OSSLT Analyzing Information Paragraphs 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: 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?
- The paragraph contains too many supporting details.
- One supporting detail is off-topic if the main idea is about economic costs. (Correct answer)
- The paragraph needs more sentences about the environment.
- The concluding sentence is missing a transition word.
Correct 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.
Question 2: Which sentence is the strongest topic sentence for an information paragraph about the dangers of distracted driving?
- Distracted driving is something that happens a lot on roads today.
- Many people use their phones while driving, which can be dangerous sometimes.
- Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable deaths and injuries every year, making it one of today's most urgent road safety crises. (Correct answer)
- This paragraph will discuss the topic of distracted driving and why it is bad.
Correct 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.
Question 3: 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?
- The paragraph is organized by order of importance.
- The paragraph is comparing the Internet to other inventions.
- The paragraph is organized in chronological order. (Correct answer)
- The paragraph is presenting a problem and its solution.
Correct 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.
Question 4: 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?
- Studies show that people who live near parks report lower stress levels.
- Access to green spaces encourages physical activity, which reduces anxiety.
- City trees help absorb carbon dioxide and reduce urban heat islands. (Correct answer)
- Spending time in nature has been linked to decreased symptoms of depression.
Correct 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.
Question 5: 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'?
- It introduces new evidence not discussed in the paragraph.
- It references the supporting details presented earlier to strengthen the conclusion. (Correct answer)
- It contradicts the paragraph's main argument.
- It invites the reader to disagree with the conclusion.
Correct 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.
Question 6: When evaluating an information paragraph on the OSSLT, which criterion is MOST important for determining if the paragraph is well-organized?
- The paragraph is at least ten sentences long.
- All supporting details directly relate to and develop the topic sentence. (Correct answer)
- The paragraph uses as many transition words as possible.
- The paragraph contains at least one direct quotation from an expert.
Correct 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.
Question 7: 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?
- Rhetorical question
- Factual statistic
- Emphatic concluding statement (Correct answer)
- Definition of a key term
Correct 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.
OSSLT Analyzing Information Paragraphs 5
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?