Exam 7: Description

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) On my right a woods thickly overgrown with creeper descended the hill's slope to Tinker Creek (2) On my left was a planting of large shade trees on the ridge of the hill. (3) Before me the grassy hill pitched abruptly and gave way to a large, level field fringed in trees where it bordered the creek. (4) Beyond the creek I could see with effort the vertical sliced rock where men had long ago quarried the mountain under the forest (5) Beyond that I saw Hollins Pond and all its woods and pastures; then I saw in a blue haze the world poured flat and pale between the mountains. ¾ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , Bantam, 1975, page 41 The main idea of the paragraph above is implied, not stated by a topic sentence. Which of the following sentences most accurately states the main idea?

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The old house had obviously been abandoned long ago.

Instructions: Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a giraffe. ____ long, knobby-kneed legs that can kick with great force ____ pair of short, bony horns atop head ____ body covered with a coat of brown spots outlined in cream ____ graceful, 4-foot-long neck for munching leaves ____ tongue up to 21 inches long

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda was like entering a rich mind obsessed with the sea (2) The peaked ceiling of the main room was covered with beautiful old ship's timbers. (3) Hanging from the ceiling were several large weathered figureheads from ships, one with the wings of an angel. (4) Near the angel, on the stone wall above the fireplace, was the model of an old ship with eleven canvas sails (5) More life-size carved figureheads, all women, stood on the floor around the room, leaning forward as if listening (6) Some were painted, some worn to the wood, some missing fingers or noses from the passing of time (7) On every table and surface were ocean treasures ¾ shells, starfish, heaped sea glass and beach agate, a brass ship's lantern, a narwhal tusk. Select the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. In my mind's eye is the plan for the perfect workout room.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) On my right a woods thickly overgrown with creeper descended the hill's slope to Tinker Creek (2) On my left was a planting of large shade trees on the ridge of the hill. (3) Before me the grassy hill pitched abruptly and gave way to a large, level field fringed in trees where it bordered the creek. (4) Beyond the creek I could see with effort the vertical sliced rock where men had long ago quarried the mountain under the forest (5) Beyond that I saw Hollins Pond and all its woods and pastures; then I saw in a blue haze the world poured flat and pale between the mountains. ¾ Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek , Bantam, 1975, page 41 Which of the following is NOT a transitional expression that indicates place or position in this paragraph?

Instructions: Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a garden. ____ an orchard of apple, pear, and cherry trees past the vegetable beds ____ raspberry and blackberry bushes dividing the flower beds from the neat rows of vegetables ____ paths lined with flowers nearest the house ____ a creek separating the orchard from the forest ____ tomato, bean, squash, and corn plants

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) When he first became a star, the young Elvis Presley wore his coal-black hair in a slicked-back, ducktail haircut (2) Dark sideburns framed the sides of his handsome face. (3) His intense eyes were blue, and his mouth curled up on one side when he smiled. (4) When he sang, his lips pouted or snarled, depending on the lyrics (5) On his trim body, he wore loose, open-necked shirts that started a major new fashion trend among young males (6) On his famous swiveling, wiggling hips, he usually wore black slacks (7) Elvis definitely had a distinct look, one that made teenage girls melt and boys want to copy him. How are the details arranged in this paragraph?

Instructions: Each topic sentence below is followed by supporting details. Select the letter of the answer that arranges each group of details according to space order. Describe a view from a hotel room balcony. ____ wet, dark sand of water's edge ____ beach grass growing in high sand dunes just below the balcony ____ white-crested waves breaking on shore ____ the straight line of horizon where sea seems to meet sky ____ a short wooden fence separating the dunes from the hard-packed sand of the shoreline ____ calm, grayish-blue water stretching out behind breakers

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. Spaghetti and meatballs were splattered all over the white kitchen.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) A first glance at Benny tells you that he is an attractive young man (2) The riveting feature is the contrast between his close-cropped black hair and his light skin. (3) There are two slight scars on his left cheek, but they add to instead of detract from his appearance. (4) His eyelashes are not prominent, but dark brown eyes gaze at you from under a canopy of thick, black eyebrows (5) His nose is short and straight, befitting his oval face (6) The cheekbones are high but not prominent, and the well-kept mustache gives a promise of luxuriant growth if given free reign (7) Benny's mouth is small and full, and though the braces are off-putting, that shy smile will someday break a lot of hearts (8) All of these factors put together with a mischievous gleam in his eyes draw the picture of an intelligent, quite personable young man. ¾ Carmen Crawford, student Give the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) At my Halloween party, my friend George showed up wearing on his head what looked like an ax embedded in his skull (2) His hair was matted with fake blood. (3) On his face, he used rubber scars and gashes, makeup, and more fake blood to make it look as though he had been sliced and diced. (4) On one eye, he wore another prosthetic rubber device that made his eye appear slashed (5) More bloody wounds covered his neck (6) His tattered clothes were spattered with fake blood, and a fake knife protruded from his back (7) George looked absolutely grotesque in that gory getup. How are the details arranged in this paragraph?

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail in each plan. During the first week of classes, the college bookstore is wall-to-wall confusion.

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. The car looked like something from the future.

Instructions: In each of the paragraph plans below, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail in each plan. The new entertainment complex downtown has something for everyone.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) A first glance at Benny tells you that he is an attractive young man (2) The riveting feature is the contrast between his close-cropped black hair and his light skin. (3) There are two slight scars on his left cheek, but they add to instead of detract from his appearance. (4) His eyelashes are not prominent, but dark brown eyes gaze at you from under a canopy of thick, black eyebrows (5) His nose is short and straight, befitting his oval face (6) The cheekbones are high but not prominent, and the well-kept mustache gives a promise of luxuriant growth if given free reign (7) Benny's mouth is small and full, and though the braces are off-putting, that shy smile will someday break a lot of hearts (8) All of these factors put together with a mischievous gleam in his eyes draw the picture of an intelligent, quite personable young man. ¾ Carmen Crawford, student How are the details in this paragraph arranged?

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. My favorite pair of jeans are beat up and worn out.

Instructions: In each of the following plans, one detail has nothing to do with the topic sentence; it is merely a bit of irrelevant information. Select the letter of the irrelevant detail. Our meal at the Captain's Table Restaurant was absolutely delicious.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) Visiting the house of poet Pablo Neruda was like entering a rich mind obsessed with the sea (2) The peaked ceiling of the main room was covered with beautiful old ship's timbers. (3) Hanging from the ceiling were several large weathered figureheads from ships, one with the wings of an angel. (4) Near the angel, on the stone wall above the fireplace, was the model of an old ship with eleven canvas sails (5) More life-size carved figureheads, all women, stood on the floor around the room, leaning forward as if listening (6) Some were painted, some worn to the wood, some missing fingers or noses from the passing of time (7) On every table and surface were ocean treasures ¾ shells, starfish, heaped sea glass and beach agate, a brass ship's lantern, a narwhal tusk. Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a transitional expression that indicates place or position?

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and answer the question(s) that follow. (1) It would be difficult to imagine a more stifling and uncomfortable outfit than one favored by the fashionable, well-to-do lady of the Elizabethan era (2) Atop her dyed and styled hair, she wore an often elaborate headdress. (3) Her face was covered with a base coat of white lead and sulfur makeup, with additional layers of dye for cheeks and lips. (4) Around her neck was either a heavy necklace of large jewels or a ruff, a stiff ring made of starched lace (5) A bodice with long, detachable sleeves covered her to her waist (6) Beneath this bodice, a corset functioned as a girdle to flatten her chest and decrease the size of her waist (7) Underneath her skirt, or kirtle, she wore a stiff frame made of wire or whalebone, which was designed to make the skirt balloon out from the body (8) On her legs and feet, knee-length stockings made of wool or silk and leather shoes completed her many-layered costume. Select the number of the topic sentence that states the overall impression of the subject.