Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Sentence 1 states the overall impression of the subject, which is visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda and the rich mind obsessed with the sea that is reflected in the decor of the house. Sentence 1 states the overall impression of the subject, which is visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda and being immersed in his obsession with the sea.

Question 3

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a narrative paragraph. The events in the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the events in the proper time sequence. Football fans still call the Immaculate Reception one of the most famous and exciting plays in the history of the sport. ____ The ball bounced off Tatum and tumbled backward, end over end, toward Steelers running back Franco Harris, who scooped it up just before it hit the ground. ____ Needing to move the ball 60 yards to score again and win the game, Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw began the play by throwing the football to his fullback John Fuqua. ____ Harris ran the ball the rest of the way, down the field, to score the Steelers game-winning touchdown with only 5 seconds remaining on the clock. ____ As the ball reached Fuqua, he collided with Raiders player Jack Tatum. ____ In the fourth quarter of a 1972 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, with only 22 seconds left to play, the Raiders were winning 7-6, but the Steelers had the ball.

Accepted Answer

The plan follows a chronological timeline from the start of the play to the end. First, the ball is thrown to Fuqua, then there is a collision with Tatum, followed by the ball bouncing to Harris, who runs down the field to score the game-winning touchdown with only 5 seconds left on the clock. Lastly, the play is described as one of the most famous and exciting in football history.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

While all of the other details are related to birds, D is a general statement and not specific to the room in question. The other details all directly relate to birds or a bird lover's room, but the statement "birds make interesting pets" is a general statement that is not specific to the room or the topic sentence.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is about the car's futuristic appearance, but the bumper sticker about there being no Planet B is not directly related to the car's appearance.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The paragraph describes the narrator's view from a hill overlooking Tinker Creek and the surrounding area, emphasizing the landscape and natural features. The sentence "On my right a woods thickly overgrown with creeper descended the hill's slope to Tinker Creek" sets the scene and the remaining sentences provide further detail about the view. Choice B mentions the beauty of Tinker Creek, but the paragraph is not solely focused on that aspect. Choice C mentions memories, but there is no indication in the paragraph that the narrator is specifically reflecting on their past.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Instructions: Each topic sentence below is followed...

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Sentence 7 states the overall impression of Elvis Presley's distinct look and how it affected teenagers.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged from the closest view to the farthest: waves breaking on shore, wet sand, horizon line, calm water, beach grass, and wooden fence.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged in a top to bottom format, describing George's Halloween costume from head to toe, in a logical order.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Sentence 7 states the overall impression of George's appearance at the Halloween party, describing him as "absolutely grotesque."

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Space order refers to the order in which physical objects occupy space. In this case, the coconut parts are arranged from the outer layer to the innermost layer. Therefore, the correct order is the outer husk of tough fibers, the hard brown shell, the white, fleshy layer called meat enclosed in the shell, and the milk in the center. Option B arranges the details in this order, making it the correct choice.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is about the delicious meal at the Captain's Table Restaurant. Option C, about the meal being served on fine china by candlelight, is irrelevant to the deliciousness of the meal itself.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The paragraph starts with a general statement about Elvis' appearance when he first became a star and then goes on to describe specific details about his hair, sideburns, eyes, mouth, clothing, and hips in a top-to-bottom order. The final sentence concludes with a reflection on the impact of his look.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Sentence 6 does not contain any transitional expressions indicating place or position, unlike the other sentences which use words like "from," "near," and "around."

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

"Then" does not indicate a change in position or location, but rather a continuation of the description of the author's surroundings. The other transitional expressions (on my right, on my left, before me, beyond the creek) all indicate a shift in position or direction.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The details are arranged from bottom to top, starting with the legs and moving up to the horns.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

This detail about exercise helping the planner think more clearly is irrelevant to the topic sentence, which is about planning the perfect workout room. The other details all directly relate to the plan for the perfect workout room, but the fact that exercise helps the author think more clearly is a bit of personal information that is not necessary for the plan.

Quiz 1: Writing Effective Paragraphs