Free CBEST Writing Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following statements on good conclusion writing is true?

The writer should both restate the thesis and discuss the importance of his or her argument; this creates a summative and satisfying ending. (Correct answer)
The paragraph should be only two to three sentences in length; the audience prefers the essay to wrap up quickly.
The writer should not reiterate the thesis statement; the audience finds this repetitive.
An interesting technique is to add new information not already mentioned in the essay; this leaves the reader with a desire to learn more.

Correct answer: The writer should both restate the thesis and discuss the importance of his or her argument; this creates a summative and satisfying ending.

A strong conclusion effectively brings an essay to a close by reminding the reader of the main argument and providing a sense of finality. This is best achieved by both restating the thesis in new words and discussing the broader implications or significance of the argument. This approach summarizes the key points and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of the essay's importance, creating a satisfying and comprehensive ending.

Question 2: What opening sentence for an essay introduction is the best?

Summarize your essay for your audience by listing your main points in your first sentence.
Make sure your audience understands the points you will be making right away by using your thesis statement as your first sentence.
Grab your audience's attention with a shocking statistic or an interesting quote in the first sentence. (Correct answer)
Ensure that your audience does not confuse your topic with your thesis statement by creating a bridge as your first sentence.

Correct answer: Grab your audience's attention with a shocking statistic or an interesting quote in the first sentence.

The primary purpose of the opening sentence in an essay introduction is to capture the reader's attention and draw them into the topic. This is often achieved through a 'hook,' such as a compelling statistic, an intriguing quote, a rhetorical question, or a vivid anecdote. Options A, B, and D describe elements that typically appear later in the introduction or are less effective as initial attention-grabbers.

Question 3: A thesis statement should relate the points listed to the _____.

rebuttal of an essay
attention grabber in an introduction to an essay
counterclaim in an essay
topic sentences in the body paragraphs of an essay. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: topic sentences in the body paragraphs of an essay.

A thesis statement presents the main argument or controlling idea of an entire essay. The points or arguments listed within or implied by the thesis statement are then developed and supported by the individual body paragraphs. Each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence that directly relates back to and elaborates on a specific aspect of the overarching thesis, providing structure and coherence to the essay.

Question 4: In his argumentative essay, Josh argues against allowing pit bulls to be kept as pets. He describes a crying, bloody child who has been bitten by her neighbor's pit bull in detail in the second body paragraph. Which of the following best describes this appeal?

logical
emotional (Correct answer)
ethical
persuasive

Correct answer: emotional

Josh's detailed description of a 'crying, bloody child' who has been bitten is a powerful appeal to the audience's emotions. This technique, known as pathos, aims to evoke feelings such as pity, fear, or anger to sway the audience's opinion. It relies on emotional impact rather than logical reasoning or the writer's credibility to persuade.

Question 5: Which of the following statements does not effectively employ parallel structure?

I counted the eggs and then I scrambled them.
I counted the eggs and then I scrambled them.
I had counted the eggs and I had scrambled them.
I counted the eggs and I scrambled them. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I counted the eggs and I scrambled them.

Parallel structure involves using the same grammatical form for similar ideas. All the given options, including 'I counted the eggs and I scrambled them,' technically demonstrate parallel structure by connecting two grammatically similar clauses ('I counted the eggs' and 'I scrambled them') with a conjunction. However, some might argue that the most *effective* parallel structure often prioritizes conciseness. In this specific case, repeating the subject 'I' in the second clause when it is the same as the first subject could be considered less concise than a compound predicate like 'I counted the eggs and scrambled them,' which might be deemed a more effective use of parallelism by some style guides.

Question 6: Which of the following is an illustration of a passive voice sentence?

The book was given to her. (Correct answer)
The book was in English.
I gave her the book.
Please give her the book.

Correct answer: The book was given to her.

A passive voice sentence is characterized by its subject receiving the action of the verb, rather than performing it. This structure typically uses a form of the verb 'to be' followed by the main verb's past participle. In 'The book was given to her,' 'The book' is the subject, and it receives the action of 'being given,' with 'was given' fitting the 'to be + past participle' construction. The agent who gave the book is not the subject, confirming it as passive voice.

Question 7: She was aware. <br> The aforementioned claim belongs in the category of _____.

run-on sentence
complete sentence (Correct answer)
clause
sentence fragment

Correct answer: complete sentence

A complete sentence must contain a subject and a predicate, and it must express a complete thought. The statement 'She was aware' fulfills all these requirements: 'She' is the subject, 'was aware' is the predicate (with 'was' as the linking verb and 'aware' as the subject complement), and it conveys a full idea. Therefore, it is correctly categorized as a complete sentence, not a fragment or a run-on.

Question 8: Andrew was in charge of making the necessary parts purchases for the machinery's repair. <br> Which of the following is present in the previous sentence?

relative pronouns
subordinating conjunctions
subordinate clauses
independent clauses (Correct answer)

Correct answer: independent clauses

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, meaning it can stand alone as a sentence. The given sentence, 'Andrew was in charge of making the necessary parts purchases for the machinery's repair,' fits this definition perfectly. It has a subject ('Andrew') and a verb ('was in charge') and conveys a full idea without relying on any other clause.

Question 9: Which word from the list below serves as a transition?

furthermore (Correct answer)
about
write
is

Correct answer: furthermore

Transitional words and phrases connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, helping the text flow smoothly and logically. 'Furthermore' is a classic example of an additive transition, indicating that additional information or a point is being added to what was previously stated. The other options are a preposition, a verb, and a verb, none of which function as transitions.

Question 10: Which of the following is a transitional phrase example?

it is 10:00
in other words (Correct answer)
the passage's length
under the house

Correct answer: in other words

A transitional phrase is a group of words that connects ideas and helps guide the reader from one point to the next. 'In other words' is a common transitional phrase used to rephrase or clarify a previous statement, making it easier for the audience to understand. The other options are a simple statement of time, a noun phrase, or a prepositional phrase, none of which primarily serve a transitional function.

Question 11: The tone of an essay can be established by a writer's ____ in addition to their words.

facial expressions
setting
punctuation (Correct answer)
hand gestures

Correct answer: punctuation

Punctuation plays a crucial role in conveying tone in written communication, much like vocal inflections do in speech. For instance, exclamation points can indicate excitement or urgency, while ellipses can suggest a pause or an unfinished thought. The strategic use of commas, dashes, and other marks helps shape the reader's interpretation of the writer's attitude and emotional state.

Question 12: There are various varieties of ____ fallacies, including non sequiturs, the either/or fallacy, and broad generalizations.

logical (Correct answer)
analogy
persuasive
ethical

Correct answer: logical

Non sequiturs, either/or fallacies, and broad generalizations are all examples of errors in reasoning that undermine the validity of an argument. These types of errors are collectively known as logical fallacies because they represent flaws in the structure or content of an argument's logic. Recognizing them is essential for constructing sound arguments and critically evaluating others'.

Question 13: After you've finished writing your essay, you may find it helpful to _______.

the thesis statement
spelling, grammar, and source citing (Correct answer)
the introduction and conclusion
logical fallacies

Correct answer: spelling, grammar, and source citing

After completing the initial draft of an essay, it is crucial to review and refine the mechanics of the writing. Checking for correct spelling, grammar, and proper source citation ensures clarity, credibility, and adherence to academic standards. This step, often part of the editing process, helps present a polished and professional final product.

Question 14: After you've finished writing your essay, you may find it helpful to ________.

change your essay topic
draw a more logical conclusion
strengthen your thesis statement
spot ideas that are out of place (Correct answer)

Correct answer: spot ideas that are out of place

After writing an essay, reviewing it for coherence and unity is essential. Spotting ideas that are out of place means identifying sentences or paragraphs that do not directly support the thesis or main argument, or that disrupt the logical flow of the essay. Removing or reorganizing these extraneous ideas strengthens the essay's focus and clarity.

Question 15: If you discover that your essay was more descriptive than persuasive when you intended it to be, you should ______.

add a stronger concluding paragraph to fit the essay you've written
go back and add persuasive statements following each instance of evidence in your essay (Correct answer)
change the thesis of your essay
change the title of your essay

Correct answer: go back and add persuasive statements following each instance of evidence in your essay

If an essay is too descriptive but intended to be persuasive, the writer needs to explicitly connect the descriptive evidence to their argument. Adding persuasive statements after each piece of evidence helps explain *why* that evidence supports the thesis and *how* it aims to convince the reader. This transforms mere description into argumentative analysis, fulfilling the essay's persuasive goal.

Question 16: Which of the following factors is NOT important when you edit and improve the substance of an essay you've written?

You have sufficient supporting details.
Your supporting details are numbered. (Correct answer)
Your purpose is clear.
Your thesis statement is effective.

Correct answer: Your supporting details are numbered.

When editing for the *substance* of an essay, the focus is on the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of the content and argument. Factors like sufficient supporting details, clear purpose, and an effective thesis statement are crucial for substance. Numbering supporting details, however, is a formatting choice that does not inherently improve the intellectual content or argument of the essay.

Free CBEST Writing Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements on good conclusion writing is true?