Accuplacer College Placement WritePlacer Essay Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which BEST describes the introduction of an effective WritePlacer essay?
- A list of all the points you will make in the essay
- An engaging opening that introduces the topic and states the thesis (Correct answer)
- A detailed explanation of the first body paragraph's evidence
- A restatement of the essay prompt word for word
Correct answer: An engaging opening that introduces the topic and states the thesis
An effective introduction engages the reader, provides context for the topic, and ends with a clear thesis statement that previews the essay's argument.
Question 2: Which writing approach would MOST improve the coherence of a WritePlacer essay?
- Using a different topic in each paragraph
- Repeating the same sentence multiple times for emphasis
- Using transitional phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs (Correct answer)
- Avoiding the use of pronouns throughout
Correct answer: Using transitional phrases to connect ideas between paragraphs
Transitional phrases help readers follow the logical flow between paragraphs, making the essay more coherent and easier to understand.
Question 3: When a WritePlacer prompt asks you to argue a position, which approach is MOST effective?
- Present both sides equally without taking a stance
- Choose one position and support it with specific reasons and examples (Correct answer)
- Simply summarize what others have said about the topic
- Write about a different topic you know better
Correct answer: Choose one position and support it with specific reasons and examples
When asked to argue a position, the most effective approach is to commit to one clear stance and support it with specific reasoning and examples throughout.
Question 4: A concluding paragraph in a WritePlacer essay should:
- Introduce new evidence and arguments not covered earlier
- Simply repeat the introduction word for word
- Restate the thesis in different words and summarize key points (Correct answer)
- Ask readers a question without providing an answer
Correct answer: Restate the thesis in different words and summarize key points
A strong conclusion restates the thesis using different wording and summarizes the essay's main points, giving the reader a sense of closure without introducing new ideas.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates the BEST use of specific support in an essay?
- Many people have different opinions about this topic.
- Studies have shown that things can be affected in various ways.
- Students who read daily for 20 minutes score 12% higher on reading assessments on average. (Correct answer)
- It is obvious that this is an important issue.
Correct answer: Students who read daily for 20 minutes score 12% higher on reading assessments on average.
The third sentence provides a specific, measurable example with concrete detail, which is far more persuasive and credible than vague or general statements.
Question 6: What is the purpose of varying sentence length in a WritePlacer essay?
- To confuse the reader with complexity
- To meet a minimum word count requirement
- To create rhythm and maintain reader engagement (Correct answer)
- To avoid using transition words
Correct answer: To create rhythm and maintain reader engagement
Varying sentence length creates a natural rhythm in writing, helps maintain reader engagement, and demonstrates writing maturity — all valued in WritePlacer scoring.
Question 7: Which of the following is considered a MECHANICAL error in essay writing?
- Using a counterargument in the body paragraphs
- Writing a three-sentence introduction
- Spelling the same word incorrectly throughout the essay (Correct answer)
- Starting a new paragraph for each main idea
Correct answer: Spelling the same word incorrectly throughout the essay
Spelling errors are mechanical errors that affect the polish and credibility of the essay; WritePlacer scoring considers mechanics including spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
Accuplacer College Placement WritePlacer Essay Writing 2
Which BEST describes the introduction of an effective WritePlacer essay?