Question 1

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Energy sources can be divided into two groups: nonrenewable sources and renewable sources. (2) The first group, nonrenewable sources, includes the energy sources that are in finite supply and will eventually be depleted. (3) Fossil fuels, which include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are in this category. (4) They are obtained from deposits in the earth that were formed from living matter during previous geologic eras. (5) When these deposits have been emptied, these energy sources will no longer be available. (6) The second group contains renewable energy sources. (7) Energy produced by wind, water, the sun s rays, and the heat of the Earth, for example, will always be available because these sources continuously regenerate as they are consumed. On what basis does the writer classify energy sources?
A) amount of the supply
B) cost of use
C) intensity of power generated

Accepted Answer

The writer classifies energy sources based on whether they are renewable or nonrenewable, which is determined by the amount of supply available. Nonrenewable sources are in finite supply and will eventually be depleted, while renewable sources continuously regenerate as they are consumed. The cost of use and intensity of power generated are not the primary factors used for classification in this paragraph.

Question 2

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Many people conquer their addiction to alcohol by joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.
A) Cause: many people conquer their addiction to alcohol Effect: joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program
B) Cause: joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program Effect: many people conquer their addiction to alcohol

Accepted Answer

The cause is joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program, and the effect is many people conquering their addiction to alcohol. This means that the program is the action or event that leads to the desired outcome of overcoming addiction. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

Question 3

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) The average age of first marriage has been rising; in America, it is now 28.4 for men and 26.5 for women. (2) Why are people waiting longer to get married? (3) Americans are postponing marriage for a number of reasons. (4) One cause of this phenomenon is young people s desire to concentrate on their careers before taking on the additional responsibilities of a spouse and children. (5) Many people also want to enjoy the freedom and independence of the single life as long as possible. (6) Another reason for postponing marriage is the lack of pressure to marry. (7) Society now finds it acceptable for people in their twenties to be involved in intimate, long-term relationships without tying the knot. (8) Therefore, friends and family members are less likely to urge young people to formally commit to one another. (9) Yet another cause for the rising age of first marriage is the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship. (10) People want to wait to marry until they re sure they ve found their perfect soul mate. How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

The writer includes four causes to develop the topic sentence: (1) young people's desire to focus on their careers, (2) the desire to enjoy the single life, (3) the lack of pressure to marry, and (4) the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship.

Question 4

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Energy sources can be divided into two groups: nonrenewable sources and renewable sources. (2) The first group, nonrenewable sources, includes the energy sources that are in finite supply and will eventually be depleted. (3) Fossil fuels, which include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are in this category. (4) They are obtained from deposits in the earth that were formed from living matter during previous geologic eras. (5) When these deposits have been emptied, these energy sources will no longer be available. (6) The second group contains renewable energy sources. (7) Energy produced by wind, water, the sun s rays, and the heat of the Earth, for example, will always be available because these sources continuously regenerate as they are consumed. How many categories are there?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

The paragraph clearly states that energy sources can be divided into two groups, nonrenewable and renewable.

Question 5

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. (2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals. (3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer. (4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease. (5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. (6) Therefore, it reduces the body s oxygen supply. (7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen. (8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence of the paragraph is the first sentence, which introduces the main idea that cigarettes contain harmful ingredients, including three of the worst: tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. The following sentences then provide details about each of these three substances and their negative effects on health.

Question 6

Instructions: Each of the following groups of things or persons has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then select the letter of the one item that does not belong. Next, identify the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group. Part A: Food a. dessert b. side dish c. vegetarian d. main course Part B: Basis of classification: a. amount of calories b. preparation time c. meal part

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Each of the following groups of...

Question 7

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) The average age of first marriage has been rising; in America, it is now 28.4 for men and 26.5 for women. (2) Why are people waiting longer to get married? (3) Americans are postponing marriage for a number of reasons. (4) One cause of this phenomenon is young people s desire to concentrate on their careers before taking on the additional responsibilities of a spouse and children. (5) Many people also want to enjoy the freedom and independence of the single life as long as possible. (6) Another reason for postponing marriage is the lack of pressure to marry. (7) Society now finds it acceptable for people in their twenties to be involved in intimate, long-term relationships without tying the knot. (8) Therefore, friends and family members are less likely to urge young people to formally commit to one another. (9) Yet another cause for the rising age of first marriage is the fear of divorce combined with high expectations for a marital relationship. (10) People want to wait to marry until they re sure they ve found their perfect soul mate. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer...

Question 8

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it s true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining. (2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems. (3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks. (4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them. (5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them. (6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show. (7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets. (8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials. (9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the C.S.I. effect. How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer...

Question 9

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Energy sources can be divided into two groups: nonrenewable sources and renewable sources. (2) The first group, nonrenewable sources, includes the energy sources that are in finite supply and will eventually be depleted. (3) Fossil fuels, which include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are in this category. (4) They are obtained from deposits in the earth that were formed from living matter during previous geologic eras. (5) When these deposits have been emptied, these energy sources will no longer be available. (6) The second group contains renewable energy sources. (7) Energy produced by wind, water, the sun s rays, and the heat of the Earth, for example, will always be available because these sources continuously regenerate as they are consumed. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is the sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. In this case, sentence 1 introduces the two groups of energy sources that the paragraph is going to discuss, making it the topic sentence.

Question 10

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Tom moved to Philadelphia because his employer transferred him there.
A) Cause: Tom moved to Philadelphia Effect: Tom s employer transferred him to Philadelphia
B) Cause: Tom s employer transferred him to Philadelphia Effect: Tom moved to Philadelphia

Accepted Answer

The cause is Tom's employer transferring him to Philadelphia, and the effect is Tom moving to Philadelphia. Therefore, option B correctly identifies the cause and effect in the statement.

Question 11

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Energy sources can be divided into two groups: nonrenewable sources and renewable sources. (2) The first group, nonrenewable sources, includes the energy sources that are in finite supply and will eventually be depleted. (3) Fossil fuels, which include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, are in this category. (4) They are obtained from deposits in the earth that were formed from living matter during previous geologic eras. (5) When these deposits have been emptied, these energy sources will no longer be available. (6) The second group contains renewable energy sources. (7) Energy produced by wind, water, the sun s rays, and the heat of the Earth, for example, will always be available because these sources continuously regenerate as they are consumed. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates classification?
A) Sentence 2
B) Sentence 5
C) Sentence 6

Accepted Answer

Sentences 2 and 6 both contain transitional expressions that indicate classification ("The first group..." and "The second group..."). Sentence 5, however, does not contain a transitional expression that indicates classification.

Question 12

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. (2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals. (3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer. (4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease. (5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. (6) Therefore, it reduces the body s oxygen supply. (7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen. (8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. Which of the following sentences contains a transitional expression that signals cause or effect?
A) Sentence 4
B) Sentence 7
C) Sentence 8

Accepted Answer

Sentence 8 contains the transitional expression "Consequently," which signals cause and effect.

Question 13

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. The high rate of divorce has increased the number of single-parent families in America.
A) Cause: the high rate of divorce Effect: increase in the number of single-parent families in America
B) Cause: increase in the number of single-parent families in America Effect: the high rate of divorce

Accepted Answer

The statement clearly indicates that the high rate of divorce is causing an increase in the number of single-parent families in America. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Option B is incorrect because it suggests the opposite cause-and-effect relationship, which is not supported by the statement.

Question 14

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Natural disasters like hurricanes often cause the price of gasoline to rise.
A) Cause: rise in the price of gasoline Effect: natural disasters like hurricanes
B) Cause: natural disasters like hurricanes Effect: rise in the price of gasoline

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters like hurricanes (cause) leads to rise in the price of gasoline (effect).

Question 15

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Most of the ingredients in cigarettes cause serious damage to health, but three of the worst are tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine. (2) Tar, the brown, sticky substance produced by a burning cigarette, is a messy mixture of hundreds of toxic chemicals. (3) At least forty-three of those chemicals cause cancer. (4) The other two destructive substances, carbon monoxide and nicotine, contribute to heart disease. (5) Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying a full load of oxygen. (6) Therefore, it reduces the body s oxygen supply. (7) At the same time, nicotine is not only constricting blood vessels and impairing blood flow but also stimulating the heart, making it beat faster and crave more oxygen. (8) Consequently, carbon monoxide and nicotine work together to damage the cardiovascular system. How many causes does the writer include to develop the topic sentence?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

The writer includes three causes to develop the topic sentence: tar, carbon monoxide, and nicotine.

Question 16

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) People who are thinking about getting a pet should carefully consider the kind of care that animal will require. (2) Pets can be classified into three categories according to how labor-intensive they are. (3) The first category includes very labor-intensive pets. (4) These animals require the most time, energy, and money because they need constant, daily care. (5) Horses kept in a barn are probably the best example, for they need to be fed, exercised, and groomed on a daily basis. (6) Dogs, which need to be fed and walked at least once a day, are another good example of a high-maintenance pet. (7) The second category contains those pets that are only moderately labor-intensive, such as a cat or a hamster. (8) They need to be fed every day, but other maintenance is done on only a weekly or monthly basis. (9) For example, a cat s litter box or a hamster s cage needs only periodic cleaning. (10) The third and final category includes very low-maintenance pets. (11) Fish are the best example. (12) They need just a little sprinkling of food every day, and their tanks need cleaning only a few times a year. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates classification?
A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 10

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer...

Question 17

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it s true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining. (2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems. (3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks. (4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them. (5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them. (6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show. (7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets. (8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials. (9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the C.S.I. effect. Which of the following sentences contains a transitional expression that signals cause or effect?
A) Sentence 2
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 8

Accepted Answer

Sentence 8 contains the transitional expression "therefore," which signals a cause-and-effect relationship between the distorted impressions viewers form and their unrealistic expectations of criminal trials.

Question 18

Instructions: Each of the following groups of things or persons has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then select the letter of the one item that does not belong. Next, identify the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group. Part A: Vehicles a. sedan b. automatic transmission c. convertible d. truck Part B: Basis of classification: a. size of engine b. body style c. price

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Each of the following groups of...

Question 19

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) People who are thinking about getting a pet should carefully consider the kind of care that animal will require. (2) Pets can be classified into three categories according to how labor-intensive they are. (3) The first category includes very labor-intensive pets. (4) These animals require the most time, energy, and money because they need constant, daily care. (5) Horses kept in a barn are probably the best example, for they need to be fed, exercised, and groomed on a daily basis. (6) Dogs, which need to be fed and walked at least once a day, are another good example of a high-maintenance pet. (7) The second category contains those pets that are only moderately labor-intensive, such as a cat or a hamster. (8) They need to be fed every day, but other maintenance is done on only a weekly or monthly basis. (9) For example, a cat s litter box or a hamster s cage needs only periodic cleaning. (10) The third and final category includes very low-maintenance pets. (11) Fish are the best example. (12) They need just a little sprinkling of food every day, and their tanks need cleaning only a few times a year. On what basis does the writer classify pets?
A) personality
B) labor-intensiveness
C) size

Accepted Answer

The writer classifies pets based on how labor-intensive they are, dividing them into three categories: very labor-intensive, moderately labor-intensive, and very low-maintenance.

Question 20

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Crime dramas are some of the most watched television shows today, and it s true that shows like the popular C.S.I . are interesting and entertaining. (2) However, C.S.I. is also producing some serious problems. (3) Some people say that C.S.I. is actually making real-life crimes harder to solve by giving criminals good tips for covering their tracks. (4) For example, crime experts have been noticing an increase in cases in which suspects have burned or bleached evidence to destroy DNA samples that can be traced back to them. (5) In other cases, criminals have planned their crimes using techniques they learned on C.S.I. for leaving no evidence behind them. (6) Another effect has been the reluctance of real-life juries to convict criminals in the absence of clear-cut evidence like the kind gathered by the fictional forensic scientists on the C.S.I. show. (7) Prosecutors say that the show distorts viewers impressions of the speed and accuracy of crime labs, technology, and gadgets. (8) Therefore, viewers form unrealistic expectations of actual criminal courtroom trials. (9) In fact, this phenomenon has been given a name: the C.S.I. effect. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer...

Quiz 1: Writing Effective Paragraphs

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Many people conquer their addiction to alcohol by joining the twelve-step Alcoholics Anonymous program.

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Tom moved to Philadelphia because his employer transferred him there.

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. The high rate of divorce has increased the number of single-parent families in America.

Instructions: For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. Natural disasters like hurricanes often cause the price of gasoline to rise.