ERB Writing Concepts and Skills

Question 1

A paragraph is about how bees help plants grow. Which sentence does NOT belong in it?

Accepted Answer

My cousin is allergic to bee stings.

Answer

The paragraph is about how bees help plants. A cousin's allergy has nothing to do with that topic, so it breaks the paragraph's focus.

Question 2

Which is the best topic sentence for a paragraph explaining why students should get enough sleep?

Accepted Answer

Getting enough sleep helps students focus, remember information, and stay healthy.

Answer

A strong topic sentence states the paragraph's main idea and previews its supporting points. This choice names three benefits the paragraph can then explain.

Question 3

Choose the best transition for the blank: "Our team practiced every day for a month. ______, we won the championship."

Accepted Answer

As a result

Answer

Winning the championship followed from the daily practice, so a cause-and-effect transition such as "As a result" fits. "However" and "On the other hand" signal contrast.

Question 4

A student is writing directions for planting a seed. Which order is the most logical?

Accepted Answer

Fill the pot with soil, place the seed in the soil, water the soil

Answer

Directions should follow the order things actually happen: fill the pot with soil, put the seed in, then water it.

Question 5

Which revision combines these sentences most clearly? "The museum was crowded. We still saw the dinosaur exhibit."

Accepted Answer

The museum was crowded, but we still saw the dinosaur exhibit.

Answer

"But" shows the contrast between the crowd and still seeing the exhibit, and the sentence is grammatical. "Because" wrongly suggests the crowd caused them to see it.

ERB - Educational Records Bureau Practice Test

ERB - Educational Records Bureau Practice Test

ERB Writing Concepts and Skills