Argumentative
Which quote best supports the idea that communication technology is constantly changing?
a. But for those under 30, “Google Docs was the app workers associated most with collaboration, followed by Zoom and iMessage.”
b. Simmons claims that email puts “all your stressors in one area… that’s a really negative way to live your life.”
c. A recent survey by consulting firm Deloitte about the effects of extensive emailing on younger workers showed that “46 percent of Gen Z respondents feel stressed all or most of the time.”
d. Companies that are working to reduce email are seeing improvements in the workplace.
a. But for those under 30, “Google Docs was the app workers associated most with collaboration, followed by Zoom and iMessage.”
capture \ ‘kap - cher \ v
1. to take by force, especially in battle 2. to influence or hold the interest of 3. to take possession of, as in a board game 4. to describe in an accurate way
Which definition most closely matches the meaning of capture as it is used in the sentence below?
Yet, taken together, they capture three aspects of octopuses—some species of them, at least—that strike anyone who spends time in the water with them.
a. Definition 1
b. Definition 2
c. Definition 3
d. Definition 4
d. Definition 4
What is the most effective revision to make in sentence 20?
(20) Rotifers—microscopic aquatic animals, then eat the bacteria.
a. Rotifers—microscopic aquatic animals—then eat the bacteria.
b. Rotifers—microscopic aquatic animals: then eat the bacteria.
c. Rotifers: microscopic aquatic animals, then eat the bacteria.
d. No change should be made in this sentence.
a. Rotifers—microscopic aquatic animals—then eat the bacteria.
What change needs to be made to sentence 10?
(10) Carla turned the engine off and hesitantly walked around to the back of the car to see if they had done any damage.
a. Change hesitantly to hesitently
b. Change around to about
c. Change they to she
d. Change had done to had did
c. Change they to she
What are connotation and denotation?
a. Connotation: implied meaning, denotation: associations to words
b. Connotation: dictionary definition, denotation: literal meaning
c. Connotation: implied meaning, denotation: dictionary definition
d. Connotation: literal meaning, denotation: figurative meaning
c. Connotation: implied meaning, denotation: dictionary definition
Which of the following best describes the author's claim in this excerpt?
While some believe that social media negatively impacts mental health, it is important to recognize its benefits in fostering connections and providing support. For many, social media serves as a platform for sharing experiences and finding communities that promote mental well-being.
a. To highlight the negative effects of social media on mental health.
b. To argue that social media has both positive and negative effects on mental health.
c. To discourage the use of social media for mental health support.
d. To suggest that mental health issues should not be discussed on social media.
b. To argue that social media has both positive and negative effects on mental health.
amplify \ am - ple - fī \ v
1. to expand by closer analysis 2. to increase in amount, importance, or intensity 3. to make complete 4. to cause genetic material to undergo massive replication
Which definition matches the meaning of amplifying as it is used in the sentence below?
Both works bridge the gap between art and nature by amplifying the rhythm of the waves to divulge the music of the sea.
a. Definition 1
b. Definition 2
c. Definition 3
d. Definition 4
b. Definition 2
What is the most effective revision to make in sentence 18?
(18) Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form, they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
a. Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
b. Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form and they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
c. Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form, until they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
d. Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form because they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
d. Video games should be counted as a legitimate art form because they have the ability to spin a yarn in a way that no other medium can.
What change is needed in sentence 9?
(9) Wearing our boots, hats, and sunglasses, and smothered in sunscreen, we walked over to the parks visitor center.
a. Change Wearing to Wear
b. Change smothered to smuthered
c. Delete the comma after sunscreen
d. Change parks to park’s
d. Change parks to park’s
What can be inferred?
“Even after the verdict was read, he sat still, his hands folded, his eyes fixed on nothing.”
a. He had accepted the decision, though it had crushed him emotionally.
b. He was confused by the outcome because he didn’t understand it.
c. He was angry but trying to remain calm.
d. He didn’t care about the outcome and was ready to leave.
a. He had accepted the decision, though it had crushed him emotionally.
Read the sentence below and choose the answer that best explains how the evidence in the passage supports the claim.
The scientist argued that climate change is accelerating, citing rising global temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events as evidence.
a. The evidence does not support the claim, because rising temperatures and extreme weather events are unrelated.
b. The evidence contradicts the claim, as global temperatures and weather events have remained constant.
c. "In many debates about climate change, some argue that the economic costs of reducing carbon emissions are too high."
d. The evidence is irrelevant to the claim, as it focuses on other scientific topics unrelated to climate change.
c. "In many debates about climate change, some argue that the economic costs of reducing carbon emissions are too high."
furnace\ fur - nes \ n
1. an enclosed space for heating material to very high temperatures 2. an appliance fired by gas or oil in which air or water is heated to be circulated throughout a building in a heating system 3. a very hot place
What is the meaning of furnace as used in the sentence below?
I am among those American writers whose books have been destroyed in the now famous furnace of your school.
a. Definition 1
b. Definition 2
c. Definition 3
a. Definition 1
How should sentence 22 be revised so that it is no longer a run-on sentence?
(22) It should be emphasized that the plant hosts a food web, this pathway is not the only one through which nutrients flow instead, it is just one of many pathways researchers are interested in studying.
a. Insert a comma after the words only one and a semicolon after the word researchers
b. Insert a comma after the word flow and a semicolon after the word researchers
c. Insert the word so before this pathway and a semicolon before instead
d. End the sentence after the word instead
c. Insert the word so before this pathway and a semicolon before instead
What change is needed in sentence 8?
(8) At their narrowest point, this piece of land separates the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans by less than 50 miles and links North and South America.
a. Change their to its
b. Change separates to seperates
c. Change Oceans to oceans
d. Insert a comma after miles
a. Change their to its
How does the author's syntax in the following sentence contribute to tone?
“She waited. Waited through the silence. Waited through the ache. Waited through the dark.”
a. The repetitive syntax creates a hopeful, energetic tone.
b. The variation in sentence length builds excitement.
c. The repetition of “waited” creates a tone of weariness and quiet endurance.
d. The syntax is confusing and distracts from the meaning.
c. The repetition of “waited” creates a tone of weariness and quiet endurance.
What is the claim of the passage?
In recent years, the debate over school uniforms has become a hot topic in education. Proponents argue that uniforms reduce distractions, foster equality among students, and help improve focus in the classroom. On the other hand, critics believe that uniforms stifle individuality and fail to address deeper issues, such as bullying or academic performance. While both sides present valid points, this essay will explore the importance of school uniforms in promoting a positive learning environment, despite their limitations.
a. School uniforms are a controversial issue in education, with both pros and cons.
b. School uniforms promote a positive learning environment despite their limitations.
c. Critics argue that school uniforms do not solve the problem of bullying.
d. Proponents of school uniforms believe they help reduce distractions in the classroom.
b. School uniforms promote a positive learning environment despite their limitations.
plateau \ pla - tō \ n
1. a large area of land that is higher than the land surrounding it 2. a period or state of no increase or decline 3. a period of little or no progress in a person’s learning 4. a level of achievement
Which definition best matches the use of the word plateau in the sentence below?
They became metamorphic rocks, a block of hard, crystalline bedrock that we now call the Piedmont, a plateau region between the Atlantic coast and the Appalachian Mountains.
a. Definition 1
b. Definition 2
c. Definition 3
d. Definition 4
a. Definition 1
How should sentences 14 through 16 be revised in formal writing?
(14) Statistics aside, Victoria Falls is a marvel to behold. (15) Truly spectacular. (16) A place everyone should visit.
a. Statistics aside, Victoria Falls is a marvel to behold. It is a truly spectacular place that everyone should visit.
b. Statistics aside, Victoria Falls is a marvel to behold. Truly spectacular and a place everyone should visit.
c. Statistics aside, Victoria Falls is a marvel to behold and truly spectacular. A place everyone should visit.
d. No change should be made in these sentences.
a. Statistics aside, Victoria Falls is a marvel to behold. It is a truly spectacular place that everyone should visit.
What is the correct way to rewrite sentence 7?
(7) Two hours later the car stopped, my head shot up, I must have dozed off.
a. Two hours later, the car stopped, my head shot up; but then I must have dozed off.
b. Two hours later the car stopped, and my head shot up. I must have dozed off.
c. The car stopped two hours later. My head shot up; yet I must have dozed off.
d. The car stopped, my head shot up, it was two hours later and I must have dozed off.
b. Two hours later the car stopped, and my head shot up. I must have dozed off.
Which response best analyzes how diction and cultural context contribute to the character’s development?
“Every morning before school, Abuelo would tie his worn leather belt and remind me: ‘Stand tall. You carry more than your name.’”
a. The formal diction shows that the character dislikes Abuelo’s sayings.
b. The phrase reflects the cultural value of family pride, shaping the character’s identity.
c. The line is meant to introduce a conflict about clothing and appearance.
d. It shows that Abuelo wants to control the character’s decisions.
b. The phrase reflects the cultural value of family pride, shaping the character’s identity.
Which of the following sentences in the passage represents a concession to the opposing viewpoint?
In many climate change debates, some argue that the economic costs of reducing carbon emissions are too high. While it is true that transitioning to cleaner energy may require significant investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh these costs. By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we not only help the environment but also create jobs in renewable energy industries. Additionally, the health benefits of cleaner air and water cannot be ignored. While economic concerns are valid, we must prioritize the future of our planet and the well-being of future generations.
a. "While it is true that transitioning to cleaner energy may require significant investment, the long-term benefits far outweigh these costs."
b. "By reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we not only help the environment but also create jobs in renewable energy industries."
c. "Additionally, the health benefits of cleaner air and water cannot be ignored."
d. "In many debates about climate change, some argue that the economic costs of reducing carbon emissions are too high."
d. "In many debates about climate change, some argue that the economic costs of reducing carbon emissions are too high."
character \ ker - ik - ter \ n
1. the complex or mental and ethical traits marking a person 2. a person represented in a story, play, or other literary work 3. a conventionalized graphic device, letter, or symbol 4. a good or respectable reputation
Which definition most closely matches the meaning of character as it is used in the excerpt below?
If you were to bother to read my books, to behave as educated persons would, you would learnthat they are not sexy, and do not argue in favor of wildness of any kind. They beg that people be kinder and more responsible than they often are. It is true that some of the characters speak coarsely. That is because people speak coarsely in real life.
a. Definition 1
b. Definition 2
c. Definition 3
d. Definition 4
b. Definition 2
What is the most effective way to combine sentences 17 and 18?
(17) She climbed reluctantly into the back seat. (18) She rested her head against a pillow and promptly fell into a deep slumber.
a. She climbed reluctantly into the back seat, and she rested her head against a pillow, and she promptly fell into a deep slumber.
b. After climbing reluctantly into the back seat, she rested her head against a pillow and promptly fell into a deep slumber.
c. As she climbed reluctantly into the back seat, she rested her head against a pillow that promptly fell into a deep slumber.
d. She climbed reluctantly into the back seat, she rested her head against a pillow and promptly fell into a deep slumber.
b. After climbing reluctantly into the back seat, she rested her head against a pillow and promptly fell into a deep slumber.
What is the correct way to write sentence 7?
(7) Tectonic plates are the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust, although these plates move very slowly, they are always in motion.
a. Tectonic plates being the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust. Although these plates move very slowly, they are always in motion.
b. Tectonic plates are the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust, and although these plates move very slowly. They are always in motion.
c. Tectonic plates are the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust, and although these plates move very slowly. Always are in motion.
d. Tectonic plates are the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust. Although these plates move very slowly, they are always in motion.
d. Tectonic plates are the giant slabs of rock that make up the layer of our planet called the crust. Although these plates move very slowly, they are always in motion.
Which group is most likely the author’s intended audience?
It is really important that focusing on things such as spelling, punctuation, grammar and handwriting doesn't inhibit the creative flow. When I was at school there was a huge focus on copying and testing and it put me off words and stories for years.
a. Uneducated people hoping to achieve financial stardom off their innate talents.
b. People that are comfortable living off the hard work of others.
c. Aspiring writers who feel academically inadequate in their editing skills.
d. Frustrated English students who want to be acknowledged for their scholarly ideas.
c. Aspiring writers who feel academically inadequate in their editing skills.