WI Forward - Wisconsin Forward English Language Arts: Writing Questions and Answers

Question 1

A student is writing an argumentative essay about the benefits of year-round schooling. Which of the following sentences would be the most effective claim for the essay?

Accepted Answer

Implementing a year-round school calendar provides students with more consistent instruction and helps prevent summer learning loss.

Answer

A strong claim for an argumentative essay must be debatable and clearly state the writer's position. Choice C presents a clear, arguable stance that can be supported with evidence, making it the most effective claim. The other options are either a statement of fact, an announcement of the topic, or a weak opinion without a strong argumentative basis.

Question 2

Read the following sentences from a student's narrative:

(1) The old house stood on a hill overlooking the town. (2) I decided to go inside. (3) The door creaked open slowly. (4) A dusty smell filled the air.

Which transitional word or phrase, if added to the beginning of sentence (3), would best improve the connection between the sentences?

Accepted Answer

Hesitantly,

Answer

The word 'Hesitantly' is an adverb that describes how the narrator opened the door, adding suspense and showing the character's feelings. This creates a smoother and more descriptive transition between the decision to go inside (sentence 2) and the action of the door opening (sentence 3), enhancing the narrative's tone.

Question 3

A student is revising a paragraph in an informational report about the planet Mars. Which of the following revision goals is most important for this type of writing?

Accepted Answer

Checking that all facts are accurate and supported by evidence from reliable sources.

Answer

The primary purpose of informational writing is to convey factual information clearly and accurately. Therefore, the most critical revision step is to verify the accuracy of the information and ensure it is properly sourced. The other options are more appropriate for narrative or persuasive writing.

Question 4

Which of the following sentences uses commas correctly to set off a nonessential clause?

Accepted Answer

The student, who aced the test, studied for hours.

Answer

A nonessential clause provides additional information that is not necessary to the main point of the sentence and can be removed without changing the sentence's basic meaning. Such clauses are set off by commas. In this case, 'who aced the test' is extra information about the student; the core sentence 'The student studied for hours' still makes sense on its own.

Question 5

A student is writing a narrative about their first time visiting a big city. To best establish the setting and mood, which of the following details should be included in the opening paragraph?

Accepted Answer

The constant blare of car horns, the towering skyscrapers blocking the sun, and the hurried pace of the crowds.

Answer

Effective narrative writing uses sensory details to establish setting and mood. The description of sounds (car horns), sights (towering skyscrapers), and the general atmosphere (hurried pace) immediately immerses the reader in the bustling, and possibly overwhelming, environment of a big city. The other options provide plot information but do not effectively build the setting.

(WI Forward) Wisconsin Forward Exam Practice Test

(WI Forward) Wisconsin Forward Exam Practice Test

WI Forward - Wisconsin Forward English Language Arts: Writing Questions and Answers