Identify the Writing Type & Purpose
Prompt:
Describe the life cycle of a butterfly using clear facts and examples.
Question:
What type of writing is this AND what is its purpose?
Informative writing — to explain or teach.
Question:
Which narrative technique slows down the story to build suspense?
A. Pacing
B. Thesis statement
C. Text features
D. Counterclaim
A. Pacing
Question:
What is the purpose of a counterclaim in opinion writing?
To acknowledge the opposing viewpoint before rebutting it.
Question:
What is the purpose of domain-specific vocabulary in informative writing?
To teach readers precise information about the topic.
Question:
Which hook uses a statistic?
A. “Hurry up!” shouted Mom.
B. Nearly 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
C. Last summer, I visited the beach.
D. Have you ever climbed a mountain?
B. Nearly 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year.
Prompt:
Write about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. Include dialogue, pacing, and sensory details.
Question:
What type of writing is this AND what is its purpose?
Narrative writing — to entertain or tell a story.
Read the sentence:
The icy rain soaked through Marcus’s sweatshirt as thunder echoed across the empty parking lot.
Which sensory details are MOST emphasized?
A. Taste and smell
B. Sound and touch
C. Sight and taste
D. Smell and sight
B. Sound and touch
Question:
Which sentence is the STRONGEST claim?
A. Recess is okay sometimes.
B. Recess may or may not help students.
C. Schools should extend recess because physical activity improves focus and reduces stress.
D. Recess happens during the school day.
C. Schools should extend recess because physical activity improves focus and reduces stress.
Which sentence BEST belongs in an informative essay?
A. In my opinion, hurricanes are terrifying.
B. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and gain strength from heat and moisture.
C. Everyone should fear hurricanes.
D. I once experienced a hurricane during vacation.
B. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters and gain strength from heat and moisture.
Question:
Which sentence BEST elaborates on the evidence?
Evidence: According to the article, exercise improves memory and concentration.
A. Exercise happens at gyms and parks.
B. Some students dislike exercising outdoors.
C. This suggests that regular physical activity may help students focus better during lessons and tests.
D. Exercise can include running and stretching.
C. This suggests that regular physical activity may help students focus better during lessons and tests.
Prompt:
Many schools are considering banning homework on weekends. Write an essay stating whether you agree or disagree and support your ideas with evidence.
Question:
What type of writing is this AND what is its purpose?
Opinion writing — to persuade the reader.
Question:
Which sentence BEST shows character emotions instead of telling them directly?
A. Sofia was nervous about the audition.
B. Sofia walked onto the stage.
C. Sofia twisted the sleeve of her sweater and avoided eye contact with the judges.
D. Sofia sang loudly during her performance.
C. Sofia twisted the sleeve of her sweater and avoided eye contact with the judges.
Question:
Read the claim:
Schools should require community service hours for middle school students.
Which reason BEST supports the claim?
A. Some students dislike volunteering.
B. Community service teaches responsibility and encourages students to help others.
C. Students have many after-school activities.
D. Community service can happen on weekends.
B. Community service teaches responsibility and encourages students to help others.
Question:
Read the excerpt:
First, magma rises beneath Earth’s surface. Next, pressure builds until the volcano erupts.
Which text structure is being used?
A. Cause and effect
B. Problem and solution
C. Compare and contrast
D. Sequence/chronological order
D. Sequence/chronological order
Question:
Which conclusion BEST avoids simply repeating the introduction?
A. In conclusion, recycling is important because recycling matters.
B. Recycling helps protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and create a cleaner future for generations to come.
C. Recycling means turning old materials into new products.
D. This essay was about recycling.
B. Recycling helps protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and create a cleaner future for generations to come.
Explain how renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power benefit the environment. Use facts, definitions, and examples.
Question:
What TWO text features or elements would MOST likely appear in this piece?
A. Dialogue and pacing
B. Reasons and counterclaims
C. Headings and domain-specific vocabulary
D. Character reactions and internal thinking
C. Headings and domain-specific vocabulary
Question:
Read the excerpt:
“You knew about this the whole time?” Liam asked.
Maya stared at the floor and remained silent.
What does Maya’s reaction MOST likely suggest?
A. She is confused.
B. She feels guilty.
C. She is excited.
D. She is distracted.
B. She feels guilty.
Question:
Which transition BEST introduces a counterclaim?
A. In addition
B. Specifically
C. On the other hand
D. For example
C. On the other hand
Question:
Which organizational structure would BEST fit an essay explaining similarities and differences between tornadoes and hurricanes?
A. Cause and effect
B. Problem and solution
C. Compare and contrast
D. Chronological order
C. Compare and contrast
Question:
Read the introduction:
What would happen if Earth suddenly ran out of clean drinking water? Although many people take water for granted, freshwater shortages are becoming a growing global issue.
Which hook strategy is being used?
A. Dialogue
B. Action
C. Question
D. Statistic
C. Question
Prompt:
Last Friday, Ava opened her locker and froze. The science project she had worked on for weeks was completely destroyed. “This can’t be happening,” she whispered as students rushed past her in the hallway.
Question:
What type of writing is this, what is its purpose, and which TWO narrative techniques are being used?
Narrative writing — purpose is to entertain.
Techniques: dialogue and character reaction/internal thinking.
Question:
Which excerpt BEST demonstrates effective pacing during an important moment in a narrative?
A. The race started and Maya won quickly.
B. Maya tied her shoes, stretched her fingers, inhaled deeply, and listened as the announcer slowly called runners to the starting line.
C. Maya liked running after school every day.
D. Running races can improve endurance and confidence.
B. Maya tied her shoes, stretched her fingers, inhaled deeply, and listened as the announcer slowly called runners to the starting line.
Question:
Read the paragraph:
Some people believe zoos should be closed because animals belong in the wild. However, many zoos protect endangered species and educate the public about conservation.
What is the author MOST likely doing?
A. Introducing a narrative conflict
B. Explaining a sequence of events
C. Presenting and rebutting a counterclaim
D. Summarizing information
C. Presenting and rebutting a counterclaim
Question:
Read the paragraph:
Plastic pollution has increased dramatically over the past decade. As trash enters oceans and rivers, marine animals often mistake plastic for food, which can lead to serious injury or death.
What text structure is MOST clearly being used?
A. Compare and contrast
B. Cause and effect
C. Sequence
D. Description
B. Cause and effect
Question:
Read the evidence and elaboration:
According to the text, coral reefs support nearly 25% of marine life. Without healthy coral reefs, thousands of ocean species could lose their habitats and food sources.
Why is the elaboration effective?
A. It repeats the evidence word-for-word.
B. It explains the importance and impact of the evidence.
C. It introduces an unrelated topic.
D. It gives the author’s opinion without support.
B. It explains the importance and impact of the evidence.