Question 1

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." This paragraph will be about my family.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

The sentence is too broad and does not provide a specific focus for the paragraph about the family.

Question 2

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____
A) Several websites can help job seekers in their search for employment.
B) Indeed.com, which has 200 million users per month, is the most popular online database of employment opportunities.
C) On the CareerBuilder.com site, job seekers can search 3 million positions by location, job title, or skills.
D) Idealist.org is the premiere site for nonprofit job listings and even offers a bilingual Spanish job search engine at Idealistas.org.

Accepted Answer

The sentence about several websites helping job seekers is the most general statement and sets up a topic that can encompass all the other sentences, which provide specific examples of such websites.

Question 3

Check the following paragraphs for unity. Select the number of the sentence that does not belong in the paragraph. (1) Developing "hard skills" like technical expertise and experience is important to career success. (2) However, it is the "soft skills" that help people get a job, keep it, and excel in their career fields. (3) A soft skill like the ability to communicate, for example, helps a job applicant express himself or herself well in job interviews, which increases the chances of being hired. (4) Job interviews can be very stressful, so applicants should learn to control their anxiety with techniques like breathing and positive affirmations. (5) Soft skills like a strong work ethic and the ability to work with different kinds of people will help you keep the job once you get it. (6) And solid information-gathering, analytical, and problem-solving skills are all soft skills that help employees advance into positions with greater authority and higher pay.
A) sentence 3
B) sentence 4
C) sentence 5

Accepted Answer

Sentence 4 does not belong in the paragraph because it focuses on techniques for managing stress during job interviews, which is not directly related to the main topic of the importance of soft skills for career success.

Question 4

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." High school and college differ in terms of workload, teachers, and expectations for students.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

This sentence clearly outlines the differences between high school and college in terms of workload, teachers, and expectations, providing a focused topic for a paragraph to explore.

Question 5

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." Getting organized is the key to successfully taking several classes at the same time.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

The sentence clearly presents a main idea that can be developed in a paragraph, making it a good topic sentence.

Question 6

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." I want to write about sports.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

The sentence "I want to write about sports" is too broad and lacks specificity to effectively serve as a good topic sentence. It needs to be narrowed down to a specific aspect of sports to guide the paragraph's focus.

Question 7

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." Friendship is very important.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

The sentence "Friendship is very important" is too broad and lacks specificity to effectively serve as a good topic sentence. It needs to be revised to include more detail or a specific angle on the topic of friendship.

Question 8

Check the following paragraphs for unity. Select the number of the sentence that does not belong in the paragraph. (1) One of the great mysteries of archeology, the study of past human life and culture, is the Nazca Lines. (2) In the desert south of Lima, Peru, these lines form drawings so huge that they are best viewed from an airplane. (3) Depicting enormous hummingbirds, monkeys, whales, spiders, and geometric shapes, these lines were scratched into the earth over a thousand-year period from 500 BC to 500 AD. (4) Since their "discovery" by a pilot in the 1930s, scientists have struggled to understand their meaning. (5) Some researchers believe that the Nazca lines served a spiritual purpose and were a way to communicate with the gods. (4) Many others claim that the lines predicted seasonal changes and other astrological events. (5) Some believe that the lines pointed to precious sources of water. (6) The mystery of the crystal skulls is another great mystery of archeology. (7) The most far-fetched theory about the Nazca lines is that they sent messages to space aliens and provided runways where ships from outer space could land.
A) sentence 3
B) sentence 6
C) sentence 7

Accepted Answer

Sentence 6 does not belong in the paragraph because it introduces an unrelated topic (the mystery of the crystal skulls) that diverges from the main subject of the Nazca Lines.

Question 9

Study the body of each of the following paragraphs. Then select the topic sentence that is most accurate. ______________________________________________________________. First of all, most people don't have a realistic idea of portion sizes. Restaurants often contribute to the problem by serving portions that are twice the recommended serving size. Second, people choose fad diets that they can't sustain rather than changing their eating habits for good. To make matters worse, people don't exercise because they find it difficult or boring. Therefore, they make excuses and don't do it. Finally, people don't want to give up their favorite foods, so they refuse to change their eating habits.
A) A sensible diet is the key to weight loss.
B) Obesity has become a serious problem in America.
C) People fail to lose weight for a number of reasons.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph lists various reasons why people fail to lose weight, making option C the most accurate topic sentence.

Question 10

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____
A) In some states, as many as one in seven autos has a personalized plate.
B) These "vanity plates" allow car owners to express their sense of humor, marital status, pet peeves, or ethnic pride.
C) Drivers have created messages such as ROCK ON, NT GUILTY, and (on a tow truck) ITZ GONE.
D) Personalized license plates have become very popular.

Accepted Answer

The sentence about the popularity of personalized license plates introduces the topic broadly, making it a suitable topic sentence for a paragraph that could include details about the prevalence, types, and examples of personalized plates, as mentioned in the other sentences.

Question 11

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____
A) As climate change dries up the moist environments they need, more frogs die out.
B) The disappearance of frogs around the world is a disturbing sign of ecological problems.
C) Because frogs eat mosquitoes and flies that carry serious diseases, those illnesses rise as frogs become extinct.
D) Because many other species eat frogs, their passing pushes those species toward extinction.

Accepted Answer

The sentence about the disappearance of frogs being a disturbing sign of ecological problems (B) serves as the best topic sentence because it introduces the general topic of ecological issues through the specific example of frogs disappearing. The other sentences (A, C, D) provide supporting details that explain the consequences of this phenomenon, making B the most suitable as the overarching topic sentence.

Question 12

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. She is the best-selling female rapper of all time, having sold over five million albums worldwide.
A) of
B) a
C) correct

Accepted Answer

The sentence is complete and grammatically correct as written, with no words omitted.

Question 13

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. It is a nickname for second full moon in the same month.
A) the
B) an
C) correct

Accepted Answer

The sentence should read "It is a nickname for the second full moon in the same month," thus "the" is the missing word.

Question 14

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." An effective salesperson knows the product, listens to the customer, and helps the customer find what he or she needs.
A) good topic sentence
B) needs revision

Accepted Answer

The sentence clearly outlines the qualities of an effective salesperson, making it a suitable topic sentence for a paragraph that could expand on each of these qualities.

Question 15

Study the body of each of the following paragraphs. Then select the topic sentence that is most accurate. ____________________________________________________.  Story Corps was inspired by the oral histories of Americans collected by the federal Works Projects Administration of the 1930s. To record their twenty-first century stories, participants can go to a StoryBooth, a mini recording studio set up in a busy part of a major city. StoryCorps travels the country to set up booths and lists the current schedule on its website.  Conversations are generally recorded as interviews between two people who are close to each other. Facilitators guide these volunteer storytellers through a recorded interview, which is later stored in the Library of Congress for future citizens. Most recently, a StoryCorps app has been developed for people to record their interviews on their smartphones for submission. Generations of Americans to come will be able to hear first-person narratives of our history through these compelling and riveting recordings.  To explore what Story Corps is about, see https://storycorps.org/.
A) Americans have lots of stories to tell.
B) Story Corps is an amazing non-profit organization that records the stories of Americans from all walks of life
C) Sometimes it can be hard to get people to speak from the heart.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph provides detailed information about Story Corps, its inspiration, how it operates, and its purpose, which aligns with the topic sentence in choice B that describes Story Corps as an organization recording stories of Americans from all walks of life.

Question 16

Study the body of each of the following paragraphs. Then select the topic sentence that is most accurate. ___________________________________________________________________. One of my friends, Ella, is a painter who creates beautiful landscapes on canvas. Larry, another friend of mine, is an excellent musician who can play ten different instruments. He plays in a band, and he also composes music. Lynn, who has been my friend since high school, writes poetry. She has published a few of her poems, and she even won a poetry contest while she was in college. My friend Amal makes jewelry and sells his work at art shows and craft fairs. I find that I am more creative myself when I spend time with them.
A) I have quite a few friends.
B) My friends are creative and talented people.
C) Friendship is very important.

Accepted Answer

The paragraph describes various creative talents and accomplishments of the author's friends, making "My friends are creative and talented people" the most accurate topic sentence.

Question 17

Check the following paragraphs for unity. Select the number of the sentence that does not belong in the paragraph. (1) Stage fright is a common problem for many people who perform or present in public. (2) The symptoms of stage fright, like trembling, flushing, nausea, or even fainting, have nothing to do with talent or celebrity. (3) In fact, many famous people admit they suffer from stage fright and have searched for ways to control it.  (4) Singer Adele, for example, still experiences severe stage fright despite critical praise, music awards, and millions of admiring fans. (5) She relies on hypnotherapy to control her anxiety enough to perform. (6) "Rolling in the Deep" is just one Adele song. (7) The beloved blind opera star Andrea Bocelli admits that his stage fright lasts the entire performance, but that nervousness helps fuel a great performance. (8) Whether you are a student giving a speech or a world-famous politician, experts urge you never to give in to the anxiety but to perform anyway, calming yourself by breathing deeply, reading a poem, or imagining your best friend in the audience.
A) sentence 4
B) sentence 6
C) sentence 7

Accepted Answer

Sentence 6 does not contribute to the paragraph's main idea about managing stage fright; it merely states a fact about Adele's music without linking to the topic of stage fright or its management.

Question 18

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. Full moons occur twenty-nine days apart.
A) a
B) in
C) correct

Accepted Answer

The sentence is correct as written; it accurately states that full moons occur twenty-nine days apart without any missing words.

Question 19

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. Therefore, two full moons rarely happen the same calendar month.
A) to
B) in
C) correct

Accepted Answer

The correct preposition to use in this context is "in," so the sentence should read: "Therefore, two full moons rarely happen in the same calendar month."

Question 20

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. A "blue moon" not really blue.
A) the
B) is
C) correct

Accepted Answer

The sentence is missing the verb "is" to correctly link the subject "A 'blue moon'" with the predicate "not really blue."

Quiz 3: Developing Effective Paragraphs

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." This paragraph will be about my family.

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." I want to write about sports.

If the sentence is limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "good topic sentence." If the sentence is NOT limited enough to be the topic sentence of a good paragraph, select "needs revision." Friendship is very important.

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____

Each group of sentences can be arranged and written as a paragraph. Select the sentence that would be the best topic sentence. _____

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. She is the best-selling female rapper of all time, having sold over five million albums worldwide.

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. It is a nickname for second full moon in the same month.

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. Full moons occur twenty-nine days apart.

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. Therefore, two full moons rarely happen the same calendar month.

Proofread these sentences for omitted words. Select the word that is missing from each sentence or select "correct" if the sentence needs no additions. A "blue moon" not really blue.