ELA Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organizational structure is best suited for explaining how a volcanic eruption occurs?
- Compare and contrast
- Problem and solution
- Chronological/sequential order (Correct answer)
- Cause and effect
Correct answer: Chronological/sequential order
Chronological order is best for explaining a process that unfolds in a specific sequence of steps.
Question 2: A writer uses the phrase 'like a freight train' to describe someone's determination. This is an example of:
- Personification
- Metaphor
- Simile (Correct answer)
- Hyperbole
Correct answer: Simile
A simile makes a comparison using 'like' or 'as'; 'like a freight train' uses 'like' to compare.
Question 3: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to the bus stop, Maria dropped her backpack.
- After finishing the test, the students were dismissed.
- Exhausted from the hike, the tent was set up quickly. (Correct answer)
- Smiling broadly, he accepted the award.
Correct answer: Exhausted from the hike, the tent was set up quickly.
A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory phrase doesn't logically connect to the subject; the tent cannot be exhausted.
Question 4: In an informational text, a writer includes a graph showing rising temperatures over 50 years. This is an example of:
- Ethos — establishing the writer's character
- Logos — using data and evidence to support a point (Correct answer)
- Pathos — appealing to the reader's emotions
- Kairos — using timely references
Correct answer: Logos — using data and evidence to support a point
Logos refers to logical appeals, including data, statistics, and factual evidence like graphs.
Question 5: Which revision best improves the vague sentence: 'The movie was good.'?
- The movie was really, really good.
- The movie, which I saw, was good.
- The film's stunning visuals and fast-paced plot kept audiences on the edge of their seats. (Correct answer)
- Good movies are ones that people enjoy watching.
Correct answer: The film's stunning visuals and fast-paced plot kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
Specific details about visuals and plot replace the vague 'good' with precise, vivid description.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, to swim, and running.
- He enjoys reading, writing, and to draw.
- They hoped to learn, to grow, and to succeed. (Correct answer)
- We planned cooking, to dance, and singing.
Correct answer: They hoped to learn, to grow, and to succeed.
Parallel structure requires matching grammatical forms; 'to learn, to grow, and to succeed' uses consistent infinitives.
Question 7: A concluding paragraph should NOT:
- Restate the thesis in new words
- Summarize the main supporting points
- Introduce entirely new evidence not discussed in the essay (Correct answer)
- Provide a closing thought or call to action
Correct answer: Introduce entirely new evidence not discussed in the essay
Conclusions synthesize existing ideas; introducing new evidence in the conclusion confuses readers and weakens the essay's structure.
ELA Writing 3
Which organizational structure is best suited for explaining how a volcanic eruption occurs?