CLAST Essay Writing and Composition

Question 1

On the CLAST essay section, what is the PRIMARY purpose of a thesis statement?

Accepted Answer

To state the main argument or claim the essay will support

Answer

To summarize the entire essay

Answer

To provide background history on the topic

Answer

To list all the evidence you will use

Question 2

Which essay structure does the CLAST essay section primarily assess?

Accepted Answer

Five-paragraph expository or argumentative essay

Answer

Stream of consciousness narrative

Answer

Personal journal entries

Answer

Descriptive poetry

Question 3

A topic sentence in a body paragraph should:

Accepted Answer

State the main point of that paragraph and relate to the thesis

Answer

Introduce a new topic unrelated to the thesis

Answer

Summarize the entire essay

Answer

Always begin with a quotation

Question 4

When writing a CLAST essay, which type of evidence is MOST effective for supporting an argument?

Accepted Answer

Specific facts, statistics, or concrete examples

Answer

Vague generalizations

Answer

Personal feelings and guesses

Answer

Repeated restatement of the thesis

Question 5

What is the function of the concluding paragraph in a CLAST essay?

Accepted Answer

Restate the thesis and summarize key points

Answer

Introduce new arguments not mentioned earlier

Answer

List all sources used

Answer

Begin the essay's narrative

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a strong, specific CLAST essay thesis?

Accepted Answer

Rising tuition costs disproportionately burden low-income students and widen economic inequality.

Answer

This essay is about college education.

Answer

College education is important.

Answer

Many people have opinions about college.