Question 1

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) The staff at the Shoe Barn is trained to use a very effective customer service procedure. (2) When a customer enters the store, a nearby salesperson first greets that person by saying, Hello, welcome to Shoe Barn. (3) Second, the salesperson asks the customer, Can I help you find something today? (4) Third, the employee listens carefully to the customer s description of the shoes he or she is looking for and leads the customer to the appropriate part of the store. (5) While helping the customer find what he or she needs, the salesperson also describes that day s specials and sales. (6) Finally, when the customer is ready to purchase an item or leave the store, the salesperson smiles and says, Thank you for shopping at Shoe Barn! Which of the following sentences in the paragraph does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates time?
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 3
D) Sentence 4

Accepted Answer

Sentence 1 does not contain a transitional expression indicating time, whereas sentences 2, 3, 4, and 6 all use transitional expressions to show the sequence of events in the customer service procedure.

Question 2

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. A vehicle s airbag saves lives by instantly inflating at the moment a collision takes place. ____ Tiny holes in the bag allow the gas to escape so that the bag will deflate and the vehicle s occupants can move. ____ The sensors then ignite rapidly, burning chemicals that create a large volume of gas to fill the thin, nylon bag. ____ When the vehicle collides with something, sensors register the impact. ____ The gas-filled bag bursts from its storage site to cushion the vehicle s occupants against the impact.
A) 4, 2, 1, 3
B) 3, 4, 1, 2
C) 1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Anyone can conquer clutter by following a series of steps. (2) First of all, pick just one area on which to focus your attention. (3) This might be a shelf, a closet, or even just one drawer. (4) Second, round up some bags or boxes and label them so that you have one of each of the following: Repair , Relocate , Donate , Sell , Store , Throw Away , and Return . (5) Next, sort all of the items in the area by placing them in one of the bags or boxes, depending on what needs to happen to it. (6) Then, take action on each pile. (7) Put Repair , Donate , and Return items in your car so that you can drop them off on your next errand run; take the items in the Relocate box to the places where they belong; toss out the Throw Away items; and so on. (8) Finally, clean your newly decluttered area and give yourself a reward for a job well done! Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates time?
A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 5
D) Sentence 6

Accepted Answer

Sentence 3 does not contain a transitional expression indicating time, while the other sentences do (e.g. "First of all," "Second," "Next," "Then," "Finally").

Question 4

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. To properly use a fire extinguisher, use the PASS (pull-aim-squeeze-sweep) procedure. ____ Next, squeeze the handle to release the substance inside the fire extinguisher. ____ First of all, hold the fire extinguisher upright, remove the plastic tie from the handle, and pull out the pin. ____ Finally, sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the fire goes out. ____ Then, continuing to keep the extinguisher upright, aim the nozzle at the base of the blaze.
A) 2, 4, 1, 3
B) 3, 1, 4, 2
C) 4, 2, 3, 1

Accepted Answer

According to the PASS procedure, the chronological order of the steps is pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep. Therefore, the correct sequence of steps is: 3, 1, 4, 2.

Question 5

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Anyone can conquer clutter by following a series of steps. (2) First of all, pick just one area on which to focus your attention. (3) This might be a shelf, a closet, or even just one drawer. (4) Second, round up some bags or boxes and label them so that you have one of each of the following: Repair , Relocate , Donate , Sell , Store , Throw Away , and Return . (5) Next, sort all of the items in the area by placing them in one of the bags or boxes, depending on what needs to happen to it. (6) Then, take action on each pile. (7) Put Repair , Donate , and Return items in your car so that you can drop them off on your next errand run; take the items in the Relocate box to the places where they belong; toss out the Throw Away items; and so on. (8) Finally, clean your newly decluttered area and give yourself a reward for a job well done! 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 opening sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Sentence 1 states the main idea of the paragraph, which is that anyone can conquer clutter by following a series of steps. Therefore, sentence 1 is the topic sentence.

Question 6

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Learning to make a budget is the key to managing your hard-earned money. (2) First, select your budget period, usually a week or a month. (3) Second, estimate your income for that time period as accurately as you can. (4) Include not only your salary after payroll deductions, but the least you expect to make from other sources, such as tips, bonuses, and commissions. (5) Third, add up all your expenses for the budget period. (6) Be sure to add in your fixed costs like rent, utilities, tuition, and taxes as well as savings. (7) Also include your variable expenses. (8) The most difficult ones to estimate, variable expenses include all your nonfixed living costs, from money for food and transportation to planned events like vacations and less predictable ones like medical and home repair bills. (9) Fourth, subtract your expenses from your income to see whether you need to adjust your budget. (10) If your expenses are greater than your income, look for ways to cut costs for example, on clothing. (11) If your income is greater than your expenses, you have the luxury of splurging or saving extra money for that car or trip you have always wanted. Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 11

Accepted Answer

The first sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is learning to make a budget is key to managing your money. Therefore, sentence 1 is the topic sentence.

Question 7

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. My morning routine gets me out of the house in twenty minutes. ____ While toweling off, I decide what I will wear and think of everything I need for the day. ____ I eat breakfast in bits while dressing and packing my backpack. ____ Next I race to the kitchen to make breakfast and feed the cats. ____ I dash to the bathroom where brushing my teeth, shaving, and showering follow one another so quickly they are like one step. ____ I awake at 6:30 a.m.
A) 2, 5, 4, 1, 3
B) 4, 5, 1, 3, 2
C) 3, 5, 4, 2, 1

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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 old house had obviously been abandoned long ago.
A) yard choked with tall grass and weeds
B) oak tree with a tire swing
C) rusted iron gate
D) peeling white paint
E) several broken windows
F) spider webs on the front porch

Accepted Answer

The fact that there is an oak tree with a tire swing has nothing to do with the topic sentence, which is about the old house being abandoned long ago.

Question 9

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Just as growing children develop physically in stages, they also progress through stages of moral development. (2) Devised by American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, the stages describe the moral reasoning that guides decision-making. (3) The earliest stage Kohlberg called pre-conventional. (4) Here, children base their moral decisions on the outcome of a choice. (5) In other words, something is right or wrong depending on whether they will be punished or praised for doing it. (6) The next level is called the conventional stage because people at this level base their moral judgments on the conventions of society. (7) Something is right during this stage if most people agree that it is right. (8) Many people do not pass beyond the conventional level of moral reasoning. (9) Those who do have arrived at what Kohlberg termed the post-conventional level, a stage at which people base their moral decisions on personal beliefs. (10) People with such convictions will do what they consider is right even if it contradicts social rules or comes with negative consequences. 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. Sentence 1 introduces the idea that children progress through stages of moral development, making it the topic sentence.

Question 10

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. To mend a broken heart, follow these steps. ____ By the end of the first week, you should be distracting yourself with positive activities such as spending time with friends and making lists of things you want to accomplish. ____ Communicating your feelings will help you feel better, so call a supportive friend or family member on the second day. ____ On the first day after your break-up, give yourself permission to mourn your loss by calling in sick to work, eating anything you want, and crying. ____ After the first week and throughout the months to come, remember that healing takes time, and continue doing things that will help you build your self-confidence. ____ Force yourself to go out on the third day; taking a walk, going out for coffee, or exercising will improve your mood.
A) 1, 5, 2, 3, 4
B) 4, 2, 1, 5, 3
C) 2, 3, 4, 5, 1

Accepted Answer

The first day should be spent mourning the loss, so step 3 should come first. On the second day, communication is important, so step 2 should come next. On the third day, it's important to start getting back into positive activities, so step 1 should come next. After the first week, step 5 suggests forcing oneself to go out, while step 4 reminds the reader that healing takes time. Therefore, the correct sequence is 4, 2, 1, 5, 3.

Question 11

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) The staff at the Shoe Barn is trained to use a very effective customer service procedure. (2) When a customer enters the store, a nearby salesperson first greets that person by saying, Hello, welcome to Shoe Barn. (3) Second, the salesperson asks the customer, Can I help you find something today? (4) Third, the employee listens carefully to the customer s description of the shoes he or she is looking for and leads the customer to the appropriate part of the store. (5) While helping the customer find what he or she needs, the salesperson also describes that day s specials and sales. (6) Finally, when the customer is ready to purchase an item or leave the store, the salesperson smiles and says, Thank you for shopping at Shoe Barn! Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.
A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 2
C) Sentence 6

Accepted Answer

Sentence 1 is the topic sentence because it introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is that the Shoe Barn has an effective customer service procedure.

Question 12

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts are made in an amazing assembly line process. ____ After spending 15 minutes in the proof box, the puffed-up dough is taken by conveyor belts to the fryer, where it s cooked in oil. ____ The doughnuts come out of the oil, cool on a conveyor belt, and pass through a waterfall of sugary liquid to get their glaze coating. ____ The rings of uncooked dough are delivered via conveyor belt to the proof box, a tall glass case where the doughnuts are surrounded with low heat and humidity to activate the yeast. ____ After one side of the doughnuts is cooked to a perfect golden brown, a machine flips them over to cook their other side. ____ Bakers mix the ingredients to form batter and then pour that batter into a machine called a hopper. ____ The dough goes from the hopper to a machine that shapes it into small rings.
A) 4, 6, 3, 5, 1, 2
B) 5, 2, 1, 6, 4, 3
C) 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 6

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Anyone can conquer clutter by following a series of steps. (2) First of all, pick just one area on which to focus your attention. (3) This might be a shelf, a closet, or even just one drawer. (4) Second, round up some bags or boxes and label them so that you have one of each of the following: Repair , Relocate , Donate , Sell , Store , Throw Away , and Return . (5) Next, sort all of the items in the area by placing them in one of the bags or boxes, depending on what needs to happen to it. (6) Then, take action on each pile. (7) Put Repair , Donate , and Return items in your car so that you can drop them off on your next errand run; take the items in the Relocate box to the places where they belong; toss out the Throw Away items; and so on. (8) Finally, clean your newly decluttered area and give yourself a reward for a job well done! How many steps are in the process?
A) three
B) four
C) five

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) The staff at the Shoe Barn is trained to use a very effective customer service procedure. (2) When a customer enters the store, a nearby salesperson first greets that person by saying, Hello, welcome to Shoe Barn. (3) Second, the salesperson asks the customer, Can I help you find something today? (4) Third, the employee listens carefully to the customer s description of the shoes he or she is looking for and leads the customer to the appropriate part of the store. (5) While helping the customer find what he or she needs, the salesperson also describes that day s specials and sales. (6) Finally, when the customer is ready to purchase an item or leave the store, the salesperson smiles and says, Thank you for shopping at Shoe Barn! How many steps are in the process?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

There are four steps in the Shoe Barn's customer service procedure as outlined in the paragraph.

Question 15

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Learning to make a budget is the key to managing your hard-earned money. (2) First, select your budget period, usually a week or a month. (3) Second, estimate your income for that time period as accurately as you can. (4) Include not only your salary after payroll deductions, but the least you expect to make from other sources, such as tips, bonuses, and commissions. (5) Third, add up all your expenses for the budget period. (6) Be sure to add in your fixed costs like rent, utilities, tuition, and taxes as well as savings. (7) Also include your variable expenses. (8) The most difficult ones to estimate, variable expenses include all your nonfixed living costs, from money for food and transportation to planned events like vacations and less predictable ones like medical and home repair bills. (9) Fourth, subtract your expenses from your income to see whether you need to adjust your budget. (10) If your expenses are greater than your income, look for ways to cut costs for example, on clothing. (11) If your income is greater than your expenses, you have the luxury of splurging or saving extra money for that car or trip you have always wanted. How many steps are in the process?
A) three
B) four
C) five

Accepted Answer

There are four steps in the process of making a budget: selecting a budget period, estimating income, adding up expenses, and subtracting expenses from income to determine whether any adjustments need to be made.

Question 16

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. A fax machine sends copies of written or printed material by means of telephone lines. ____ Finally, the machine receiving the copy reconverts the images and prints them on paper. ____ Second, the user dials the telephone number of the machine that is to receive the material. ____ First, the user puts a document in the machine. ____ Third, the fax machine converts the images on the document into codes that travel through the telephone lines.
A) 1, 3, 2, 4
B) 4, 2, 1, 3
C) 3, 1, 4, 2

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Learning to make a budget is the key to managing your hard-earned money. (2) First, select your budget period, usually a week or a month. (3) Second, estimate your income for that time period as accurately as you can. (4) Include not only your salary after payroll deductions, but the least you expect to make from other sources, such as tips, bonuses, and commissions. (5) Third, add up all your expenses for the budget period. (6) Be sure to add in your fixed costs like rent, utilities, tuition, and taxes as well as savings. (7) Also include your variable expenses. (8) The most difficult ones to estimate, variable expenses include all your nonfixed living costs, from money for food and transportation to planned events like vacations and less predictable ones like medical and home repair bills. (9) Fourth, subtract your expenses from your income to see whether you need to adjust your budget. (10) If your expenses are greater than your income, look for ways to cut costs for example, on clothing. (11) If your income is greater than your expenses, you have the luxury of splurging or saving extra money for that car or trip you have always wanted. Which of the following sentences in the paragraph does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates time?
A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 5
D) Sentence 9

Accepted Answer

Sentence 4 does not contain a transitional expression indicating time. It is giving a specific instruction or step in the budget-making process.

Question 18

Instructions: Each question below is a plan for a process paragraph. The steps for the plan(s) are not in the correct chronological order. Select the letter of the answer that numbers the steps in the proper time sequence. Ted learned business skills in stages throughout his life. ____ He took several sales and marketing courses in college. ____ As a child after school, he watched his parents run their candy shop. ____ Finally, he opened his own T-shirt store in the mall after his graduation from college. ____ In high school, he spent afternoons selling shoes at his uncle s store. ____ In his senior year of high school, Ted made excellent money selling health products out of his home.
A) 2, 1, 4, 5, 3
B) 3, 5, 1, 4, 2
C) 4, 1, 5, 2, 3

Accepted Answer

The paragraph should start with Ted's earliest experiences and progress to his most recent. Therefore, the correct sequence is 4 (high school shoe sales), 1 (college sales/marketing courses), 5 (senior year health product sales), 2 (childhood candy store observation), and 3 (opening his own T-shirt store). Choice A is incorrect because it starts with the college courses before mentioning his childhood and high school experiences. Choice B starts with his most recent experience before going back to high school and then college. Choice C is the only option that follows a logical chronological order.

Question 19

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Just as growing children develop physically in stages, they also progress through stages of moral development. (2) Devised by American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, the stages describe the moral reasoning that guides decision-making. (3) The earliest stage Kohlberg called pre-conventional. (4) Here, children base their moral decisions on the outcome of a choice. (5) In other words, something is right or wrong depending on whether they will be punished or praised for doing it. (6) The next level is called the conventional stage because people at this level base their moral judgments on the conventions of society. (7) Something is right during this stage if most people agree that it is right. (8) Many people do not pass beyond the conventional level of moral reasoning. (9) Those who do have arrived at what Kohlberg termed the post-conventional level, a stage at which people base their moral decisions on personal beliefs. (10) People with such convictions will do what they consider is right even if it contradicts social rules or comes with negative consequences. Which of the following sentences in the paragraph contains a transitional expression that indicates time?
A) Sentence 3
B) Sentence 4
C) Sentence 7
D) Sentence 10

Accepted Answer

Sentence 3 states "The earliest stage Kohlberg called pre-conventional." The word "earliest" indicates a chronological order, indicating a transitional expression indicating time.

Question 20

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Just as growing children develop physically in stages, they also progress through stages of moral development. (2) Devised by American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, the stages describe the moral reasoning that guides decision-making. (3) The earliest stage Kohlberg called pre-conventional. (4) Here, children base their moral decisions on the outcome of a choice. (5) In other words, something is right or wrong depending on whether they will be punished or praised for doing it. (6) The next level is called the conventional stage because people at this level base their moral judgments on the conventions of society. (7) Something is right during this stage if most people agree that it is right. (8) Many people do not pass beyond the conventional level of moral reasoning. (9) Those who do have arrived at what Kohlberg termed the post-conventional level, a stage at which people base their moral decisions on personal beliefs. (10) People with such convictions will do what they consider is right even if it contradicts social rules or comes with negative consequences. How many stages are in the process?
A) two
B) three
C) four

Accepted Answer

There are three stages of moral development: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional.

Quiz 1: Writing Effective Paragraphs

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 old house had obviously been abandoned long ago.