Sentence Revision and Placement

Question 5: Mimi’s essay does not have a strong position statement. Which of the following sentences should replace sentence 6 to serve as an effective position statement?

• A. It’s foolish to buy several bottles of water each day when there’s no good reason for doing this.

• B. People need to stop doing this now and protest against bottled-water companies.

• C. These problems can be solved, however, if people choose to drink water from reusable containers instead of plastic bottles.

• D. The list of problems that people are causing, such as increasing pollution, by buying bottled water is endless.

Question 6: What is the most effective way to combine sentences 8 and 9?

"(8) Bottled water may be attractively packaged. (9) It is simply processed tap water."

• G. Bottled water is simply processed tap water because it is attractively packaged.

• F. Bottled water may be attractively packaged because it is simply processed tap water.

• H. Bottled water may be attractively packaged, so it is simply processed tap water.

• J. Bottled water may be attractively packaged, but it is simply processed tap water.

Question 7: Mimi wants to improve the transition between the third paragraph (sentences 14–18) and the fourth paragraph (sentences 19–23). Which sentence can be added before sentence 19 to accomplish this goal?

(17) The same amount of bottled water would cost well over $1,000. (18) Most people can probably think of better ways to spend that money.

(19) The unnecessary use of bottles causes environmental damage at several

stages.

• D. Bottled water is a huge monetary expense, but the cost to our planet is even greater.

• C. Money is a concern for many people, so it should be saved whenever possible.

• B. People think bottled water is harmless, and other plastic containers are just as bad.

• A. Because bottled water can cost so much, a reusable water bottle is a wise investment.

Question 8: What is the most effective way to revise sentence 21?

20) Consider the resources used to produce and transport bottled water. (21) Also consider that landfills are filled with released chemicals, where they decompose many discarded bottles over hundreds of years. (22) Other bottles may end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

• A. Also consider that many bottles are discarded into landfills, where the bottles release chemicals as they decompose over hundreds of years.

• J. Over hundreds of years, landfills are filled with many bottles, and it should also be considered that the bottles decompose and release chemicals.

• H. These bottles, decomposing over hundreds of years, should also be considered to release chemicals where they have been discarded into landfills.

• G. Also consider that landfills are filled with released chemicals, where they decompose many discarded bottles over hundreds of years.

Question 9: Mimi wants to conclude her essay by motivating her readers to take action. Which of the following statements should she insert after sentence 29 to accomplish this goal?

• B. We should make the decision today to be smart about our finances and responsible with our planet by opting for reusable water bottles.

• D. Choose reusable water bottles, and watch your savings grow.

• A. The future of our planet depends on people like you doing away with a terrible threat—plastic water bottles.

• C. Think of how much you can help the fish in our lakes, rivers, and oceans by avoiding bottled water.

What is the most effective way to revise sentence 21?

20) Consider the resources used to produce and transport bottled water. (21) Also consider that landfills are filled with released chemicals, where they decompose many discarded bottles over hundreds of years. (22) Other bottles may end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

• F. Also consider that many bottles are discarded into landfills, where the bottles release chemicals as they decompose over hundreds of years.

• J. Over hundreds of years, landfills are filled with many bottles, and it should also be considered that the bottles decompose and release chemicals.

• H. These bottles, decomposing over hundreds of years, should also be considered to release chemicals where they have been discarded into landfills.

• G. Also consider that landfills are filled with released chemicals, where they decompose many discarded bottles over hundreds of years.