Text Structure Practice

In Excerpt 1, how does the author use contrast in the cause-and-effect structure to help the reader understand city growth?

• A) By describing economic growth and environmental harm as separate issues that don’t influence each other.

• B) By showing both the positive and negative effects of city growth happening at the same time, highlighting the complexity of development.

• C) By emphasizing mostly the negative impacts of urban growth without mentioning any benefits.

• D) By suggesting that environmental protection should take priority over all forms of development.

In Excerpt 2, how does the author use compare and contrast and problem/solution structures?

• By presenting different renewable energy sources without discussing their challenges or possible improvements.

• By focusing mainly on the problems of renewable energy and suggesting that these issues make it impractical.

• By explaining the challenges of solar and wind power and then describing how engineers are working on solutions to improve them.

• By listing renewable energy types and briefly mentioning some benefits without addressing any difficulties or solutions.

What does the phrase “multifaceted problem” in Excerpt 3 mean?

• A) The problem is straightforward and can be solved with a single approach that addresses the main cause.

• B) The problem has many connected causes and needs many different solutions to address all parts of it effectively.

• C) The problem mainly affects one area and can be managed by focusing on that specific issue.

• D) The problem is often misunderstood and may not be as serious as it appears at first glance.

6. How do words like “while,” “yet,” and “in response” help the reader in all three excerpts?
   

• 6. A) They separate ideas in a way that sometimes makes the text harder to follow.

• 6. B) They act as simple connectors but don’t add much to the meaning or flow of the text.

• 6. C) They connect ideas clearly and help explain complex points by showing relationships like contrast and cause and effect.

• 6. D) They introduce additional information that may or may not be related to the main ideas.

1. Which excerpt uses a paradox (a situation with two opposite ideas) to show its topic’s complexity?
   

• 1. A) Excerpt 1

• 1. B) Excerpt 2

• 1. C) Excerpt 3

• 1. D) None of the above

9. What is the author’s attitude toward renewable energy in Excerpt 2?
   

• 9. 
     A) The author is skeptical and dismissive, emphasizing the limitations so much that it suggests renewable energy may not be a viable option in the near future.

• 9. B) The author takes an analytical and solution-focused approach, acknowledging the challenges while highlighting ongoing innovations and potential improvements.

• 9. C) The author maintains a neutral tone, presenting facts about renewable energy without expressing any clear opinion or preference.

• 9. D) The author is overly optimistic, downplaying the difficulties and presenting renewable energy as a perfect solution without significant drawbacks.

9. Why is it important for college-bound students to recognize different text structures in nonfiction?
   

• 9. A) Because it allows students to quickly memorize isolated facts without needing to understand how those facts relate to each other or to the author’s main argument.

• 9. B) Because it helps readers to selectively ignore parts of the text that seem less important, focusing only on the sections that confirm their own opinions.

• 9. C) Because it simplifies complex texts into a single, easy-to-understand idea, reducing the need for critical thinking or deeper analysis.

• 9. D) Because it enables readers to see how authors organize and connect ideas, which supports a deeper understanding and critical evaluation of the text’s message.