CMAS CMAS Writing Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a CMAS opinion or argumentative essay, what is the main purpose of a thesis statement?
- To summarize the opposing side's argument
- To introduce the topic and clearly state the writer's central claim (Correct answer)
- To list all evidence in the essay
- To conclude the essay with a memorable sentence
Correct answer: To introduce the topic and clearly state the writer's central claim
A thesis statement introduces the topic and presents the writer's central claim that the essay will support.
Question 2: Which type of writing asks students to explain a topic clearly using facts and examples, without taking a personal stance?
- Narrative writing
- Argumentative writing
- Informative/explanatory writing (Correct answer)
- Persuasive writing
Correct answer: Informative/explanatory writing
Informative/explanatory writing presents facts and explanations about a topic without expressing a personal opinion.
Question 3: What does it mean to use 'text evidence' in a CMAS written response?
- Making up supporting details from your imagination
- Quoting or paraphrasing specific information from the provided passage(s) (Correct answer)
- Writing your personal opinion without referencing the text
- Repeating the question back in your answer
Correct answer: Quoting or paraphrasing specific information from the provided passage(s)
Using text evidence means quoting or paraphrasing specific information from the source passage to support your points.
Question 4: Which transitional phrase best connects a supporting example to a main idea in an explanatory paragraph?
- However
- For instance (Correct answer)
- In contrast
- On the other hand
Correct answer: For instance
'For instance' is a transitional phrase used to introduce a specific example that supports a main idea.
Question 5: In a CMAS narrative writing task, what is the role of a story's 'narrator'?
- The main conflict of the story
- The person or voice telling the story (Correct answer)
- The setting where events take place
- The lesson or moral of the story
Correct answer: The person or voice telling the story
The narrator is the voice or character through whose perspective the story is told.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a concluding paragraph in an informative essay on CMAS?
- To introduce new arguments not mentioned earlier
- To restate the thesis and summarize key points without just copying the introduction (Correct answer)
- To list all sources used
- To ask the reader a question
Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize key points without just copying the introduction
A concluding paragraph restates the thesis and summarizes the essay's main points to give the reader a sense of closure.
CMAS CMAS Writing Skills 1
In a CMAS opinion or argumentative essay, what is the main purpose of a thesis statement?