Writing Organization Practice Problems: Pre-GED Language Arts, Writing

The study guide for this practice quiz can be found at:

Writing Organization Study Guide: Pre-GED Language Arts, Writing

Read the short essay, and then choose the best answer for each question. Answers and explanations follow the quiz.

(A)

(1) There are more people looking for jobs than there were in the past, so it's important for applicants to find a way to stand out. (2) The key to getting noticed in the current job market is to create an exceptional résumé. (3) Finding a job in today's economy can be difficult.

(B)

(4) There are three steps to writing a great resume. (5) Find out what kind of experience is required by the job you're applying for. (6) I know lots of people who just send out resumes anywhere, without checking to see if they're right for the job. (7) Second, make a list of everything you've done that proves you have that kind of experience. (8) Formatting is also important.

(C)

(9) If you don't use proper formatting, employers will assume that you don't have enough professional experience to do the job. (10) However, use a writing guide to see how résumés are usually formatted.

1. Which of the following best describes paragraph (A)?
   1. introduction
   2. transition
   3. topic sentence
   4. main idea
   5. conclusion
2. Which of the following is the topic sentence of paragraph (B)?
   1. sentence (4)
   2. sentence (5)
   3. sentence (6)
   4. sentence (7)
   5. sentence (8)
3. Sentence (8): Formatting is also important.

Which of the following best describes this sentence?

1. topic sentence
2. transition
3. introduction
4. conclusion
5. cause and effect
4. Sentence (1): There are more people looking for jobs than there were in the past, so it's important for applicants to find a way to stand out.

Which of the following types of transitions is the word so in this sentence?

1. comparison and contrast
2. cause and effect
3. time sequence
4. showing addition
5. summarizing ideas
5. Which of the following sentences introduces the subject of the essay?
   1. sentence (1)
   2. sentence (2)
   3. sentence (5)
   4. sentence (8)
   5. sentence (10)
6. Sentence (3): Finding a job in today's economy can be difficult.

Which of the following would be the best improvement for sentence(3)?

1. Switch sentence (3) with sentence (2).
2. Add Furthermore, to the beginning of sentence (3).
3. Add , however to the end of sentence (3).
4. Move sentence (3) to the beginning of the paragraph.
5. Delete sentence (3).
7. Sentence (5): Find out what kind of experience is required by the job you're applying for.

Which of the following would be the best improvement for sentence (5)?

1. Move sentence (5) to the beginning of the paragraph.
2. Add First, to the beginning of sentence (5).
3. Add Next, to the beginning of sentence (5).
4. Switch sentence (5) with sentence (6).
5. Delete sentence (5).
8. Which of the following sentences could be deleted to make the essay clearer?
   1. sentence (1)
   2. sentence (3)
   3. sentence (6)
   4. sentence (8)
   5. sentence (10)
9. Which sentence would be the best addition at the end of paragraph (B)?
   1. People often give too much information.
   2. Call the employer to make sure you are doing what he or she wants.
   3. Then write down the address of the employer.
   4. Font is important, too.
   5. Finally, put your experiences in order from most relevant to least relevant.
10. Sentence (10): However, use a writing guide to see how résumés are usually formatted.

Which of the following would be the best improvement for sentence (10)?

1. Move sentence (10) to the beginning of the essay.
2. Switch sentence (10) with sentence (8).
3. Add In addition, to the beginning of the sentence.
4. Add nevertheless to the end of the sentence.
5. Delete However from the sentence.