TSI - Texas Success Initiative Essay and Sentence Revision Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following pair of sentences: (1) The city council approved the new park proposal. (2) It was a contentious issue that had been debated for months. Which is the best way to combine these two sentences?
- The city council, after months of debate, it approved the new park proposal which was a contentious issue.
- After months of contentious debate, the city council approved the new park proposal. (Correct answer)
- The new park proposal was a contentious issue, the city council approved it after months of debate.
- Debated for months, the city council approved the contentious new park proposal.
Correct answer: After months of contentious debate, the city council approved the new park proposal.
This choice correctly combines the two sentences into one clear and concise sentence. It uses a prepositional phrase ('After months of contentious debate') to introduce the main clause, effectively linking the cause (the debate) and the effect (the approval) without grammatical errors or redundancy.
Question 2: Which of the following sentences contains a grammatical error?
- Each of the students is responsible for their own supplies.
- The data suggests that the new marketing strategy is effective.
- My friend and I are going to the concert tonight.
- Running down the street, the bus suddenly pulled away from the curb. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Running down the street, the bus suddenly pulled away from the curb.
This sentence contains a dangling modifier. The introductory phrase 'Running down the street' should describe the subject of the main clause, but the subject is 'the bus.' Since the bus cannot run down the street in the way a person does, the modifier is misplaced. The sentence should be revised to clarify who was running, for example: 'As I was running down the street, the bus suddenly pulled away from the curb.'
Question 3: A student is writing a persuasive essay arguing that schools should implement a later start time. Which of the following sentences would be the most effective thesis statement?
- Many students are tired in the morning and find it hard to concentrate in their early classes.
- This essay will discuss the pros and cons of later school start times for high school students.
- To improve student well-being and academic performance, high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. (Correct answer)
- Later school start times are a very controversial topic in many school districts across the country.
Correct answer: To improve student well-being and academic performance, high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.
A strong thesis statement makes a clear, specific, and arguable claim. This option presents a direct argument ('high schools should start no earlier than 8:30 a.m.') and provides the main reasons for this position ('to improve student well-being and academic performance'). It sets a clear direction for the rest of the essay.
Question 4: In the context of writing an essay, what is the primary purpose of a transition word or phrase like 'However' or 'In contrast'?
- To introduce the essay's main topic in the first paragraph.
- To signal a shift in thought and show the relationship between ideas. (Correct answer)
- To add descriptive detail and sensory language to the writing.
- To summarize the main points of the essay in the conclusion.
Correct answer: To signal a shift in thought and show the relationship between ideas.
Transition words and phrases are crucial for creating coherence and logical flow in an essay. Words like 'However' or 'In contrast' specifically signal a shift to an opposing or different idea, helping the reader understand the relationship between the sentences or paragraphs.
Question 5: Read the following sentence: The manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus, this made everyone happy. Which of the following is the best revision of this sentence?
- The manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus, which made everyone happy. (Correct answer)
- The manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus, everyone was happy.
- Because the manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus, this made everyone happy.
- The manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus; and this made everyone happy.
Correct answer: The manager told the employees that they would receive a bonus, which made everyone happy.
The original sentence contains a comma splice, where two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. This revision correctly uses the relative pronoun 'which' to connect the second clause to the first, creating a grammatically correct and fluent sentence. The word 'which' refers to the act of the manager telling the employees about the bonus.
Question 6: When revising an essay, which of the following should be the primary focus to ensure the argument is convincing?
- Correcting all spelling and punctuation errors.
- Ensuring the introduction has a compelling hook.
- Verifying that each body paragraph contains strong supporting evidence and relates directly to the thesis. (Correct answer)
- Rewording sentences to use more sophisticated vocabulary.
Correct answer: Verifying that each body paragraph contains strong supporting evidence and relates directly to the thesis.
While all aspects of revision are important, the core of a convincing argument lies in its support. The primary focus should be on the development and support of the thesis. This means ensuring each body paragraph has a clear topic sentence and is developed with specific, relevant examples, facts, or reasoning that directly backs up the main claim of the essay.
TSI - Texas Success Initiative Essay and Sentence Revision Questions and Answers 1
Read the following pair of sentences:
(1) The city council approved the new park proposal. (2) It was a contentious issue that had been debated for months.
Which is the best way to combine these two sentences?