The Benefits of Martial Arts

Which sentence should replace sentence 5 to provide a more effective claim at the end of the introductory paragraph?

Dear Students,

It’s no secret that kids our age enjoy spending time on a computer or a cell phone. (2) Health experts tell us that we need to exercise for at least an hour a day, but tearing ourselves away from our electronic devices can be hard. (3) Playing a team sport is one way to get this exercise, but not every kid wants to join a team.

(4) For anyone who wants a fun, healthy way to exercise at his or her own pace, I have a suggestion: take a martial-arts class! (5) It’s truly a great way to get in shape and learn.

• Learning and practicing self-defense can help improve your physical fitness, mental focus, self-discipline, and social skills.

• You might find that learning and practicing self-defense is more fun and rewarding than spending time using electronic devices.

• Health experts would probably agree that learning and practicing self-defense is a great way to get in shape and learn new skills.

• When you are learning and practicing self-defense, an hour a day does not seem like a lot of time to spend exercising.

Rose wants to add another detail to help support the ideas in the second paragraph

(sentences 6–11). Which sentence should replace sentence 10 to accomplish this goal?

(6) I know from experience that studying martial arts can help you improve your physical fitness. (7) I began taking karate at age seven when my parents insisted I get off the couch and “do something.” (8) At first it was difficult for me to complete the kicking, punching, and blocking drills in karate. (9) I practiced every week to get my heart pumping and at striking foam pads with my hands to help improve my technique. (10) My dedication paid off, and I eventually worked my way up to the rank of brown belt. (11) I love feeling healthier and knowing that I can defend myself if necessary.

• There were very few kids my age who attend karate daily.

• My parents were happy that I made so many friends in karate class.

• I did not realize kids my age could earn such high ranks in a martial-arts class.

• I have become stronger, faster, and better coordinated than I was when I first started.

Which transition is the BEST transition to add at the beginning of sentence 16?

(12) As if the physical benefits weren’t enough, participating in martial arts also helps kids develop strong mental focus. (13) Classes usually begin with breathing exercises and a time of silence to help clear the mind. (14) By engaging in these activities, students learn how to train their minds to be calm and alert.

(15) Developing strong mental focus helps participants respond to an instructor’s commands and helps participants sense when to adjust their form. (16) Instructors teach students how to focus their energy so they can kick and punch with more power and accuracy. (17) Having strong mental focus helps students defeat their opponents during a match.

• Additionally

• As a result

• Later

• In other words

What is the BEST way to revise sentence 18 to make the meaning more clear?

(18) In martial arts, they become better at self-discipline the longer people train.

• The people that become better at self-discipline, they train in martial arts longer.

• The people that train in martial arts become better at self-discipline longer.

• The longer people train, they become better at self-discipline in martial arts.

• The longer people train in martial arts, the better they become at self-discipline.

Rose would like to use a more precise word than large in sentence 27. Which word would be a more effective word to use in this sentence?

(27) Learning to master martial arts takes effort and dedication, but the benefits are large.

• heavy

• countless

• limited

• grand