A teacher is evaluating the following excerpt from a student's expository writing. [Paragraph 1] I love animals, but did you know that humans make life hard for lots of animals? We keep building more houses and stores, and we take up the food and space animals need to live. There are more endangered animals now than ever before. Humans need to make sure that the things they do help animals and not hurt them. [Paragraph 2] The Amazon rain forest is being destroyed, too. Many loggers earn money to chop down the rain forest. It can't grow back fast enough. Chopping down trees for wood to build houses makes tons of animals out of their homes. Lots of animals need the rain forest to survive.
When evaluating the student's writing, the teacher should highlight which of the following as a strength?
- A. A clear focus in paragraph 1
- B. Coherent development of ideas in paragraph 2
- C. A clear transition between the paragraphs
- D. Effective use of figurative language in both paragraphs
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Highlighting the coherent development of ideas in paragraph 2 emphasizes the student's ability to organize and elaborate on their thoughts effectively, which is crucial for persuasive and analytical writing. Option A, while important, only addresses focus in a single paragraph, lacking the depth of development seen in option B. Option C, though valuable, pertains to transitions, which are secondary to the overall idea development. Option D focuses on figurative language, which, while creative, may not contribute as significantly to the clarity and logic of the argument as the coherent development of ideas does.
Highlighting the coherent development of ideas in paragraph 2 emphasizes the student's ability to organize and elaborate on their thoughts effectively, which is crucial for persuasive and analytical writing. Option A, while important, only addresses focus in a single paragraph, lacking the depth of development seen in option B. Option C, though valuable, pertains to transitions, which are secondary to the overall idea development. Option D focuses on figurative language, which, while creative, may not contribute as significantly to the clarity and logic of the argument as the coherent development of ideas does.
Other Related Questions
Which of the following statements best explains the impact of the point of view of the passage?
- A. It gives the reader insight into the narrator's personal thoughts.
- B. It makes the reader feel personally involved in the action of the passage.
- C. It prompts the reader to question the reliability of the narrator.
- D. It provides the reader with direct access to a character's emotions.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The chosen option provides direct access to a character's emotions, allowing readers to experience their feelings and motivations intimately. This connection enhances empathy and understanding of the character's journey. Option A suggests insight into the narrator's personal thoughts, which may not fully capture the emotional depth of a character. Option B implies involvement in the action, but emotional connection is more impactful than mere participation. Option C raises questions about reliability, which can detract from the emotional experience rather than enhance it. Thus, option D best encapsulates the emotional engagement offered by the passage.
The chosen option provides direct access to a character's emotions, allowing readers to experience their feelings and motivations intimately. This connection enhances empathy and understanding of the character's journey. Option A suggests insight into the narrator's personal thoughts, which may not fully capture the emotional depth of a character. Option B implies involvement in the action, but emotional connection is more impactful than mere participation. Option C raises questions about reliability, which can detract from the emotional experience rather than enhance it. Thus, option D best encapsulates the emotional engagement offered by the passage.
Which of the following most effectively combines the statements above into a single coherent and grammatically correct sentence?
- A. Much of the Great Wall of China, which is actually a network of walls and towers, was built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
- B. The Great Wall of China, this is actually a network of walls and towers, much of it is built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
- C. Much of the Great Wall of China, building in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and it is actually a network of walls and towers.
- D. Actually a network of walls and towers, they built much of the Great Wall of China in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the statements into a coherent sentence by using a relative clause ("which is actually a network of walls and towers") to provide additional information about the Great Wall of China without disrupting the main thought. Option B incorrectly uses a comma splice, creating two independent clauses that are improperly joined. Option C introduces a participial phrase that makes the sentence awkward and unclear, failing to maintain grammatical structure. Option D starts with a fragment, lacking a clear subject, and misattributes the building of the wall, leading to confusion about who built it.
Option A effectively combines the statements into a coherent sentence by using a relative clause ("which is actually a network of walls and towers") to provide additional information about the Great Wall of China without disrupting the main thought. Option B incorrectly uses a comma splice, creating two independent clauses that are improperly joined. Option C introduces a participial phrase that makes the sentence awkward and unclear, failing to maintain grammatical structure. Option D starts with a fragment, lacking a clear subject, and misattributes the building of the wall, leading to confusion about who built it.
The following sentence appears in a student's draft: “There are those who believe the current menu provides enough options for students to make nutritious selections.†The sentence best exemplifies which component of an argumentative essay?
- A. Reason
- B. Evidence
- C. Rebuttal
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The sentence presents a viewpoint that counters the opposing argument, indicating that some believe the menu is sufficient for nutritious choices. This aligns with a rebuttal, which addresses and refutes opposing views in an argumentative essay. Option A, Reason, refers to the rationale supporting the main claim, which is not the focus here. Option B, Evidence, involves facts or data that support the argument, while the sentence simply states a belief rather than providing factual support. Thus, the sentence effectively serves as a rebuttal, engaging with differing opinions on the topic.
The sentence presents a viewpoint that counters the opposing argument, indicating that some believe the menu is sufficient for nutritious choices. This aligns with a rebuttal, which addresses and refutes opposing views in an argumentative essay. Option A, Reason, refers to the rationale supporting the main claim, which is not the focus here. Option B, Evidence, involves facts or data that support the argument, while the sentence simply states a belief rather than providing factual support. Thus, the sentence effectively serves as a rebuttal, engaging with differing opinions on the topic.
The graphics add to the reading by serving which TWO of the following purposes?
- A. Reinforcing a real-world connection
- B. Summarizing key facts
- C. Providing a mnemonic device
- D. Contributing extra information
- E. Presenting an organizational framework
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A,D
Graphics enhance reading comprehension by reinforcing a real-world connection (A), helping readers relate content to familiar experiences. They also contribute extra information (D), offering visual context that deepens understanding. Option B, summarizing key facts, is typically the role of text rather than graphics. Option C, providing a mnemonic device, is more about memory aids than visual representation. Lastly, while option E, presenting an organizational framework, can be useful, it does not directly apply to the primary functions of graphics in enhancing reading. Thus, A and D best capture the essential roles of graphics.
Graphics enhance reading comprehension by reinforcing a real-world connection (A), helping readers relate content to familiar experiences. They also contribute extra information (D), offering visual context that deepens understanding. Option B, summarizing key facts, is typically the role of text rather than graphics. Option C, providing a mnemonic device, is more about memory aids than visual representation. Lastly, while option E, presenting an organizational framework, can be useful, it does not directly apply to the primary functions of graphics in enhancing reading. Thus, A and D best capture the essential roles of graphics.