Deck 7: Moving From Paragraph to Essay

Question 1

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the letter of the correct answer.
Use the following to answer questions :
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
What is the topic sentence of the first body paragraph?

A) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow.
B) Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
C) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The paragraphs in this essay are out of order. Select the letter of the best order for an essay.
(a) _____ Now, I'm happy to report that my three-step plan worked for me. It wasn't always easy, but I stayed strong and determined, and my hard work paid off. Today, I carry zero balances on my credit cards, have money in the bank, and should be able to afford my new car very soon! (b) _____ The first thing I did was to figure out my goals, and I decided that I wanted to achieve three things. I wanted to pay off my credit cards, I wanted to have a savings account for emergencies, and I wanted to start saving money for a down payment on a new car. It was important to decide on these goals at the outset because they determined how I completed the next step in the process.
(c) _____ Two years ago, my finances were a complete mess. I had a job, but I was in debt, I had no money saved, and I was living paycheck to paycheck. I was just one emergency away from a total disaster, so I resolved to change my financial situation. I knew that the solution did not have to involve winning the lottery or trying to find a higher-paying job. I just needed to do some things differently. So I decided to improve my financial health by following a three-step money management plan.
(d) _____ After creating a budget, I stuck to it. I'll be honest: this was sometimes difficult to do. Temptations to stray were always arising. For example, it was hard to have to pass up opportunities to go to concerts and to resist buying new clothes because I didn't have enough left over in my budget. But I stuck to my plan and kept reducing my expenses in order to have the extra cash to pay for my credit card debts and save a little. I also resisted every impulse to get something I wanted by charging it.
(e) _____ Once I knew what my goals were, I drew up a monthly budget. I listed all of my fixed expenses, such as rent, phone bill, and credit card payments. Then I budgeted extra money toward my credit card payments so that I could get them paid off. I also set aside a monthly amount to add to my savings account. Once I did that, I had very little money left over for entertainment and nonessentials, like new CDs. However, I kept reminding myself that I would be able to buy these kinds of things once I met my goals.

A) c, b, e, d, a
B) b, e, c, a, d
C) c, a, b, d, e

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the letter of the correct answer.
Use the following to answer questions :
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
What is the topic sentence of the last body paragraph?

A) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market.
B) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language.
C) Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the letter of the correct answer.
Use the following to answer questions :
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
What is the topic sentence of the second body paragraph?

A) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance.
B) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony.
C) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market.

Question 5

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the letter of the correct answer.
Use the following to answer questions :
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
What is the thesis statement of this essay?

A) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow.
B) Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English.
C) Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.

Question 6

Read the following essay. Then, for each of the questions that follow, select the letter of the correct answer.
Use the following to answer questions :
Speaking in Diverse Tongues
(1) America has always been a multicultural land, and its diversity continues to grow. Immigrants from all over the world are moving to the United States, and although they bring their own languages with them, almost all of them learn how to speak English. American citizens, too, should consider learning a language other than their own. Becoming bilingual benefits individuals in a number of ways.
(2) First of all, learning a foreign language improves academic performance. Research done over the last twenty years has shown that children who study a foreign language become better students in all subjects. Studies of high school students who learned another language found that these students performed better in both English and math. They also have higher overall scores on their college entrance exams. These studies suggest that studying a foreign language helps to boost brain power.
(3) In addition to academic benefits, learning a foreign language can help to increase multicultural harmony. Because studying another language often involves learning about the customs and traditions of another country, too, language study can increase individuals' understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Greater understanding can lead to more tolerance and encourage peaceful relations among diverse groups.
(4) Perhaps most important, though, being bilingual is an important skill for the job market. Four out of every five jobs in the United States are created as a result of foreign trade, so many jobs will require workers to interact with colleagues from other countries. Plus, most jobs require dealing with the public in some way, and knowing another language often makes an individual more effective on the job. For example, because so many new immigrants speak Spanish as their native language, being able to converse in Spanish makes a person more marketable and more valuable to an organization.
(5) For all of these reasons, every American should consider learning a foreign language. Children and adolescents should take advantage of opportunities for language study in their schools. Adults should consider enrolling in language study courses in their communities or local colleges.
Which paragraph is the conclusion of the essay?

A) paragraph 1
B) paragraph 2
C) paragraph 3
D) paragraph 4
E) paragraph 5