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Worksheets

Thesis Statements

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

The Hunger Games is a science fiction adventure film based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins.

b)

The Hunger Games is a morality tale about the dangers of a political system that is dominated by the wealthy.

2.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

There is no question that cell phones have changed our lives in a very big way.

b)

While cell phones provide freedom and mobility, they can also become a leash, compelling users to answer them anywhere and at any time.

3.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

Finding a job is never easy, but it can be especially hard when the economy is still feeling the effects of a recession and employers are reluctant to hire new workers.

b)

College students looking for part-time work should begin their search by taking advantage of job-finding resources on campus.

4.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

For the past three decades, coconut oil has been unjustly criticized as an artery-clogging saturated fat.

b)

Cooking oil is plant, animal, or synthetic fat that is used in frying, baking, and other types of cooking.

5.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

There have been over 200 movies about Count Dracula, most of them only very loosely based on the novel published by Bram Stoker in 1897.

b)

Despite its title, Bram Stoker's Dracula, a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, takes considerable liberties with Stoker's novel.

6.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

There are several steps that teachers can take to encourage academic integrity and curtail cheating in their classes.

b)

There is an epidemic of cheating in America's schools and colleges, and there are no easy solutions to this problem.

7.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who directed the building of the first atomic bombs during World War II, had technical, moral, and political reasons for opposing the development of the hydrogen bomb.

b)

J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb," was born in New York City in 1904.

8.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who directed the building of the first atomic bombs during World War II, had technical, moral, and political reasons for opposing the development of the hydrogen bomb.

b)

J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb," was born in New York City in 1904.

9.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

The iPad has revolutionized the mobile-computing landscape and created a huge profit stream for Apple.

b)

The iPad, with its relatively large high-definition screen, has helped to revitalize the comic book industry.

10.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

Like other addictive behaviors, Internet addiction may have serious negative consequences, including academic failure, job loss, and a breakdown in personal relationships.

b)

Drug and alcohol addiction is a major problem in the world today, and many people suffer from it.

11.

Which sentence would be the better thesis statement for the introductory paragraph of an essay?

a)

The bicycle was introduced in the nineteenth century and rapidly grew into a worldwide phenomenon.

b)

In several ways, bicycles today are better than they were 100 or even 50 years ago.

12.

Is this a strong thesis statement?


The Great Depression disrupted many people’s lives.

a)

Yes

b)

No

13.

Is this a strong thesis statement?


Martin Luther King’s greatness stemmed from his ability to harness the moral indignation of whites and blacks alike through the power of non-violent protest in his actions of civil disobedience, the dignity of the Biblical rhythm in his speeches, and the pure power of right over wrong that his message conveyed.

a)

Yes

b)

No

14.

Is this a strong thesis statement?


In this paper, I want to focus on how Malcolm X was a great leader.

a)

Yes

b)

No

15.

Is this a strong thesis statement?


The U.S. should have entered World War II at the same time that Great Britain did because doing so would have slowed Hitler’s momentum in taking over Europe.

a)

Yes

b)

No

16.

Is this a strong thesis statement?


Cancun is one of the most popular vacation spots in Mexico because of its comfortable climate, proximity to well-known archaeological sites, and affordability.

a)

Yes

b)

No

17.

A thesis statement is all of the following EXCEPT

a)

a complete sentence

b)

something that is arguable

c)

a statement of your main idea and opinion

d)

something obvious or a fact

18.
Where should a thesis statement appear?
a)
first paragraph
b)
anywhere in the essay
c)
last paragraph
d)
the first sentence of every paragraph
19.
Which of the following is a major component of any thesis?
a)
making a claim
b)
providing an amusing anecdote
c)
being at least three sentences
d)
only providing facts
20.
The thesis statement should express a main idea that links to supporting points
a)
True
b)
False
21.

Is this a good or bad thesis statement to the question...When is a child old enough to stay home alone?

11 because they can make good choices, they are independent, and need practice being an adult.

a)

Good

b)

Bad

22.

Is this a good or bad thesis statement to the question: Should students wear school uniforms?

Students should not be forced to wear school uniforms because they make everyone look the same, they are expensive, and they are uncomfortable.

a)

Good

b)

Bad

23.

Prompt: "Write an essay explaining whether it is important to laugh." Which of the following is the best thesis statement?

a)

It is important to laugh because laughing has social, health, and emotional benefits.

b)

It is important to laugh because you need to laugh every day, you need to laugh when you're sad, and you need to laugh when they are being mean.

c)

It is important to laugh because laughing helps people, like in the story, "The Tale-Tell Heart" where the man laughs to help him deal with his crime, or in the story "Lamb to the Slaughter," where the laughing helps the lady get away with murder.

d)

It is important to laugh because laughing helped me through a really tough time when I was a kid. I remember when my grandmother was sick, but she still had a good sense of humor. It was good to see her laugh!

24.
Which of the following is the strongest thesis statement?
a)
You should never give up.
b)
You are able to set your mind to anything if you don't give up.
c)
Never giving up is important.
d)
Never giving up is important because there will always be hardships in your way.
25.
Which of the following is a strong thesis statement?
a)
Violent video games are harmful for young people to play.
b)
Violent video games are harmful to young people, and it should be stopped.
c)
Violent video games are harmful for young people to play because  it promotes a sedentary lifestyle, encourages violence, and can cause children to become desensitized to death.
d)
Violent video games are harmful for young people because they should be reading a book.
26.

A thesis statement has three main parts. What are they?

a)

beginning, middle, end

b)

lead, middle, closing

c)

a topic, strong verb, a universal idea

d)

a topic, a body, a closing

27.

The thesis statement should guide your body paragraph writing for your essay.

a)

true

b)

false

28.

Each body paragraph must include-

a)

A reason and examples with details

b)

topic and theme

c)

sentences and abbreviations

d)

words and phrases

29.

Which prompt BEST fits the following thesis?

Never giving up is important because it teaches us to keep searching for answers and to find better ways of solving problems.

a)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to find joy in daily activities.

b)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to be passionate about something.

c)

WRITE an essay explaining the importance of never giving up.

d)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to have goals.

30.

Which prompt BEST fits the following thesis?

It is important to be passionate about something because passion keeps you engaged in learning more and helps get others involved.

a)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to find joy in daily activities.

b)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to be passionate about something.

c)

WRITE an essay explaining the importance of never giving up.

d)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to have goals.

31.

Which prompt BEST fits the following thesis?

Having goals is important because people need something to work for and goals give people a sense of purpose.

a)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to find joy in daily activities.

b)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to be passionate about something.

c)

WRITE an essay explaining the importance of never giving up.

d)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to have goals.

32.

Which prompt BEST fits the following thesis?

It's important to learn from our experiences because we can use them to help others and to grow into better individuals.

a)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to learn from our experiences.

b)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to be passionate about something.

c)

WRITE an essay explaining the importance of never giving up.

d)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to have goals.

33.

Which example would work best for an essay explaining whether it is important to find joy in daily activities?

a)

For instance, people who take pleasure in walking outside to get the mail may have lower levels of stress, which leads to a longer life.

b)

For example, people who set smart, attainable goals for themselves stay focused and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.

c)

In fact, many people who share their learning experiences with others also find that it helps them grow into wiser, more mature people.

d)

Specifically, it is important to not give up on things that matter the most to you.

34.

Which example would work best for the essay explaining whether it is important to have goals?

a)

For instance, people who take pleasure walking outside to get the mail may have lower levels of stress, which leads to a longer life.

b)

In fact, many people who share their learning experiences with others also find that it helps them grow into wiser, more mature people.

c)

Specifically, it is important to not give up on things that matter most to you.

d)

For example, people who set smart, attainable goals for themselves stay focused and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.

35.

Which example would work for an essay explaining the importance of never giving up?

a)

For instance, people who take pleasure in walking outside to get the mail may have lower levels of stress, which leads to a longer life.

b)

Specifically, it is important not to give up on things that matter most to you.

c)

In fact, people who share their learning experiences with others also find that it helps them grow into wiser, more mature individuals.

d)

For example, people who set smart, attainable goals for themselves stay focused and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.

36.

Which example best fits the essay explaining whether it is important to learn from our experiences?

a)

In fact, people who share their learning experiences with others also find that it helps them grow into wiser, more mature individuals.

b)

For instance, people who take pleasure in walking outside to get the mail may have lower levels of stress, which leads to a longer life.

c)

Specifically, it is important not to give up on things that matter the most to you.

d)

For example, people who set smart, attainable goals for themselves stay focused and feel more accomplished at the end of the day.

37.

Which prompt BEST fits the following topic sentence?

"The more you love what you are doing, the easier it will be to succeed at it."

a)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to find joy in daily activities.

b)

WRITE an essay explaining the importance of never giving up.

c)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to be passionate about something.

d)

WRITE an essay explaining whether it is important to learn from our experiences.

38.

What type of words are these: for instance; all in all; furthermore; for example; in other words; in fact?

a)

Pronouns

b)

Synonyns

c)

Transitions

d)

Details

39.

What helps your essay flow easily to the next idea?

a)

Conclusion

b)

Facts

c)

Similes

d)

Transitions

40.

My examples should

a)

be something cool

b)

be a personal story

c)

be fiction

d)

help me explain the thesis

41.

What must you remember to do in the conclusion?

a)

Give a last example

b)

Use a transitional sentence

c)

Restate the thesis

d)

Restate the hook