Question 1

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) The announcer introduced us as the Huge Notes instead of the High Tones.
B) All the lights in the theater flashed on and off throughout our last song.
C) Starting our first song a half-beat too late, Dina threw the rhythm off for the rest of us.
D) The debut of our singing group at the college talent show last Saturday was a total disaster.
E) Halfway through our act, our lead singer s microphone went dead for three minutes.
F) Calvin arrived so hoarse that he could hardly sing at all.

Accepted Answer

The sentence "The debut of our singing group at the college talent show last Saturday was a total disaster" introduces the central idea of the paragraph and summarizes the main focus of the remaining sentences. The other sentences provide specific details that support and reinforce the topic sentence.

Question 2

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of 
A) focused freewriting.
B) brainstorming.
C) clustering.
D) asking questions.
E) keeping a journal.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) Ben buys T-bone steaks for his dog.
B) My neighbor Ben seems to like animals better than people.
C) He screams at neighborhood children.
D) He refuses to speak to adults.
E) He is always patient and loving with Alex, his pet pig.

Accepted Answer

The sentence "My neighbor Ben seems to like animals better than people" is the topic sentence because it introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is Ben's relationship with animals versus his relationship with people. The other sentences provide supporting details for this main idea.

Question 4

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) The food served in our college cafeteria is low in nutrition.
B) The only drinks available are sugary cola drinks, notorious for their lack of nourishment.
C) The dessert case oozes with artificially colored and flavored cardboard.
D) The only hot foods are greasy French fries and oily franks.
E) Our sources report that the franks contain no beef at all, only some animal parts.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence in this group is A because it introduces the main idea of the paragraph, which is that the food served in the college cafeteria is low in nutrition. The other sentences in the group provide supporting details and examples to further develop and reinforce that main idea.

Question 5

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of Amusement Parks Who? Park visitors families, teenagers. Employees, performers, owners. What? Rides, roller coasters, shows, characters, carnival games, shops, huge crowds, long lines, heat and humidity, expensive. Where? Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, waterparks. When? Summer and holidays, when kids are out of school. Why? Fun, thrills, diversion. How? Family vacations, day trips, some people save up for years, some buy annual passes, go again and again
A) focused freewriting.
B) brainstorming.
C) clustering.
D) asking questions.
E) keeping a journal.

Accepted Answer

The prewriting example uses the "who, what, where, when, why, and how" format, which is characteristic of asking questions.

Question 6

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by choosing the letter of the correct response. In most states, before you can even think about voting, you have to register to vote. You can register in person by going to your local board of elections office, state department of motor vehicles, or other office or agency (such as the post office) designated as an official voter registration location in your state. However, one of the fastest and easiest ways to register is to go to the website RegistertoVote.org and complete three easy steps. First, you click on your state of residence. You will be taken to a page that lists your state s voter eligibility requirements and identifies registration deadlines. Next, you fill out the online voter registration form and click the Get Registration Form button. Finally, you download your completed form and follow the instructions to sign it and submit it to the appropriate state or local office for processing. Within a few weeks, you will receive confirmation of your registration. This paragraph was written for an audience of
A) people who are not registered to vote.
B) people who have voted at least once.
C) people who are registered to vote but have never voted.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph is written for people who are not registered to vote and explains the process of registering to vote.

Question 7

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by choosing the letter of the correct response. In most states, before you can even think about voting, you have to register to vote. You can register in person by going to your local board of elections office, state department of motor vehicles, or other office or agency (such as the post office) designated as an official voter registration location in your state. However, one of the fastest and easiest ways to register is to go to the website RegistertoVote.org and complete three easy steps. First, you click on your state of residence. You will be taken to a page that lists your state s voter eligibility requirements and identifies registration deadlines. Next, you fill out the online voter registration form and click the Get Registration Form button. Finally, you download your completed form and follow the instructions to sign it and submit it to the appropriate state or local office for processing. Within a few weeks, you will receive confirmation of your registration. The subject of this paragraph is
A) voting.
B) registering to vote.
C) reasons why voting is important.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph is primarily focused on the process of registering to vote, including various methods of registration and the steps involved in registering online through RegistertoVote.org. Voting itself is mentioned only briefly in the first sentence, and there is no discussion of why it is important.

Question 8

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select keep or drop for each idea. Topic sentence: In order to be a good cook, you have to be prepared in the kitchen. Keep your pantry stocked with ingredients you use all the time.
A) Keep
B) Drop

Accepted Answer

Keeping your pantry stocked with ingredients you use all the time directly supports the idea of being prepared in the kitchen.

Question 9

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) The long grass outside the cottage was heavy with drops of water.
B) The thunderstorm was over, but its effects were everywhere.
C) Puddles in the driveway reflected a thick gray sky.
D) The sea was still churning, throwing debris onto the beach.
E) Inside, books and papers were damp.
F) A scraggly dog with wet, matted hair trotted dismally down the beach.
G) The matches in the kitchen refused to light.

Accepted Answer

The other sentences are providing details about the effects of the thunderstorm that the topic sentence introduces.

Question 10

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of Dec. 27. Today, I read in the newspaper that many states give written driver s license exams in several different languages, but nine states offer the test in English only, and other state legislatures have introduced bills to change to English only. So if you don t read English, you can t get a driver s license. I don t think that s fair. Some immigrants can speak enough English to get by but can t read it. They need a driver s license to be able to get to work, but they can t get one. This rule probably encourages people to drive without a license. Dec. 28. Tomorrow is my birthday. People have always asked me if it s a bummer having a birthday so close to Christmas, but I never minded. My mom and dad always made sure that I had a separate celebration. I admit, though, that in the past, one or two of my relatives have given me just one gift for both occasions!
A) focused freewriting.
B) brainstorming.
C) clustering.
D) asking questions.
E) keeping a journal.

Accepted Answer

The prewriting example is a series of dated entries reflecting personal thoughts and experiences, characteristic of journal writing.

Question 11

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of The Internet I use the Internet a lot and so do my friends. Communicating with each other, e-mail, Facebook posts. My friend Renee usually on her computer for several hours every night. I use the Internet to look up information weather, news. Great for making travel plans like plane tickets or hotel reservations. But the danger of putting in your credit-card numbers. Sometimes I search for information about different topics that interest me. Love online shopping and watching YouTube videos.
A) focused freewriting.
B) brainstorming.
C) clustering.
D) asking questions.
E) keeping a journal

Accepted Answer

The passage is an example of focused freewriting, where the writer explores thoughts and ideas about a specific topic (the Internet) in a continuous flow without worrying about structure or grammar.

Question 12

Instructions: Select the letter of the correct answer for the following question. Select the letter of the answer that lists the steps of the writing process in the order that most writers follow as they compose.
A) Procrastinating, proofreading, spelling, writing
B) Writing, spell-checking, prewriting, reading
C) Prewriting, writing the first draft, revising, proofreading
D) Revising, writing the first draft, proofreading, organizing

Accepted Answer

Prewriting is the first step in which writers brainstorm, research, and plan their writing. Writing the first draft follows, in which the writer puts their ideas into sentences and paragraphs. Then, the writer revises their draft to improve its organization, clarity, and effectiveness. Finally, the writer proofreads their work for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Question 13

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by selecting the letter of the correct response. Many young people don t bother to register to vote, and those who do often don t show up at the polls on Election Day. But they should. Why? There are good reasons for every eligible young person to vote in every election. First of all, people ages eighteen to thirty should vote because many of the biggest issues affect the nation s youth. Wars in which young soldiers are dying, education funding, employment and job training programs, and reproductive rights are just a few of the issues that are affecting the lives of young people right now. Young people should help to select government representatives who share their views on these matters. When this country s youth don t vote, they don t have any influence on how these issues are decided, and they allow older people to decide how things will work. Plus, an individual who chooses not to vote really has no right to complain about government decisions he or she doesn t like. Being able to vote is a precious gift, one that no one should take for granted. Many people have fought and died so that all Americans would get and keep the right to participate in a democratic government. To honor their sacrifice, all of the young people in America should register, vote, and make themselves heard! The subject of this paragraph is
A) voting.
B) American youth.
C) elections.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph focuses on the importance of voting, particularly emphasizing why young people should participate in every election.

Question 14

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select keep or drop for each idea. Topic sentence: In order to be a good cook, you have to be prepared in the kitchen. Have clean, sharpened knives in various sizes.
A) Keep
B) Drop

Accepted Answer

This idea directly supports the topic sentence by emphasizing the importance of having the right tools, specifically clean and sharpened knives.

Question 15

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by selecting the letter of the correct response. Many young people don t bother to register to vote, and those who do often don t show up at the polls on Election Day. But they should. Why? There are good reasons for every eligible young person to vote in every election. First of all, people ages eighteen to thirty should vote because many of the biggest issues affect the nation s youth. Wars in which young soldiers are dying, education funding, employment and job training programs, and reproductive rights are just a few of the issues that are affecting the lives of young people right now. Young people should help to select government representatives who share their views on these matters. When this country s youth don t vote, they don t have any influence on how these issues are decided, and they allow older people to decide how things will work. Plus, an individual who chooses not to vote really has no right to complain about government decisions he or she doesn t like. Being able to vote is a precious gift, one that no one should take for granted. Many people have fought and died so that all Americans would get and keep the right to participate in a democratic government. To honor their sacrifice, all of the young people in America should register, vote, and make themselves heard! This paragraph was written for an audience of
A) American voters.
B) young American voters.
C) young people who do not vote.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by choosing the letter of the correct response. In most states, before you can even think about voting, you have to register to vote. You can register in person by going to your local board of elections office, state department of motor vehicles, or other office or agency (such as the post office) designated as an official voter registration location in your state. However, one of the fastest and easiest ways to register is to go to the website RegistertoVote.org and complete three easy steps. First, you click on your state of residence. You will be taken to a page that lists your state s voter eligibility requirements and identifies registration deadlines. Next, you fill out the online voter registration form and click the Get Registration Form button. Finally, you download your completed form and follow the instructions to sign it and submit it to the appropriate state or local office for processing. Within a few weeks, you will receive confirmation of your registration. The purpose of this paragraph is to
A) convince young people to register to vote.
B) persuade all Americans to vote in every election.
C) explain how to register to vote.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph's purpose is to explain how to register to vote in most states, including the different ways one can register and how to register online through RegistertoVote.org. The paragraph does not aim to persuade readers to vote or convince young people to register specifically.

Question 17

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) Here at Kensington College, without our student numbers, we would hardly exist.
B) We must display our student numbers and our IDs just to get onto campus.
C) We must pencil our student numbers on computer cards in order to register for courses.
D) When our grades are posted, the A s and F s go not to Felicia Watson and Bill Jenkins, Jr., but to 237-0002 and 235-1147.

Accepted Answer

The other sentences provide supporting details about how essential student numbers are to the functioning of Kensington College, but the topic sentence explicitly states the importance of those numbers.

Question 18

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of A Good Day Care caring teachers who truly like children small class sizes private home or day-care center activities both educational and fun bright and cheerful, colorful, clean reasonable rates structure planned schedule parent/teacher communication safe
A) focused freewriting.
B) brainstorming.
C) clustering.
D) asking questions.
E) keeping a journal.

Accepted Answer

This prewriting is an example of brainstorming, as it lists out various ideas and characteristics related to a good day care. The prewriting described in the passage is an example of brainstorming, as it includes a list of various ideas about the attributes of a good day care. The other options (focused freewriting, clustering, asking questions, keeping a journal) do not seem to be a fit for this particular example.

Question 19

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
A) The insect begins life as an egg.
B) The fully developed larva, or caterpillar, spins a cocoon and forms a pupa inside it.
C) There are four stages in the metamorphosis of certain insects.
D) Once hatched, the wormlike larva grows, shedding its skin several times.
E) At last the winged adult emerges, looking completely different from all its previous forms.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence should introduce the overall idea of the paragraph, which in this case is the four stages of metamorphosis in certain insects. Sentence C clearly states the number of stages and sets up the rest of the paragraph to discuss each stage in detail. Sentences A, B, D, and E provide additional information to support sentence C.

Question 20

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by selecting the letter of the correct response. Many young people don t bother to register to vote, and those who do often don t show up at the polls on Election Day. But they should. Why? There are good reasons for every eligible young person to vote in every election. First of all, people ages eighteen to thirty should vote because many of the biggest issues affect the nation s youth. Wars in which young soldiers are dying, education funding, employment and job training programs, and reproductive rights are just a few of the issues that are affecting the lives of young people right now. Young people should help to select government representatives who share their views on these matters. When this country s youth don t vote, they don t have any influence on how these issues are decided, and they allow older people to decide how things will work. Plus, an individual who chooses not to vote really has no right to complain about government decisions he or she doesn t like. Being able to vote is a precious gift, one that no one should take for granted. Many people have fought and died so that all Americans would get and keep the right to participate in a democratic government. To honor their sacrifice, all of the young people in America should register, vote, and make themselves heard! The purpose of this paragraph is to
A) explain to people how to register to vote.
B) persuade young people to vote.
C) convince readers that democracy is the best type of government.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph is focused on convincing young people to vote by providing multiple reasons why it is important for them to do so. It does not provide instructions on how to register to vote, nor does it argue that democracy is the best type of government.

Quiz 2: Writing Complete Sentences

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: Select the letter of the answer that correctly identifies each type of prewriting. The prewriting below is an example of

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: Select the letter of the correct answer for the following question. Select the letter of the answer that lists the steps of the writing process in the order that most writers follow as they compose.

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?