Introductory Essay Writing Practice Test

Introductory Essay Writing Practice Test

This practice test consists of two parts. Part 1 contains 20 multiple-choice questions addressing several key components in this book. Part 2 asks you to write your own essay and evaluate it according to the criteria provided.

You can use the space on the pages following Part 2 to record your answers and write your essay. Or, if you prefer, simply circle the answers directly for Part 1.Obviously, if this book doesn't belong to you, use separate sheets of lined paper to write your responses.

Questions

Part 1

1. All essays should be about five or six paragraphs long.
   1. true
   2. false
2. The best place in an essay for the thesis statement is generally
   1. the first sentence in an essay.
   2. the last sentence in an essay.
   3. the end of the introduction.
   4. in the third paragraph.
3. A good introduction should do which of the following?
   1. grab the reader's attention
   2. state the thesis
   3. provide the main supporting ideas for the thesis
   4. both a and b
   5. all of the above
4. Your relationship with your readers has an effect on how you write your essay.
   1. true
   2. false
5. Which of the following best describes the problem with the following paragraph?

Sullivan studied 25 city playgrounds. He found several serious problems. The playgrounds were dirty. They were also overcrowded. They were also dangerous. Many parks had broken glass everywhere. Many parks also had broken equipment.

1. lack of variety in sentence structure
2. grammatical errors
3. lack of transitions
4. poor word choice
6. Which organizational strategy does the paragraph in question 5 use?
   1. compare and contrast
   2. chronology
   3. problem → solution
   4. order of importance
7. Read the following essay assignment carefully.

Some say "ignorance is bliss." Others claim that ignorance is a form of slavery and that only knowledge can set you free. With which view do you agree? Explain your answer.

Determine which sentence below best describes the kind of essay you should write.

1. Explain the difference between "ignorance" and "knowledge."
2. Explain which belief you concur with and why.
3. Explain how you think we can improve education.
4. Discuss the evils of slavery.
8. Which of the following organizational patterns applies to all essays?
   1. order of importance
   2. cause and effect
   3. assertion → support
   4. problem → solution
9. A thesis is best defined as
   1. the prompt for an essay.
   2. the main idea of an essay.
   3. an essay that is at least three pages long.
   4. the way a writer introduces an essay.
10. In the following paragraph, the first sentence is best described as which of the following?

More and more Americans are turning to alternative medicine. The ancient art of aromatherapy has gained a tremendous following, particularly on the West Coast. Acupuncture, the traditional Chinese art of "needle therapy," has doubled its number of active practitioners in the past decade. And holistic medicine—treating the whole body instead of just one part—is so popular that some HMOs now even pay for holistic care.

1. a transition sentence
2. a topic sentence
3. a supporting idea
4. a thesis
11. In the paragraph in question 10, the second sentence is best described as which of the following?
    1. a transition sentence
    2. a topic sentence
    3. a supporting idea
    4. a thesis
12. Which of the following should a conclusion NOT do?
    1. Bring in a new idea.
    2. Restate the thesis in fresh words.
    3. Provide a sense of closure.
    4. Focus on the reader's emotions.
13. Words and phrases like meanwhile, on the other hand, and for example are known as
    1. passive words.
    2. assertions.
    3. modifiers.
    4. transitions.
14. Which of the following strategies is particularly useful during an essay exam?
    1. brainstorming
    2. freewriting
    3. outlining
    4. journaling
15. Brainstorming typically takes place during which step in the writing process?
    1. planning
    2. drafting
    3. proofreading
    4. revising
16. Revising and proofreading are interchangeable terms.
    1. true
    2. false
17. Support for a thesis can come in which of the following forms?
    1. specific examples
    2. expert opinion
    3. anecdotes
    4. both a and b
    5. a, b, and c
18. Never use a one-sentence paragraph.
    1. true
    2. false
19. What is the main problem with the following sentence?

Newman lost the election because of the fact that the opponent whom he ran against had a lot more money for ads.

1. It's a run-on sentence.
2. It's not properly punctuated.
3. It's unnecessarily wordy.
4. It lacks parallel structure.
5. There is no problem with this sentence.
20. Which of the following strategies will make an essay more convincing?
    1. avoiding run-on sentences
    2. acknowledging counterarguments
    3. providing specific examples and details
    4. both b and c
    5. both a and c