STEP Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What makes an effective conclusion paragraph?
- Introducing new arguments
- Restating the thesis in different words, summarizing key points, and providing a final thought or call to action (Correct answer)
- Copying the introduction exactly
- Asking multiple questions
Correct answer: Restating the thesis in different words, summarizing key points, and providing a final thought or call to action
An effective conclusion: restates the thesis (without repeating word-for-word), summarizes the main supporting points briefly, and ends with a broader implication, call to action, or thought-provoking final statement. It should NOT introduce new evidence or arguments.
Question 2: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- She enjoys reading, to swim, and cooking.
- She enjoys reading, swimming, and cooking. (Correct answer)
- She enjoys reading, swimming, and to cook.
- She enjoys to read, swimming, and cooked.
Correct answer: She enjoys reading, swimming, and cooking.
Parallel structure means using the same grammatical form for items in a series. 'Reading, swimming, and cooking' all use the gerund (-ing) form. Mixing forms (infinitives, gerunds, past tense) breaks parallelism and creates grammatical errors.
Question 3: What is the difference between 'affect' and 'effect'?
- They are the same word
- 'Affect' is usually a verb (to influence); 'effect' is usually a noun (a result) (Correct answer)
- 'Effect' is a verb; 'affect' is a noun
- Neither is used in formal writing
Correct answer: 'Affect' is usually a verb (to influence); 'effect' is usually a noun (a result)
'Affect' (verb) means to influence: 'The weather affects our plans.' 'Effect' (noun) means a result: 'The effect of the policy was positive.' Exception: 'effect' can be a verb meaning 'to bring about' ('effect change'). This distinction is frequently tested on STEP.
Question 4: Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
- I need to buy: eggs, milk, and bread.
- The recipe requires three ingredients: eggs, milk, and bread. (Correct answer)
- I need: to go to the store.
- Three things: are important.
Correct answer: The recipe requires three ingredients: eggs, milk, and bread.
A colon follows a complete independent clause and introduces a list, explanation, or elaboration. 'The recipe requires three ingredients' is a complete clause, so the colon correctly introduces the list. A colon should never separate a verb from its objects (Option A, C, D).
Question 5: What is the purpose of a supporting detail in a body paragraph?
- To introduce a new topic
- To provide evidence, examples, or explanations that prove the paragraph's topic sentence (Correct answer)
- To state the thesis again
- To conclude the essay
Correct answer: To provide evidence, examples, or explanations that prove the paragraph's topic sentence
Supporting details develop the topic sentence through: facts and statistics, specific examples, expert quotations, logical reasoning, and analysis. Each detail should directly relate to and strengthen the paragraph's main claim. Irrelevant details weaken the paragraph.
Question 6: Identify the sentence with correct apostrophe usage:
- Its a beautiful day in Riyadh.
- The student's submitted their assignment's.
- The students' grades improved after the teacher's new approach. (Correct answer)
- It's book is on the table.
Correct answer: The students' grades improved after the teacher's new approach.
'Students'' (plural possessive — the grades belong to the students) and 'teacher's' (singular possessive — the approach belongs to the teacher) are both correct. 'Its' (no apostrophe) = possessive; 'It's' = 'it is.' Option A needs 'It's,' Option D should be 'Its.'
STEP Writing Skills 2
What makes an effective conclusion paragraph?