Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a prewriting task?
A) Identify a meaningful writing idea
B) Collect plenty of details
C) Choose a pattern of arrangement
D) Check and correct spelling

Accepted Answer

Checking and correcting spelling is a task that typically comes during or after the drafting stage. The prewriting stage involves brainstorming, identifying ideas, collecting details, and choosing a pattern of arrangement to organize the content.

Question 2

Directions: Read the following and answer the questions using the tools for improving vocabulary skills. ¹When one culture's values, norms, and products become dominant and diminish the strength of another culture, the stronger culture is said to exert Hegemony over the weaker one. In turn, a hegemonic society exerts undue power over other societies. In Europe and parts of Asia, there is a lively debate about whether the culture of the United States endangers the continued existence of local cultures. American movies and popular music, fast food, and fashions are coveted around the world. Nations with less widespread languages and less powerful cultural institutions fear that their young people will lose interest in their own cultures and embrace the values, language, and norms of Americans. ²Within the United States, too, sociologists and others worry that the powerful commercial cultural institutions that make certain types of food, music, movies, fashions, and magazines popular throughout the nation endanger the existence of unique local subcultures. These critics fear that regional differences are decreasing and being replaced by a homogeneous culture that lacks diversity. -adapted from Kornblum, Sociology in a Changing World , pp. 62-63 Select a word below that could substitute for the word homogenous in the last sentence of the passage. A) different B) exciting C) uniform D) varied

Accepted Answer

The word "homogeneous" means uniform or lacking diversity. Therefore, the best choice for a substitute word would be "uniform" which also means lacking diversity. Choice C is the only option that fits this definition.

Question 3

Which of the following are important steps in revising?
A) Step away from your draft
B) Check your overall focus
C) Have peers read it
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the steps mentioned (stepping away from your draft, checking your overall focus, and having peers read it) are important in revising. Stepping away from your draft allows you to come back with a fresh perspective, checking your overall focus helps you ensure that your writing stays on track with your intended message, and having peers read it provides feedback from a different point of view.

Question 4

Application of Skills
Directions: Consider the following outline of a student's essay and answer the questions that follow.
Subject: Making College Education Free Through Mandatory Service
I. Government Service
A. Federal Programs
1) Military
2) Peace Corps
B. State Programs
1) Civil Service
2) Park Service
II. Local Service
A. Career Apprenticeship
1) Teaching
2) Animal Care
B. Volunteer Programs
1) Emergency Preparedness and Relief
2) Building Projects
According to the outline, the thesis statement would most likely be…
A) College tuition in America is too expensive, and it's hurting our collective future.
B) Students who have served America in the Peace Corps deserve to be rewarded.
C) One way to make college education affordable for everyone is through compulsory service in a federal, state, or local capacity.
D) High school students should be discouraged from going to college if they can't afford it.

Accepted Answer

The thesis statement is explicitly stated in the outline as "One way to make college education affordable for everyone is through compulsory service in a federal, state, or local capacity." The other options are either unrelated or do not accurately reflect the main point of the essay.

Question 5

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Synonyms , determine the meaning of the italicized word: The hackneyed , overused expressions made his writing seem insincere.
A) ordinary
B) broken
C) disgusting
D) fortunate

Accepted Answer

Synonyms of hackneyed include ordinary, overused, and cliched.

Question 6

KWL is a reading process that stands for Know What you Like.

Accepted Answer

KWL is a reading process that stands for Know, Want to know, and Learned.

Question 7

Application of Skills
Directions: Consider the following outline of a student's essay and answer the questions that follow.
Subject: Making College Education Free Through Mandatory Service
I. Government Service
A. Federal Programs
1) Military
2) Peace Corps
B. State Programs
1) Civil Service
2) Park Service
II. Local Service
A. Career Apprenticeship
1) Teaching
2) Animal Care
B. Volunteer Programs
1) Emergency Preparedness and Relief
2) Building Projects
According to the outline, which of the following would NOT be a supporting point of the last paragraph on volunteer programs?
A) Serving two years as a paramedic with the Red Cross
B) Serving two years as a structural engineer for Habitat for Humanity
C) Serving two years as an engine mechanic in the Air Force
D) Serving two years as a hurricane relief worker

Accepted Answer

Serving as an engine mechanic in the Air Force would fall under the first section, Government Service, as a part of military service, rather than Local Service as a volunteer program. The other options listed all involve volunteering for organizations or programs, which is the focus of the last paragraph.

Question 8

Application of Skills
Directions: Consider the following outline of a student's essay and answer the questions that follow.
Subject: Making College Education Free Through Mandatory Service
I. Government Service
A. Federal Programs
1) Military
2) Peace Corps
B. State Programs
1) Civil Service
2) Park Service
II. Local Service
A. Career Apprenticeship
1) Teaching
2) Animal Care
B. Volunteer Programs
1) Emergency Preparedness and Relief
2) Building Projects
Thinking about the outline, which of the following would most likely appear in the conclusion?
A) Whether serving the country or the local community, a college education needs to be possible for everyone.
B) Too many students suffer in low paying jobs that do not help them develop career skills.
C) Private universities should be exempt from mandatory service rules.
D) Crime would most likely be reduced if students could go to any college they chose.

Accepted Answer

Option A summarizes the main idea of the essay and ties it back to the topic of college education being free through mandatory service. Option B is not directly related to the main idea of the essay. Option C introduces a new topic that is not relevant to the essay. Option D is not supported by the outline and is not directly related to the main idea of the essay.

Question 9

Peer revising can help a writer gain valuable feedback during the revision process.

Accepted Answer

Peer revising involves having other people read and critique your work, providing you with different perspectives and insights that can help you improve your writing. Therefore, it can be a very useful tool during the revision process.

Question 10

According to the Venn diagram above, what is a feature both alligators and crocodiles share ?
A) They both favor fresh water.
B) They both are found all over the world.
C) They both are carnivores.
D) They both favor sea water.

Accepted Answer

The only feature listed in the answer choices that both alligators and crocodiles share is that they are carnivores. Therefore, the correct choice is C.

Question 11

Directions: Read the following and answer the questions using the tools for improving vocabulary skills. ¹When one culture's values, norms, and products become dominant and diminish the strength of another culture, the stronger culture is said to exert Hegemony over the weaker one. In turn, a hegemonic society exerts undue power over other societies. In Europe and parts of Asia, there is a lively debate about whether the culture of the United States endangers the continued existence of local cultures. American movies and popular music, fast food, and fashions are coveted around the world. Nations with less widespread languages and less powerful cultural institutions fear that their young people will lose interest in their own cultures and embrace the values, language, and norms of Americans. ²Within the United States, too, sociologists and others worry that the powerful commercial cultural institutions that make certain types of food, music, movies, fashions, and magazines popular throughout the nation endanger the existence of unique local subcultures. These critics fear that regional differences are decreasing and being replaced by a homogeneous culture that lacks diversity. -adapted from Kornblum, Sociology in a Changing World , pp. 62-63 Using Definitions built into the text, determine the meaning of the word hegemony in the passage above. A) peace B) popularity C) dominance D) fashion

Accepted Answer

The passage defines hegemony as "when one culture's values, norms, and products become dominant and diminish the strength of another culture." Therefore, the best choice is C, dominance.

Question 12

Three of the most essential reading strategies are … (Select all that apply.) 
A) annotating
B) proofreading
C) note taking
D) summarizing

Accepted Answer

Annotating helps the reader to actively engage with the text and identify important information. Note-taking allows the reader to jot down key points and ideas from the text. Summarizing helps the reader to condense and synthesize important information from the text. Proofreading, on the other hand, is not a reading strategy, but rather a writing strategy to check for errors in written work.

Question 13

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Definition built into the text , determine the meaning of the italicized word: Harold was a  misogynist , a person who hates women, but no one understood why.
A) A person who hates other people
B) A person who loves others
C) A person who hates women
D) A person who lives in the forest

Accepted Answer

The definition of the italicized word is given within the same sentence. It says "Harold was a misogynist, a person who hates women." Therefore, the correct option is C. Options A, B, and D do not match the definition given in the sentence.

Question 14

Which of the following are important goals of a first reading?
A) Annotate the text
B) Identify the main idea
C) Consider the conclusion
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above goals are important in a first reading. Annotating the text helps to note important information or ideas, identifying the main idea helps to understand the overall purpose or message of the text, and considering the conclusion helps to see how the author wraps up their argument or story.

Question 15

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Antonyms , determine the meaning of the italicized word: Mrs. Wagner was mean, but Mr. Wagner was amicable .
A) shocked
B) friendly
C) bitter
D) elderly

Accepted Answer

The antonym of "mean" is "friendly", which describes Mr. Wagner as being amicable.

Question 16

Rereading and reflecting on a text help deepen your understanding of the material.

Accepted Answer

Rereading allows you to catch details and understand the material better. Reflecting helps you to analyze and connect the ideas to your own knowledge and experiences. Both of these activities can enhance understanding of a text.

Question 17

Application of Skills
Directions: Consider the following outline of a student's essay and answer the questions that follow.
Subject: Making College Education Free Through Mandatory Service
I. Government Service
A. Federal Programs
1) Military
2) Peace Corps
B. State Programs
1) Civil Service
2) Park Service
II. Local Service
A. Career Apprenticeship
1) Teaching
2) Animal Care
B. Volunteer Programs
1) Emergency Preparedness and Relief
2) Building Projects
According to the outline, the topic sentence of the first paragraph in the section about government service would most likely be…
A) Students could save a lot of money by working part time and living at home.
B) Students wishing to work at the federal level could choose to serve in a military or non-combative role.
C) The cost of college tuition is forcing many young people and their families into overwhelming debt.
D) Serving as a volunteer in a hospital can be an ideal way for a student to help the community while considering a degree in a health field.

Accepted Answer

The outline clearly states that the first paragraph in the government service section will discuss federal and state programs such as the Military and Peace Corps, which are both examples of serving at the federal level. Option A discusses working part-time and living at home, which is not mentioned in the outline. Option C discusses the issue of college tuition costs but is not related to the topic sentence of the first paragraph in the government service section. Option D discusses serving as a volunteer in a hospital, which is not mentioned in the outline.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a basic prereading task?
A) Review the title
B) Learn about the author
C) Preview the text
D) Annotate the text

Accepted Answer

Annotating the text is a key during reading comprehension, not a prereading task. The three basic prereading tasks are to review the title, learn about the author, and preview the text.

Question 19

Always use the full writing process, even when you are simply writing to learn, such as when you are note taking.

Accepted Answer

The full writing process is not necessary for note-taking, which is often informal and meant for personal understanding rather than polished communication.

Question 20

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Cause‐effect relationships , determine the meaning of the italicized word: After the teacher described the student as much too talkative, the embarrassed student remained taciturn for the rest of the day.
A) angry
B) disruptive
C) deceitful
D) quiet

Accepted Answer

The cause-effect relationship in the sentence is that after the teacher described the student as talkative, the student remained quiet for the rest of the day, indicating that the word "taciturn" means quiet.

Quiz 2: Approaches to Reading and Writing

Which of the following is NOT a prewriting task?

Which of the following are important steps in revising?

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Synonyms , determine the meaning of the italicized word: The hackneyed , overused expressions made his writing seem insincere.

KWL is a reading process that stands for Know What you Like.

Peer revising can help a writer gain valuable feedback during the revision process.

According to the Venn diagram above, what is a feature both alligators and crocodiles share ?

Three of the most essential reading strategies are … (Select all that apply.)

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Definition built into the text , determine the meaning of the italicized word: Harold was a misogynist , a person who hates women, but no one understood why.

Which of the following are important goals of a first reading?

Directions : Using the type of context clue listed, determine the meaning of the italicized word. Using Antonyms , determine the meaning of the italicized word: Mrs. Wagner was mean, but Mr. Wagner was amicable .

Rereading and reflecting on a text help deepen your understanding of the material.

Which of the following is NOT a basic prereading task?

Always use the full writing process, even when you are simply writing to learn, such as when you are note taking.