DSAT Expression of Ideas 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student is writing a paragraph about the decline of bee populations. The student wants to add a sentence that introduces a specific cause of this decline. Which of the following best fulfills this purpose?
- Bees are important pollinators that support agricultural systems worldwide.
- Researchers have identified pesticide exposure as a primary factor contributing to colony collapse disorder. (Correct answer)
- Many farmers rely on bee pollination to produce fruits and vegetables.
- Bee populations have been declining for several decades across multiple continents.
Correct answer: Researchers have identified pesticide exposure as a primary factor contributing to colony collapse disorder.
Option B directly introduces a specific cause (pesticide exposure and colony collapse disorder), which is exactly what the student needs.
Question 2: A student writes: 'The ancient ruins were very old and dated back to antiquity.' Which revision most effectively eliminates the redundancy in this sentence?
- The ancient ruins dated back to antiquity and were very old.
- The ruins dated back to antiquity. (Correct answer)
- The very old ruins were ancient and dated back to old times.
- The ancient ruins, which were old, dated back to antiquity.
Correct answer: The ruins dated back to antiquity.
"Ancient," "very old," and "antiquity" all convey the same meaning, so the most concise revision retains only one of these ideas.
Question 3: Which of the following transition words most effectively introduces a contrasting idea?
- Furthermore
- As a result
- Similarly
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Nevertheless
"Nevertheless" signals that the following idea qualifies or contradicts what was previously stated, making it the correct contrast transition.
Question 4: A student is writing about the importance of sleep and wants the next sentence to describe consequences of sleep deprivation. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?
- Sleep is a natural biological process that occurs in cycles.
- Many experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep per night for adults.
- Chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, weakens immune response, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. (Correct answer)
- The concept of sleep has been studied by scientists for many years.
Correct answer: Chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, weakens immune response, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Only option C lists specific negative outcomes (impaired cognition, weakened immunity, cardiovascular risk) that directly result from sleep deprivation.
Question 5: A student is writing a persuasive essay arguing that public libraries should receive increased funding. Which sentence provides the most relevant supporting evidence?
- Libraries have existed in various forms since ancient civilizations.
- Studies show that communities with well-funded libraries have higher literacy rates and stronger economic development. (Correct answer)
- Many people enjoy reading books for entertainment and personal enrichment.
- Digital technology has changed how people access information.
Correct answer: Studies show that communities with well-funded libraries have higher literacy rates and stronger economic development.
Option B directly supports the funding argument by connecting well-funded libraries to measurable community benefits like literacy and economic growth.
Question 6: A writer uses the phrase "in addition" to connect two sentences. What relationship does this transition establish between the two ideas?
- The second idea contradicts the first.
- The second idea provides a cause for the first.
- The second idea supplements or adds to the first. (Correct answer)
- The second idea concludes the argument from the first.
Correct answer: The second idea supplements or adds to the first.
"In addition" is an additive transition that signals supplementary information supporting or expanding on the previous idea.
Question 7: A student writes: 'The experiment was conducted carefully. The experiment was done with precision and care.' Which revision most effectively combines these sentences to eliminate redundancy?
- The experiment was conducted carefully, and it was also done with care.
- The experiment was conducted with both carefulness and precision.
- The experiment was conducted carefully and precisely. (Correct answer)
- Carefully and precisely, the experiment was conducted with great care.
Correct answer: The experiment was conducted carefully and precisely.
Option C combines both key ideas (careful + precise) into one concise sentence without restating either concept.
DSAT Expression of Ideas 1
A student is writing a paragraph about the decline of bee populations.
The student wants to add a sentence that introduces a specific cause of this decline.
Which of the following best fulfills this purpose?