Paragraph Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Choose the best transition: “The library extended its weekend hours. _____, more students were able to use its study spaces.”
Meanwhile
In contrast
For example
As a result
2. A writer states, “The tutoring program improved attendance,” and then gives attendance figures from school records. What should the writer add to use that evidence effectively?
A second topic sentence introducing a different subject
An explanation of how the figures support the claim about improvement
A general statement that numbers are always persuasive
A sentence apologizing for including statistical information
3. Which revision best removes unnecessary repetition? Original: “The trail was steep in incline, and its steepness made the climb difficult.”
The trail was steep in incline, and the climb was difficult because of its steepness.
The trail, which was a trail with a steep incline, made climbing difficult.
The steep trail made the climb difficult.
The incline of the trail was steep, and it was a difficult steep climb.
4. A paragraph begins, “Community gardens can strengthen neighborhood relationships.” Which sentence best supports that topic sentence?
Neighbors who work in shared plots often exchange advice, tools, and produce.
Some gardens grow tomatoes, while others focus on herbs.
Gardening has existed in many forms throughout history.
The city’s largest park covers several hundred acres.
5. A paragraph describes how sleep supports concentration and memory. Which concluding sentence best reinforces that focus?
People have followed many different bedtime customs throughout history.
For students and workers alike, consistent sleep can be an important foundation for focused learning.
Some bedrooms contain desks, lamps, and bookshelves.
The next section will discuss the history of alarm clocks.
6. What is the main purpose of a topic sentence in a typical body paragraph?
To repeat the essay title in a complete sentence
To list every fact that will appear in the paragraph
To state the paragraph’s central point or controlling idea
To provide the paragraph’s most detailed evidence
7. Which sentence does not belong in a unified paragraph about the benefits of cycling to work?
Cycling can add regular physical activity to a commuter’s day.
A bicycle may cost less to maintain than a car.
Replacing short car trips with bicycle trips can reduce fuel use.
Many professional cycling races include mountain stages.
8. Choose the best transition: “Printed textbooks do not require batteries. _____, digital textbooks can offer searchable text and embedded media.”
Similarly
Therefore
However
For instance
9. Which sentence is a concrete supporting example for the claim “Small routines can reduce wasted time in the morning”?
Small routines can reduce wasted time in the morning.
Morning routines are sequences of actions performed early in the day.
Time is a broad concept that people understand in different ways.
For example, placing keys beside the door each evening can prevent a last-minute search.
10. Which topic sentence has the clearest, most manageable controlling idea for one paragraph?
Music is interesting and has existed for a long time.
Frequent bus service can make commuting more practical for workers without cars.
There are many things to say about public transportation.
Cities, transportation, employment, and history are all connected.
11. A paragraph discusses a school’s new composting program. Which technique would most directly help readers follow references to that central subject?
Repeat key terms such as “composting program” when needed and use clear pronoun references.
Avoid nouns after the first sentence and rely entirely on pronouns.
Replace every mention of the program with a different figurative expression.
Add unrelated background facts between each supporting point.
12. Read the supporting ideas: employees can work during their most productive hours; staggered schedules can reduce commuting pressure; and parents may better coordinate work with caregiving. Which topic sentence best introduces them?
Flexible work schedules can offer practical benefits to employees.
Commuting methods have changed throughout history.
Caregiving is the only reason employees request schedule changes.
Every employee should follow exactly the same daily schedule.
13. A paragraph explains how to prepare a presentation. Which sentence order is most logical? 1. Rehearse the completed presentation aloud. 2. Research the subject and collect reliable information. 3. Arrange the main points in a clear outline. 4. Create slides or notes from the outline.
2, 3, 4, 1
3, 2, 1, 4
2, 4, 3, 1
1, 2, 4, 3
14. Consider: “Maya discussed the proposal with Elena after she revised the budget.” Which revision most clearly shows that Maya revised the budget?
Maya and Elena discussed the proposal after she revised the budget.
Maya discussed it with Elena after the budget revision.
After she revised it, Maya discussed the proposal with Elena.
After Maya revised the budget, she discussed the proposal with Elena.
15. A draft first explains why a wetland matters to local wildlife, then shifts to detailed directions for reaching the wetland. What is the best structural revision?
Remove all details about the wildlife.
Begin a new paragraph when the focus shifts to travel directions.
Join the two subjects with several additional transition words.
Place the travel directions before the wildlife explanation in the same paragraph.
16. A paragraph describes a room from the doorway to the far wall. Which sequence best follows that spatial pattern?
Far-wall window, doorway rug, center table, left-hand shelves
Center table, far-wall window, doorway rug, left-hand shelves
Doorway rug, left-hand shelves, center table, far-wall window
Left-hand shelves, far-wall window, doorway rug, center table