OSSLT Organizing Ideas and Paragraphs 3

Question 1

Which organizational structure works best for a paragraph explaining how a bill becomes a law?

Accepted Answer

Chronological (time) order

Answer

Chronological order is best when events or steps must happen in a specific sequence.

Question 2

A student notices her paragraph jumps from talking about pollution to discussing deforestation without any connection. What should she add?

Accepted Answer

A transitional sentence that links the two ideas

Answer

A transitional sentence bridges two related ideas and maintains the paragraph's logical flow.

Question 3

Which word or phrase signals that a writer is about to give an example?

Accepted Answer

For instance

Answer

'For instance' is a transitional phrase that signals an example is about to be given.

Question 4

A paragraph about healthy eating includes this sentence: 'My grandmother loves to cook Italian food.' How does this sentence affect the paragraph?

Accepted Answer

It distracts from the main idea and should be removed.

Answer

A detail unrelated to the paragraph's main idea weakens coherence and should be removed.

Question 5

What does 'paragraph unity' mean in writing?

Accepted Answer

Every sentence in the paragraph relates to and supports the main idea.

Answer

Paragraph unity means every sentence contributes to one central idea without straying off topic.

OSSLT - Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test Practice Test