Test Bank For Wordsmith: A Guide to Paragraphs and Short Essays Seventh Edition Pamela Arlov , Middle Georgia State College Prepared by Darcie Kinsella Portland Community College Susan Booth Larson Portland Community College Pamela Arlov Middle Georgia State College iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Tests Chapter 1 1 Chapter 2 4 Chapter 3 7 Chapter 4 10 Chapter 5 13 Chapter 6 16 Chapter 7 20 Chapter 8 24 Chapter 9 27 Chapter 10 30 Chapter 11 34 Chapter 12 37 Chapter 13 39 Chapter 14 41 Chapter 15 43 Chapter 16 47 Chapter 17 51 Chapter 18 54 Chapter 19 56 Chapter 20 58 Chapter 21 60 Chapter 22 64 iv Chapter 23 67 Chapter 24 70 Chapter 25 72 Chapter 26 75 Chapter 27 78 Chapter 28 80 Grammar Pretest 83 Grammar Posttest 90 Chapter Test Answer Key 98 Pretest Answer Key 118 Posttest Answer Key 119 1 Chapter 1, Test 1 The Writing Process 1. Put the following steps in the writing process in order: drafting, planning, proofreading, revising, prewriting 2. Which step is the “thinking” step? 3. Which step involves making major changes in content and organization? 4. Which step involves writing a topic sentence? 5. What is the meaning of the Latin root of the word “revise”? 6. Which step of the writing process involves correcting grammar and spelling? 7. Is the writing process sequential or repetitive? Explain. 8. What kind of help might you expect to get from a writing group? 9. What does it mean to have a “right-brained” or “holistic” thinking style? 10. Name one specific tip for “right-brained” writers. 2 Chapter 1, Test 2 The Writing Process 1. Which step in the writing process is the “thinking” step? a) planning b) proofreading c) prewriting d) revising 2. Which step in the writing process involves correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation? a) planning b) drafting c) proofreading d) revising 3. Which step in the writing process involves making major changes in content and organization? a) planning b) drafting c) proofreading d) revising 4. Which step in the writing process involves writing a topic sentence? a) planning b) drafting c) proofreading d) revising 5. The steps in the writing process go in the following order: a) prewriting, drafting, revising, planning, proofreading b) prewriting, planning, drafting, revising, proofreading c) planning, prewriting, drafting, proofreading, revising d) planning, prewriting, revising, drafting, proofreading 6. A writing group can help a writer with a) grammar and punctuation. 3 b) development of ideas. c) focusing on the requirements of the assignment. d) all of the above. 7. A writing group should be consulted a) before prewriting. b) immediately after prewriting. c) when the writer has completed a rough draft. d) when the final paper is complete. 8. “Revising” literally means a) repeating. b) writing again. c) writing correctly. d) seeing again. 9. “Right-brained” thinkers a) can’t use the writing process. b) focus on details. c) are poor writers. d) see the “big picture.” 10. Right-brained writers should a) follow the writing process exactly in order. b) write during their most creative times of day. c) write in a silent atmosphere. d) write by hand rather than on a computer. 4 Chapter 2, Test 1 Preparing to Write 1. What causes writer’s block? 2. How does prewriting protect a writer against writer’s block? 3. What is the main goal of prewriting? 4. What is brainstorming? 5. What is freewriting? 6. What is “invisible writing”? 7. What is clustering? 8. Which technique is designed to use both the right and left sides of the brain? 9. What is outlining? 10. What is the benefit of keeping a journal? 5 Chapter 2, Test 2 Preparing to Write 1. A writer should use prewriting to a) generate ideas. b) prevent writer’s block. c) sort out some thoughts on the topic. d) all of the above. 2. The goal of prewriting is to a) get as many ideas as possible on paper. b) select which ideas are good or useful. c) complete a solid rough draft. d) think about a topic before writing anything down. 3. Brainstorming involves a) making a list. b) drawing. c) using a computer. d) meeting with a group. 4. Freewriting involves writing a) with no punctuation. b) in a smooth, logical sequence. c) a numbered list of ideas. d) nonstop for a short period of time. 5. Invisible writing involves a) thinking or talking about your topic without writing. b) writing on a computer with the monitor turned off. c) talking rather than writing. d) writing in a journal. 6. Clustering involves a) putting ideas in circles connected by lines. b) making two lists: pros and cons. 6 c) creating lists of subtopics. d) sketching pictures of your ideas. 7. The prewriting method that involves both the right and left hemispheres of the brain is a) brainstorming. b) freewriting. c) invisible writing. d) clustering. 8. When prewriting, you should be most concerned with a) the quality of ideas. b) the quantity of ideas. c) organization. d) grammar and punctuation. 9. Outlining is helpful to a) practice Roman numerals. b) think of new ideas. c) organize your thoughts. d) describe your specific details. 10. Outlining is usually done a) before prewriting. b) during brainstorming, freewriting, or clustering. c) as the last step in prewriting. d) after the first draft. 7 Chapter 3, Test 1 Writing Paragraphs: Direction 1. If a paragraph has a strong topic sentence and the course of the paragraph stays true to that sentence, then the paragraph has ___________________________. 2. A topic sentence does two things. It tells the __________________________ of the paragraph, and it makes a _____________________ about the topic. 3. A topic sentence also outlines the ____________________ that the paragraph will cover. For #4–#9, label each topic sentence TB (too broad), TN (too narrow), or TS (topic sentence). __________ 4. People listen to music all over the world. __________ 5. A person’s preference in music can tell you something about him or her. __________ 6. My brother listens to rap music. __________ 7. Most people I know own microwaves. __________ 8. Technology has changed the way college students do their schoolwork. __________ 9. Technology is everywhere in our lives. 10. Where should a topic sentence usually go? 8 Chapter 3, Test 2 Writing Paragraphs: Direction 1. A topic sentence should usually come a) at the very beginning of the paragraph. b) after an introductory statement. c) either at the very beginning or after an introductory statement. d) at the end of the paragraph. 2. A paragraph that has a good topic sentence and adheres to it has a) direction. b) unity. c) coherence. d) support. 3. A topic sentence tells the general topic and a) the first supporting point. b) all of the supporting points. c) the writer’s point or attitude about the topic. d) nothing else. 4. Pick the best ending for the following topic sentence: Saving money a) is done by some, but not by others. b) is the topic of my paragraph. c) can be looked at differently by different people. d) is a habit that people need to practice daily. For #5–#10, choose whether each sentence is a good topic sentence, too broad, or too narrow. 5. I take aspirin when I have a headache. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 9 6. Over-the-counter medications make our daily lives more comfortable. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 7. Advances in medicine have changed all our lives. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 8. Basketball is a healthy hobby. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 9. Sports are very popular. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 10. My father plays basketball at the YMCA twice a week. a) Good topic sentence b) Too broad c) Too narrow 10 Chapter 4, Test 1 Writing Paragraphs: Support Rewrite the following sentences, making the italicized words more specific. 1. She picked up a book and began skimming for the information she wanted . 2. My brother, for example, leaves the house and drives away when he gets mad. 3. Some employees where I work are always doing other things besides working . 4. I came to college to learn new skills and have a better life . 5. He was an old man wearing old clothes . 6. She was a good woman , and everyone liked her a lot . 7. They came into the room at the last minute and sat in two chairs in the back row. 8. I stated that it was an emergency, and he stated that everything would be okay. 9. He is a big man with a bad attitude . 10. The day went by as I looked at the phone, waiting for it to ring. 11 Chapter 4, Test 2 Writing Paragraphs: Support Choose the sentence from each pair that has the best specific support for the topic sentence. 1. Topic: It was a difficult winter. a) There was rain, snow, ice, or hail almost every week. b) During the month of December alone, there were two snowstorms that each left more than ten inches of snow and knocked down power lines. 2. Topic: He is ambitious. a) Last week, he offered to take care of his boss’ correspondence while his boss was out of town, in addition to his regular duties. b) He wants to be successful, and he will do anything to prove himself. 3. Topic: She has terrible temper tantrums. a) She yells, destroys property, and hurts people. b) Yesterday she called her mother a witch and threw two glasses at her, smashing them both. 4. Topic: Cats can be a comfort to their owners. a) Cats can improve people’s health and mood, making them feel better. b) Studies show that petting a cat for five minutes can significantly lower a person’s blood pressure. 5. Topic: Going to the movies is expensive. a) A ticket costs around $8, and a small popcorn or soda may cost up to $3. b) There is the cost of the movie tickets themselves, and the additional cost of popcorn or soda. 6. Topic: The weather was terrible. a) It was raining very hard, and it was chilly, as well. b) The rain drummed heavily on the roof, and a skim of ice formed at the edges of puddles. 7. Topic: He was ashamed of his brother. 12 a) He looked as if he didn’t like what he saw. b) He glowered at his brother with fierce disgust. 8. Topic: The history test was difficult. a) The test covered every historical event since America became a country in 1776. b) The test covered pretty much everything we had studied in class all semester. 9. Topic: The economy was failing. a) The stock market was doing rather poorly. b) The stock market was down over 700 points for the year. 10. Topic: The food was spicy. a) The food she served was full of different kinds of spices. b) The red pepper in the gumbo burned my mouth.