Analyzing Information Paragraphs Flashcards
7 cards from real OSSLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Analyzing Information Paragraphs flashcards as text
A student reads an information paragraph and notices that three of its four supporting details discuss the economic costs of fast fashion, while one discusses its environmental impact. What is the structural issue with this paragraph?
Answer: One supporting detail is off-topic if the main idea is about economic costs.
If the topic sentence focuses on economic costs, a detail about environmental impact disrupts unity unless the paragraph is intentionally covering both themes.
Which sentence is the strongest topic sentence for an information paragraph about the dangers of distracted driving?
Answer: Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable deaths and injuries every year, making it one of today's most urgent road safety crises.
The third option is specific, uses precise language, conveys urgency, and clearly introduces what the paragraph will argue.
An information paragraph about the history of the Internet includes the transition phrase 'by the late 1990s.' What does this phrase signal about the paragraph's structure?
Answer: The paragraph is organized in chronological order.
Time-reference phrases like 'by the late 1990s' indicate that the paragraph uses chronological order to trace developments over time.
A student is evaluating whether a supporting detail is relevant to the following topic sentence: 'Urban green spaces significantly improve residents' mental health.' Which detail is LEAST relevant?
Answer: City trees help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce urban heat islands.
While true, the detail about trees absorbing carbon dioxide relates to environmental benefits, not residents' mental health, making it the least relevant to this topic sentence.
An information paragraph concludes: 'Given the overwhelming evidence, it is clear that regular physical activity should be a priority for all Canadians.' What is the function of the phrase 'given the overwhelming evidence'?
Answer: It references the supporting details presented earlier to strengthen the conclusion.
The phrase 'given the overwhelming evidence' refers back to the supporting details in the paragraph, showing that the conclusion is based on the information already provided.
When evaluating an information paragraph on the OSSLT, which criterion is MOST important for determining if the paragraph is well-organized?
Answer: All supporting details directly relate to and develop the topic sentence.
A well-organized paragraph is defined by unity and coherence — every supporting detail must clearly relate to and develop the controlling idea in the topic sentence.
A paragraph about the benefits of bilingualism ends with: 'Learning a second language is, without a doubt, one of the most valuable investments a young person can make.' What writing technique is used here?
Answer: Emphatic concluding statement
The phrase 'without a doubt' signals strong conviction, making this an emphatic concluding statement that reinforces the paragraph's main argument with confidence.