AST Writing and Rhetoric 2

Question 1

Which organizational strategy works best for an essay arguing that stricter environmental laws should be passed?

Accepted Answer

Present strongest arguments last for maximum impact

Answer

Saving the strongest argument for last creates a powerful closing impression in persuasive writing.

Question 2

A concluding paragraph should primarily:

Accepted Answer

Restate the thesis and synthesize key points without introducing new arguments

Answer

A conclusion wraps up the essay by restating the thesis and synthesizing—not merely summarizing—the main points.

Question 3

Which example demonstrates the use of anaphora as a rhetorical device?

Accepted Answer

'We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields.'

Answer

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses; 'we shall fight' repeats at the start of each clause.

Question 4

When revising a draft, a writer should address which concern first?

Accepted Answer

Clarity and organization of ideas

Answer

Global concerns like clarity and organization should be addressed before local concerns like grammar and spelling.

Question 5

Which sentence uses evidence most effectively in a persuasive essay?

Accepted Answer

According to a 2023 CDC report, teen sleep deprivation increased 40% over five years, leading to lower academic performance.

Answer

Effective evidence is specific, cited, and directly linked to the argument—the CDC statistic with a date and percentage does all three.

AST - ACT Scaling Test Practice Test