Paragraph Development Practice Exercises 2

Paragraph Development Practice Exercises

The study guide for these practice exercises can be found at:

Practice Set 1

For each of the following groups of three to four numbered sentences, choose the sentence order that would result in the best paragraph.

(1) Figures have the power to mislead people. (2) Mathematics tells us about economic trends, patterns of disease, and the growth of populations. (3) Math is good at exposing the truth, but it can also perpetuate misunderstandings and untruths.

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 2, 3, 1
3. 3, 1, 2
4. 3, 2, 1

(1) The reason for so many injuries and fatalities is that a vehicle can generate heat of up to 1,500°F. (2) Firefighters know that the dangers of motor-vehicle fires are too often overlooked. (3) In the United States, 1 out of 5 fires involves motor vehicles, resulting each year in 600 deaths, 2,600 civilian injuries, and 1,200 injuries to firefighters.

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 1, 3, 2
3. 2, 3, 1
4. 3, 2, 1

(1) There is no harm in putting a special treat in your child's lunchbox from time to time. (2) Usually, healthy snacks are defined as foods with low sugar and fat content. (3) Some examples include carrot and celery sticks, granola bars, yogurt drinks, and string cheese. (4) However, in general, it is a much better idea to provide healthy snacks.

1. 2, 4, 1, 3
2. 1, 4, 2, 3
3. 1, 2, 3, 4
4. 3, 1, 2, 4

(1) Additionally, once a year, the association hosts a block party with food, music, and games. (2) The association organizes neighborhood watch teams and liaises with the police department on issues of crime and safety. (3) The main goal of the neighborhood association is to help make the community a safer place.

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 3, 2, 1
3. 2, 3, 1
4. 3, 1, 2

(1) Leaving us behind in a bitter cloud of exhaust, the bus would cough and jolt down the narrow main street of Crossland. (2) Then, even before the bus got moving, she'd look away, ahead toward her real life. (3) But I could always imagine the way it would be once it got out on the open highway, gathered speed, and took Grandma back to a life as exotic to me as the deserts of Egypt. (4) When Grandma's visit was over, we'd take her down to the Greyhound station, watch her hand her ticket to the uniformed driver, disappear inside, and reappear to wave goodbye—her expression obscured by the bus's grimy window.

1. 4, 2, 1, 3
2. 4, 1, 3, 2
3. 1, 3, 4, 2
4. 1, 2, 3, 4

(1) The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens freedom from double jeopardy in criminal proceedings. (2) It also means a person cannot be tried for a crime for which he has already been convicted; that is to say, a person convicted by a state court cannot be tried for the same offense in, for example, federal court. (3) Finally, a person cannot be punished more than once for the same crime. (4) This means that a person cannot be tried for a crime for which he has already been acquitted.

1. 1, 4, 2, 3
2. 1, 2, 4, 3
3. 3, 2, 1, 4
4. 3, 4, 2, 1

(1) If these new policies are any indication, employees will have much less freedom than they did before. (2) The handbook also states that employees must give at least three weeks notice before taking a personal day. (3) The new employee handbook states that anyone who is out sick for more than three days must provide a doctor's note.

1. 2, 3, 1
2. 3, 1, 2
3. 3, 2, 1
4. 1, 3, 2

(1) Every spring the softball field became his favorite destination; he had taken his son, Arnie, there when he was small to teach him how to pitch. (2) He walked home, as usual, through the park and, as usual, passed by the softball field. (3) This memory made him feel sad and guilty. (4) Arnie hadn't been in the least interested in softball, and so after two or three lessons, he had given up the idea.

1. 2, 1, 4, 3
2. 3, 2, 1, 4
3. 4, 3, 1, 2
4. 2, 3, 4, 1

(1) If there are expenses incurred, complete report form 103; if there was damage to equipment, complete form 107. (2) If form 107 and form 103 are required, complete form 122 also. (3) Log on to the computer and go to the directory that contains the report forms. (4) As an employee, you must complete all paperwork.

1. 3, 2, 1, 4
2. 1, 3, 4, 2
3. 2, 1, 4, 3
4. 4, 3, 1, 2

(1) In some areas, the salt is combined with calcium chloride, which is more effective in below-zero temperatures and which melts ice better. (2) After a snow or icefall, city streets are treated with ordinary rock salt. (3) This combination of salt and calcium chloride is also less damaging to foliage along the roadways.

1. 2, 1, 3
2. 1, 3, 2
3. 3, 2, 1
4. 2, 3, 1

(1) Yet the human brain is the most mysterious and complex object on Earth. (2) It has created poetry and music, planned and executed horrific wars, and devised intricate scientific theories. (3) It thinks and dreams, plots and schemes, and easily holds more information than all the libraries on Earth. (4) It weighs less than three pounds and is hardly more interesting to look at than an overly ripe cauliflower.

1. 1, 3, 4, 2
2. 2, 1, 4, 3
3. 3, 1, 2, 4
4. 4, 1, 2, 3

(1) Internal combustion engines traditionally required a carburetor to function correctly. (2) The carburetor was a small chamber where the gasoline vapors mixed with air. (3) Nowadays, however, fuel injection has made the carburetor obsolete. (4) Gasoline requires oxygen to burn, and without this mixture, the engine could not run.

1. 4, 3, 2, 1
2. 2, 4, 3, 1
3. 1, 2, 4, 3
4. 3, 2, 1, 4

(1) They are easy to plant and delightful to look at. (2) Irises, also called flags, are a colorful flower that grows in moist soil. (3) They are common all over the United States, and make a wonderful choice for any yard.

1. 3, 1, 2
2. 2, 3, 1
3. 2, 1, 3
4. 1, 3, 2

(1) My friend Paul is an excellent example of reliability. (2) He always keeps his word, even when it becomes inconvenient or costly to him. (3) This is the secret of being reliable: do what you say you'll do, no matter what.

1. 1, 2, 3
2. 2, 1, 3
3. 2, 3, 1
4. 3, 1, 2

Practice Set 2

Answer questions 15–17 on the basis of the following paragraph.

(1) Greyhound racing is the sixth most popular spectator sport in the United States. (2) Over the last decade, a growing number of racers have been adopted to live out retirement as household pets, once there racing career is over.

(3) Many people hesitate to adopt a retired racing greyhound because they think only very old dogs are available. (4) People also worry that the greyhound will be more nervous and active than other breeds and will need a large space to run. (5) _____. (6) In fact, racing greyhounds are put up for adoption at a young age; even champion racers, who have the longest careers, only work until they are about three-and-a-half years old. (7) Since greyhounds usually live to be 12–15 years old, their retirement is much longer than their racing careers. (8) Far from being nervous dogs, greyhounds have naturally sweet, mild dispositions, and, while they love to run, they are sprinters rather than distance runners and are sufficiently exercised with a few laps around a fenced-in backyard everyday.

(9) Greyhounds do not make good watchdogs, but they are very good with children, get along well with other dogs (and usually cats as well), and are very affectionate and loyal. (10) A retired racing greyhound is a wonderful pet for almost anyone.

Which sentence, if inserted in the blank space labeled Part 5, would best help to focus the writer's argument in the second paragraph?
1. Even so, greyhounds are placid dogs.
2. These worries are based on false impressions and are easily dispelled.
3. Retired greyhounds do not need race tracks to keep in shape.
4. However, retired greyhounds are too old to need much exercise.
Which of the following changes is needed in the first paragraph?
1. Part 1: Change growing to increasing.
2. Part 2: Change there to their.
3. Part 1: Change is to was.
4. Part 2: Change have been adopted to have adopted.
Which of the following sentences, if added between Parts 9 and 10 of the third paragraph, would be most consistent with the writer's purpose, tone, and intended audience?
1. Former racing dogs make up approximately 0.36% of all dogs owned as domestic pets in the United States.
2. Despite the fact that greyhounds make excellent domestic pets, there is still a large number of former racers who have not been adopted.
3. Good-natured and tolerant dogs, greyhounds speedily settle into any household, large or small; they are equally at ease in an apartment or a private home.
4. It is imperative that people overcome the common myths they harbor about greyhounds that are preventing them from adopting these gentle dogs.

Answer questions 18–20 on the basis of the following paragraph.

(1) Following an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response, the school administration has decided to expand the Community Mural Painting Program—now a part of two high school curriculums—to the middle school level. (2) The program was piloted in the school district last year and it was a successful initiative for students and for the community.

(3) Money to fund the program came from a national grant designed to promote community involvement as well as art appreciation among teenagers. (4) A committee that consists of art teachers, social studies teachers, and school social workers oversees the program.

(5) Studies have shown that young people who have been exposed to similar programs are much less prone to apathy. (6) The same studies state that these programs promote a sense of purpose that serves young people well both inside and outside the academic setting. (7) When the students were interviewed by the program committee. (8) In addition, the community attitude toward teenagers is improved also.

(9) It is projected that this year more than 150 students will be involved and that more than 20 murals will be painted.

Which sentence in the third paragraph is a nonstandard sentence?
1. Part 5
2. Part 6
3. Part 7
4. Part 8
Which of the following changes should be made to Part 8 of the passage?
1. Remove the word also.
2. Change community to communities.
3. Change teenagers to teenagers'.
4. Change toward to according to.
Which of the following sentences, if inserted after Part 2 of the passage, would best develop the ideas in the first paragraph?
1. The program could benefit other districts as well.
2. One particularly beautiful mural was painted on a playground wall on the east side of town.
3. Fifty high school students were involved and they spent five weeks painting ten murals throughout the community in locations that were in great need of some attention.
4. The school district is interested in trying other pilot programs in addition to the Mural Painting Program.

Answer questions 21 and 22 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) Yesterday I was exposed to what was called, in a recent newspaper ad for Dilly's Deli, "a dining experience like no other." (2) I decided on the hamburger steak special, the other specials were liver and onions and tuna casserole. (3) Each special is offered with two side dishes, but there was no potato salad left, and the green beans were cooked nearly beyond recognition. (4) I chose the gelatin of the day and what turned out to be the blandest coleslaw I have ever eaten.

(5) At Dilly's you sit at one of the four long tables. (6) The couple sitting across from me was having an argument. (7) The truck driver sitting next to me told me more than I wanted to know about highway taxes. (8) After tasting each of the dishes on my plate, it was time to leave; at that moment, one of the people working behind the counter yelled at me to clean up after myself. (9) Throwing away that plate of food was the most enjoyable part of dining at Dilly's.

Which of the following changes should be made to Part 2 of the first paragraph?
1. Replace were with are.
2. Replace the comma with a dash.
3. Replace I decided with Deciding.
4. Replace the comma with a semicolon.
Which of the following words or phrases should replace the underlined words in Part 8 of the second paragraph?
1. Having tasted
2. After I tasted
3. Tasting
4. After having tasted

Practice Set 3

Answer questions 23–25 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) Although eating right is an important part of good health, most experts agree that being physically active is also a key element in living a longer and healthier life. (2) The benefits of physical activity include improved self-esteem, a lowered risk of heart disease and colon cancer, stronger bones, muscles, and joints, and enhanced flexibility. (3) Physical activity, in addition to its many other rewards will also help manage weight gain.

(4) One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase physical activity are walking; walking requires no special equipment, no particular location, and it can be easily incorporated into even the busiest lives. (5) Add ten minutes or ten blocks to your usual dog-walking routine. (6) Park several blocks away from your destination and walk briskly the rest of the way. (7) Walk up or down the soccer or softball field while watching your kids play. (8) Find a walking buddy who will take a long walk with you once or twice a week. (9) You'll be less likely to skip the walk, if someone is counting on you to be there.

(10) _______________. (11) Before long, it will become a normal part of your daily routine and you'll hardly notice the extra effort. (12) In addition, the increased energy and overall sense of well-being you'll experience will inspire you to walk even more.

Which of the following revisions is necessary in Part 4 of the above passage?
1. One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase physical activity are walking; walking requires no special equipment, no particular location and it can be easily incorporated into even the busiest lives.
2. One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase physical activity is walking; walking requires no special equipment, no particular location, and it can be easily incorporated into even the busiest lives.
3. One of the simplest and most effective ways to enhance physical activity are walking; walking requires no special equipment, no particular location, and it can be easily incorporated into even the busiest lives.
4. One of the simplest and most effective ways to increase physical activity are walking; only walking requires no special equipment, no particular location, and it can be easily incorporated into even the busiest lives.
Which of the following sentences, if inserted in the blank line numbered Part 10, would be most consistent with the development and grammar of the paragraph?
1. People will benefit from putting on their walking shoes and pounding the pavement.
2. So jog, bicycle, and walk as much as you can.
3. While people will benefit from increased physical activity, it cannot replace the necessity of eating right.
4. So put on your walking shoes and start pounding the pavement.
Which of the following changes is needed in the passage?
1. Part 3: Insert comma after rewards.
2. Part 1: Replace most with more.
3. Part 5: Insert a comma after minutes.
4. Part 2: Insert a colon after activity.

Answer questions 26 and 27 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) Police officers must read suspects their Miranda rights upon taking them into custody. (2) When a suspect who is merely being questioned incriminates himself, he might later claim to have been in custody and seek to have the case dismissed on the grounds of not having been appraised of his Miranda rights. (3) In such cases, a judge must make a determination as to whether or not a reasonable person would have believed himself to have been in custody, based on certain criteria. (4) Officers must be aware of these criteria and take care not to give suspects grounds for later claiming they believed themselves to be in custody. (5) The judge must ascertain whether the suspect was questioned in a threatening manner (threatening could mean that the suspect was seated while both officers remained standing) and whether the suspect was aware that he or she was free to leave at any time.

Which of the underlined words in the paragraph should be replaced by a more appropriate, accurate word?
1. incriminates
2. appraised
3. criteria
4. ascertain
Which of the following changes would make the sequence of ideas in the paragraph clearer?
1. Place Part 5 after Part 1.
2. Reverse Parts 3 and 5.
3. Reverse the order of Parts 4 and 5.
4. Delete Part 2.

Answer questions 28 and 29 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) Snowboarding, often described as a snow sport that combines skateboarding and surfing, is an increasingly common winter sport throughout the world. (2) Snowboarding involves strapping a board to one's feet and sliding down snow-covered mountains. (3) In addition to the snowboard, a snowboarder's equipment consists of special boots that attach to the board.

(4) Some find snowboarding more difficult to learn than skiing however, others consider it easier, requiring the mastery of one board as opposed to two skis and two poles. (5) All agree though, that once the sport is mastered, it is exciting, stimulating, and fun. (6) Those who excel in the sport may even find himself bound for the Olympics since snowboarding became medal-eligible in 1998.

Which of the following parts of the passage is a nonstandard sentence?
1. Part 1
2. Part 3
3. Part 4
4. Part 6
Which of the following changes is needed in the passage?
1. Part 1: Change combines to combine.
2. Part 2: Change snow-covered to snow covered.
3. Part 5: Change agree to agreed.
4. Part 6: Change himself to themselves.

Answer questions 30 and 31 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States, and many Americans consider him to have been the greatest leader that the nation has yet produced. (2) He led the Nation through its most dangerous and tumultuous period, when the country was divided in two by the Civil War. (3) He also ended slavery in the United States, which no other leader had been able to accomplish.

(4) Lincoln was also a great orator, and gave many great speeches during his time in office. (5) Those speeches served to strengthen his position as a leader by motivating the American people to hold the nation together. (6) Lincoln is also honored on U.S. currency.

(7) Perhaps the most convincing proof of his greatness is the fact that Lincoln accomplished all this in only one term as president. (8) Abe Lincoln was assassinated shortly after being elected to his second term; one wonders what he might have accomplished had his life not been cut short.

Which of the following numbered parts is least relevant to the main idea of these paragraphs?
1. Part 1
2. Part 6
3. Part 7
4. Part 8
Which of the following changes is needed in the passage?
1. Part 1: Place a comma after Lincoln.
2. Part 3: Remove the comma after States.
3. Part 2: Use a lowercase n for the word Nation.
4. Part 4: Capitalize orator.

Answer questions 32–33 on the basis of the following passage.

(1) There are two types of diabetes, insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent. (2) Between 90 and 95% of the estimated 13 to 14 million people in the United States with diabetes have non-insulin-dependent, or Type II, diabetes. (3) Because this form of diabetes originally appeared in adults over the age of 40 and was most common after the age of 55, it used to be called adult-onset diabetes. This name is no longer appropriate, however, as an increasing number of young people—children included—are being diagnosed with the non-insulin-dependent form. (4) Nearly half of all people with diabetes do not know they have it, _____ its symptoms often develop gradually and are hard to identify at first. (5) _____ , someone who has developed Type II diabetes may feel more tired or ill without knowing why. (6) This can be particularly dangerous because untreated diabetes can cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. (7) While the causes, short-term effects, and treatments of the two types of diabetes differ, both types can cause the same long-term health problems.

Which of the following parts of the paragraph contains a nonstandard comparison?
1. Part 7
2. Part 5
3. Part 3
4. Part 2
Which sequence of words, if inserted in order into the blanks in the paragraph, help the reader understand the sequence and logic of the writer's ideas?
1. since … For example
2. while … Next
3. moreover … Eventually
4. because … Thus

Answers

d. This is the correct order of the events described in the paragraph.
c. Sentence 2 gives an overview of what the paragraph is about. Sentence 3 gives specific reasons why Sentence 2 is correct. Sentence 1 gives the reason why Sentence 3 is correct.
b. Sentence 1 provides a statement about adding a treat to a child's lunchbox periodically and gives no indication, by its tone or its wording, that it is based upon any other sentence. Sentence 4 tells us that in spite of the truth in that statement, it is best, as a general rule, to provide healthy snacks and it uses the word however, which indicates that it is responding to another idea which we've already heard. Sentence 2 with the word usually, gives a definition of what is considered a healthy snack. Sentence 3 goes on to provide specific examples of healthy snacks.
b. Sentence 3 is the topic sentence and states the main goal of the neighborhood association. Sentence 2 goes on to cite specific tasks that help the association achieve that goal. Sentence 1, with the word Additionally, tells us that there is one more thing the association does, even though it is a less frequent and less primary responsibility.
a. In this choice, the order is chronological. In Sentence 4, they take Grandma to the Greyhound station. In Sentence 2, the bus has not yet moved away from the station. In Sentence 1, the bus jolts away but is still in town. In Sentence 3, the bus (at least in the narrator's mind) is out on the open highway.
a. Sentence 1 is the topic sentence. Sentence 4 defines the term double jeopardy used in Sentence 1; Sentence 2 gives another definition, signaled by also; Sentence 3 begins with the word Finally and gives the last definition.
c. Sentence 3 is clearly the lead sentence as it tells us something about the new employee handbook and is in no way based on information provided in the other two sentences. Sentence 2 uses the word also to indicate that it is telling us something else about the handbook, something that adds to a fact we've already been told. Sentence 1, which is making a generalization about the new policies, is based on information we already know from Sentences 3 and 2. Because of this, it can only follow these sentences and not precede them.
a. Sentence 2 sets the stage—this is a memory. After that, the order is chronological: In Sentence 1, the man tries to teach his son how to pitch. In Sentence 4, he wasn't interested, so he gave up. Sentence 3 logically follows—the memory of giving up makes him feel sad and guilty.
d. Sentence 4 sets the reader up to expect a discussion of a procedure. Sentence 3 tells how you can find the right report forms. Sentence 1 leads logically into Sentence 2.
a. Sentence 2 is the topic sentence. Sentence 1 provides reasons for the procedure described in the topic sentence. Sentence 3 gives further definition as a conclusion.
d. The word Yet at the beginning of Sentence 1 is a clue that this is not the beginning sentence. Sentences 4 and 1 are the only ones that logically follow each other, so the other choices can be ruled out.
c. Sentence 1 introduces the topic of carburetors. Sentence 2 defines what a carburetor is, while Sentence 4 explains its importance. Sentence 3 provides a conclusion to the paragraph.
b. Sentence 2 is the topic sentence, introducing the subject. Sentence 3 expands the topic, and Sentence 1 concludes with a general observation on the use of irises.
a. Sentence 1 introduces the topic, while Sentence 2 develops it. Sentence 3 draws a conclusion from the first two sentences.
b. Paragraph 2 contradicts the misconceptions potential adopters of racing greyhounds might have about the breed. Choice b states that certain popular beliefs about greyhounds are erroneous and acts as a transition to the facts that follow in the paragraph. Choice a does not focus on contradicting the misinformation; also, the phrase even so appears to agree with the misconceptions rather than contradict them. Choice c does not focus on the argument; instead, it repeats information given in the previous sentence. Choice d, rather than supporting the main purpose of the paragraph—which is to dispel myths about racing greyhounds—actually contradicts information in Parts 6 and 7.
b. The possessive pronoun their is correct.
c. This choice is the best because it retains the writer's informal, reassuring tone and because the information in it furthers the purpose of this paragraph—i.e., the suitability of greyhounds as household pets. This response also is clearly directed at a general audience of householders. Choice a is incorrect because the information does not keep with the topic of the paragraph; also, the tone set by the inclusion of a precise statistic is too formal. Choice b retains the informal tone of the selection but it provides information already given in the first paragraph and not suitable to the purpose of this paragraph. The tone in choice d is argumentative, which defeats the author's purpose of trying to reassure the reader.
c. This question tests the ability to recognize a sentence fragment. Although choice c does include a subject and a verb, it is a dependent clause because it begins with the adverb when. Choices a, b, and d are all standard sentences.
a. This question assesses the ability to recognize redundancy in a sentence. Choice a removes the redundancy of Part 8 by taking out the word also, which repeats the meaning of the introductory phrase in addition to. Choices b and c involve changing singular nouns to plural and plural possessive nouns, which is not necessary and would make the sentence grammatically incorrect. Choice d would change the meaning of the sentence incorrectly. The attitude of the community toward young people is being reported, not what young people have reported about the community attitude.
c. Choice c provides a fact that supports and expands upon the information given in the previous sentences. The first two sentences tell us about the program's success and the plans for expanding it. The third sentence builds upon these ideas by providing detailed information about the results of the program and who was involved. Choice a changes the subject of this paragraph. This paragraph is about the program in a specific school district and choice a makes a comment about other school districts, which may be true, but which is not related to the topic of this particular paragraph. Choice b adds a detail about the program but it is a single detail as opposed to a conclusive, summarizing sentence that gives us a clear idea of the program specifics. Choice d, which mentions the possibility of other pilot programs, again, changes the subject and veers away from the main topic of this paragraph which is the Mural PaintingProgram within this particular school district.
d. This question tests the ability to recognize standard sentence structure. Part 2 is an incorrectly punctuated compound sentence—a comma splice. Choice d correctly joins the two simple sentences into a compound one by using a semicolon in place of the comma. Choice a creates an error in subject-verb agreement. Choice b is incorrect because a dash cannot join two simple sentences into a compound one. Choice c turns the first phrase of the sentence, Deciding on the hamburger steak special, into a dangling modifier.
b. This question assesses the ability to recognize the correct use of modifiers. The phrase After tasting each of the dishes on my plate is a dangling modifier; the sentence does not have a subject pronoun this phrase could modify. Choice b is correct because it supplies the missing subject pronoun I. Choices a, c, and d are incorrect because they let the modification error stand; none of them provide a subject pronoun the phrase could modify.
b. This question assesses the ability to recognize the correct agreement of subject and verb. Choice b is correct because it uses the third-person singular of the verb to be, is, which agrees in number and in person with the subject one. Choice a is wrong because it does not correct the subject-verb agreement problem; instead, it removes an optional comma between location and and. Choice c is incorrect because it does not correct the agreement error, instead, it makes an unnecessary change in vocabulary from increase to enhance. Choice d is incorrect because it does not correct the agreement problem; instead, it creates an error by misplacing the modifier only directly after the semicolon.
d. This question tests the ability to recognize the logical connection of ideas in a paragraph and to recognize grammatical consistency. Choice d gives a general piece of advice (start walking), which is followed by two sentences that point to things that will result from following this advice. Choice a is incorrect because although it does give a general piece of advice that would make sense at the beginning of this paragraph, it contains an error in the pronoun/antecedent agreement (using the pronoun people, which disagrees in person with the anteced-ent you). Choice b is incorrect because it includes other forms of physical activity (jogging, bicycling) that are off the topic (walking) and are irrelevant to the development and order of ideas in the passage. Choice c is incorrect because it contains the same pronoun/antecedent agreement problem as choice a, and the sentence does not respect the order of ideas in the paragraph; it returns, in the third paragraph of the passage, to information and ideas that are more appropriate to the first paragraph.
a. Choice a is correct because a comma after the word rewards in Part 3 closes off the parenthetical phrase between the subject, physical activity, and the predicate, will. Choice b is incorrect because it introduces an incomplete comparison into Part 1. Choice c is incorrect because it adds an unnecessary comma into Part 5. Choice d is incorrect because it adds a misplaced colon to Part 2.
b. The word appraised, meaning judged, does not make sense in the context; the correct word for the context is apprised, meaning informed. Choices a, c, and d are all incorrect because the words incriminate, criteria, and ascertain are all used correctly in context.
c. The information in Part 5 continues the description of what judges must ascertain about such cases, which began in Part 3. Skipping next to the responsibilities of officers and back to judges, as happens in the passage as it stands, is confusing. Choices a and b are incorrect because they introduce examples before the passage states what the examples are supposed to show. Choice d is incorrect because deleting Part 2 removes the statement from which all the paragraph's examples and information follow. c. The information in Part 5 continues the description of what judges must ascertain about such cases, which began in Part 3. Skipping next to the responsibilities of officers and back to judges, as happens in the passage as it stands, is confusing. Choices a and b are incorrect because they introduce examples before the passage states what the examples are supposed to show. Choice d is incorrect because deleting Part 2 removes the statement from which all the paragraph's examples and information follow.
c. Part 4 contains a run-on sentence; the conjunction however requires the use of either a colon or semicolon before it in order to link two sentences. The other choices are incorrect because the parts they indicate contain standard sentences.
d. This choice provides the plural reflexive pronoun themselves, which agrees in number and person with the subject, Those. Choice a is incorrect because it provides the verb combine which does not agree in person or in number with the subject, snow-boarding. Choice b is incorrect because it removes a hyphen necessary to the creation of compound adjectives. Choice c is incorrect because it changes the verb to the past tense, which does not agree with the present tense used throughout the paragraph.
b. The topic of the passage is Abraham Lincoln's effectiveness as a leader. The fact that his picture is on U.S. currency is irrelevant.
c. The word nation is not being used as a proper noun and does not need to be capitalized. The other choices do not need to be changed; they are grammatically correct as is.
b. Part 5 contains the comparative form more, but the sentence only includes one side of the comparison. The phrase someone … may feel more tired is an incomplete comparison because it does not state what people feel more tired than. Choices a, c, and d are incorrect because these parts do not contain incomplete or faulty comparisons.
a. This question requires the ability to infer the logical relationships between ideas in a sequence. In this case, relationships are, first, between stated fact and the conclusion or hypothesis drawn from the fact (since); and, second, between the hypothesis and a particular illustration supporting the hypothesis (For example).

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Paragraph Development Practice Exercises 2