TSIA2 Essay Writing 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence demonstrates the most precise and formal word choice appropriate for a TSIA2 essay?
- The proliferation of misinformation online has eroded public trust in journalism. (Correct answer)
- Fake news on the internet has made people not trust the news as much.
- There's a lot of false stuff online and it messes up how people see reporters.
- Online lies have really hurt the way folks feel about news people.
Correct answer: The proliferation of misinformation online has eroded public trust in journalism.
Formal, precise diction ('proliferation,' 'eroded') signals academic competence and suits the essay's persuasive purpose.
Question 2: What is the function of a topic sentence in a body paragraph?
- It introduces the specific point the paragraph will develop (Correct answer)
- It provides a detailed example to support the thesis
- It restates the essay's thesis in different words
- It transitions the reader from the introduction to the body
Correct answer: It introduces the specific point the paragraph will develop
A topic sentence announces the paragraph's controlling idea, telling readers what argument or point will be developed.
Question 3: Which organizational strategy is most effective for an essay comparing two approaches to solving homelessness?
- Point-by-point comparison, addressing each criterion for both approaches together (Correct answer)
- Chronological order, explaining how each approach developed over time
- Order of importance, starting with the least significant detail
- Narrative order, telling a story about someone experiencing homelessness
Correct answer: Point-by-point comparison, addressing each criterion for both approaches together
Point-by-point comparison keeps both subjects in direct dialogue, making similarities and differences immediately clear.
Question 4: A student's essay prompt asks her to argue for or against year-round schooling. Her thesis states: 'Year-round schooling has pros and cons.' What is wrong with this thesis?
- It does not take a clear position on the issue (Correct answer)
- It uses informal language inappropriate for an essay
- It is too specific and limits the scope of the essay
- It introduces too many arguments for a single essay
Correct answer: It does not take a clear position on the issue
An argumentative thesis must stake a clear position; 'pros and cons' is a neutral observation, not an argument.
Question 5: Which revision corrects the dangling modifier in this sentence: 'Walking through the park, the flowers smelled beautiful.'
- Walking through the park, she noticed the flowers smelled beautiful. (Correct answer)
- The flowers, walking through the park, smelled beautiful.
- Walking through the park is when the flowers smelled beautiful.
- The beautiful flowers were smelled while walking through the park.
Correct answer: Walking through the park, she noticed the flowers smelled beautiful.
Adding a clear subject ('she') immediately after the introductory participial phrase eliminates the dangling modifier.
Question 6: Which approach best avoids plagiarism when using a source in an essay?
- Paraphrasing the idea in your own words and citing the source (Correct answer)
- Changing a few words from the original and omitting a citation
- Using the exact words from the source without quotation marks
- Placing the source in the bibliography without mentioning it in the text
Correct answer: Paraphrasing the idea in your own words and citing the source
Paraphrasing with a citation both demonstrates understanding and gives proper credit to the original author.
Question 7: An essay about the dangers of fast food ends with: 'So, yeah, fast food is bad and you should not eat it.' Which aspect of this conclusion most needs improvement?
- Tone — it is too informal and casual for an academic essay (Correct answer)
- Length — it needs at least three more sentences to be effective
- Content — it should introduce a new argument about nutrition
- Structure — it should begin by restating the hook from the introduction
Correct answer: Tone — it is too informal and casual for an academic essay
Casual language like 'So, yeah' is inappropriate for formal academic writing and undermines the essay's credibility.
TSIA2 Essay Writing 3
Which sentence demonstrates the most precise and formal word choice appropriate for a TSIA2 essay?