Moving Sentences
[1] Voltaire was an eighteenth-century's French Enlightenment philosopher. [2] According to Voltaire, an enlightened person is a rational individual who thinks independently, tolerates others, rejects superstition, and embraces science and reason. [3] Voltaire was a strong monarchist who rejected democracy and wanted a ruler who used his or her power to allow free intellectual activity. [4] Many enlightenment philosophers gave their own definitions of what an enlightened person was and did.
In context, where should Sentence 4 be placed?
A. Where it is now
B. After Sentence 1
C. Before Sentence 1
D. Before Sentence 2
D. Before Sentence 2
The best place for Sentence 4 is before Sentence 2 because it provides a transition between the basic biographical information about Voltaire and his specific definition of an enlightened person.
Which of the following sentences makes the best topic sentence for the paragraph shown above?
Stegosaurus is named for the characteristic bony plates that stick up from its back, making it easily recognizable. Its name is a combination of “stagē,” Greek for covering—a reference to those bony plates—and “sauros,” Greek for lizard. On its tail, Stegosaurus had spikes that it could use to defend itself from predators. Its brain was about the size of a curled human fist.
A. Museums are great places to learn more about dinosaurs as well as other ancient animals like mammoths and saber-toothed cats.
B. Stegosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, the same period during which dinosaurs like Archaeopteryx, Pterodactylus, and Brontosaurus lived.
C. Dinosaurs have fascinated modern humans since we started uncovering their massive bones buried in the Earth.
D. Many carnivorous dinosaurs ate herbivores like Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus, and Apatosaurus to survive.
B.
This answer choice provides a general introduction of Stegosaurus that works well as a sentence preceding the details about Stegosaurus and its name found in the rest of the paragraph.
Succulents are a type of plant, and they have much in common with cacti.
A. Growing cacti at home is easy. They are a great starter plant for someone who is not very confident in their gardening skills.
B. Like cacti, succulents require very little water and are well-adapted to desert environments. Many types of succulents also produce flowers when they bloom, like certain types of cacti do.
C. Unlike cacti, succulents do not have sharp spines. Succulents are also much smaller than many cacti.
D. Desert animals rely on cacti for water; that is why cacti have evolved sharp spines to protect themselves.
B.
The first sentence of the paragraph that we are given introduces succulents to the reader and compares them with cacti, suggesting they have several similarities ("much in common"). The best answer choice will focus on succulents but also continue to develop the comparison between succulents and cacti in a way that stresses their similarities.
1 Tattoos have even been found on ancient Icelandic, Egyptian, and South American mummies.2 On their various voyages to the South Pacific, Captain Cook and other European explorers brought back accounts of colorfully inked natives, and their sailors soon began to adopt the practice. 3 Early medieval Northern European tribes such as the Picts and Visigoths were often heavily tattooed; particularly the warriors. 4 Over the centuries, various cultures have described various meanings to tattoos, with indelible ink signifying everything from royalty to gang membership to magical powers.
Where should Sentence 3 be placed?
A. Before Sentence 2
B. After Sentence 1
C. After Sentence 4
D. Where it is now
A. Before Sentence 2
The passage gives a chronological synopsis of tattooing’s development, so the earlier events (Sentence 3) should appear before the later events (Sentence 2).
Choose the sentence that best fits as the topic sentence.
[A] In the late seventeenth century a Turkish garrison was using the Parthenon for an ammunition storehouse. [B] During an attack by the Venetians, a bomb ignited the gunpowder, blowing up the center section. [C] Since then the building has been a glorious ruin. [D] Were it not for this relatively recent incident, the Parthenon would be standing intact today.
A. D
B. C
C. B
D. A
A. D or fourth sentence (:
The passage quickly delves on the destructive history of the Parthenon. Sentence D provides general introduction to what this incident is, which is then explained sentence B.
Greyhound are a good choice of dog for people who live in cities.
A. Unlike some breeds of dogs, they do not need a lot of exercises every day. Crowds and loud noises do not make them nervous.
B. Also, dogs do not mind being alone for hours if you need to be away from work. On top of all this, they are known to be patient and loving with children.
C. Every family should have a dog. If you are a city-dwelling family looking for a pet, I highly recommend this breed of dog.
D. Not all dogs are happy living in the city. All breeds of dogs are pretty much alike -- it's all the same.
A. The topic sentence immediately speaks on the subject of Greyhounds who are beneficial to city people. Notice in choice A. using the Known-New Construct: greyhounds are referred to as they, and adding to the idea that greyhounds are not affected negatively by loud city noises.
1 Wedding customs range between families and social classes, but also between countries. 2 Since the dawn of time, human couples have been entering into long-term romantic commitments with each other. 3 In Ethiopia, for example, one of the groom’s friends sprays perfume inside the house of the groom’s future wife; while in Finland, engaged women go door-to-door with pillowcases to accept wedding gifts. 4 Certain celebratory traditions, such as eating special food and reciting some sort of vows or prayers, are so widely practiced today that they seem almost unilateral.
Where would Sentence 2 fit best?
A. Before Sentence 3 (no change)
B. After Sentence 3
C. After Sentence 4
D. Before Sentence 1
D. Before Sentence 1
Sentence 2 doesn’t belong between Sentences 1 and 3, since it’s splitting up two sentences that are both discussing marriage customs in various countries. Because Sentence 2 is a broad, introductory statement, it would work well at the very beginning of the passage.
Select the topic sentence.
[1] Most of us think of a dramatic, total loss of memory brought on by a severe blow to the head. [2] Amnesia is a very subtle and sometimes sinister illness. [3] While amnesia can result from a head injury, overwork and worry can also lead to memory lapses. [4] In some cases, diagnosis is difficult because these lapses are intermittent, rather than constant.
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
B. 2
The reader does not know what they are actually reading in the first sentence. Sentence 2 clears this up by introducing Amnesia as a total loss of memory.
Choose TWO supporting sentences for this topic sentence: Young children should not be allowed to cross Fourth Avenue by themselves.
A. There are many good restaurants on that street.
B. Last year, two children were injured while crossing that street.
C. Cars are always speeding down that avenue.
D. There is a school located on Fourth Avenue.
B. and C.
Last year, two children were injured while crossing that street. This sentence supports the topic sentence by providing evidence of the potential danger that young children face when crossing Fourth Avenue alone. Cars are always speeding down that avenue. This sentence further supports the topic sentence by highlighting the continuous risk of fast-moving vehicles on Fourth Avenue, which makes it unsafe for young children to cross alone.
Many people who earn the minimum wage are trying to support families with this salary. No one working full-time and earning the minimum wage makes enough money to pay for rent, food, and other necessities. If we raise the minimum wage, families will have more money to spend, and therefore other businesses will make more money. For so many reasons, it is the right thing to do.
A. We must worry about jobs, not wages.
B. Parents in New York City have a lot of expenses.
C. This economy is especially hard for small business owners.
D. It is time to raise the minimum wage.
D.
The others do not specifically write on minimum wage, as the paragraph highly writes about. This sentence provides a general introduction to the problems of minimum wage and needing to raise it.
Choose TWO supporting sentences for this topic sentence: I need to look for a new job.
A. Since we now have another child, my salary really isn't enough for our family.
B. I like working with my brother.
C. The commute is very long, and I would like to spend more time with my family.
D. This is a tough economy, and I am lucky that I still have a job.
A. Since we now have another child, my salary really isn't enough for our family.
C. The commute is very long, and I would like to spend more time with my family.
The two supporting sentences for the topic sentence "I need to look for a new job" are "Since we now have another child, my salary really isn't enough for our family" and "The commute is very long, and I would like to spend more time with my family." These two sentences provide valid reasons for the person to consider finding a new job. The first sentence highlights the financial strain caused by the addition of another child, indicating the need for a higher salary. The second sentence emphasizes the desire for a better work-life balance by reducing the long commute and spending more time with family.