PSSA PSSA Writing and Grammar 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?
- To introduce background information about the topic
- To present the main argument or central claim of the essay (Correct answer)
- To summarize the evidence used in the body paragraphs
- To provide a definition of the essay's key terms
Correct answer: To present the main argument or central claim of the essay
A thesis statement presents the main argument or central claim of an essay and tells the reader what the writer intends to prove or explain.
Question 2: What is the correct use of a comma in a series?
- Commas are only needed between the last two items
- Commas are placed after each item in the series, including before the conjunction (Correct answer)
- Commas are not needed if items are connected by 'and'
- Only one comma is used, before the final item
Correct answer: Commas are placed after each item in the series, including before the conjunction
In a series of three or more items, commas are placed after each item, including an Oxford comma before the final conjunction.
Question 3: Which sentence is written in the active voice?
- The book was read by Maria.
- The homework was finished by the students.
- Maria read the book. (Correct answer)
- The trophy was won by the team.
Correct answer: Maria read the book.
Active voice has the subject performing the action: Maria (subject) read (verb) the book (object).
Question 4: What is the difference between a complete sentence and a sentence fragment?
- A complete sentence has a subject; a fragment has both subject and predicate
- A complete sentence has a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought; a fragment is missing one of these (Correct answer)
- A complete sentence is longer; a fragment is shorter
- A complete sentence ends with a period; a fragment ends with a comma
Correct answer: A complete sentence has a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought; a fragment is missing one of these
A complete sentence must have a subject and predicate and express a complete thought; a fragment is missing one or more of these elements.
Question 5: When should you use 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're' correctly?
- They are all interchangeable
- 'Their' shows location; 'there' is possessive; 'they're' means 'they are'
- 'Their' is possessive; 'there' shows location; 'they're' means 'they are' (Correct answer)
- 'Their' means 'they are'; 'there' is possessive; 'they're' shows location
Correct answer: 'Their' is possessive; 'there' shows location; 'they're' means 'they are'
'Their' is possessive (their house), 'there' refers to a place (over there), and 'they're' is a contraction for 'they are.'
Question 6: What is the purpose of a concluding paragraph in an essay?
- To introduce a new argument not covered in the body
- To restate the thesis and summarize key points, providing a sense of closure (Correct answer)
- To list all the sources used in the essay
- To begin with a transition word and present more evidence
Correct answer: To restate the thesis and summarize key points, providing a sense of closure
A concluding paragraph wraps up the essay by restating the thesis (in new words) and summarizing the main points, leaving the reader with a final impression.
PSSA PSSA Writing and Grammar 1
What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay?