Planning, Thesis, & Argumentation
Which sentence expresses a clear, defensible thesis statement for a persuasive essay on high school schedules?
A) Many high schools across Virginia start before 8:00 AM
B) High schools should adopt a later start time because it improves academic performance and decreases teenage sleep deprivation.
C) I think school start times are way too early and kids are tired.
D) School start times have been a topic of debate among parents and teachers for years.
B) High schools should adopt a later start time because it improves academic performance and decreases teenage sleep deprivation.
A thesis must be specific and take a defensible stance with clear reasoning.
Choose the transition word or phrase that best fills in the blank.
Many traditional paper books are recyclable; ______, modern e-readers require rare minerals and electronic waste disposal.
A) furthermore
B) in contrast
C) for instance
D) as a result
B) In contrast
Choose the sentence that demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
A) Each of the student representatives have presented their speech.
B) Neither the coach nor the players was ready for the sudden snowstorm.
C) Either the lead actor or his understudies are attending the rehearsal.
D) A collection of rare historical documents were discovered in the library vault.
C) Either the lead actor or his understudies are attending the rehearsal.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly using a semicolon?
A) The museum display was closed for renovations; so we went to the planetarium instead.
B) The weather forecast predicted heavy snow; nevertheless, the flight landed on time
C) After the long trip; everyone wanted to get dinner and go to sleep
D) She loves studying marine biology; because she wants to work with sea turtles.
B) The weather forecast predicted heavy snow; nevertheless, the flight landed on time.
Identify the run-on sentence or comma splice.
A) The storm cleared by noon, and the sun shine brightly for the rest of the day
B) The library closed early today, I have to finish my assignment at home.
C) Although the path was steep, the hikers reached the summit before dusk.
D) Dr. Ellis reviewed the data, however, she found several minor discrepancies.
B) The library closed early today, I had to finish my assignment at home.
A student is writing an argumentative essay advocating for solar energy in local schools. Which piece of evidence best supports this claim.
A) Solar panels were invented in 1954 by Bell Labs
B) A nearby district reduced its annual energy costs by 22% after installing solar panels
C) Many students enjoy learning about environment-friendly initiatives in science class
D) Solar panels are rectangular and usually mounted on roofs
B) A nearby district reduced its annual energy costs by 22% after installing energy costs by 22% after installing solar panels.
Specific data showing cost savings directly supports the economic benefit of solar panels.
Which sentence disrupts the topic and focus of the following paragraph.
(1) Electronic vehicles (EVs) have grown in popularity as battery technology improves. (2) Drivers appreciate paying less for fuel over time. (3) Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the assembly line in 1908. (4) However, the limited availability of public charging stations remains a concern for long-distance drivers.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
C) 3
Which sentence contains a pronoun-antecedent agreement error?
A) Every student must bring their own safety goggles to chemistry lab.
B) The team celebrated its championship victory after the game
C) If a driver sees an emergency vehicle, they should pull over to the right.
D) Neither Maria nor Julia brought her textbook to class today.
A) Every student must bring their own safety goggles to chemistry lab.
Select the sentence that uses commas correctly.
A) Although she practiced every day, Sarah was nervous, before taking her driving test.
B) Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, founded the University of Virginia
C) The tall, energetic, basketball player scored thirty points, in the playoff game.
D) Before the bell rang the students, handed in their research papers.
B) Thomas Jefferson, who drafted the Declaration of Independence, founded the University of Virginia
Which choice corrects the sentence fragment below?
Because the power went out during the severe thunderstorm.
A) Because the power went out during the severe thunderstorm and stayed out for hours.
B) Power going out during the severe thunderstorm
C) Because the power went out during the severe thunderstorm, the students worked by flashlight
D)Due to the fact that the power went out during the severe thunderstorm
C) Because the power went out during the severe thunderstorm, the students worked by flashlight.
Read the argument below:
While critics claim the mandatory community service takes away from study time, data shows that students who volunteer report better time-management skills and higher average GPAs.
What strategy is the author using in this passage?
A) Providing a personal anecdote
B) Addressing a counterargument with evidence
C) Using emotional appeals (pathos)
D) Stating an unsupported opinion
B) Addressing a counterargument with evidence
Acknowledges the opposing view ('critics claim...') and refutes it with data
Read the two sentences.
The rainstorm knocked out power across the county.
The evening high school concert was postponed.
Which combining sentence best shows a cause-and-effect relationship?
A) The rainstorm knocked out power across the county, but the evening high school concert was postponed.
B) Because the rainstorm knocked out the power across the country, the evening high school concert was postponed.
C) The rainstorm knocked out power across the country; however, the evening high school concert was postponed
D) The evening high school concert was postponed, although the rainstorm knocked out power across the country.
B) Because the rainstorm knocked out power across the county, the evening high school concert was postponed.
Identify the sentence that correctly avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier?
A) Walking through the park, the trees displayed vibrant autumn colors.
B) Barking loudly at the mail carrier, the dog ran across the lawn.
C) Covering in hot fudge, Maya devoured the icecream sundae.
D) Tired after a long shift, the bed was welcomed by Marcus.
B) Barking loudly at the mail carrier, the dog ran across the lawn.
Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly to show possession?
A) The candidate listened carefully to the voters concerns.
B) All of the teachers desks were replaced during the summer renovation
C)The dog wagged it's tail when the family returned home.
D) The women's athletic facilities received a major upgrade this year.
D) The women's athletic facilities received a major upgrade this year.
Choose the option that uses the correct word choice.
A) The new policy will have a positive affect on student attendance
B) Their going to present there final project to the class tomorrow
C) Its clear that the team principal accepts full responsibility for the error
D) The principal reason for the schedule shift was to accommodate testing.
D) The principal reason for the schedule shift was to accommodate testing.
Which outline demonstrates the most logical organization for an essay on reducing food waste?
A) Solutions -> history of landfills -> the problem of food waste > conclusion
B) Definition of food waste -> causes and environmental impact -> practical solutions ->conclusion
C) Conclusion -> examples of foood waste -> personal story -> solutions
D) Solutions -> causes -> definition -> examples
B) Definition of food waste -> causes and environmental impact -> practical solutions ->conclusion
Follows a logical problem --> impact --> solution flow
Choose the best transitional phrase to show addition between these two thoughts:
Regular physical exercise improves cardiovascular health. ______, it plays a significant role in reducing anxiety and stress.
A) On the other hand
B) Additionally
C) Consequently
D) In conclusion
B) Additionally
Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure.
A) The internship required conducting research, drafting memos, and to organize files.
B) She enjoys swimming in the lake, hiking up trails, and to camp under the stars.
C) Successful college applicants must write an essay, submit reccomendatons, and request transcripts.
D) He promised to complete the assignment quickly, efficiently, and with care.
C) Successful college applicants must write an essay, submit recommendations, and request transcripts.
Identify the sentence that correctly uses a colon.
A) The workshop covers three essential skills: writing, editing, and revising.
B) The three items required for the exam are: a pencil, a calculator, and an ID card.
C) She enjoys outdoor activities such as: kayaking, hiking, and rock climbing.
D) The main ingredients are: flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.
A) The workshop covers three essential skills: writing, editing, and revising.
Select the sentence that eliminate wordiness and redundancy.
A) In my personal opinion, I think that uniform policies are unnecessary.
B) The past history of old building reveals many interesting facts.
C) The two twins collaborated together on a science project.
D) School uniform policies are unnecessary.
D) School uniform policies are unnecessary.
Identify the audience and tone error in this sentence from a formal persuasive report written for a school board:
Honestly, if you don't build a new gym, the sports teams are gonna be completely trash next year.
How should it be revised for a formal academic tone?
A) If a new athletic facility isn't constructed, the sports teams will such.
B) Building a new gym is super critical or our teams won't do good.
C) Investing in updated athletic facilities is essential to maintaining competitive and safe sports programs.
D) You guys really need to give us a new gym as soon as possible.
C) Investing in updated athletic facilities is essential to maintaining competitive and safe sports programs.
Replaces slang with professional academic language
Which sentence provides the best concluding statement for a paper on the benefits of urban community gardens?
A) In short, plants need water, sunlight, and fertile soil to grow properly.
B) Ultimately, community gardens cultivate not only fresh produce, but also stronger, healthier, neighborhoods
C) Gardens can be planted in backyards, on rooftops, or in vacant lots
D) That is why I personally like growing tomatoes in my backyard every summer
B) Ultimately, community gardens cultivate not only fresh produce, but also stronger, healthier, neighborhoods
Which sentence uses active voice?
A) The research report was submitted by the committee late Tuesday afternoon.
B) A new school safety policy was approved by the board last month.
C) The committee submitted the research report late Tuesday afternoon.
D) Mistakes were made during the calculation of the budget totals.
C) The committee submitted the research report late Tuesday afternoon.
Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks and punctuation?
A) "The true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is watching", said the principal.
B) "The true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is watching" said the principal.
C) "The true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is watching." said the principal.
D) "The true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is watching" said the principal.
D) "The true test of character is doing the right thing when no one is watching" said the principal.
Read the following passage and choose the sentence that provides a supporting detail:
Adolescents require an average of 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night for optimal brain development.
A) Many teenagers like playing video games in the night
B) Sleep deprivation in teens is linked to decreased concentration, mood swings, and lower academic performance.
C) Doctors also recomended eating a balanced breakfast before school.
D) High school schedules have been changed in several states recently.
B) Sleep deprivation in teens is linked to decreased concentration, mood swings, and lower academic performance.