: paths lined with flowers nearest the house, raspberry and blackberry bushes dividing the flower beds from the neat rows of vegetables, an orchard of apple, pear, and cherry trees past the vegetable beds, tomato, bean, squash, and corn plants, a creek separating the orchard from the forest.

Question 16

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. It was clearly a bird lover's room.
A) two blue parakeets whistled in a small cage
B) huge red and yellow parrot on a perch
C) on sofa, needlepoint pillows shaped like birds
D) birds make interesting pets
E) pictures of birds on the walls
F) large book, Birds of the World , on coffee table

Accepted Answer

While all the other details are about birds in the room, D is just a general statement about birds as pets and does not directly relate to the room itself.

Question 17

Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe the parts of a coconut.
____ milk in center
____ white, fleshy layer called "meat" enclosed in the shell
____ outer husk of tough fibers
____ hard brown shell
A) 1, 2, 4, 3
B) 4, 3, 1, 2
C) 2, 4, 3, 1

Accepted Answer

The details should be arranged in the order of the physical space occupied by each part of the coconut. So, the tough outer husk comes first, followed by the hard brown shell, then the white, fleshy layer of meat, and finally the milk in the center. Therefore, the correct order is 4, 3, 1, 2.

Question 18

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The car looked like something from the future.
A) gleaming silver body shaped like a bullet
B) blue tinted windows
C) sleek, streamlined design with hidden headlights and door handles
D) "There is No Planet B" bumper sticker
E) computerized voice alerting driver to miles left on electric charge
F) space-age instrument control panel

Accepted Answer

The detail about the bumper sticker has nothing to do with the topic sentence, which describes the futuristic appearance of the car.

Question 19

Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a view from a hotel room balcony.
____ wet, dark sand of water's edge
____ beach grass growing in high sand dunes just below the balcony
____ white-crested waves breaking on shore
____ the straight line of horizon where sea seems to meet sky
____ a short wooden fence separating the dunes from the hard-packed sand of the shoreline
____ calm, grayish-blue water stretching out behind breakers
A) 6, 1, 2, 4, 5, 3
B) 5, 3, 1, 4, 2, 6
C) 3, 1, 4, 6, 2, 5

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged in order from the closest to farthest from the balcony. First, the wet, dark sand of the water's edge is described, followed by the beach grass growing in high sand dunes just below the balcony. The third detail describes the white-crested waves breaking on shore, which are farther away than the first two details. The fourth detail describes the straight line of horizon where the sea seems to meet the sky, which is even farther away than the waves. The fifth detail describes the short wooden fence separating the dunes from the hard-packed sand of the shoreline, which is closer than the horizon detail but farther than the first two details. Finally, the calm, grayish-blue water stretching out behind the breakers is described, which is the farthest detail from the balcony.

Question 20

Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.
(1) At my Halloween party, my friend George showed up wearing on his head what looked like an ax embedded in his skull. (2) His hair was matted with fake blood. (3) On his face, he used rubber scars and gashes, makeup, and more fake blood to make it look as though he had been sliced and diced. (4) On one eye, he wore another prosthetic rubber device that made his eye appear slashed. (5) More bloody wounds covered his neck. (6) His tattered clothes were spattered with fake blood, and a fake knife protruded from his back. (7) George looked absolutely grotesque in that gory getup.
How are the details arranged in this paragraph?
A) top to bottom
B) left to right
C) near to far

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged in a top to bottom order, describing the various gory elements of George's costume from his head down to his clothes.

Quiz 7: Description

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The old house had obviously been abandoned long ago.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. Spaghetti and meatballs were splattered all over the white kitchen.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. Our meal at the Captain's Table Restaurant was absolutely delicious.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. My favorite pair of jeans are beat up and worn out.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The beautiful bride wore traditional wedding attire.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. In my mind's eye is the plan for the perfect workout room.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the irrelevant detail. It was clearly a bird lover's room.

In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The car looked like something from the future.