Writing Skills Questions

Writing Questions

Multiple Choice

Remember that the other middle schools in the district are doing the Count-Your- Steps thing too, and you know they will to show us how it is done.

How can Cora best revise this sentence this sentence for appropriate tone?

• A. Remember that the other kids from all the area schools are doing this Count-Your-Steps challenge, too, and we want to take more steps than all those guys.

• B. Keep in mind that the middle schools from our district are competing in the Count-Your- Steps contest, so, think about how they will try to outdo us.

• C. Keep in mind that the middle schools from our district are competing in the Count-Your- Steps contest, so, think about how they will try to outdo us.

• D. Remember that the other middle schools in the district are signed up for the Count-Your-Steps program too, and each one will endeavor to take more steps in our school.

Multiple Choice

Without a doubt, I am certain that building a tree house was worth every bit of planning, hard work, and money I put into it.

How is this sentence best rewritten to eliminate needlessly repeated information?

• A. Without a doubt, I am sure building a tree house was worth every bit of planning, hard work, and money I put into it.

• B. Without a doubt, building a tree house was worth every bit of planning, hard work, and money I put into it.

• C. Without a doubt, building a tree house was unquestionably worth every bit of planning and hard work I put into it.

• D. Without a doubt, building a tree house definitely was worth every bit of planning, hard work, and money I put into it.

Multiple Choice

In the late 1700s and early 1800s buildings on Wall Street and places such as City Hall may have served as smaller theaters, and other locations in downtown New York City also did.

Which way is the best way to revise this sentence for clarity?

• A. Buildings on Wall Street may have served as smaller theaters in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and also places such as City Hall and other locations downtown New York City.

• B. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, buildings on Wall Street, including City Hall and other locations in downtown New York City, may have served as smaller theaters.

• C. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, buildings on Wall Street may have served as smaller theaters, and also places such as City Hall and other locations in downtown New York City.

• D. Buildings on Wall Street and other locations in downtown New York City may have served as smaller theaters in the late 1700s and early 1800s, and also places such as City Hall.

Multiple Choice

(2) For thousands of years people have used gourds. (3) People have used them in many different ways.

How are these sentences best combined?

• A. Even though they can be used in many different ways, people have used gourds for thousands of years.

• B. For thousands of years people have used gourds in many different ways.

• C. Using them in many different ways, for thousands of years, people have used gourds.

• D. The gourds, which people have used for thousands of years, can be used in many different ways.

Multiple Choice

Starting out with very little money and no high school diploma, Betty Anne Waters now has a college degree, a law degree, and the amazing achievement of successfully overturning her brother’s conviction.

Which sentence best paraphrases the information in this sentence without plagiarizing?

• A. Having very little money and no high school diploma, Betty Anne Waters has done many things, like getting a college and law degree and freeing her brother.

• B. With a little amount of money and no high school degree, Betty Anne Waters now has two degrees and the achievement of getting her brother out of prison.

• C. Betty Anne Waters now has a college and law degree along with successfully proving her brother’s innocence after enduring many hardships.

• D. Beginning her quest with limited income and education, Betty Anne Waters earned multiple degrees and managed to free her brother.

Multiple Choice

(10) I was more interested in playing softball, basketball games, hanging out with friends, and music.

What is the best way to revise sentence 10 for clarity?

• A. What is the best way to revise sentence 10 for clarity?

• B. I was more interested in playing softball, basketball, hanging out with friends, and music.

• C. I was more interested in playing softball and basketball games, friends, and listening to music.

• D. I was more interested in playing softball and basketball, hanging out with friends, and listening to music.

Multiple Choice

(15) I will be especially grateful to my teachers. (16) They dedicated their time and energy to help me improve.

How are these sentences best combined without changing the meaning?

• A. I will be especially grateful to my teachers who dedicated their time and energy to help me improve.

• B. I will be especially grateful to my teachers which dedicated their time and energy to help me improve.

• C. I will be especially grateful to my teachers, they dedicated their time and energy to help me improve.

• D. I will be grateful to my teachers, because they dedicated their time to help me improve.

Multiple Choice

(5) Shortly after publication of the article, Eustis got many letters asking for more information about the program.

Which word replaces got in sentence 5 to make the meaning most precise?

• A. received

• B. had

• C. shared

• D. gained

Tranisitions

Multiple Choice

Besides, the story does not end there.

In sentence 6, which words would best replace Besides,?

• A. Typically,

• B. Therefore,

• C. Finally,

• D. Thus,

• E. However,

Multiple Choice

______________ comedies and dramas often centered on then-current events such as Prohibition, women’s right to vote, the Harlem Renaissance, the Labor Movement, and war.

Which transition should Lewis insert at the beginning of sentence 21?

• A. Additionally,

• B. Specifically,

• C. For this reason,

• D. Similarly,

• E. Otherwise

Multiple Choice

(11) Likewise, on Monday we will do upper body strength, on Wednesday we do lower body strength, and on Friday we test our stamina.

In sentence 11, which word or words would best replace Likewise,?

• A. For example,

• B. In other words,

• C. Actually,

Multiple Choice

(12) German shepherds and Labrador retrievers are the two breeds of dog most commonly trained for the job of guide dog.

Which transition should be added at the beginning of sentence 12?

• A. Specifically,

• B. Certainly,

• C. Basically,

• D. Initially,

Maintaining Consistent Verb Tense

Multiple Choice

(6) Among the letters was one from Morris S. Frank in Tennessee, who pleads with Eustis to begin such a program herself.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change was to were.

• B. Change who to that.

• C.Change pleads to pleaded

• D. Change begin to began.

Multiple Choice

(11) The success of Dorothy Eustis's program, however, ultimately depends on two very special breeds of dog.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Delete the comma after program.

• B. Change depends to depended.

• C. Change two to too.

• D. Insert a comma after special.

Multiple Choice

(17) In more ways than one, they help me prepare for the world of work.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Insert a comma after In.

• B. Change ways to way.

• C. Delete the comma after one.

• D. Change help to helped.

Multiple Choice

(7) These cozy homes attracted birds that devoured insects, therefore protecting the crops. (8) Many cultures have appreciated gourds for their natural musical properties.

In this sentence, how is have appreciated correctly written?

• A. will be appreciating

• B. will appreciate

• C. have been appreciating

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

Recently, innovator Elon Musk establishes Tesla Motors with the idea of building a line of all electric vehicles.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change innovator to innovater.

• B. . Change establishes to established.

• C. Change Motors to Motor's.

• D. Insert a comma after Musk.

Multiple Choice

15. His sister, Betty Anne, were 29 years old at the time.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change His to Her.

• B. Insert a comma after old.

• C. Delete the comma after Betty Anne.

• D. Change were to was.

Commas

Multiple Choice

Beginning February 16,2014 our school will join the Count - Your – Steps walking program.

In this sentence, how is February 16, 2014 our school correctly written?

• A. February 16, 2014, our school

• B. February 16, 2014 our school,

• C. February 16,2014, our school,

• D.As it is

Multiple Choice

Now a team of Count – Your – Steps organizers made up of representatives from the middle schools, has established the program’s goal: to increase awareness of the benefits walking.

In this sentence, how is organizers made up of representatives from the middle schools, has established correctly written?

• A. organizers, made up of representatives from the middle schools has established

• B. organizers, made up of representatives from the middle schools, has established

• C. organizers, made up of representatives, from the middle schools, has established

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

Amanda looked in many places for her keys, but, she never found them.

In this sentence, how is keys, but, she correctly written?

• A. keys but she

• B. keys but, she

• C. keys, but she

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

On the following day Dad sawed and I nailed to the boards to the big oak tree.

In this sentence, how is following day Dad sawed and I nailed the boards to correctly written?

• A. following day Dad sawed, and I nailed, the boards to

• B. following day, Dad sawed and I nailed the boards to

• C. following day, Dad sawed and I nailed, the boards to

• D. As it is

Multiple Choice

(10) It quickly became apparent that these dogs provided their owners great independence and the program grew rapidly.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• B. Change owners to owner’s

• C. Insert a comma after independence

• D. Change grew to grow.

Multiple Select

Like me, many students __enjoy PE and there are also __ students that enjoy art, band ____ living ____ skills, math ____ social studies, science ____ English and so on.

Punctuate sentence 5 correctly.

• A. Between students and enjoy

• B. Between band and living

• C. Between living and skills

• D. Between math and social studies

• E. Between science and English

Multiple Select

This shows this is important ____ because one of my friends ___ Gary ____ was 233 pounds in the beginning of the school year, and now ____ near the end of the school year ____ he’s 195 pounds ___ and has built up plenty of muscle to play football ___ when we go to high school.

Punctuate Sentence 13 correctly.

• A. Between friends and Gary

• B. Between important and because

• C. Between Gary and was

• D. Between now and near

• E. Between year and he’s

Multiple Choice

Ms. Banks started to cry but she still kept her positive attitude.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Insert a comma before to.

• B. Insert a comma after cry.

• C. Change kept to keeping.

• D. Change attitude to additude.

Multiple Choice

(8) The obesity level in America is at its highest and as a nation we have to change that.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change its to it's.

• B. Insert a comma after highest.

• C. Change nation to Nation.

• D. Insert a comma after change.

Multiple Choice

12) As a mentor, you have the ability to adjust your thoughts and you have to explain your point so that your audience understands.

Which correction should be made to the sentence?

• A. Delete the comma after mentor.

• B. Change adjust to adjusts.

• C. Insert a comma after thoughts.

• D. Change understands to understood.

Quotation Marks

Multiple Select

He smiled and said, Eli, I’m proud of you, Son!

Where do the quotation marks go? Select all that apply.

• A. before Eli

• B. before I’m

• C. before the exclamation mark

• D. after the exclamation mark

Choose Intended Audience & Purpose/Prewriting Strategies

Multiple Choice

A History of Guide Dogs

Martina's teacher has asked students to write a report about animals that have extraordinary training. Martina decides to write about guide dogs.

This topic can best be described as which form of writing?

• A. Descriptive

• B. Expository

• C. Persuasive

• D. Narrative

Multiple Choice

Enjoy Middle School

Marisol's English teacher asks students to write a letter to sixth graders about middle school. Marisol decides to write the letter convincing sixth graders they will enjoy middle school based on her own experience.

After Martina researches her topic and makes notes, she should--

• A. Why are there so many different lunchtimes in middle school?

• B. What are the differences between middle and high school?

• C. Do students have any free time during the school day?

• D. What types of electives are offered to middle schoolers?

Multiple Choice

Middle School Physical Education

Joshua's teacher asks the students to write about a class they enjoy in school. Joshua decides to explain why PE is his favorite class.

This topic can best be described as which form of writing?

• A. Descriptive

• B. Persuasive

• C. Narrative

• D. Expository

Multiple Choice

Middle School Physical Education

Joshua's teacher asks the students to write about a class they enjoy in school. Joshua decides to explain why PE is his favorite class.

What is the best reason for Joshua to make an outline before writing his draft?

• A. To know how many paragraphs should be in his essay

• B. To develop a thesis for his essay

• C. To organize related information in his essay

• D. To anticipate how long his essay will be

Multiple Choice

Middle School Physical Education

Joshua's teacher asks the students to write about a class they enjoy in school. Joshua decides to explain why PE is his favorite class.

Which of the following would help Joshua narrow his topics?

• A. Writing a letter to his favorite athlete

• B. Reading a book about basketball

• C. Making a list of the activities he likes in gym class

• D. Watching a documentary on the origin of football

Multiple Choice

(1) In seventh grade my PE class and other PE classes from sixth, seventh, and eighth grade were told we were going to be doing push-ups for charity and that every 5 pushups was going to be $2 donated to charity. (2) As a class we donated $44, which was the second highest in seventh grade, and as a school we donated $296….(5) Like me, many students enjoy PE, and there are also students that enjoy art, band living skills, math social studies, science English and so on. (6) In school, an enjoyable educational activity for me is PE because we do many exercises and play a lot of my favorite sports.

Which sentence is most likely the thesis of this passage?

• A. Sentence 1

• B. Sentence 2

• C. Sentence 5

• D. Sentence 6

Multiple Choice

Guide Dogs: Their Gift of Independence

(1) Guide dogs are loyal, loving, intelligent animals that, for some people, also serve as eyes to the world. (2) They have been trained in the United States since the 1930s to accompany and assist people with visual difficulties. (3) For many people, an independent life would not be possible without the daily assistance of guide dogs.

(4) Dorothy Harrison Eustis, an avid breeder and trainer of German shepherds and a resident of Switzerland, wrote an article about a highly successful program in Germany that trained guide dogs to assist visually impaired people. (5) Shortly after publication of the article, Eustis got many letters asking for more information about the program. (6) Among the letters was one from Morris S. Frank in Tennessee, who pleads with Eustis to begin such a program herself. (7) Eustis agreed.

(8) Not long after, Frank traveled to Switzerland for the dog he eventually named Buddy, the first guide dog to be used in America.

Which sentence from Martina's rough draft best represents the thesis?

• A. Sentence 1

• B. Sentence 2

• C. Sentence 3

• D. Sentence 4

Multiple Choice

Count Your Steps

Cora writes a letter to encourage participation in the Count-Your-Steps walking program at her school. Her letter will appear in the school’s monthly newsletter, Star Rocket and Notes.

Which key words should Cora use for an Internet search about walking programs about middle school students?

• A. students, middle school, exercise

• B. walking, middle school, students

• C. exercise, middle school, programs

• D. walking, programs, middle school

Correct Spelling

Multiple Choice

The program’s clear guideline’s make participation painless and enjoyable for everyone.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change guideline’s to guidelines.

• B. Change make to makes

• C. Change and to but

• D. Change for to by

Multiple Choice

(13) As guide dogs, these canines not only learn a wide array of commands, but they also learn to distinguish which life situations are potentialy dangerous to their owners.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. the comma after commands.

• B. Change learn to learned.

• C. Change situations to situation's.

• D. Change potentialy to potentially.

Multiple Choice

24) I honestly wish we played more sports in middle school, but I know its hard to balance everything out for males and females.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Delete the comma after school.

• B. Change its to it's.

• C. Change balance to balence.

• D. Insert a comma after males.

Grammar Usuage

Multiple Choice

…(2) They have been trained in the United States since the 1930s to accompany and assist people with visual difficulties. …. (5) Shortly after publication of the article, Eustis got many letters asking for more information about the program….(11) The success of Dorothy Eustis's program, however, ultimately depends on two very special breeds of dog….(14) An example, crossing a street with traffic approaching….

Which sentence from the passage is not a complete sentence?

• A. Sentence 2

• B. Sentence 5

• C. Sentence 11

• D. Sentence 14

Multiple Choice

Dear Future Sixth Graders,

(1) Recently, I completed eighth grade. (2) As I look forward to beginning high school next fall, I cannot help reflecting on my years at Clark Middle school… (9) When I began middle school, a career and adulthood were the last things on my mind...(14) When I am older, I will always have the fond memories of my middle school and high school years...(20) Your years in middle school.

Which of the following is NOT a complete sentence?

• A. Sentence 1

• B. Sentence 9

• C. Sentence 14

• D. Sentence 20

Multiple Choice

….(2) As a class we donated $44, which was the second highest in seventh grade, and as a school we donated $296….(10) Our PE teachers make sure we're staying active by doing these different activities... (14) Even though just working out or staying active isn't all you need to do to lose weight….(26) We do many different exercises to keep students active and in shape.

Which of the following is NOT a complete sentence?

• A. Sentence 2

• B. Sentence 10

• C. Sentence 14

• D. Sentence 26

Multiple Choice

All participants need to do each day is wear the pedometer, walk as much as possible, and then record the number of steps in your logs.

In this sentence, how is your correctly written?

• A. its

• B. our

• C. their

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

Melvin gave the free concert tickets to him, her, and me.

In this sentence, how is to him, her, and me correctly written?

• A. to him, her, and I

• B. to he, she, and I.

• C. to he, she, and me

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

In fact, the shows produced on Broadway have brought them fame throughout the world.

In this sentence, how is them written correctly?

• A. it

• B. this

• C. our

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

In 1880 the Mallory Family built one of the first successful playhouses in the area and named it Madison Square Theater.

In this sentence, how is Mallory family built one of the first successful playhouses in the area and named it Madison Square Theater correctly written.

• A. Mallory Family built one of the first successful playhouses in the area and named it Madison Square Theater

• B. Mallory Family built one of the first successful playhouses in the area and named it Madison Square theater

• C. Mallory family built one of the first successful playhouses in the area and named it Madison Square theater

• D. as it is

Multiple Choice

Booth’s style had a notable affect on the theater, and many considered him to be the greatest actor of his time.

Which correction should be made to this sentence.

• A. Change Booth’s to Booths.

• B. Change had to has.

• C. Change affect to effect.

• D. Change his to their.

Capitalization

Multiple Choice

2) As I look forward to beginning high school next fall, I cannot help reflecting on my years at Clark Middle school.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change help to helped.

• B. Insert a comma after reflecting.

• C. Change years to year's.

• D. Change school to School.

Multiple Choice

Our school was noticed by Newport News Public schools in which our school received a trophy and a reward we received from a children's hospital.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Change noticed to notice

• B. Change schools to Schools.

• C. Change received to recieved.

• D. Insert a comma after trophy.

Multiple Choice

(18) All my life I've been a sports fan, and I really enjoy playing them, my favorite sports are football, basketball, and volleyball.

Which correction should be made to this sentence?

• A. Insert a comma after fan.

• B. Change enjoy to enjoyed.

• C. Change them, my to them. My.

• D. Change sports to sport's.

• E. Delete the comma after football.