Deck 17: Types of Essays Part 2

Question 1

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.
Trading My Brown Shirt for a Backpack
_____ Although I was prepared to have less money, one effect I didn't expect from losing my job was the negative feelings I would have. I was embarrassed to tell my family what had happened, worried that my fiancée would think less of me, and angry that events I couldn't control had ruined my life. It was strange and depressing not having the job to go to every day. Maybe some wouldn't consider delivering packages a career, but I liked my work, it paid well, and I was outside driving a truck all day. So it's not just the money I miss; it's the job.
_____ The words "economic downturn" didn't mean much on the front of a newspaper, but then I got laid off. Suddenly, those weren't just words but the beginning of a long chain of events in my life. I liked my job at the United Parcel Service, and I had received many positive performance reviews, so I didn't think the rising unemployment rate was going to touch me. People still have to ship packages, right? Wrong. Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
_____ The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college. When I got a good job shortly after high school, in confirmed my decision to head straight into the "real world." Now that there are so few full-time jobs with benefits out there, getting more education and training seems like the logical move. A counselor at the unemployment office encouraged me to attend a career fair at San Francisco Community College. I ended up taking placement exams and enrolling that same afternoon.
_____ After losing my job, I have had to make major financial changes. My unemployment check is about half what I was making at UPS, so I have to budget very carefully. I used to take my fiancée out to a nice dinner almost every week. Now our dates involve pizza and rented movies. We also had to postpone our wedding until I'm back on my feet. The hardest change by far has been moving back in with my dad because I couldn't make the rent on my apartment.
_____ So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment. So far I'm enjoying college more than I thought. I feel proud to be pursuing my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. When I'm done, I'll be driving around in an ambulance instead of a delivery truck, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it.
⎯ Alex Silvio, Student
Select the answer that numbers the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay.

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

Answer 1

C

Question 2

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.
Making a Difference
_____ (1) Most important, volunteers can do much to improve the quality of life in Westlake. (2) A sophomore named Annie Blakely, for instance, volunteered with a crew of other students to spruce up the neglected Stevenson Park. (3) Because budget cuts had reduced the number of caretakers, some of its gardens had become overgrown. (4) Supervised by the Parks Department, the crew cleared weeds, trimmed bushes, and planted several colorful flowerbeds. (5) They also painted the park benches a bright red, a welcome change from their former drab and faded gray. (6) For six Saturday afternoons, Annie and the other volunteers worked their magic. (7) Thanks to them, the park is certainly prettier and more inviting than it had been.
_____ (8) Clearly, community service not only benefits the community but also rewards the volunteer. (9) Signing up can make a big difference in many lives.
_____ (10) While helping out, volunteers can also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of others. (11) Last year, another student, Kyle Hairston, worked for a few hours each week at the Westlake Home for the Aged. (12) He began with many preconceptions about the elderly; however, his work with them convinced him how wrong he had been. (13) For example, he assumed that the residents, because they lived in the home, had lost contact with the rest of the world. (14) While playing chess or chatting with them, he realized that they avidly watched the news on TV; read newspapers; and were well informed about local, national, and world affairs. (15) Also a surprise to Kyle, their opinions were often similar to his own. (16) These seventy-year-olds were not as "old-fashioned" as he had thought. (17) Kyle Hairston, the person, owes his respect for the elderly and his open-mindedness to Kyle Hairston, the volunteer.
_____ (18) Finally, volunteers can often learn new skills. (19) Margo Rosa, a whiz in mathematics, volunteered to tutor Sandy Lewin, a junior high school student struggling with her math homework. (20) Aspiring to become a teacher, Margo hoped this assignment would give her a head start on her future career. (21) At first, she had trouble understanding why Sandy found fractions so confusing or decimals so difficult. (22) Soon, however, Margo saw where and why Sandy got stuck and thought of creative ways to help. (23) She also increased her patience, a necessary trait for any good teacher. (24) By the end of the semester, when Sandy's grades had improved, Margo was certain that she would become a first-rate teacher.
_____ (25) The Community Service Office at Westlake College offers placement opportunities for students who wish to do volunteer work. (26) For a number of reasons, students who have the time should consider volunteering to help out their neighbors in the community.
Part A: Select the letter of the answer that numbers the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay.
a. 5, 4, 2, 1, 3
b. 2, 5, 3, 4, 1
c. 1, 2, 4, 5, 3
Part B: Which paragraph in the reordered sequence begins with a transitional expression that most clearly indicates this type of order?
a. paragraph 2
b. paragraph 3
c. paragraph 5
Part C: What type of order arranges the information in the body paragraphs?
a. time order
b. space order
c. order of importance: most to least

Answer 2

Part A: b
Part B: a
Part C:c

Question 3

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.
Trading My Brown Shirt for a Backpack
_____ Although I was prepared to have less money, one effect I didn't expect from losing my job was the negative feelings I would have. I was embarrassed to tell my family what had happened, worried that my fiancée would think less of me, and angry that events I couldn't control had ruined my life. It was strange and depressing not having the job to go to every day. Maybe some wouldn't consider delivering packages a career, but I liked my work, it paid well, and I was outside driving a truck all day. So it's not just the money I miss; it's the job.
_____ The words "economic downturn" didn't mean much on the front of a newspaper, but then I got laid off. Suddenly, those weren't just words but the beginning of a long chain of events in my life. I liked my job at the United Parcel Service, and I had received many positive performance reviews, so I didn't think the rising unemployment rate was going to touch me. People still have to ship packages, right? Wrong. Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
_____ The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college. When I got a good job shortly after high school, in confirmed my decision to head straight into the "real world." Now that there are so few full-time jobs with benefits out there, getting more education and training seems like the logical move. A counselor at the unemployment office encouraged me to attend a career fair at San Francisco Community College. I ended up taking placement exams and enrolling that same afternoon.
_____ After losing my job, I have had to make major financial changes. My unemployment check is about half what I was making at UPS, so I have to budget very carefully. I used to take my fiancée out to a nice dinner almost every week. Now our dates involve pizza and rented movies. We also had to postpone our wedding until I'm back on my feet. The hardest change by far has been moving back in with my dad because I couldn't make the rent on my apartment.
_____ So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment. So far I'm enjoying college more than I thought. I feel proud to be pursuing my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. When I'm done, I'll be driving around in an ambulance instead of a delivery truck, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it.
⎯ Alex Silvio, Student
How many of the effects are positive?

A) one
B) two
C) three

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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.
Trading My Brown Shirt for a Backpack
_____ Although I was prepared to have less money, one effect I didn't expect from losing my job was the negative feelings I would have. I was embarrassed to tell my family what had happened, worried that my fiancée would think less of me, and angry that events I couldn't control had ruined my life. It was strange and depressing not having the job to go to every day. Maybe some wouldn't consider delivering packages a career, but I liked my work, it paid well, and I was outside driving a truck all day. So it's not just the money I miss; it's the job.
_____ The words "economic downturn" didn't mean much on the front of a newspaper, but then I got laid off. Suddenly, those weren't just words but the beginning of a long chain of events in my life. I liked my job at the United Parcel Service, and I had received many positive performance reviews, so I didn't think the rising unemployment rate was going to touch me. People still have to ship packages, right? Wrong. Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
_____ The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college. When I got a good job shortly after high school, in confirmed my decision to head straight into the "real world." Now that there are so few full-time jobs with benefits out there, getting more education and training seems like the logical move. A counselor at the unemployment office encouraged me to attend a career fair at San Francisco Community College. I ended up taking placement exams and enrolling that same afternoon.
_____ After losing my job, I have had to make major financial changes. My unemployment check is about half what I was making at UPS, so I have to budget very carefully. I used to take my fiancée out to a nice dinner almost every week. Now our dates involve pizza and rented movies. We also had to postpone our wedding until I'm back on my feet. The hardest change by far has been moving back in with my dad because I couldn't make the rent on my apartment.
_____ So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment. So far I'm enjoying college more than I thought. I feel proud to be pursuing my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. When I'm done, I'll be driving around in an ambulance instead of a delivery truck, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it.
⎯ Alex Silvio, Student
This essay is a

A) comparison and contrast essay.
B) classification essay.
C) cause and effect essay.

Question 5

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.
Two Childhoods
_____ (1) Just as our lifestyles differed, so too did our personalities. (2) Relatives say that my mother was a loving, caring child who was always willing to help. (3) She was praised for being clever and vibrant, levelheaded and respectful to others. (4) My mother was strong-willed and spoke her mind when she saw fit, but she placed few demands on her parents for toys or fancy clothes. (5) Somehow her environment, which had instilled in her an appreciation of nature and living things, was enough.
_____ (6) My childhood, on the other hand, was spent in New York City, without animals, scenic surroundings, or close-knit neighbors. (7) Mine was a lifestyle of fast activity crammed into a tight schedule. (8) Nature was replaced by shops and businesses, trees by tall buildings. (9) My knowledge was not based on the simple things at hand, but on expensive toys, the latest clothes, and the newest sneakers. (11) Compared to my mother's country existence, my city childhood seems humdrum ⎯ a constant series of trips to the park or movies, visits to the grocery store or shopping center, picnics at the amusement park or beach, and a few birthday parties thrown in.
_____ (12) When I was young, my mother told me stories about her childhood. (13) I loved her tales and still think of them. (14) It was intriguing to hear about life thirty years ago before mine began. (15) What fascinated me most, however, were the differences between her youth and mine.
_____ (16) I, on the other hand, was considered a bit too extroverted, selfish, and stubborn. (17) I reveled in being petulant, pigheaded, demanding, and unstable. (18) Although I could be loving, I cleverly used this trait to my advantage in an attempt to manipulate my parents and get the beautiful toys and clothes I wanted. (19) After all, these gave me all the aesthetic appreciation I needed. (20) In fact, I was a brazenfaced brat.
_____ (21) Looking back, I think it would have been nice as a child to have fallen off a few trees or driven a scooter at maniacal speeds or even milked a cow or crushed some coffee beans in a mortar. (22) Yes, that would have been nice. (23) It really would have been.
_____ (24) My mother grew up in the country. (25) She spent most of her young years on a farm in South Carolina, surrounded by animals, orchards, cane fields, and agricultural machinery. (26) By the time she was six, she was a walking agricultural textbook. (27) Hers was a simple, serene, and comfortable life within a close-knit, neighborly environment. (28) My mother's days were filled with swimming in nearby rivers and lakes, climbing and falling off trees, scooter-riding down country lanes, playing marbles with siblings and friends, bird watching and mending of wings, and building fences and tree houses.
⎯ Cheryl Parris, Student
Part A: Select the letter of the answer that numbers the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay.
a. 5, 1, 3, 4, 2, 6
b. 4, 3, 1, 5, 6, 2
c. 1, 2, 4, 6, 5, 3
Part B: Which paragraph in the reordered sequence begins with a transitional expression that indicates this pattern?
a. paragraph 2
b. paragraph 3
c. paragraph 6
Part C: What pattern does the writer use to arrange the main points in her essay?
a. time order
b. alternating back and forth between the two subjects
c. order of importance

Question 6

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.
Different Types of Weightlifters
_____ (1) Power lifters may be athletes, competitive power lifters, and people wanting to increase strength. (2) These groups take power lifting seriously. (3) Power lifters lift four days a week with a two-day split. (4) Days one and four are reserved for upper body, days two and five for lower body, and the other days for rest. (5) Power lifters use a pyramid scheme to track their strength and progress. (6) The pyramid scheme is a chart that uses percentages of maximum lifts to guide repetitions for each set. (7) Power lifters rest two to two and one-half minutes between each set so that maximum strength can be applied to every set. (8) A power lifter's main focus is explosion rather than isolation or burning. (9) Sets of each lift include a low number of repetitions with a high weight to create as much strength as possible. (10) Power lifters are knowledgeable weightlifters, but they are extremely injury prone. (11) Their use of high weight with a concentration on explosion makes an injury easily possible.
_____ (12) Weightlifting can be used for different purposes throughout one's life. (13) Different people lift weights for different reasons. (14) Weightlifters can be classified into four categories: intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters. (15) Each category focuses on a different type of lifting and each leads to different results.
_____ (16) Intermediate lifting contains the largest number of weightlifters. (17) Intermediate lifters do not take weightlifting seriously, using it only as a complement to cardiovascular exercise. (18) Lifters in this category do not keep journals of workouts, and they lift weights between two to five days a week, depending on their schedules. (19) An intermediate lifter's workout varies daily since records of past workouts are not kept. (20) One workout could be a total-body workout while the next is three sets of arm curls. (21) These lifters are typically beginners with little or no weightlifting knowledge. (22) Due to this lack of knowledge, intermediate lifters are injury prone.
_____ (23) Circuit lifters are the second largest group of weightlifters. (24) A circuit lifter's goal is to define his or her muscles. (25) Lifting is second to cardiovascular exercise since their main goal is to bum fat covering muscle definition. (26) Circuit lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan as well. (27) The plan includes day one for chest, day two for back, day three for legs, day four for shoulders, and day five for biceps and triceps. (28) Circuit lifters sometimes take fat-burning supplements to aid them in burning fat. (29) Circuit lifters will do fifteen to twenty repetitions per set with a light weight. (30) They will rest thirty to forty-five seconds between each set, concentrating on keeping the muscle burning. (31) The burning means lactic acid is being released, which means fat is being burned. (32) Circuit lifters are the least injury prone due to their use of light weight. (33) The risk of injury is small but still remains.
_____ (34) Intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters all lift for different reasons. (35) Each lifter receives different benefits in his or her quest for improvement. (36) All weightlifters fall into one of the four mentioned categories, each with a different goal.
_____ (37) Mass lifters are typically bodybuilders or people who want to get bigger. (38) These people follow weightlifting religiously. (39) Mass lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan. (40) This plan includes chest and triceps on days one and four; back, shoulders, and biceps on days two and five; and legs on day three. (41) The other days are reserved for rest. (42) Mass lifters usually take weight-gaining supplements to aid them in their quest for more muscle mass. (43) Mass lifters will do eight to twelve repetitions per set using a medium weight. (44) Their rest periods are between one and one and one-half minutes. (45) A mass lifter concentrates on isolation of each body part, which will maximize muscle growth. (46) Mass lifters are prone to injury simply because they lift weights. (47) They are less injury prone than most lifters, however, due to their good form and proper rest techniques.
⎯ Andy Sarjahani, Student
Student Voices, Cengage Learning, © 2009
Select the number of the sentence that is the thesis statement of this essay.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 12
C) Sentence 14

Question 7

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.
Different Types of Weightlifters
_____ (1) Power lifters may be athletes, competitive power lifters, and people wanting to increase strength. (2) These groups take power lifting seriously. (3) Power lifters lift four days a week with a two-day split. (4) Days one and four are reserved for upper body, days two and five for lower body, and the other days for rest. (5) Power lifters use a pyramid scheme to track their strength and progress. (6) The pyramid scheme is a chart that uses percentages of maximum lifts to guide repetitions for each set. (7) Power lifters rest two to two and one-half minutes between each set so that maximum strength can be applied to every set. (8) A power lifter's main focus is explosion rather than isolation or burning. (9) Sets of each lift include a low number of repetitions with a high weight to create as much strength as possible. (10) Power lifters are knowledgeable weightlifters, but they are extremely injury prone. (11) Their use of high weight with a concentration on explosion makes an injury easily possible.
_____ (12) Weightlifting can be used for different purposes throughout one's life. (13) Different people lift weights for different reasons. (14) Weightlifters can be classified into four categories: intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters. (15) Each category focuses on a different type of lifting and each leads to different results.
_____ (16) Intermediate lifting contains the largest number of weightlifters. (17) Intermediate lifters do not take weightlifting seriously, using it only as a complement to cardiovascular exercise. (18) Lifters in this category do not keep journals of workouts, and they lift weights between two to five days a week, depending on their schedules. (19) An intermediate lifter's workout varies daily since records of past workouts are not kept. (20) One workout could be a total-body workout while the next is three sets of arm curls. (21) These lifters are typically beginners with little or no weightlifting knowledge. (22) Due to this lack of knowledge, intermediate lifters are injury prone.
_____ (23) Circuit lifters are the second largest group of weightlifters. (24) A circuit lifter's goal is to define his or her muscles. (25) Lifting is second to cardiovascular exercise since their main goal is to bum fat covering muscle definition. (26) Circuit lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan as well. (27) The plan includes day one for chest, day two for back, day three for legs, day four for shoulders, and day five for biceps and triceps. (28) Circuit lifters sometimes take fat-burning supplements to aid them in burning fat. (29) Circuit lifters will do fifteen to twenty repetitions per set with a light weight. (30) They will rest thirty to forty-five seconds between each set, concentrating on keeping the muscle burning. (31) The burning means lactic acid is being released, which means fat is being burned. (32) Circuit lifters are the least injury prone due to their use of light weight. (33) The risk of injury is small but still remains.
_____ (34) Intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters all lift for different reasons. (35) Each lifter receives different benefits in his or her quest for improvement. (36) All weightlifters fall into one of the four mentioned categories, each with a different goal.
_____ (37) Mass lifters are typically bodybuilders or people who want to get bigger. (38) These people follow weightlifting religiously. (39) Mass lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan. (40) This plan includes chest and triceps on days one and four; back, shoulders, and biceps on days two and five; and legs on day three. (41) The other days are reserved for rest. (42) Mass lifters usually take weight-gaining supplements to aid them in their quest for more muscle mass. (43) Mass lifters will do eight to twelve repetitions per set using a medium weight. (44) Their rest periods are between one and one and one-half minutes. (45) A mass lifter concentrates on isolation of each body part, which will maximize muscle growth. (46) Mass lifters are prone to injury simply because they lift weights. (47) They are less injury prone than most lifters, however, due to their good form and proper rest techniques.
⎯ Andy Sarjahani, Student
Student Voices, Cengage Learning, © 2009
Part A: Select the letter of the answer that numbers the paragraphs in the order they should appear in the essay.
a. 2, 6, 4, 3, 5, 1
b. 3, 5, 1, 2, 4, 6
c. 4, 1, 2, 3, 6, 5
Part B: Which paragraph in the reordered sequence begins with a transitional expression that most clearly indicates this type of order?
a. paragraph 3
b. paragraph 4
c. paragraph 5
Part C: What type of order arranges the categories explained in the body paragraphs?
a. time order
b. space order
c. order of importance: most to least

Question 8

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.
Trading My Brown Shirt for a Backpack
_____ Although I was prepared to have less money, one effect I didn't expect from losing my job was the negative feelings I would have. I was embarrassed to tell my family what had happened, worried that my fiancée would think less of me, and angry that events I couldn't control had ruined my life. It was strange and depressing not having the job to go to every day. Maybe some wouldn't consider delivering packages a career, but I liked my work, it paid well, and I was outside driving a truck all day. So it's not just the money I miss; it's the job.
_____ The words "economic downturn" didn't mean much on the front of a newspaper, but then I got laid off. Suddenly, those weren't just words but the beginning of a long chain of events in my life. I liked my job at the United Parcel Service, and I had received many positive performance reviews, so I didn't think the rising unemployment rate was going to touch me. People still have to ship packages, right? Wrong. Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
_____ The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college. When I got a good job shortly after high school, in confirmed my decision to head straight into the "real world." Now that there are so few full-time jobs with benefits out there, getting more education and training seems like the logical move. A counselor at the unemployment office encouraged me to attend a career fair at San Francisco Community College. I ended up taking placement exams and enrolling that same afternoon.
_____ After losing my job, I have had to make major financial changes. My unemployment check is about half what I was making at UPS, so I have to budget very carefully. I used to take my fiancée out to a nice dinner almost every week. Now our dates involve pizza and rented movies. We also had to postpone our wedding until I'm back on my feet. The hardest change by far has been moving back in with my dad because I couldn't make the rent on my apartment.
_____ So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment. So far I'm enjoying college more than I thought. I feel proud to be pursuing my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. When I'm done, I'll be driving around in an ambulance instead of a delivery truck, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it.
⎯ Alex Silvio, Student
Which of the following sentences expresses the thesis statement of this essay?

A) The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college.
B) Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
C) So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment.

Question 9

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.
Making a Difference
_____ (1) Most important, volunteers can do much to improve the quality of life in Westlake. (2) A sophomore named Annie Blakely, for instance, volunteered with a crew of other students to spruce up the neglected Stevenson Park. (3) Because budget cuts had reduced the number of caretakers, some of its gardens had become overgrown. (4) Supervised by the Parks Department, the crew cleared weeds, trimmed bushes, and planted several colorful flowerbeds. (5) They also painted the park benches a bright red, a welcome change from their former drab and faded gray. (6) For six Saturday afternoons, Annie and the other volunteers worked their magic. (7) Thanks to them, the park is certainly prettier and more inviting than it had been.
_____ (8) Clearly, community service not only benefits the community but also rewards the volunteer. (9) Signing up can make a big difference in many lives.
_____ (10) While helping out, volunteers can also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of others. (11) Last year, another student, Kyle Hairston, worked for a few hours each week at the Westlake Home for the Aged. (12) He began with many preconceptions about the elderly; however, his work with them convinced him how wrong he had been. (13) For example, he assumed that the residents, because they lived in the home, had lost contact with the rest of the world. (14) While playing chess or chatting with them, he realized that they avidly watched the news on TV; read newspapers; and were well informed about local, national, and world affairs. (15) Also a surprise to Kyle, their opinions were often similar to his own. (16) These seventy-year-olds were not as "old-fashioned" as he had thought. (17) Kyle Hairston, the person, owes his respect for the elderly and his open-mindedness to Kyle Hairston, the volunteer.
_____ (18) Finally, volunteers can often learn new skills. (19) Margo Rosa, a whiz in mathematics, volunteered to tutor Sandy Lewin, a junior high school student struggling with her math homework. (20) Aspiring to become a teacher, Margo hoped this assignment would give her a head start on her future career. (21) At first, she had trouble understanding why Sandy found fractions so confusing or decimals so difficult. (22) Soon, however, Margo saw where and why Sandy got stuck and thought of creative ways to help. (23) She also increased her patience, a necessary trait for any good teacher. (24) By the end of the semester, when Sandy's grades had improved, Margo was certain that she would become a first-rate teacher.
_____ (25) The Community Service Office at Westlake College offers placement opportunities for students who wish to do volunteer work. (26) For a number of reasons, students who have the time should consider volunteering to help out their neighbors in the community.
This essay is a

A) classification essay.
B) comparison and contrast essay.
C) persuasive essay.

Question 10

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.
Two Childhoods
_____ (1) Just as our lifestyles differed, so too did our personalities. (2) Relatives say that my mother was a loving, caring child who was always willing to help. (3) She was praised for being clever and vibrant, levelheaded and respectful to others. (4) My mother was strong-willed and spoke her mind when she saw fit, but she placed few demands on her parents for toys or fancy clothes. (5) Somehow her environment, which had instilled in her an appreciation of nature and living things, was enough.
_____ (6) My childhood, on the other hand, was spent in New York City, without animals, scenic surroundings, or close-knit neighbors. (7) Mine was a lifestyle of fast activity crammed into a tight schedule. (8) Nature was replaced by shops and businesses, trees by tall buildings. (9) My knowledge was not based on the simple things at hand, but on expensive toys, the latest clothes, and the newest sneakers. (11) Compared to my mother's country existence, my city childhood seems humdrum ⎯ a constant series of trips to the park or movies, visits to the grocery store or shopping center, picnics at the amusement park or beach, and a few birthday parties thrown in.
_____ (12) When I was young, my mother told me stories about her childhood. (13) I loved her tales and still think of them. (14) It was intriguing to hear about life thirty years ago before mine began. (15) What fascinated me most, however, were the differences between her youth and mine.
_____ (16) I, on the other hand, was considered a bit too extroverted, selfish, and stubborn. (17) I reveled in being petulant, pigheaded, demanding, and unstable. (18) Although I could be loving, I cleverly used this trait to my advantage in an attempt to manipulate my parents and get the beautiful toys and clothes I wanted. (19) After all, these gave me all the aesthetic appreciation I needed. (20) In fact, I was a brazenfaced brat.
_____ (21) Looking back, I think it would have been nice as a child to have fallen off a few trees or driven a scooter at maniacal speeds or even milked a cow or crushed some coffee beans in a mortar. (22) Yes, that would have been nice. (23) It really would have been.
_____ (24) My mother grew up in the country. (25) She spent most of her young years on a farm in South Carolina, surrounded by animals, orchards, cane fields, and agricultural machinery. (26) By the time she was six, she was a walking agricultural textbook. (27) Hers was a simple, serene, and comfortable life within a close-knit, neighborly environment. (28) My mother's days were filled with swimming in nearby rivers and lakes, climbing and falling off trees, scooter-riding down country lanes, playing marbles with siblings and friends, bird watching and mending of wings, and building fences and tree houses.
⎯ Cheryl Parris, Student
This essay is a

A) classification essay.
B) persuasive essay.
C) comparison and contrast essay.

Question 11

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.
Trading My Brown Shirt for a Backpack
_____ Although I was prepared to have less money, one effect I didn't expect from losing my job was the negative feelings I would have. I was embarrassed to tell my family what had happened, worried that my fiancée would think less of me, and angry that events I couldn't control had ruined my life. It was strange and depressing not having the job to go to every day. Maybe some wouldn't consider delivering packages a career, but I liked my work, it paid well, and I was outside driving a truck all day. So it's not just the money I miss; it's the job.
_____ The words "economic downturn" didn't mean much on the front of a newspaper, but then I got laid off. Suddenly, those weren't just words but the beginning of a long chain of events in my life. I liked my job at the United Parcel Service, and I had received many positive performance reviews, so I didn't think the rising unemployment rate was going to touch me. People still have to ship packages, right? Wrong. Getting my pink slip had powerful effects on my lifestyle and plans, but not all the effects have been bad ones.
_____ The one positive effect of getting laid off is that it forced me to reconsider college. When I got a good job shortly after high school, in confirmed my decision to head straight into the "real world." Now that there are so few full-time jobs with benefits out there, getting more education and training seems like the logical move. A counselor at the unemployment office encouraged me to attend a career fair at San Francisco Community College. I ended up taking placement exams and enrolling that same afternoon.
_____ After losing my job, I have had to make major financial changes. My unemployment check is about half what I was making at UPS, so I have to budget very carefully. I used to take my fiancée out to a nice dinner almost every week. Now our dates involve pizza and rented movies. We also had to postpone our wedding until I'm back on my feet. The hardest change by far has been moving back in with my dad because I couldn't make the rent on my apartment.
_____ So here I am in a freshman writing class, returning to school the spring I expected to be getting married and hunting for a nice apartment. So far I'm enjoying college more than I thought. I feel proud to be pursuing my Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate. When I'm done, I'll be driving around in an ambulance instead of a delivery truck, and I have a feeling I'm going to like it.
⎯ Alex Silvio, Student
How many effects are provided to support the thesis statement?

A) two
B) three
C) four

Question 12

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.
Two Childhoods
_____ (1) Just as our lifestyles differed, so too did our personalities. (2) Relatives say that my mother was a loving, caring child who was always willing to help. (3) She was praised for being clever and vibrant, levelheaded and respectful to others. (4) My mother was strong-willed and spoke her mind when she saw fit, but she placed few demands on her parents for toys or fancy clothes. (5) Somehow her environment, which had instilled in her an appreciation of nature and living things, was enough.
_____ (6) My childhood, on the other hand, was spent in New York City, without animals, scenic surroundings, or close-knit neighbors. (7) Mine was a lifestyle of fast activity crammed into a tight schedule. (8) Nature was replaced by shops and businesses, trees by tall buildings. (9) My knowledge was not based on the simple things at hand, but on expensive toys, the latest clothes, and the newest sneakers. (11) Compared to my mother's country existence, my city childhood seems humdrum ⎯ a constant series of trips to the park or movies, visits to the grocery store or shopping center, picnics at the amusement park or beach, and a few birthday parties thrown in.
_____ (12) When I was young, my mother told me stories about her childhood. (13) I loved her tales and still think of them. (14) It was intriguing to hear about life thirty years ago before mine began. (15) What fascinated me most, however, were the differences between her youth and mine.
_____ (16) I, on the other hand, was considered a bit too extroverted, selfish, and stubborn. (17) I reveled in being petulant, pigheaded, demanding, and unstable. (18) Although I could be loving, I cleverly used this trait to my advantage in an attempt to manipulate my parents and get the beautiful toys and clothes I wanted. (19) After all, these gave me all the aesthetic appreciation I needed. (20) In fact, I was a brazenfaced brat.
_____ (21) Looking back, I think it would have been nice as a child to have fallen off a few trees or driven a scooter at maniacal speeds or even milked a cow or crushed some coffee beans in a mortar. (22) Yes, that would have been nice. (23) It really would have been.
_____ (24) My mother grew up in the country. (25) She spent most of her young years on a farm in South Carolina, surrounded by animals, orchards, cane fields, and agricultural machinery. (26) By the time she was six, she was a walking agricultural textbook. (27) Hers was a simple, serene, and comfortable life within a close-knit, neighborly environment. (28) My mother's days were filled with swimming in nearby rivers and lakes, climbing and falling off trees, scooter-riding down country lanes, playing marbles with siblings and friends, bird watching and mending of wings, and building fences and tree houses.
⎯ Cheryl Parris, Student
Select the number of the thesis statement of this essay.

A) Sentence 12
B) Sentence 15
C) Sentence 21

Question 13

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.
Making a Difference
_____ (1) Most important, volunteers can do much to improve the quality of life in Westlake. (2) A sophomore named Annie Blakely, for instance, volunteered with a crew of other students to spruce up the neglected Stevenson Park. (3) Because budget cuts had reduced the number of caretakers, some of its gardens had become overgrown. (4) Supervised by the Parks Department, the crew cleared weeds, trimmed bushes, and planted several colorful flowerbeds. (5) They also painted the park benches a bright red, a welcome change from their former drab and faded gray. (6) For six Saturday afternoons, Annie and the other volunteers worked their magic. (7) Thanks to them, the park is certainly prettier and more inviting than it had been.
_____ (8) Clearly, community service not only benefits the community but also rewards the volunteer. (9) Signing up can make a big difference in many lives.
_____ (10) While helping out, volunteers can also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of others. (11) Last year, another student, Kyle Hairston, worked for a few hours each week at the Westlake Home for the Aged. (12) He began with many preconceptions about the elderly; however, his work with them convinced him how wrong he had been. (13) For example, he assumed that the residents, because they lived in the home, had lost contact with the rest of the world. (14) While playing chess or chatting with them, he realized that they avidly watched the news on TV; read newspapers; and were well informed about local, national, and world affairs. (15) Also a surprise to Kyle, their opinions were often similar to his own. (16) These seventy-year-olds were not as "old-fashioned" as he had thought. (17) Kyle Hairston, the person, owes his respect for the elderly and his open-mindedness to Kyle Hairston, the volunteer.
_____ (18) Finally, volunteers can often learn new skills. (19) Margo Rosa, a whiz in mathematics, volunteered to tutor Sandy Lewin, a junior high school student struggling with her math homework. (20) Aspiring to become a teacher, Margo hoped this assignment would give her a head start on her future career. (21) At first, she had trouble understanding why Sandy found fractions so confusing or decimals so difficult. (22) Soon, however, Margo saw where and why Sandy got stuck and thought of creative ways to help. (23) She also increased her patience, a necessary trait for any good teacher. (24) By the end of the semester, when Sandy's grades had improved, Margo was certain that she would become a first-rate teacher.
_____ (25) The Community Service Office at Westlake College offers placement opportunities for students who wish to do volunteer work. (26) For a number of reasons, students who have the time should consider volunteering to help out their neighbors in the community.
Select the number of the sentence that is the thesis statement of this essay.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 25
C) Sentence 26

Question 14

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.
Different Types of Weightlifters
_____ (1) Power lifters may be athletes, competitive power lifters, and people wanting to increase strength. (2) These groups take power lifting seriously. (3) Power lifters lift four days a week with a two-day split. (4) Days one and four are reserved for upper body, days two and five for lower body, and the other days for rest. (5) Power lifters use a pyramid scheme to track their strength and progress. (6) The pyramid scheme is a chart that uses percentages of maximum lifts to guide repetitions for each set. (7) Power lifters rest two to two and one-half minutes between each set so that maximum strength can be applied to every set. (8) A power lifter's main focus is explosion rather than isolation or burning. (9) Sets of each lift include a low number of repetitions with a high weight to create as much strength as possible. (10) Power lifters are knowledgeable weightlifters, but they are extremely injury prone. (11) Their use of high weight with a concentration on explosion makes an injury easily possible.
_____ (12) Weightlifting can be used for different purposes throughout one's life. (13) Different people lift weights for different reasons. (14) Weightlifters can be classified into four categories: intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters. (15) Each category focuses on a different type of lifting and each leads to different results.
_____ (16) Intermediate lifting contains the largest number of weightlifters. (17) Intermediate lifters do not take weightlifting seriously, using it only as a complement to cardiovascular exercise. (18) Lifters in this category do not keep journals of workouts, and they lift weights between two to five days a week, depending on their schedules. (19) An intermediate lifter's workout varies daily since records of past workouts are not kept. (20) One workout could be a total-body workout while the next is three sets of arm curls. (21) These lifters are typically beginners with little or no weightlifting knowledge. (22) Due to this lack of knowledge, intermediate lifters are injury prone.
_____ (23) Circuit lifters are the second largest group of weightlifters. (24) A circuit lifter's goal is to define his or her muscles. (25) Lifting is second to cardiovascular exercise since their main goal is to bum fat covering muscle definition. (26) Circuit lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan as well. (27) The plan includes day one for chest, day two for back, day three for legs, day four for shoulders, and day five for biceps and triceps. (28) Circuit lifters sometimes take fat-burning supplements to aid them in burning fat. (29) Circuit lifters will do fifteen to twenty repetitions per set with a light weight. (30) They will rest thirty to forty-five seconds between each set, concentrating on keeping the muscle burning. (31) The burning means lactic acid is being released, which means fat is being burned. (32) Circuit lifters are the least injury prone due to their use of light weight. (33) The risk of injury is small but still remains.
_____ (34) Intermediate lifters, circuit lifters, power lifters, and mass lifters all lift for different reasons. (35) Each lifter receives different benefits in his or her quest for improvement. (36) All weightlifters fall into one of the four mentioned categories, each with a different goal.
_____ (37) Mass lifters are typically bodybuilders or people who want to get bigger. (38) These people follow weightlifting religiously. (39) Mass lifters lift five days a week with a specific plan. (40) This plan includes chest and triceps on days one and four; back, shoulders, and biceps on days two and five; and legs on day three. (41) The other days are reserved for rest. (42) Mass lifters usually take weight-gaining supplements to aid them in their quest for more muscle mass. (43) Mass lifters will do eight to twelve repetitions per set using a medium weight. (44) Their rest periods are between one and one and one-half minutes. (45) A mass lifter concentrates on isolation of each body part, which will maximize muscle growth. (46) Mass lifters are prone to injury simply because they lift weights. (47) They are less injury prone than most lifters, however, due to their good form and proper rest techniques.
⎯ Andy Sarjahani, Student
Student Voices, Cengage Learning, © 2009
This essay is a

A) classification essay.
B) comparison and contrast essay.
C) persuasive essay.