TSIA2 Essay Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision best strengthens the coherence of a body paragraph in an argumentative essay?
- Adding a transition sentence that connects the paragraph's evidence to the thesis (Correct answer)
- Inserting a new counterargument at the beginning of the paragraph
- Replacing the topic sentence with a rhetorical question
- Ending the paragraph with a statistic unrelated to the main claim
Correct answer: Adding a transition sentence that connects the paragraph's evidence to the thesis
Transition sentences link evidence back to the thesis, maintaining logical flow throughout the paragraph.
Question 2: A student writes: 'Many people think exercise is good. Exercise helps the heart. People should exercise.' What is the primary weakness of this passage?
- The sentences are too short and lack varied structure (Correct answer)
- The passage contains factual errors about exercise
- The argument relies on an emotional appeal rather than logic
- The passage is written in second person
Correct answer: The sentences are too short and lack varied structure
The passage uses only simple, repetitive sentence structures with no variety, making it choppy and underdeveloped.
Question 3: When writing a TSIA2 essay, what is the primary purpose of acknowledging a counterargument?
- To demonstrate awareness of opposing views and strengthen credibility (Correct answer)
- To confuse readers about the writer's true position
- To extend the essay length to meet word count requirements
- To introduce a new thesis statement midway through the essay
Correct answer: To demonstrate awareness of opposing views and strengthen credibility
Addressing counterarguments shows intellectual honesty and strengthens the writer's overall argument by refuting opposing views.
Question 4: Which sentence best serves as a hook for an essay arguing that public transportation reduces urban pollution?
- Every day, millions of car exhaust fumes silently poison the air that city residents breathe. (Correct answer)
- Public transportation is a system used in many cities around the world.
- This essay will discuss public transportation and its effect on pollution.
- There are many different types of public transportation available to city residents.
Correct answer: Every day, millions of car exhaust fumes silently poison the air that city residents breathe.
A vivid, specific opening image draws readers in and establishes the essay's stakes immediately.
Question 5: What does 'unity' mean in the context of a well-written body paragraph?
- Every sentence in the paragraph supports the same central idea (Correct answer)
- The paragraph contains exactly five sentences
- The paragraph uses only one type of evidence
- The paragraph includes both a claim and a counterargument
Correct answer: Every sentence in the paragraph supports the same central idea
Paragraph unity means all sentences focus on and develop one controlling idea stated in the topic sentence.
Question 6: Which change would most improve the following conclusion: 'In conclusion, I talked about three reasons why voting is important. Those were my main points.'
- Replace it with a synthesis of the argument that reinforces why voting matters (Correct answer)
- Add a fourth reason that was not mentioned in the body paragraphs
- Change 'In conclusion' to 'To summarize' to avoid cliché
- Begin the conclusion with a direct quote from a famous politician
Correct answer: Replace it with a synthesis of the argument that reinforces why voting matters
An effective conclusion synthesizes the argument's significance rather than mechanically restating that points were made.
Question 7: A student wants to add evidence to support the claim that 'social media increases teen anxiety.' Which source type is MOST credible?
- A peer-reviewed study published in a psychology journal (Correct answer)
- A comment from a popular social media influencer
- A personal blog post from a concerned parent
- A tweet from a school counselor
Correct answer: A peer-reviewed study published in a psychology journal
Peer-reviewed research undergoes expert scrutiny, making it the most reliable evidence for academic arguments.
TSIA2 Essay Writing 2
Which revision best strengthens the coherence of a body paragraph in an argumentative essay?