05_2_LA_Writing_T4 (05_2_LA_Writing_T4)
Name:_____________________________________________
Date:________________________
1.
Tetras, which come primarily from South America, can be found in a wide variety of colors. The cardinal tetra
has neon blue and red stripes, while the lemon tetra is a semi-transparent yellow. Tetras are freshwater fish and
are relatively strong and easy to keep. They are very peaceful, undemanding fish and can be kept with other
nonaggressive fish of the same size. Most tetras need a diet of live food, preferably fruit flies, although some will
also eat vegetables, such as lettuce. All tetras need plenty of open space in the tank to swim. Lighting in their
aquarium should be moderately bright.
Which sentence would best support the paragraph above?
A. Rabbits and gerbils also eat lettuce.
B. Butterfly fish are brightly colored too.
C. Female tetras are heavier than the males.
D. Aquariums can be purchased at pet stores.
2.
Hannah took dance lessons on Tuesdays. Most of the time Hannah loved the class, but once every few months the
students had a recital for their parents. The students had to pick their own music, and create their own dance for
that music at home. Then all the parents would come to the class and watch each student perform his or her own
dance. While most of the children loved the recitals, Hannah was simply terrified every time. She felt she could
never learn to enjoy dancing in front of others. She was so afraid of dancing in the recitals.
Which could be a supporting detail for the paragraph above?
A. She really never did like listening to music.
B. Dancing is the best type of exercise for young adults.
C. Hannah worked very hard in dance class to get over her fear.
D. Hannah did not want to go to dance class, but her parents made her.
3. Which describes a sentence in a paragraph that gives further details about the topic?
A. topic sentence
B. run-on sentence
C. closing sentence
D. supporting sentence
4. Use the paragraph below to answer this question.
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It was a place where chocolate drinks were served. 2In 1657, a house in England was built called the Chocolate
House. 3Princes and princesses liked to go to the house to drink chocolate out of golden cups and talk with friends.
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Sometimes a guest could see the King and Queen of England drinking chocolate drinks out of golden cups.
In the paragraph above, sentence 2 is out of order. Where should sentence 2 BEST be placed?
A. before sentence 1
B. before sentence 4
C. before sentence 5
D. before sentence 2
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05_2_LA_Writing_T4 (05_2_LA_Writing_T4)
5. Which sentence provides the BEST closing for the paragraph?
Locomotives changed the way people moved across the United States. In the beginning, trains were not as reliable
as horses. Though fast, trains would often run off the track or even explode. However, people continued to be
fascinated with trains.
A. Trains continue to be dangerous and rarely used.
B. In time, trains lost popularity and faded into history.
C. Trains were only used to move cattle from one ranch to the next.
D. In time, trains were improved and safely transported people across the country.
6. Which sentence would be a good clincher (closing) sentence for the paragraph?
In years past, American hockey was played only in northern states. Today many hockey games are played at indoor
ice arenas. Indoor ice allows hockey to be played during any season and in all parts of the country.
A. Hockey is my favorite sport.
B. Hockey also is played in Minnesota.
C. Playing hockey requires good ice-skating skills.
D. Hockey is now enjoyed by more people than ever before.
7. Which is the BEST topic sentence for this paragraph?
Find a suitcase and make a list of items you need for your trip. Next, place what you will take on a bed or table.
Roll your clothes to save space and avoid wrinkles. Bundle small items together or put them in plastic bags. If you
pack this way, you'll avoid wasting any space. Last of all, check your list to see that you have packed everything you
need!
A. Would you like to take a trip to a faraway place?
B. It's time to pack your belongings for a short trip.
C. Do you know the quickest way to pack your suitcase for a trip?
D. Packing efficiently helps you fit everything into your suitcase.
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05_2_LA_Writing_T4 (05_2_LA_Writing_T4)
8.
Every night the forests of Georgia echo with the sounds of many living creatures. We call living creatures that
come out to hunt or to eat at night nocturnal. Essentially, they sleep all day and then come out to hunt and to eat
all night. Some common examples of nocturnal living creatures are the owl, the bat, and the cricket. Although
they often forage for food at night, bears are not strictly nocturnal since they can often be found hunting during
the day. Sometimes bears sleep for three solid months or more during the winter.
In contrast, animals like the bat are almost always dormant during the day. However, with the setting of the sun
they come alive, filling the night with their eerie shrieks. The days may be full of the sounds of man. But at
nighttime it is the chorus of the creatures that rings clear.
Which words or phrase from the passage is redundant and could be replaced to add variety to the text?
A. the bat
B. at night
C. nocturnal
D. living creatures
9. Which is the topic sentence for the paragraph?
1
It is amazing but true that colors can affect a person's mood. 2A room painted green gives a calm feeling when
people look at it. 3Blue is also soothing and relaxing. 4Yellow may improve thinking, while red gives energy. 5Make
sure and choose a color that can help you relax in the room where you spend the most time.
A. sentence 1
B. sentence 2
C. sentence 3
D. sentence 4
10. What is the BEST way to organize the sentences in the paragraph?
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One hot day, Kiara decided to make lemonade. 2She stirred it with a wooden spoon and poured herself a glass.
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She squeezed the juice out of the lemons into a pitcher. 4She then added sugar, water, and ice to the lemon juice.
A. 1, 4, 3, 2
B. 1, 3, 4, 2
C. 3, 4, 2, 1
D. 4, 3, 2, 1
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05_2_LA_Writing_T4 (05_2_LA_Writing_T4)
11.
After some time, the caterpillar will stop eating. It will quit eating the leaves you drop in. It will climb the stick
and make its cocoon. It may stay in the cocoon for up to two weeks! Finally, you will notice the cocoon breaking
open. Gently remove the tissue and place the open jar outside. Your new butterfly will emerge, but it will stay by
the cocoon until its wings are dry enough to fly. Some species take up to two days to dry their wings. If you are
patient, you will be lucky enough to witness its first flight!
Which sentence would make a good supporting detail for this passage?
A. It is best to give the caterpillar fresh leaves.
B. Moths do not come out of butterfly cocoons.
C. Make sure you poke holes in the top of the jar.
D. Seeing the beautiful butterfly develop is worth the wait.
12. Which sentence can be added as the closing for the paragraph?
No matter where you go, words play a strong role in daily life. Newspapers, textbooks, and billboards bombard us
with words. We hear them on the radio and see them in magazines.
A. Words are important to our lives.
B. Words can be found in school.
C. People use words to share ideas.
D. People use words to sell products.
13. Your teacher has assigned you to do a research paper on the quilt that Beth made. Which of the following would
not be an appropriate question to ask her?
A. Do you feel that your mother is a good teacher when it comes to quilt-making?
B. If you were to buy a quilt, about how much would one cost?
C. What was the hardest part about making this quilt?
D. What was the very first step in making this quilt?
14.
There are many ways to make a sandcastle. Then, press the sand into shapes to form the castle. First, start with
wet sand so it will pack well. Finally, smooth the sand out until your castle looks the way you want it. You can
then enter your castle into a contest and maybe even win!
Which sentence is incorrectly placed in the paragraph?
A. There are many ways to make a sandcastle.
B. Then, press the sand into shapes to form the castle.
C. Finally, smooth the sand out until your castle looks the way you want it.
D. You can then enter your castle into a contest and maybe even win!
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05_2_LA_Writing_T4 (05_2_LA_Writing_T4)
Answer Key
1. C) Female tetras are heavier than the males.
2. C) Hannah worked very hard in dance class to get over her fear.
3. D) supporting sentence
4. A) before sentence 1
5. D) In time, trains were improved and safely transported people across the country.
6. D) Hockey is now enjoyed by more people than ever before.
7. D) Packing efficiently helps you fit everything into your suitcase.
8. D) living creatures
9. A) sentence 1
10. B) 1, 3, 4, 2
11. D) Seeing the beautiful butterfly develop is worth the wait.
12. A) Words are important to our lives.
13. B) If you were to buy a quilt, about how much would one cost?
14. B) Then, press the sand into shapes to form the castle.
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