Thesis Practice

Read the writing prompt. Then decide which statement would make the best thesis statement.

1. Writing Prompt: Why is education important?

• a. There are three reasons why you should have a good education

• b. A good education you will want a good job.

• c. Education is important because it provides you with survival skills, social skills, and special skills needed to be successful in life.

• d. Education is important because with an education you can be anything you want to be.

2. Writing Prompt: Explain why people should not want to smoke cigarettes.

• a. Smoking often leads to cancer, causes bad breath, and stains a person’s teeth.

• b. Cigarettes cost too much money.

• c. Last year my uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer after having smoked cigarettes for 18 years.

• d. Why would someone want to develop such a bad habit like smoking?

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3. Writing prompt: What is your favorite day of the week and why?

• a. Saturday is the best day of the week.

• b. I love Saturdays for so many reasons.

• c. I think everyone agrees that everyday should be Saturday because it is almost everyone’s favorite day of the week.

• d. Saturday is my favorite day of the week because I can sleep in late, shop all day, and spend a lot of time with family and friends.

II. Read the introduction paragraph. Then decide which sentence (thesis statement) best fits.

4. Everyone looks for different qualities in a friend. Some want someone who will be there for them and do nice things. Others want someone who will stand up for them. While these things are important to me, they are not the main things I look for in a friend.

• a. I wish all of my friends could be like Tonya.

• b. I prefer for all of my friends to be independent, honest, and confident.

• c. I don’t want a friend who is jealous, full of drama, and lazy.

5. What has happened to that great community that I grew up in? The quiet, beautiful neighborhood that I once knew is no longer recognizable. It is now overloaded with problems.

• a. I don’t know what is going to be done about all of these problems.

• b. No one seems to care about the problems we are facing because they are not trying to do anything about it.

• c. Among the many problems we face are violence, drugs, and homelessness.

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6. What is the most fun-filled spot in the world? It has to be Miami. My trip to Miami was the best trip I have ever taken. There were so many things to do and see.

• a. While in Miami I got sick and had to spend several days in the house until I felt better.

• b. While in Miami I went shopping, site seeing at the beach, and attended a Miami Heat game.

• c. I can’t wait to go back to Miami.

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7. Education is a luxury in America. In many other countries, children and adult who know the importance of education wish they were as fortunate as Americans. A good education is not only rewarding, but it is very important.

• a. Education is important for many reasons.

• b. Education is important because it’s free and it lets you be anything you want to be in life.

• c. Education is important because it is the key that unlocks many extraordinary opportunities for an individual.

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III. Read each paragraph below. Then, chose the topic sentence that best fits.

8. __________________________. Neither teams looked excited to be playing. Everyone came dragging onto the field. Then the visiting team scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, while the home team scored nothing. During the halftime show, the band played songs nobody knew and the cheerleaders forgot their cheer. Hopefully next week’s game in more exciting.

• a. I hate football.

• b. I never want to go to another football game ever because my school’s team is bad.

• c. Last night’s football game was a bore.

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9. _____________________________. I went to Pembroke Mall. There I bought sneakers and several outfits. I also went to the flea market where I bought several souvenirs for my friends. It was the largest indoor flea market I have ever seen.

Finally, I went to the swap meet where I got really great deals. I wish I had more time to shop.

• a. While in Miami I did lots of shopping.

• b. The mall was the most exciting part of my trip.

• c. My friends and I partied and shopped all weekend.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.3

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10. ___________________________. I enjoy riding around to look at the bright lights and beautifully decorated houses. I also love listening to the holiday tunes which always lift my spirits. The thing I like most about Christmas, however, is that because it is the season of giving and sharing everyone always seems to be in such a good mood. There is no other season like Christmas.

• a. I can’t wait until Christmas.

• b. December is my favorite month.

• c. I love the Christmas season.

Tags

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