Text Evidence & Informational Writing Quiz

Where do you find the topic sentence in a paragraph?

• middle

• beginning

• end

• always after the 2nd sentence

True or False: The concluding sentence or statement of a paragraph always gives new information.

• True

• False

Choose the most effective topic sentence for the paragraph below.

I live in Atlanta and driving to work is stressful. I have an hour commute each day. One solution to this problem would be to have office hours at different times. Another solution would be for workers to work from home. If companies would do these two things, workers would be less stressed and productivity would increase.

• As highways become more congested and commute times become increasingly longer, companies should consider flex-time or satellite offices.

• The transportation department needs to complete all highway construction.

• People need to quit working for big companies.

• People should take the bus to work because it is better for the environment.

Did you know the first contact lens was invented in the 1600’s? A tube was filled with water and when the water came into contact with the eyeball it refracts light rays the same way a curved lens does.

Which sentence would MOST logically concludes this paragraph?

• The person who invented contact lenses should be thanked.

• Glass was the standard material for hard contact lenses.

• The first practical lenses were developed in 1877 by a Swiss physician.

• The use of water as the best surface to touch the eye is mirrored today in the high water content of soft contact lenses.

_________ the basketball team had practiced everyday, they were still not able to beat the other team. What transitional word should be used to start this sentence?

• Therefore

• Besides

• Although

• However

Which sentence BEST concludes this letter?

Dear Ms. Smith,

Our school is raising money to help families in need during the holidays. This weekend the students and some people from the community are going to local businesses asking for donations.I am writing to ask you to participate. ___________________________

Sincerely,

Emily Henry

• Community leaders should be helping our school more.

• I know you are busy, but maybe you could pencil us in.

• You should help us because our school has done a lot for the community.

• I hope you consider taking part in this event as it is positive for the school.

I noticed that our school’s soccer team was having tryouts, so my friend, Rita and I decided to try out for the team. We met everyday at the park for a week. First, we jogged to build endurance. After that, we kicked the soccer ball back and forth. ____________________ By the end of the week, we both had improved our skills and were confident we would make the team.

Which sentence would fit BEST in the blank?

• Rita and I worked at perfecting our goal kicks while we practiced.

• The soccer team at our school won the state championship last year.

• The coach seemed very nice and is probably quite good at her job.

• Rita also enjoys tennis, and she might try out for the tennis team, too.

Which sentence would work BEST as a concluding sentence to the paragraph below.

Peggy’s first trip to Dolly Wood was an unforgettable experience. First, she rode all the rides. Next, she watched the shows. Then, at the end of the day she and her family drank hot chocolate while they looked at all the magical lights.

• Last year, Peggy and her family had gone on a vacation to the Bahamas.

• Peggy knew that her time at Dolly Wood was definitely the best vacation of her life.

• The only thing Peggy regretted was missing all her favorite Youtubers that week.

• Peggy wished that her family had time to visit the Titanic exhibit as well.

Which of the following sentences does NOT have a formal style and tone?

• Students who want to do well on a test should study with great diligence.

• Scientists have spent years trying to determine how hurricanes can be predicted with greater accuracy.

• It ain’t necessarily true that people who are good at geometry often turn into engineers.

• The current problem in our city is that there is no known cause to the water shortage.

Choose the BEST concluding sentence to finish the paragraph below.

Gary had always wanted to go snowboarding and this weekend his family was taking him to a ski resort for two days. He planned on snowboarding all day, but when they arrived it started to rain and there wasn’t enough snow. His family stayed in their hotel room and played board games all day. Gary had so much fun, he stopped feeling disappointed. The next day when everyone got up and looked out the window, they saw that it had snowed several inches during the night.

• Gary realized he would rather play games inside than outside.

• Gary realized a snowboarding vacation can include fun indoor games.

• Gary realized vacations do not always turn out exactly as planned, but can still be lots of fun.

• Gary realized that he did not like snow, so he asked to go to the beach next year.