| Exemplary Prose: |
| Essential Writing Skills in Context |
Recognize sentences which do not belong a specific paragraph; develop coherent paragraphs which stick to a core subtopic and expand and develop the sub-topic.
The HSGQE will test you on this skill two different ways. The first will be through writing they provide. You'll have to read a passage and decide which sentence doesn't belong. The second way you are tested on this skill is through your writing. As your written responses are assessed, the scorers will be looking for a smooth flow in your writing. Here an outline comes in handy.
An outline helps the writer organize his or her thoughts and should be done before beginning writing. I say "should" because a significant number of my former students preferred to write a first draft and then deconstruct it with an outline afterward. I tend to discourage this practice because it seems like a lot of extra work, but for these students, this is what they were comfortable doing. The fact that they were successful with this method obligates me to include its mention in this paragraph.
Look at the following 7 examples taken from the Alaskan practice tests and do your best :
1. Most people agree that exercise is good for both body and soul. _________________ Additionally, exercise causes the release of endorphins which stimulate our sense of well being. In general, exercise simply makes us feel better.
Choose the sentence that best fits in the blank.
This example asks you to choose the sentence that best fits into the paragraph as its second sentence. Think about key words that contribute to the flow of the paragraph. Decide on an answer and then check yours with the answer linked below: Click here to find correct answer and explanation
2. The next example asks you to read the paragraph and decide where the additional sentence would fit best.
(1) Many people believe trains to be one of the most romantic ways to travel in the world. (2) Once a necessary means of transportation to the west, trains have become carriers more of freight than of people. (3) Trains took longer to traverse long distances than modern planes. (4) They are, however, the preferred mode of travel for people who are more interested in style than speed.
Where should the following sentence be added?
In our fast-paced
world, people want to get to their destinations as quickly as possible.
After reading the paragraph and deciding upon an answer, click here to find the answer, along with a short explanation.
3. In the next example you are being asked to delete a sentence that does not belong in the paragraph. Read the following passage and answer the question before looking for the answer.
The Sleeping Lady
(1) One day when the land was still populated by giants, a young warrior and a beautiful girl fell in love. (2) They planned for the day when they could marry and having children. (3) Unfortunately, their people were at war with a neighboring people, and the young man had to leave his beautiful maiden for battle. (4) Battles revealed a man's true character. (5) She sat down to wait for him and soon fell asleep. (6) He never returned, but she can still be seen lying down. (7) She is waiting for her young warrior to return.
Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?
Decide which sentence of the four available does not belong in the paragraph about the Sleeping Lady. To find the answer, link here, but only after you have decided on an answer!
4. A student wrote a paragraph about a trip to the video store. There are some mistakes that need correcting.
(1) After school, we went to the video store. (2) Looking at all the new releases. (3) We stayed in the store for a whole hour, but we still weren't able to decide on a movie we would all like. (4) We decided to play a game instead.
Where would this sentence best fit in the paragraph?
That way we'd get more exercise anyway.
5. (1) There are many incredible trails to hike in South Central Alaska. (2) These trails have a wide range of difficulties. (3) Eklutna Lake is one of the best hikes for beginners or those looking for a fairly easy grade. (4) The trail hugs the lake and eventually reaches the glacier. (5) Gull Rock is an excellent, fairly easy hike as well. (6) The setting of this hike is more rustic, however, and people should be prepared for possible bear encounters. (7) Bears eat mostly fish and berries. (8) Requiring more skill and physical conditioning, the Falls Creek Trail lays just off the Seward Highway beyond McHugh Creek. (9) This trail goes almost straight up for what seems like a mile then connects with the Bird Ridge trail and the original Iditarod trail which actually begins in Seward.
Which sentence does not belong in the report.
6. Choose the concluding statement that best fits the paragraph.
Many people enjoy reading in their spare time. The mystery
and suspense of Agatha Christie and the horror and surprise twists of events
found in novels written by Stephen King make them among the most popular authors
in America. Danielle Steele is a tremendously successful author who appeals to
readers who enjoy love stories and intrigue. _________________________
A) Books of mystery, horror, and romance satisfy America’s hunger for possibilities.
B) Agatha Christie, however, was British.
C) Two of these three popular authors are still writing today.
D) Reading is more popular today than ever.
Find the answer by clicking here.
7. Maria wrote this report about skyscrapers. There are some mistakes that need corrections. Read the paragraph. Then answer the question.
(1) Towards the end of the nineteenth century, American cities were growing rapid. (2) Because of the high price of land and limited space, building vertically seemed practical. (3) Due to the development of sufficiently strong metal frameworks which were able to support many floors, the giant buildings we know as skyscrapers emerged. (4) The first metal-frame skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago between the years of 1884 and 1885. (5) It was torn down about forty-five years later. (6) In the motion picture Godzilla, the giant beast is perched upon the Empire State Building. (7) The world’s tallest skyscrapers are found in Chicago and New York City.
Which sentence does not belong in the paragraph?
Click here to find the answer to 7.
*Answers*
The correct answer is C. The key to this question is recognizing that the next sentence begins with "Additionally" which means the sentence that comes before it must also provide an example of a valid exercise. Return to 1.
The correct answer is B. This question asks you to organize thoughts logically. The sentence must come before sentence three as sentence three further develops the idea presented in the sample sentence. Further, it explains why sentence two is true. Return to 2.
The answer is C. Sentence four adds nothing to the story. Instead, it develops an idea related to but unnecessary for our understanding of the passage. The other choices indicate sentences essential to our full understanding of the passage. Return to 3.
The correct answer is D. This paragraph is not about bear. Return to 5.
The correct answer is A. It effectively summarizes the three types of writing mentioned in the passage. Answers B and C deal with only part of the passage. Answer D does not take into consideration the information provided in the passage and is merely a repeat of the information in the topic sentence. Return to 6.