CTBS Writing and Composition 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?
- Regular exercise provides numerous physical and mental health benefits. (Correct answer)
- Many people go to the gym every day.
- Exercise equipment can be expensive to purchase.
- Some people do not like to exercise at all.
Correct answer: Regular exercise provides numerous physical and mental health benefits.
A topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, and this sentence clearly states that exercise has benefits, which the paragraph would then support.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a concluding sentence in a paragraph?
- To introduce a new topic for the reader
- To restate the main idea and wrap up the paragraph (Correct answer)
- To provide the first piece of supporting evidence
- To ask the reader a question about the subject
Correct answer: To restate the main idea and wrap up the paragraph
A concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph by restating or summarizing the main idea, signaling to the reader that the paragraph is complete.
Question 3: Which type of writing is primarily used to convince the reader to agree with a particular viewpoint?
- Narrative writing
- Descriptive writing
- Persuasive writing (Correct answer)
- Expository writing
Correct answer: Persuasive writing
Persuasive writing is specifically designed to convince or persuade the reader to adopt the writer's viewpoint or take a particular action.
Question 4: A student is writing a report and wants to list the steps of a process in order. Which transition word best shows sequence?
- However
- Therefore
- Next (Correct answer)
- Although
Correct answer: Next
The word 'Next' is a sequence transition that indicates the order in which steps occur, making it appropriate for describing a process.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the organizational structure called 'cause and effect'?
- Events are described in the order they happened
- A problem is described and a solution is offered
- One event or condition is shown to produce another event or condition (Correct answer)
- Two or more things are examined for their similarities and differences
Correct answer: One event or condition is shown to produce another event or condition
Cause and effect structure shows how one event (the cause) leads to or produces another event (the effect).
Question 6: A writer wants to add more specific details to the sentence: 'The dog ran.' Which revision best improves the sentence?
- The dog and the cat ran.
- The dog ran, and it was fast.
- The shaggy golden retriever sprinted across the dewy grass. (Correct answer)
- Running is something that the dog did.
Correct answer: The shaggy golden retriever sprinted across the dewy grass.
The revised sentence uses specific descriptive words (shaggy golden retriever, sprinted, dewy grass) that create a vivid, detailed picture for the reader.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?
- The tall oak tree stood beside the old barn.
- She studied hard, so she passed the test. (Correct answer)
- Running through the park, he tripped on a root.
- Because it was raining, the game was canceled.
Correct answer: She studied hard, so she passed the test.
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (such as 'so'); 'She studied hard' and 'she passed the test' are both independent clauses.
CTBS Writing and Composition 1
Which sentence is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of exercise?