PSAT/NMSQT Expression of Ideas 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which transition word BEST connects these two sentences? 'The new train line reduced commute times by 40%. _____ traffic congestion on major highways decreased significantly.'
- However,
- As a result, (Correct answer)
- In contrast,
- For instance,
Correct answer: As a result,
'As a result' correctly signals a cause-and-effect relationship between reduced commute times and decreased highway congestion.
Question 2: A writer is drafting an introduction about space exploration. Which opening sentence would be MOST effective?
- This essay is about space exploration and why it matters.
- Space exploration, from the first moon landing to current Mars missions, has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the universe. (Correct answer)
- Space is very large and contains many planets, stars, and other celestial objects.
- I am going to tell you about space exploration in this essay.
Correct answer: Space exploration, from the first moon landing to current Mars missions, has fundamentally transformed our understanding of the universe.
This choice engages readers with specific examples and a compelling claim, avoiding the vague, formulaic structures of the other options.
Question 3: Read this paragraph: 'Many scientists study climate change. Climate change affects weather patterns. Weather patterns affect agriculture. Agriculture feeds people.' Which revision BEST improves style and flow?
- Scientists studying climate change have found that shifting weather patterns threaten global agriculture, putting food security at risk for millions. (Correct answer)
- Many scientists study climate change, and climate change affects weather patterns, and weather patterns affect agriculture, and agriculture feeds people.
- Climate change is studied by scientists. Weather is affected. Agriculture is impacted. People are fed.
- Scientists study climate change. It affects weather. Weather affects agriculture. Agriculture is important.
Correct answer: Scientists studying climate change have found that shifting weather patterns threaten global agriculture, putting food security at risk for millions.
The revision combines choppy sentences into one cohesive sentence with clear causal connections and more sophisticated vocabulary.
Question 4: Which sentence serves as the BEST topic sentence for a paragraph about the drawbacks of fast fashion?
- Many people shop for clothes at popular retail stores and online websites.
- Fast fashion's rapid production cycles generate significant environmental waste and exploit workers in developing countries. (Correct answer)
- Fashion trends change quickly, and new styles appear in stores frequently.
- Clothing is an important part of human culture and self-expression.
Correct answer: Fast fashion's rapid production cycles generate significant environmental waste and exploit workers in developing countries.
This sentence clearly states the paragraph's main claim — drawbacks of fast fashion — with specific details about environmental and labor issues the paragraph can then develop.
Question 5: A student wants to add this sentence to a paragraph about renewable energy advantages: 'Coal has been used as a fuel source for centuries.' Where should it be placed?
- At the beginning, as a hook to introduce renewable energy
- Nowhere — it is irrelevant to a paragraph focused on renewable energy's advantages (Correct answer)
- At the end, as a conclusion about energy sources
- In the middle, to explain how renewable energy works
Correct answer: Nowhere — it is irrelevant to a paragraph focused on renewable energy's advantages
A sentence about coal's history does not support a paragraph about renewable energy's advantages and would distract from its focus.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a concluding paragraph in a persuasive essay?
- To introduce new evidence that supports the argument for the first time
- To restate the thesis and summarize key arguments while leaving the reader with a final impression (Correct answer)
- To present the opposing viewpoint fairly and objectively
- To list all the sources used in the essay
Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize key arguments while leaving the reader with a final impression
A concluding paragraph reinforces the essay's main argument and creates a memorable ending rather than introducing new information or cataloging sources.
Question 7: A writer wants to transition between a paragraph about the causes of the Civil War and one about its immediate consequences. Which transition would be MOST effective?
- In addition to these historical causes,
- These underlying tensions, once ignited by the conflict itself, produced immediate and far-reaching consequences. (Correct answer)
- However, some historians disagree about the causes.
- The Civil War began in 1861 and ended in 1865.
Correct answer: These underlying tensions, once ignited by the conflict itself, produced immediate and far-reaching consequences.
This transition smoothly connects the causes discussed previously to the consequences that follow, creating a logical and cohesive bridge between the two paragraphs.
PSAT/NMSQT Expression of Ideas 2
Which transition word BEST connects these two sentences? 'The new train line reduced commute times by 40%. _____ traffic congestion on major highways decreased significantly.'