Writing for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Practice Problems

The study guides for this quiz can be found at:

• Writing Skills and Knowledge for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Important Writing Vocabulary for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Parts of a Sentence and Speech for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Grammar for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Punctuation for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Word Usage for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Spelling for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide
• Application of Writing Skills and Knowledge for Praxis II ParaPro Test Prep Study Guide

Directions: Questions 1–8 each include a sentence with four parts underlined. One of the four underlined parts will contain an error in grammar, punctuation, or word usage. Each sentence will have exactly one error. Select the letter of the answer choice that corresponds to that error.

Directions: Answer questions 9–30 by selecting the answer choice that best answers the given question or completes the statement.

9. After a three-year renovation in the late twentieth century, the six-degree tilt of the Leaning Tower of Pisa was reduced by about half a degree.

The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of

1. an adverb.
2. an adjective.
3. a preposition.
4. a verb.
10. Even though he is restricted to a wheelchair and must paint with a brush strapped on his wrist, Chuck Close still creates incredibly realistic images.

What is the subject of the sentence shown above?

1. wheelchair
2. brush
3. Chuck Close
4. realistic images
11. He was born in Connecticut, but George W. Bush moved with his family to Texas when he was only two years old.

The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of

1. a verb.
2. a noun.
3. a preposition.
4. an adjective.
12. Though they were arrested for the act, four bungee jumpers from the Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club inspired a generation of bungee jumpers with their 1979 jump from a 245-foot tall bridge.

What is the subject of the sentence shown above?

1. act
2. four bungee jumpers
3. Oxford University Dangerous Sports Club
4. 245-foot tall bridge
13. Many residents of Washington, D.C. have complained that they do not receive adequate government representation because they do not have a senator in the U.S. senate or any voting member of congress.

The underlined word in the sentence above is an example of

1. a pronoun.
2. a noun.
3. a preposition.
4. an adjective.
14. The inventor of bifocals, the lightning rod, and the Franklin stove, Benjamin Franklin was one of the most creative thinkers in American history.

The simple predicate of the sentence above is

1. invent.
2. was.
3. thinker.
4. history.
15. Which of the following words is NOT spelled properly?
    1. changeable
    2. confiding
    3. detered
    4. injuries
16. Which of the following words is NOT spelled properly?
    1. acceptence
    2. enduring
    3. retrieve
    4. revolution
17. Which of the following words is NOT spelled properly?
    1. conceive
    2. deleted
    3. independant
    4. unmoving
18. Which of the following words is NOT spelled properly?
    1. antique
    2. global
    3. hibernate
    4. lumpyer

Answer questions 19–20 based on the following essay, written by a fifth-grade student named Gene.

Oscar the dog was unlike any other dog, in the world; Oscar had the ability to talk. When he was just a puppy he could understand everything that his owner, Mr. Thomas was saying. A few years after that the dog was able to talk back with Mr. Thomas. Once his owner knew about the dog's abilities he put him to work for the U.S. government as a secret spy.

19. On which aspect of Gene's writing should the teacher spend the most time working with him?
    1. semicolon usage
    2. verb tense agreement
    3. noun-pronoun agreement
    4. comma usage
20. One of the students in Gene's class said that she did not know who him referred to in the last sentence of the story. How could Gene change him to make sure that the meaning of the sentence is understood by his readers?
    1. it
    2. Oscar
    3. he
    4. Mr. Thomas

Answer questions 21–23 based on an outline that a student is working on.

Pete wants to write an essay about the career of his favorite professional baseball player. Before he can begin drafting his essay, he puts the notes from brainstorming into the following outline.

Life of My Favorite Professional Baseball Player

1. Early Life
   1. Family Life
      1. Grandfather played baseball
      2. Father taught him to play
      3. Brother drove him to games
   2. Little League
      1. Learned to pitch
      2. Inspired by coach
      3. Became star of his team
2. __________
   1. High School
      1. Moved to shortstop
      2. Became friends with other star
   2. College
      1. Chose college over pros
      2. Won college tournament
      3. Got math degree
3. Professional Career
   1. Drafted by big leagues out of college
   2. First season in rookie league very hard
   3. Hit 30 home runs in minor leagues
   1. Breaking into major leagues
      1. __________
      2. MVP during one season
      3. Won World Series
   2. Final Years and Retirement
      1. Played for 19 seasons
      2. Last at bat a home run
      3. Election to Hall of Fame

21. Pete needs a heading for section II of his outline. Which heading would fit the content best?
    1. Middle School
    2. Won Batting Title Sophomore Year
    3. Sports during Academics
    4. Signed $8 Million Contract
22. One part of section III is left blank. What information about the baseball player could Pete put in that blank part?
    1. Had to take out loans to pay for college
    2. Earned Rookie of the Year Award in first professional season
    3. Coaches his daughters after retirement
    4. Broke his leg when he was 11
23. Once Pete finishes his outline, he wants to begin drafting his essay. Which introductory sentence should he write to sum up the details of his outline?
    1. My favorite baseball player has had a long and successful career.
    2. It isn't fair that baseball players make more money than teachers or doctors.
    3. It takes a lot of practice and hard work to be a professional athlete.
    4. My favorite baseball player won the MVP award one year.

Answer questions 24–26 based on an essay written by a fourth-grade student named Yoshi.

How to Make a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
(1) Use whole wheat or multigrain bread it is much healthier than white bread. (2) Butter one side of two pieces of bread. (3) Put cheese on the other sides of the bread. (4) It will taste better if you use different kinds of cheese. (5) Put the bread with the buttered side down on a pan. (6) Put a cover on the pan. (7) Put the heat on low. (8) When the bottoms of the bread are light brown, put the pieces together. (9) Last but not least, cut the sandwich diagonally.
24. Yoshi needs help creating transitions to improve the meaning of his sentences.Which word could he use after the words "multigrain bread" in sentence 1 to improve the sentence's meaning?
    1. but
    2. and
    3. because
    4. although
25. Yoshi wants to combine sentences 6 and 7 into one new sentence. The new sentence must tell the same information in a way that is easy to understand.Which sentence best combines sentences 6 and 7?
    1. Cover the pan but put the heat on low.
    2. Put a cover on the pan because the heat is on low.
    3. A cover should be put on the pan and then the heat is low.
    4. Cover the pan and put the heat on low.
26. Yoshi wants to add a sentence at the beginning of his essay to tell the main idea. Which sentence would fit best at the beginning of his essay?
    1. Grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are the best sandwiches there are.
    2. To make a perfect grilled cheese requires following a few simple steps.
    3. Bread is full of carbohydrates, but it is healthy unless you eat too much of it.
    4. If you are hungry for lunch, there are many delicious snacks to make.

Answer questions 27–28 based on the different types of reading materials as explained below.

Students in a classroom are learning how different types of writing may have different purposes. The list below shows a sentence from four different reading materials in the classroom.

1. To make a model volcano, first you need to get vinegar, baking soda, and dishwasher soap.
2. The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms was Grover Cleveland.
3. The cool autumn winds blew strongly, kicking brown and yellow leaves into the air and down the street.
4. We must hire new police officers immediately to protect the safety of the children in our town.
27. Which sentence looks as if its purpose is to persuade the reader of something?
    1. sentence 1
    2. sentence 2
    3. sentence 3
    4. sentence 4
28. Which sentence seems to have been taken from a source whose purpose is to teach how to do something?
    1. sentence 1
    2. sentence 2
    3. sentence 3
    4. sentence 4
29. A student wants to write a sentence about the home of several rabbits. She is confused by how to show possession of a plural word (more than one rabbit). How should the student write the word?
    1. rabbit without an –s at the end
    2. rabbit with an –'s at the end
    3. rabbit with an –s' at the end
    4. rabbit with an –s's at the end
30. A student wants to learn which states share a border with Oregon. Which source would be the best place for the student to turn for an answer?
    1. an internet article about California
    2. a dictionary
    3. a news article from Oregon's biggest newspaper
    4. an atlas