Exam 6: Thinking Through Paragraph Patterns

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) Rollover accidents-crashes in which a vehicle flips over or tumbles-are some of the deadliest accidents on our roads and highways. (2) Many of these accidents occur because the driver loses control of the vehicle due to one of three causes. (3) The first cause is speeding. (4) According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 40 percent of fatal rollover crashes happen because the driver is going too fast and loses control of the vehicle. (5) A second common cause of rollover accidents is driver impairment. (6) In nearly half of all fatal rollover crashes, the drivers had been drinking alcohol, which affected their judgment, muscular coordination, and vision and caused them to lose control. (7) A third common cause of rollover accidents is driver distraction in rural areas. (8) Drivers who are trying to answer a ringing cell phone or changing radio stations can let their attention drift away from the task of driving. (9) If the vehicle veers off the road in a rural area and the driver jerks the steering wheel to correct the problem, the vehicle's tires may dig into soft soil or hit the edge of the pavement, "tripping" the vehicle into a roll. (10) Consequently, almost two-thirds of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour or more. Adapted from "Rollover," U.S. Department of Transportation, http://www.safercar.gov/Rollover -Which of the following is a transitional expression used in the paragraph to indicate cause or effect?

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. 1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill. -How many causes or effects does the writer present?

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. 1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill. -Select the number of the topic sentence in the paragraph above.

Each of the following groups of things has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong; it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then, select the letter of the one item that does not belong. Next, select the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group. -Sweaters

Each of the following groups of things has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong; it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then, select the letter of the one item that does not belong. -Types of tests

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling. -On what basis does the writer classify post-secondary institutions?

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) Empathy is the ability to understand or identify with another person's feelings, motives, or situation. (2) The more a person can "feel for" others, the more likely he or she is to be kind, even to those who look or seem different, and even to speak up if someone is being mistreated. (3) Experts say that empathy is more important than ever because bullying and social tensions are on the rise. (4) Examples of empathy exist even in infants, who cry when another baby cries and seem to prefer adults who help others. (5) Yet childhood experiences can either promote or squelch the growth of empathy. (6) An abused or neglected child is more likely to become mean or aggressive. (7) A second example of empathy in action is the preteen who sees an overweight classmate being teased and speaks up in defense of that child. (8) Empathy seems to help overcome fear of the bully and his supporters. (9) Often, just one person speaking up can stop the bully in his tracks. (10) A third instance of empathy in action is the adult who overhears a shop owner or bank customer insult someone of another race. (11) Feeling shock or anger in the bullied person's behalf, he or she might ask the bully to be respectful or just shut up. -What writing pattern does this paragraph employ?

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) Empathy is the ability to understand or identify with another person's feelings, motives, or situation. (2) The more a person can "feel for" others, the more likely he or she is to be kind, even to those who look or seem different, and even to speak up if someone is being mistreated. (3) Experts say that empathy is more important than ever because bullying and social tensions are on the rise. (4) Examples of empathy exist even in infants, who cry when another baby cries and seem to prefer adults who help others. (5) Yet childhood experiences can either promote or squelch the growth of empathy. (6) An abused or neglected child is more likely to become mean or aggressive. (7) A second example of empathy in action is the preteen who sees an overweight classmate being teased and speaks up in defense of that child. (8) Empathy seems to help overcome fear of the bully and his supporters. (9) Often, just one person speaking up can stop the bully in his tracks. (10) A third instance of empathy in action is the adult who overhears a shop owner or bank customer insult someone of another race. (11) Feeling shock or anger in the bullied person's behalf, he or she might ask the bully to be respectful or just shut up. -Select the transitional expression in the paragraph that introduces an example:

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) For several reasons, completing a two-year college degree is worth the investment of your time and your money. (2) For one thing, earning an associate's degree will be a significant accomplishment that will increase your self-esteem and your sense of pride in yourself. (3) These are the feelings that will encourage you to believe in yourself and inspire you to tackle new challenges that will contribute to your personal growth. (4) Another good reason to finish a two-year degree is to empower yourself in your daily life. (5) By taking college courses, you will hone a variety of skills-such as reading skills, math skills, and critical thinking skills-that will help you do everything from better manage your finances to avoid falling victim to scam artists. (6) Perhaps most importantly, earning an associate's degree will give you an edge in a competitive job market. (7) Even if your degree does not directly relate to a specific job, the fact that you completed your education indicates to a prospective employer that you are a person who can learn, who possesses certain skills and abilities, and who can persevere to complete goals. (8) It is also a respected credential that will help you advance and continue to increase your earnings throughout your career. -How many arguments support the topic sentence?

Each of the following groups of things has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong; it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then, select the letter of the one item that does not belong. Next, select the single basis of classification that includes the rest of the group. -Library resources

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. 1) According to a number of research studies, owning a pet dog provides important health benefits. (2) One positive effect of dog ownership is better overall physical health. (3) Because many dog owners walk their pets on a regular basis, they tend to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise every day. (4) This daily activity helps prevent cardiovascular disease, contributes to weight management, and keeps dog owners in overall good physical shape. (5) A second positive effect of dog ownership is better emotional health. (6) Dogs provide their owners with affection and steady companionship. (7) Therefore, the animals often prevent or decrease feelings of loneliness and depression. (8) Studies have shown that the emotional connections people have with their pet dogs lower their heart rate and blood pressure. (9) As a result, dogs lower their owners' stress levels. (10) Other studies reveal that dogs owners appear to get sick less frequently than people who don't own dogs do, and they also recover faster when they do become ill. -Which of the following is NOT a transitional expression used in the paragraph to indicate cause or effect?

Each of the following groups of things has been divided according to a single basis of classification. However, one item in each group does not belong; it does not fit that single basis of classification. Read each group of items carefully; then, select the letter of the one item that does not belong. -Types of pain

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) Some people believe that keeping animals captive in zoos is cruel because the animals are robbed of living a natural life in the wild. (2) However, for an animal, life in a good zoo—one that provides both a stimulating habitat similar to the animals’ native environment and excellent care for animals—is often far better alternative to life in the wild. (3) For one thing, a zoo animal is provided with daily meals and does not have to endure the constant search for food. (4) In the wild, that animal would spend its every waking moment trying to avoid starvation. (5) In a zoo environment, however, that same animal can spend its days relaxing or romping with its fellow creatures. (6) Second, a zoo animal is safe and protected. (7) In the wilderness, many animals must endure the constant distress of being hunted by humans or other animals or becoming homeless due to destruction of their habitats. (8) In a zoo, this stress is eliminated, and the animals can live more peaceful lives. (9) Third, if an animal does become injured or sick, that animal will not suffer as it would in the wild. (10) Instead, it will receive medical care that will reduce its pain and speed the healing process. -How many reasons support the topic sentence?

Read paragraph below and answer the questions that follow it. (1) There types of post-secondary institutions offer unique credentials that serve as pathways to different kinds of careers. (2) The first type of post-secondary institution is the university. (3) At universities, students first earn a bachelor's degree that prepares them for professional positions in education, medicine, engineering, and many other fields requiring four or more years of study. (4) The second type of post-secondary institution, the community college offers associate degrees. (5) Some of these degrees, which can be earned in as little as two years, prepare students to transfer to a university to continue working toward a bachelor's degree. (6) Many other associate degrees serve as the minimum credential needed to enter careers such as nursing, machining, legal assisting, and office administration. (7) A third type of post-secondary institution is the vocational-technical or career college. (8) These schools typically offer a certificate upon completion of a short-term training program (usually 18 months or less) in fields such as culinary arts, truck driving, plumbing, or hair styling. -How many categories are there?