Middle School Writing Diagnostic

Which of the following is an example of a topic sentence?

• One of my favorite hobbies is drawing.

• Drawing can be very relaxing.

• I have many hobbies, such as drawing, reading, and hiking.

• My drawings have improved over time.

What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?

• To introduce the topic of the essay

• To provide a list of supporting ideas

• To summarize the essay's conclusion

• To state the main idea or argument of the essay

Which of the following sentences contains a run-on?

• I love playing soccer, it's my favorite sport.

• I enjoy reading books, especially mysteries.

• I went to the store, and I bought some snacks.

• The cat sat on the windowsill.

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

• I went to the park and had a great time.

• The sun was setting behind the mountains.

• I like to read, but my sister prefers to watch movies.

• She played the piano beautifully.

What is the correct way to cite a book in the MLA format?

• Title of the Book by Author Name

• Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

• Title of the Book, Author Name

• Author Name. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

What is an example of a simile?

• The night was as dark as coal.

• The night was dark.

• The night had a sense of mystery.

• The night crept in slowly.

Which of the following is an appropriate way to organize a persuasive essay?

• Introduction, Three supporting paragraphs, Conclusion

• Introduction, Body paragraphs with explanations, Conclusion

• Introduction, Body paragraphs with evidence, Conclusion

• Introduction, Two body paragraphs, Conclusion

Which of the following best describes a formal writing tone?

• Casual and conversational

• Professional and serious

• Friendly and informal

• Humorous and playful

What is the role of transition words in writing?

• To add unnecessary details

• To connect ideas and paragraphs smoothly

• To create confusion

• To make sentences shorter

What is the most important element of a conclusion in an essay?

• To introduce a new topic

• To restate the thesis in a new way

• To provide more evidence

• To ask questions to the reader