Question 1

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling.
-Which of the following sentences contains a transitional expression that indicates classification?

Accepted Answer

Sentence 4 uses the transitional expression "The second type of post-secondary institution," indicating classification by listing the second category in a series.

Question 2

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill.
-What writing pattern does this paragraph employ?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph employs the cause and effect writing pattern, as it explains the positive effects of dog ownership on both physical and emotional health through cause and effect relationships.

Question 3

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling.
-On what basis does the writer classify post-secondary institutions?

Accepted Answer

The writer classifies post-secondary institutions based on the type of credential offered and the length of study required to earn that credential. Universities offer bachelor's degrees, which require four or more years of study, community colleges offer associate degrees that can be earned in as little as two years, and vocational-technical or career colleges offer certificates that can be earned in 18 months or less.

Question 4

Each of the following groups of things 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, select the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group.
-Sweaters

Accepted Answer

The rest of the items in the group classify sweaters based on their style (button-down, turtleneck, V-neck), while item C classifies sweaters based on their material (cotton).

Note: The instructions ask for the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group, not necessarily for the correct answer to be based on that single basis.

Question 5

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill.
-Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph, and it provides an overview or main idea of the following sentences. Therefore, the topic sentence in this paragraph is sentence 1, which presents the main idea that owning a pet dog provides important health benefits.

Question 6

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill.
-Which of the following is NOT a transitional expression used in the paragraph to indicate cause or effect?

Accepted Answer

"According to" is used to introduce a source of information, not to indicate a cause or effect relationship. The other transitional expressions ("a second positive effect," "therefore," and "as a result") all indicate a cause or effect relationship.

Question 7

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling.
-Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Accepted Answer

The topic sentence is the main idea that the rest of the paragraph supports. In this case, sentence 1 clearly states that there are three types of post-secondary institutions and serves as the introduction to the rest of the paragraph that explains the different types in more detail.

Question 8

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling.
-How many categories are there?

Accepted Answer

There are three types of post-secondary institutions mentioned in the passage: universities, community colleges, and vocational-technical or career colleges.

Question 9

Each of the following groups of things 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, select the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group.
-Library resources

Accepted Answer

The basis of classification is the format of library resources. Non-fiction is a genre, while the others are formats.

Question 10

For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect.
-Miguel completed his college degree and got a job as a medical assistant, so he quit his job at the grocery store.

Accepted Answer

This statement clearly states that Miguel completing his college degree and getting a job as a medical assistant is the cause and his quitting the job at the grocery store is the effect.

Question 11

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling.
-What writing pattern does this paragraph employ?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph employs a classification pattern, as it discusses three different types of post-secondary institutions and the unique credentials they offer.

Question 12

For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect.
-The number of obese Americans has risen because many people are consuming too many calories and avoiding exercise.

Accepted Answer

The statement clearly states that the cause is people consuming too many calories and avoiding exercise, which leads to the effect of an increase in the number of obese Americans. Therefore, the correct choice is B.

Question 13

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill.
-How many causes or effects does the writer present?

Accepted Answer

The writer presents two causes or effects of owning a pet dog - better overall physical health and better emotional health. The first cause (regular exercise) leads to better physical health, while the second cause (affection and companionship) leads to better emotional health.

Question 14

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it.
(1) Some people believe that keeping animals captive in zoos is cruel because the animals are robbed of living a natural life in the wild.  (2) However, for an animal, life in a good zoo—one that provides both a stimulating habitat similar to the animals’ native environment and excellent care for animals—is often far better alternative to life in the wild.  (3) For one thing, a zoo animal is provided with daily meals and does not have to endure the constant search for food. (4) In the wild, that animal would spend its every waking moment trying to avoid starvation.  (5) In a zoo environment, however, that same animal can spend its days relaxing or romping with its fellow creatures.  (6) Second, a zoo animal is safe and protected.  (7) In the wilderness, many animals must endure the constant distress of being hunted by humans or other animals or becoming homeless due to destruction of their habitats.  (8) In a zoo, this stress is eliminated, and the animals can live more peaceful lives.  (9) Third, if an animal does become injured or sick, that animal will not suffer as it would in the wild.  (10) Instead, it will receive medical care that will reduce its pain and speed the healing process. 
-What writing pattern does this paragraph employ?

Accepted Answer

The paragraph employs the persuasion pattern, as it presents arguments in favor of keeping animals in zoos and attempts to convince the reader that life in a zoo can be better for animals than life in the wild.

Quiz 6: Thinking Through Paragraph Patterns

For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. -Miguel completed his college degree and got a job as a medical assistant, so he quit his job at the grocery store.

For each of the following statements, select the answer that correctly identifies the cause and effect. -The number of obese Americans has risen because many people are consuming too many calories and avoiding exercise.