Exam 42: Some Guidelines for Students of English as a Second Language.

Instructions: Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer. (1) Have you ever wanted a huge party, puffy dress, and sparkling tiara? (2) If so, you just may be one of the millions of girls counting the days until their quinceañeras. (3) A quinceañera is an over-the-top, dramatic, and even funny celebration that occurs when a Hispanic girl turns fifteen, but a quinceañera is also an important event in the girl's life, marking her entry into adulthood. (4) Each girl puts her own stamp on the celebration, as several examples will show (5) One illustration of a memorable quinceañera was my cousin Cindy's three years ago (6) She constantly said she wanted something different from other quinceañeras (7) The first step was her custom-made invitations (8) Another component of the party was more like a fairytale (9) A wooden swan was constructed to lead her into the ballroom to perform her waltz (10)Luckily, her dress wasn't as outlandish as the swan (11)It was simple, but it was the centerpiece of the party (12)Many quinceañeras are lavish parties like my cousin's, but others focus on the occasion's meaning (13)My own quinceañera four years ago is an example (14)Despite its simplicity, it was an experience I'll never forget (15)My family came from far away to the event, and I felt special, knowing they were there to help me transition into adulthood (16)Even more special were my uncles' sincere speeches and my mother's proud and happy words (17)Yet, despite this joy, I felt a little sad: I was no longer a carefree girl as I would now have to take on some responsibilities (18)I was scared I would fail, but having my family there showed me the help I would have along the way (19)A third example is my little cousin, who is 11 years old but already halfway through planning her own quinceañera (20)She has already designed her own dress for the quinceañera and picked the location. (21) So far, she feels relaxed, but knowing how I felt during the first few months of planning, I wish her the best of luck. (22) I plan on helping her. (23) I already promised her a spa day before her party, but I hope the meaning of the occasion is what she appreciates the most, not the dress or shoes. (24) As you can see, a quinceañera is a pivotal experience in a Hispanic girl's life. (25) She learns there is more to life than clothes and gifts. (26) It's the togetherness of the family and determination that she learns about, two things Hispanics value highly. (27) After the party, we begin our adulthood, our entrance into the real world. (28) Somehow, we still manage to laugh and smile along the way. ¾ Diana Valtierra, Student What pattern of development does the writer use?

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. One study concluded that reducing salt intake reduces high blood pressure in all people. But a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association argued that people with normal blood pressure got no significant benefit from salt reduction. It didn't help them at all.

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select "keep" or "drop" for each idea. Topic sentence: In order to be a good cook, you have to be prepared in the kitchen. Arrange space to have enough counter space for cutting.

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Dose your energy level raise?

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for errors in spelling and look-alikes/sound-alikes. Select the letter of the correct list of misspelled words. Finely, think about what's really important to you. Work doesn't offer only finanshul rewards; a career's benefits include things like security, prestige, working with great people, and opportunities to be creative or help others. The better you understand yourself, the more likely you are to choose an occupation that you'll find satisfying and rewarding.

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select "keep" or "drop" for each idea. Topic sentence: Gilberto learned how to play the trumpet, but it took a long time. Gilberto wanted to watch TV more than practice.

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select "keep" or "drop" for each idea. Topic sentence: Modern fireworks have their origins in tenth-century Chinese pyrotechnics. My family set fireworks off last summer.

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by choosing the letter of the correct response.In most states, before you can even think about voting, you have to register to vote. You can register in person by going to your local board of elections office, state department of motor vehicles, or other office or agency (such as the post office) designated as an official voter registration location in your state. However, one of the fastest and easiest ways to register is to go to the website RegistertoVote.org and complete three easy steps. First, you click on your state of residence. You will be taken to a page that lists your state's voter eligibility requirements and identifies registration deadlines. Next, you fill out the online voter registration form and click the "Get Registration Form" button. Finally, you download your completed form and follow the instructions to sign it and submit it to the appropriate state or local office for processing. Within a few weeks, you will receive confirmation of your registration. The subject of this paragraph is

Instructions: Each group of sentences below could be organized into and written as a paragraph. In each group, select the letter of the topic sentence. Which sentence is the topic sentence?

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) I hadn't seen my childhood bedroom in the two years since I had left for France (2) My parents kept everything in place, as if I had never left. (3) An enormous poster of Michael Jordan was still tacked to the front of the door. (4) On the wall were markings of my height, from age three to eighteen (5) In the bookcase next to my bed stood all the science fiction novels and copies of Sports Illustrated that I had read in middle and high school (6) Above the bed, a model airplane hung, suspended by thin wires (7) I lay on the bed, now too small for me, and watched the model airplane move gently in the breeze. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentences?

Instructions: Read the paragraph below and then answer the question(s) that follow by selecting the letter of the correct response.Many young people don't bother to register to vote, and those who do often don't show up at the polls on Election Day. But they should. Why? There are good reasons for every eligible young person to vote in every election. First of all, people ages eighteen to thirty should vote because many of the biggest issues affect the nation's youth. Wars in which young soldiers are dying, education funding, employment and job training programs, and reproductive rights are just a few of the issues that are affecting the lives of young people right now. Young people should help to select government representatives who share their views on these matters. When this country's youth don't vote, they don't have any influence on how these issues are decided, and they allow older people to decide how things will work. Plus, an individual who chooses not to vote really has no right to complain about government decisions he or she doesn't like. Being able to vote is a precious gift, one that no one should take for granted. Many people have fought and died so that all Americans would get and keep the right to participate in a democratic government. To honor their sacrifice, all of the young people in America should register, vote, and make themselves heard! The purpose of this paragraph is to

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Elaborate tattoos could be placed almost anywhere on a persons' body: arms, back, scalp , shoulders, and so on.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Vegans refrain from eating all animal products, including eggs dairy products and even honey.

Instructions: The topic sentence below is followed by a brainstormed list of possible ideas for a paragraph. Decide which ideas support the topic sentence and should be kept and which ideas should be dropped. Select "keep" or "drop" for each idea. Topic sentence: In order to be a good cook, you have to be prepared in the kitchen. Have clean sponges and cleansers by the sink.

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Although separated by many years in age, Carolyn's father and her son are remarkably similar (2) A gray-haired elderly gentleman, Carolyn's father always carefully selects his clothing before he steps into the public view. (3) His greatest treat is to browse through encyclopedias, dictionaries, and almanacs to absorb scraps of knowledge, minute facts, and out-of-the-way statistics. (4) At dinner, he enjoys surprising his family with the annual rainfall of Australia or the average length of the tiger shark (5) Billy, Carolyn's seven-year-old, also carefully surveys his clothing each morning to see what would best suit his mood (6) He too loves to read, but he confines himself to children's books on exotic lands (7) Just like his grandfather, at mealtime he parades his store of odd facts before the family, relishing the surprised looks on their faces (8) Maybe the old saying should be "Like grandfather, like grandson." Select the type of development the writer of this paragraph has used.

Instructions: Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer. (1) Pele and Slouch, my two cats, are so unlike, it's a wonder that they get along (2) Pele is a short-haired, long-eared, slim but agile feline. (3) His color is silver gray. (4) Slouch, on the other hand, is a long-haired, short-eared, chubby, and clumsy cat (5) He is brown and gold (6) Pele has always been a very active cat (7) He will fetch a crumpled piece of paper as often as I can throw it (8) I've yet to tire him out (9) Jumping to a height of 3 feet is an effortless task for him, or so he makes it seem (10)His muscle coordination is something to see (11)If I throw a paper directly at him, he will sit back on his hind legs and catch it with his front paws (12)Whenever he gets tired of that, he just runs all over the apartment (13)With people, Pele is extremely gentle (14)Because Slouch didn't come along until Pele was ten months old, Pele got a lot of attention (15)He likes being held and petted (16)On occasion he will jump up next to a visitor with a crumpled piece of paper in his mouth, all primed for fun and games! (17) Slouch, on the contrary, is a lazy but unpredictable cat (18)His daily exercise consists of walking over to the dish where his food is kept (19)When he gets tired of that, he will just sit by the bowl as if he were waiting to get hungry (20)On those long days when the cat food loses its appeal, he will walk around, head bent down, sniffing the floor for imaginary food droppings. (21) His methodical and determined approach to this pastime reminds me of a cow grazing in the fields. (22) But people, beware: don't ever try to hold on to a piece of food while feeding Slouch. (23) He will claw wildly to get it. (24) I was told by his previous owner that he was the runt of the litter, often shoved aside by the larger cats. (25) Perhaps this accounts for his greedy and fearful hunger. (26) Contrary to what might be expected, Pele and Slouch are the best of friends. (27) I have seen Pele help Slouch with the laborious task of washing his long coat. (28) Once in a while, Slouch will join Pele in a game of slow tag, or perhaps they'll just lie together. (29) On sunny afternoons they often sit by the open window, sharing the weird smells drifting in on the breeze. (30) They seem to know they are like two children, each loved in a different way, but nevertheless loved. ¾ Angel Reyes, Student What pattern of development does the writer use?

Instructions: The following sentences form an essay. Proofread them for consistency, parallelism, and concise language. Select the letter of the error in each sentence. They often sold this crude soap to the Greeks, Romans, and the Gauls bought it too.

Instructions: Select the part of the sentence that contains a grammar or punctuation error. Some culture believe that tattoos can protect against sickness and misfortune. People in other cultures use tattoos merely for decoration.

Instructions: Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer. (1) Have you ever wanted a huge party, puffy dress, and sparkling tiara? (2) If so, you just may be one of the millions of girls counting the days until their quinceañeras. (3) A quinceañera is an over-the-top, dramatic, and even funny celebration that occurs when a Hispanic girl turns fifteen, but a quinceañera is also an important event in the girl's life, marking her entry into adulthood. (4) Each girl puts her own stamp on the celebration, as several examples will show (5) One illustration of a memorable quinceañera was my cousin Cindy's three years ago (6) She constantly said she wanted something different from other quinceañeras (7) The first step was her custom-made invitations (8) Another component of the party was more like a fairytale (9) A wooden swan was constructed to lead her into the ballroom to perform her waltz (10)Luckily, her dress wasn't as outlandish as the swan (11)It was simple, but it was the centerpiece of the party (12)Many quinceañeras are lavish parties like my cousin's, but others focus on the occasion's meaning (13)My own quinceañera four years ago is an example (14)Despite its simplicity, it was an experience I'll never forget (15)My family came from far away to the event, and I felt special, knowing they were there to help me transition into adulthood (16)Even more special were my uncles' sincere speeches and my mother's proud and happy words (17)Yet, despite this joy, I felt a little sad: I was no longer a carefree girl as I would now have to take on some responsibilities (18)I was scared I would fail, but having my family there showed me the help I would have along the way (19)A third example is my little cousin, who is 11 years old but already halfway through planning her own quinceañera (20)She has already designed her own dress for the quinceañera and picked the location. (21) So far, she feels relaxed, but knowing how I felt during the first few months of planning, I wish her the best of luck. (22) I plan on helping her. (23) I already promised her a spa day before her party, but I hope the meaning of the occasion is what she appreciates the most, not the dress or shoes. (24) As you can see, a quinceañera is a pivotal experience in a Hispanic girl's life. (25) She learns there is more to life than clothes and gifts. (26) It's the togetherness of the family and determination that she learns about, two things Hispanics value highly. (27) After the party, we begin our adulthood, our entrance into the real world. (28) Somehow, we still manage to laugh and smile along the way. ¾ Diana Valtierra, Student Which title best captures the essay?

Instructions: The paragraph below is developed by a specific mode or pattern. Read the paragraph; then answer the question(s). (1) Employers should take aggressive steps to end age discrimination at the workplace (2) According to the AARP, one-third of older American voters say that they or someone they know has experienced some form of age discrimination. (3) This problem is a serious one, as workers fifty-five and older are the fastest-growing segment of the workforce. (4) Age discrimination is on the rise in these difficult economic times (5) Workers who are laid off at age fifty-five or sixty find it difficult to find work (6) The same is true for men and women who retire early, whether by choice or due to a corporate buyout (7) Some employers say that older workers will take more time to learn things and will be less willing to work long hours (8) However, that is a narrow-minded view (9) Older workers can bring wisdom and expertise to the work environment (10)In addition, they can prove to be excellent teachers to younger employees who need help (11)Therefore, employers must treat every worker and job applicant with fairness and objectivity, regardless of age. Transitional words or phrases are used in which sentences?