Expository Writing

A student is developing an informative essay about the benefits of sleep for high school students. Which of the following versions of a paragraph from the essay presents information most clearly and coherently?

a. On nights when I get at least eight hours of sleep, I feel more awake and ready to tackle my schoolwork. I notice that I can focus better, especially in my morning classes. When I don't get enough sleep, though, I feel groggy and irritable, and it's hard to pay attention. Last semester, I started sleeping more, and I saw my grades improve, which convinced me that getting enough sleep makes a huge difference.

b. High school students often don't get enough sleep, and this affects their lives. Getting enough sleep is essential because it helps students focus, feel better, and stay healthy. When students sleep well, they do better in school, which is something studies say is true. Sleep is helpful for students, and schools should consider start times to help them.

c. Studies have shown that high school students need more sleep, and not getting enough sleep can lead to a lot of problems. It's well known that sleep is good for people's health and helps them stay well. Schools want to help students, and sleep is important. Some schools are even starting to change their start times to help students.

d. Sufficient sleep is essential for high school students, as it helps improve focus, memory, and overall mood. Studies have shown that students who get enough sleep perform better academically and have a lower risk of mental health issues. Additionally, adequate sleep supports the immune system and reduces the likelihood of illness. Schools across the country are beginning to recognize these benefits and are exploring later start times to help students get the sleep they need.

d. Sufficient sleep is essential for high school students, as it helps improve focus, memory, and overall mood. Studies have shown that students who get enough sleep perform better academically and have a lower risk of mental health issues. Additionally, adequate sleep supports the immune system and reduces the likelihood of illness. Schools across the country are beginning to recognize these benefits and are exploring later start times to help students get the sleep they need.

The following is an excerpt written about World War I By Vernon Bartlett

(1) Those at home in England, with their experience of war books and photographs, of Zeppelin raids and crowded hospitals, are beginning to imagine they know all there is to know about war. The truth is that they still have but little idea of the life in the trenches, and, as far as mud is concerned, they are delightfully ignorant. They do not know what mud is.

(2) They have read of Napoleon's "Fourth Element," they have listened to long descriptions of mud in Flanders and France, they have raised incredulous eyebrows at tales of men being drowned in the trenches, they have given a fleeting thought of pity for the soldiers "out there" as they have slushed home through the streets on rainy nights; but they have never realised what mud means, for no photograph can tell its slimy depth, and even the pen of a Zola or a Victor Hugo could give no adequate idea of it.

(3) It is the infantryman who suffers most, for he has to live, eat, sleep, and work in the mud. The plain of dragging slime that stretches from Switzerland to the sea is far worse to face than the fire of machine guns or the great black trench-mortar bombs that come twisting down through the air. It is more terrible than the frost and the rain—you cannot even stamp your feet to drive away the insidious chill that mud always brings. Nothing can keep it from your hands and face and clothes; there is no taking off your boots to dry in the trenches—you must lie down just as you are, and often you are lucky if you have two empty sandbags under you to save you from the cold embrace of the swamp.

What is the organization of the paragraphs in this passage?

a. The first paragraph describes what resources "those at home" are reading, the second describes the feelings of the soldiers on the front, and the third describes the assumptions of "those at home".

b. The first paragraph describes "those at home" and the homes they live in, the second describes the uses of the different weapons, and the third describes the effects of the different weapons on infantry.

c. The first paragraph describes what "those at home" think they know about conditions at the front, the second how they learned about the conditions, and the third describes how horrible the conditions actually are.

d. The first paragraph describes the way the soldiers got to the front, the second describes the uses of the different weapons, and the third describes the effects of the different weapons on infantry.

c. The first paragraph describes what "those at home" think they know about conditions at the front, the second how they learned about the conditions, and the third describes how horrible the conditions actually are.

Read the passage from The Conquest of Bread and Other Writings by Peter Kropotkin and answer the questions that follow:

Art, in order to develop, must be bound up with industry by a thousand intermediate degrees, blended, so to say, as Ruskin and the great Socialist poet Morris have proved so often and so well. Everything that surrounds man, in the street, in the interior and exterior of public monuments, must be of a pure artistic form.

____ this can only be realized in a society in which all enjoy comfort and leisure. Only then shall we see art associations, of which each member will find room for his capacity; for art cannot dispense with an infinity of purely manual and technical supplementary works.

What transition word best fits in the blank space in this sentence?

a. Additionally

b. Therefore

c. Before

d. But

d. But

A fourth-grade class is beginning a research assignment. The teacher provides the class with the guiding question "How do humans positively or negatively impact ecosystems?" Which step of the research project should the class complete next?

a. Read a mentor text and identify the organizational structure used in research.

b. Narrow the research topic down by identifying specific questions to answer.

c. Read an article about ecosystems and practice how to pull supporting details from a text.

d. Go to the school library and identify credible sources to use while researching.

b. Narrow the research topic down by identifying specific questions to answer.

A teacher is introducing their 9th-grade ELA students to the concept of inquiry-based research. Which of the following instructional strategies would be most effective in promoting students' ability to develop meaningful research questions?

a. Conducting a brainstorming session where students generate a wide range of questions based on their prior knowledge and curiosity.

b. Showing students a documentary on the topic and then asking them to write down any questions they have.

c. Assigning a specific research question to each student and having them gather information to answer it.

d. Providing a list of open-ended questions related to the topic and allowing students to choose and modify them to fit their interests.

d. Providing a list of open-ended questions related to the topic and allowing students to choose and modify them to fit their interests.

The following is an example of student writing.

When I go home, I eat. I play and take a bath and watch tv. We read The Hungry Caterpillar every night. Dad makes spaghetti, and mom watches my baby brother. I play with my toys and snuggle with my bear.

What does the student most need to revise to make the writing more clear?

a. nothing; the writing is clear.

b. the use of transitions

c. the organization

d. the word choice

c. the organization

Chocolate has been enjoyed by people for centuries, beginning with the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. The Mayans and Aztecs used cacao beans to make a bitter drink, often adding spices to enhance t,he flavor. In the 16th century, chocolate made its way to Europe, where sugar was added, transforming it into the sweet treat we know today. Over time, chocolate evolved from a luxury for the wealthy to a popular food accessible to everyone. __________________________.

If inserted in the blank, which of the following sentences would provide a conclusion that effectively follows form and supports the information in the informative paragraph?

a. The cacao plant, from which chocolate is made, grows best in tropical climates with high humidity and warm temperatures.

b. In recent years, many consumers have become interested in the ethical sourcing of chocolate, seeking out brands that support fair trade practices.

c. Although chocolate is loved by many, it can contribute to health issues such as obesity if consumed in excess.

d. Today, chocolate remains one of the most beloved treats worldwide, enjoyed in countless forms, from candy bars to hot cocoa.

d. Today, chocolate remains one of the most beloved treats worldwide, enjoyed in countless forms, from candy bars to hot cocoa.

A teacher wants to emphasize the importance of using transitional words and phrases to move readers from point to point within the essay and paragraphs.  How can the teacher most effectively help students develop this skill?

a. Providing a mini-lesson on transitional words and phrases followed by guided practice exercises.

b. Ignoring the use of transitional words and phrases as they are not essential for effective writing.

c. Allowing students to learn about transitional words and phrases on their own through trial and error.

d. Assigning a worksheet on transitional words and phrases for students to complete individually.

a. Providing a mini-lesson on transitional words and phrases followed by guided practice exercises.

Of the following, which would be most beneficial to students using the Internet for research purposes?

a. Have each student write ten search topics before beginning research on the Internet.

b. Allow students to print the homepage to each page they find important on their research topic.

c. Demonstrate the most efficient ways to search for topics, identifying the best words to use and how punctuation can influence search results.

d. Explain that the first ten to twenty search engine results are the only websites a student needs to review.

c. Demonstrate the most efficient ways to search for topics, identifying the best words to use and how punctuation can influence search results.

Read the following sentences before answering the question below.

(1) Taking a trip into the wilds of nature can be a wonderful experience, but you must be prepared to identify and respect nature. (2) While most plants and wildlife do not seek to harm humans, uninformed explorers can come into serious trouble if they are not aware of native plants or species that can do serious harm. (3) Wandering the trails of nature preserves and forests allows hikers to come into close contact with indigenous plants and breathtaking flowers, many of which the hiker will want to touch or smell. (4) Poison ivy, oak, and sumac populate these trails and cause serious allergic reactions to most humans.

Which transition word or phrase should be added to the beginning of sentence 4 to improve the paragraph's organization and clarity?

a. On the other hand

b. In fact

c. Consequently

d. Since

a. On the other hand