Question 1

Instructions: Identify each of the following definitions as a synonym definition, class definition, or definition by negation. Select the letter of the correct answer. Lou Gehrig s disease is a progressive, terminal illness characterized by deterioration of the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement.

Accepted Answer

The definition given identifies what class or category Lou Gehrig's disease belongs to - that of progressive, terminal illnesses characterized by deterioration of nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. It is not a synonym definition because it does not provide an equivalent term for Lou Gehrig's disease, and it is not a definition by negation because it does not define something by stating what it is not. The definition is a class definition because it is defining Lou Gehrig's disease as a member of a specific category of illnesses that are progressive, terminal, and characterized by deterioration of nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement.

Question 2

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Emoticons are the facelike symbols made of keyboard characters in e-mail messages. (2) Meant to be read sideways, with the head tilted 90 degrees, these symbols help to overcome the lack of facial expressions and body language that are present in face-to-face communications but missing from written communications. (3) Specifically, emoticons make the emotions of the person sending the message clearer so that the receiver of the message will not misinterpret the meaning of the words. (4) For example, a smile is made with a colon, a dash, and a parenthesis, forming :-), and a frown with the other parenthesis :-(. (5) Other common emoticons are the wink ;-), surprise :-o , and laughing hard with eyes closed XD. (6) The symbols for a clown face, :o), can indicate that a statement was made tongue-in-cheek. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence, which introduces the main idea of the paragraph, is located in the first sentence: "Emoticons are the facelike symbols made of keyboard characters in e-mail messages."

Question 3

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Although black bass and striped bass are two familiar fish in the world of saltwater fishing, their habits are altogether different. (2) Staying in one locale and waiting intently for its victims to pass, the black bass feeds steadily on fiddler crabs, mussels, skimmer, and clams. (3) Its cousin, the striped bass, however, remains in constant motion, always searching for its prey. (4) The striped bass feeds on smaller fish, squid, tin cans, or any glittering or wiggly object. (5) The black bass builds its home in the rocks that lie along the bottom of the ocean wall; it is well protected from the fisherman, whose line will often snag and break before this fish is taken. (6) On the other hand, the striped bass makes its home almost anywhere; it is usually caught near the surface of the water or several feet from the bottom. (7) The best way to catch the black bass is with a hook and sinker, whereas trolling is the best way to land a striped bass because this fish does not remain in one spot very long. (8) Striped bass and black bass, however, do have one thing in common: both make delicious eating after being caught and then fried in an open pan. Does this paragraph compare, contrast, or both?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph both compares and contrasts black bass and striped bass by discussing their different habits, diets, homes, and the best ways to catch them, while also noting their shared value as food.

Question 4

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Do you know what happens when you fall asleep? (2) After studying brain-wave patterns, neuroscientists identified five distinct stages of human sleep. (3) In stage 1, you feel drowsy and your muscles begin to relax. (4) This stage between waking and sleep only lasts five to ten minutes. (5) During the second stage, you experience light sleep. (6) Your heart rate, brain activity, and breathing slow down, and your body temperature decreases. (7) In the third stage, you transition between light sleep and the fourth stage of deep sleep. (8) It is during stages 3 and 4, which are known as slow-wave sleep, that your body rests, replenishes its energy, and repairs itself. (9) Finally, about 90 minutes after you first fall asleep, the fifth stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs. (10) Your brain is very active, but your muscles are paralyzed. (11) During REM sleep, you dream. (12) Throughout an average night, you move constantly from one stage to another in recurring cycles. (13) These sleep cycles last about 70 to 90 minutes and are repeated four or five times a night. (14) While you do not go through all five stages of sleep consecutively, you will experience each stage at least once during a full sleep cycle. Which of the following sentences does NOT include a transitional expression that locates the stages of the process in time?

Accepted Answer

Sentences 3, 5, and 9 all include transitional expressions that indicate a temporal relationship between the stages of sleep ("In stage 1," "During the second stage," "Finally, about 90 minutes after..."). Sentence 10 does not include a transitional expression that locates the stage of REM sleep in a specific point in time. Sentence 10 does not include a transitional expression that locates the stage of the process in time. Instead, it describes the characteristics of the fifth stage of sleep (REM sleep).

Question 5

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Do you know what happens when you fall asleep? (2) After studying brain-wave patterns, neuroscientists identified five distinct stages of human sleep. (3) In stage 1, you feel drowsy and your muscles begin to relax. (4) This stage between waking and sleep only lasts five to ten minutes. (5) During the second stage, you experience light sleep. (6) Your heart rate, brain activity, and breathing slow down, and your body temperature decreases. (7) In the third stage, you transition between light sleep and the fourth stage of deep sleep. (8) It is during stages 3 and 4, which are known as slow-wave sleep, that your body rests, replenishes its energy, and repairs itself. (9) Finally, about 90 minutes after you first fall asleep, the fifth stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs. (10) Your brain is very active, but your muscles are paralyzed. (11) During REM sleep, you dream. (12) Throughout an average night, you move constantly from one stage to another in recurring cycles. (13) These sleep cycles last about 70 to 90 minutes and are repeated four or five times a night. (14) While you do not go through all five stages of sleep consecutively, you will experience each stage at least once during a full sleep cycle. How many stages are in the process?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph states that after studying brain-wave patterns, neuroscientists identified five distinct stages of human sleep. The paragraph states that neuroscientists have identified five distinct stages of human sleep.

Question 6

Instructions: Each question below is a topic sentence followed by supporting details. The steps in each set are not in correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to the proper time sequence. Changing the oil in your car will require you to follow several steps. ____ When the oil stops draining, screw the plug back on and lower the car. ____ Next, place a plastic catch pan under the drain hole, and remove the drain hole plug so all the old oil can pour out. ____ Finally, check the oil level and add more oil if the car needs it. ____ To drain the old oil, first set the hand brake and jack up the front end of the car. ____ Now pour in the fresh oil, and then start the engine and check for leaks. ____ When the front end is back on the ground, remove the dirty oil filter and replace it with a clean one.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Each question below is a topic...

Question 7

Instructions: Identify each of the following definitions as a synonym definition, class definition, or definition by negation. Select the letter of the correct answer. Love is not just a feeling but also a stimulus for certain actions and behaviors.

Accepted Answer

The definition is provided by negation, as it explains what love is not (just a feeling) and what it is also (a stimulus for actions and behaviors). The definition is giving the meaning of love by stating what it is not and highlighting its qualities by mentioning that it is a stimulus for certain actions and behaviors. Thus, this is a definition by negation.

Question 8

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Emoticons are the facelike symbols made of keyboard characters in e-mail messages. (2) Meant to be read sideways, with the head tilted 90 degrees, these symbols help to overcome the lack of facial expressions and body language that are present in face-to-face communications but missing from written communications. (3) Specifically, emoticons make the emotions of the person sending the message clearer so that the receiver of the message will not misinterpret the meaning of the words. (4) For example, a smile is made with a colon, a dash, and a parenthesis, forming :-), and a frown with the other parenthesis :-(. (5) Other common emoticons are the wink ;-), surprise :-o , and laughing hard with eyes closed XD. (6) The symbols for a clown face, :o), can indicate that a statement was made tongue-in-cheek. How many examples does the writer use to develop the topic sentence?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph provides six examples of common emoticons, including smile, frown, wink, surprise, laughing hard with eyes closed, and clown face.

Question 9

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, 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 in each plan. During the first week of classes, the college bookstore is wall-to-wall confusion.

Accepted Answer

The detail about attractive displays of calendars and organizational tools is not relevant to the topic sentence about the confusion in the college bookstore during the first week of classes.

Question 10

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Although black bass and striped bass are two familiar fish in the world of saltwater fishing, their habits are altogether different. (2) Staying in one locale and waiting intently for its victims to pass, the black bass feeds steadily on fiddler crabs, mussels, skimmer, and clams. (3) Its cousin, the striped bass, however, remains in constant motion, always searching for its prey. (4) The striped bass feeds on smaller fish, squid, tin cans, or any glittering or wiggly object. (5) The black bass builds its home in the rocks that lie along the bottom of the ocean wall; it is well protected from the fisherman, whose line will often snag and break before this fish is taken. (6) On the other hand, the striped bass makes its home almost anywhere; it is usually caught near the surface of the water or several feet from the bottom. (7) The best way to catch the black bass is with a hook and sinker, whereas trolling is the best way to land a striped bass because this fish does not remain in one spot very long. (8) Striped bass and black bass, however, do have one thing in common: both make delicious eating after being caught and then fried in an open pan. What two things are being compared and/or contrasted?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph is comparing and contrasting the habits of black bass and striped bass.

Question 11

Instructions: Following is a topic sentence followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges this group of details according to space order. Describe an ostrich. ____ on each foot, two clawed toes of unequal length ____ long neck lightly covered with down ____ muscular legs that can deliver tremendously strong kicks ____ sharp eyes, which spot enemies a long way off ____ toenails so sharp they can disembowel prey

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged according to the order of the parts of the ostrich's body, starting with its powerful legs and ending with its sharp toenails. Therefore, the order is 4 (muscular legs), 2 (long neck lightly covered with down), 3 (sharp eyes), 1 (two clawed toes of unequal length), and 5 (toenails so sharp they can disembowel prey). The descriptions follow a pattern of starting from the top of the ostrich's body and moving downward. The sharp eyes, which are located on the head, are mentioned last, but they still fit into the pattern since they are used to spot enemies at a distance before the ostrich takes action with its legs and feet. Therefore, the correct order is 4 (muscular legs), 2 (long neck lightly covered with down), 3 (toenails so sharp they can disembowel prey), 1 (two clawed toes of unequal length on each foot), 5 (sharp eyes, which spot enemies a long way off).

Question 12

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Although black bass and striped bass are two familiar fish in the world of saltwater fishing, their habits are altogether different. (2) Staying in one locale and waiting intently for its victims to pass, the black bass feeds steadily on fiddler crabs, mussels, skimmer, and clams. (3) Its cousin, the striped bass, however, remains in constant motion, always searching for its prey. (4) The striped bass feeds on smaller fish, squid, tin cans, or any glittering or wiggly object. (5) The black bass builds its home in the rocks that lie along the bottom of the ocean wall; it is well protected from the fisherman, whose line will often snag and break before this fish is taken. (6) On the other hand, the striped bass makes its home almost anywhere; it is usually caught near the surface of the water or several feet from the bottom. (7) The best way to catch the black bass is with a hook and sinker, whereas trolling is the best way to land a striped bass because this fish does not remain in one spot very long. (8) Striped bass and black bass, however, do have one thing in common: both make delicious eating after being caught and then fried in an open pan. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence introduces the main idea of the entire paragraph, which is that although black bass and striped bass are both fish, they have very different habits. Sentence 1 serves as the topic sentence by stating this main idea.

Question 13

Instructions: Below is a plan for a contrast paragraph. The points of contrast in the second column do not follow the same order as the points in the first column. In addition, one detail is missing in the second column. Compare a community college and a university. Community college University 1. hundreds of dollars for each semester s tuition _____ graduate students teach many of the classes 2. no housing, students must commute _____ students mostly in their teens and twenties 3. small classes _____ thousands of dollars for each semester s tuition 4. professors teach classes _____ classes often contain hundreds of students 5. wide age range in student body _____ ____________________ Which of the following is the missing detail?

Accepted Answer

The missing detail is that many students live on campus in dorms, which contrasts with community colleges where there is no housing and students must commute.

Question 14

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, 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 in each plan. The new entertainment complex downtown has something for everyone.

Accepted Answer

The detail about higher prices than in suburban areas is not directly related to the topic sentence about the new entertainment complex having something for everyone.

Question 15

Instructions: Each question below is a topic sentence followed by supporting details. The steps in each set are not in correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to the proper time sequence. Changing a baby s diaper is easy. ____ Next, use a baby wipe to clean the baby s bottom. ____ First, lay the baby on a changing table and secure the safety strap around the child s waist. ____ After strapping the baby down, remove the dirty diaper, roll it up, and throw it away. ____ Finally, place a fresh diaper underneath the baby s bottom, pull up the sticky tabs on each side, and fasten them firmly.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Each question below is a topic...

Question 16

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Although black bass and striped bass are two familiar fish in the world of saltwater fishing, their habits are altogether different. (2) Staying in one locale and waiting intently for its victims to pass, the black bass feeds steadily on fiddler crabs, mussels, skimmer, and clams. (3) Its cousin, the striped bass, however, remains in constant motion, always searching for its prey. (4) The striped bass feeds on smaller fish, squid, tin cans, or any glittering or wiggly object. (5) The black bass builds its home in the rocks that lie along the bottom of the ocean wall; it is well protected from the fisherman, whose line will often snag and break before this fish is taken. (6) On the other hand, the striped bass makes its home almost anywhere; it is usually caught near the surface of the water or several feet from the bottom. (7) The best way to catch the black bass is with a hook and sinker, whereas trolling is the best way to land a striped bass because this fish does not remain in one spot very long. (8) Striped bass and black bass, however, do have one thing in common: both make delicious eating after being caught and then fried in an open pan. Transitional expressions that indicate contrast or comparison include all except :

Accepted Answer

The transitional expressions that indicate contrast or comparison are however, on the other hand, and whereas. Usually does not indicate a contrast or comparison.

Question 17

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) It would be difficult to imagine a more stifling and uncomfortable outfit than one favored by the fashionable, well-to-do lady of the Elizabethan era. (2) Atop her dyed and styled hair, she wore an often elaborate headdress. (3) Her face was covered with a base coat of white lead and sulfur makeup, with additional layers of dye for cheeks and lips. (4) Around her neck was either a heavy necklace of large jewels or a ruff, a stiff ring made of starched lace. (5) A bodice with long, detachable sleeves covered her to her waist. (6) Beneath this bodice, a corset functioned as a girdle to flatten her chest and decrease the size of her waist. (7) Underneath her skirt, or kirtle, she wore a stiff frame made of wire or whalebone, which was designed to make the skirt balloon out from the body. (8) On her legs and feet, knee-length stockings made of wool or silk and leather shoes completed her many-layered costume. How are the details arranged in this paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The details in the paragraph are arranged from top to bottom, starting with the headdress and ending with the stockings and shoes.

Question 18

Instructions: Identify each of the following definitions as a synonym definition, class definition, or definition by negation. Select the letter of the correct answer. To be ornery is to be mean-spirited and disagreeable.

Accepted Answer

The definition of "ornery" is being equated with the terms "mean-spirited and disagreeable," which are synonyms. Therefore, this is a synonym definition. This definition is providing a synonym (a word with the same or nearly the same meaning) for "ornery." It is stating that if someone is "ornery," they are also "mean-spirited and disagreeable." Therefore, the correct answer is A - synonym definition.

Question 19

Instructions: Below is a plan for a contrast paragraph. The points of contrast in the second column do not follow the same order as the points in the first column. In addition, one detail is missing in the second column. Compare a community college and a university. Community college University 1. hundreds of dollars for each semester s tuition _____ graduate students teach many of the classes 2. no housing, students must commute _____ students mostly in their teens and twenties 3. small classes _____ thousands of dollars for each semester s tuition 4. professors teach classes _____ classes often contain hundreds of students 5. wide age range in student body _____ ____________________ Select the letter of the answer that numbers the points in the second column to match those in the first.

Accepted Answer

In the first column, points 1-5 are listed in the order of the cost of tuition, lack of housing, class size, type of teacher, and student age range. In the second column, points 4 and 5 are already swapped, so we know that option A is incorrect. Option B swaps points 1 and 5, which is also incorrect. Option C is the only one that matches the order of the first column: cost of tuition, lack of housing, small classes, professors as teachers, and wide age range of students. Option C is the correct answer as the points in the second column match those of the first column in the following order:
1. thousands of dollars for each semester's tuition
2. classes often contain hundreds of students
3. hundreds of dollars for each semester's tuition
4. small classes
5. students mostly in their teens and twenties. 
Option A and B are incorrect because the points in the second column do not match those of the first column in the correct order. Option B is also incorrect because it does not provide an answer for the missing detail in the second column.

Question 20

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Do you know what happens when you fall asleep? (2) After studying brain-wave patterns, neuroscientists identified five distinct stages of human sleep. (3) In stage 1, you feel drowsy and your muscles begin to relax. (4) This stage between waking and sleep only lasts five to ten minutes. (5) During the second stage, you experience light sleep. (6) Your heart rate, brain activity, and breathing slow down, and your body temperature decreases. (7) In the third stage, you transition between light sleep and the fourth stage of deep sleep. (8) It is during stages 3 and 4, which are known as slow-wave sleep, that your body rests, replenishes its energy, and repairs itself. (9) Finally, about 90 minutes after you first fall asleep, the fifth stage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep occurs. (10) Your brain is very active, but your muscles are paralyzed. (11) During REM sleep, you dream. (12) Throughout an average night, you move constantly from one stage to another in recurring cycles. (13) These sleep cycles last about 70 to 90 minutes and are repeated four or five times a night. (14) While you do not go through all five stages of sleep consecutively, you will experience each stage at least once during a full sleep cycle. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Accepted Answer

Sentence 2 introduces the main topic of the paragraph, which is the five stages of human sleep.

Quiz 1: Writing Effective Paragraphs

Instructions: Identify each of the following definitions as a synonym definition, class definition, or definition by negation. Select the letter of the correct answer. Love is not just a feeling but also a stimulus for certain actions and behaviors.

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, 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 in each plan. During the first week of classes, the college bookstore is wall-to-wall confusion.

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, 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 in each plan. The new entertainment complex downtown has something for everyone.

Instructions: Identify each of the following definitions as a synonym definition, class definition, or definition by negation. Select the letter of the correct answer. To be ornery is to be mean-spirited and disagreeable.