Form A

Form A

Diagnostic Quiz: Writing

Read the entire passage carefully and then answer the questions. (Note: Intentional errors may have been included in this passage.)

(1) In this technological age, the importance of the arts is often overlooked. (2) In fact, some schools have eliminated art and music classes altogether because of money shortages. (3) In response to such cutbacks, several communities have provided scholarships to art enrichment programs so that children from all backgrounds can experience the joy of the arts.

(4)______________________________________________________________.

(5)For example, classes in drawing, painting, and sculpting can boost children’s self-esteem, develop hidden talents, and foster career directions. (6) Like wise, exposure to the piano, saxophone, or drums can spark a lifelong appreciation for music. (7) The theater attracts other students who, entranced with make-believe worlds, may lose themselves in playing dramatic roles such as Hamlet. (8) Still others may like building stage props or working behind theatrical scenes. (9) Local townspeople often enjoy acting in community theaters. (10) Some children may find photography to be interesting. (11) Young authors intrigued with storytelling or poetry may develop their talents from participating in creative writing workshops.

(12) Whether students who participate in enrichment program pursue the arts as a career is not important. (13) What is significant, _____________________, is that their life experience is broadened with the special enjoyment that arts can bring.

Form A

Which sentence, if inserted in the blank labeled number 4, is the best main idea or thesis statement for this passage?

There are many different types of art.
Arts of all types play a vital role in children’s development.
This paper talks about the importance of different types of art.
Children can have fun and play with art materials.

Which of the numbered sentences is not supported by sufficient specific details?

Sentence 5
Sentence 7
Sentence 8
Sentence 10

Select the arrangement of sentences 6, 7, and 8 that provides the most logical sequence of ideas and supporting details in the paragraph. If no change is needed, select option A.

Likewise, exposure to the piano, saxophone, or drums can spark a lifelong appreciation for music. The theater attracts other students who, entranced with make-believe worlds, may lose themselves in playing dramatic roles such as Hamlet. Still others may like building stage props or working behind theatrical scenes.
Likewise, exposure to the piano, saxophone, or drums can spark a lifelong appreciation for music. Still others may like building stage props or working behind theatrical scenes. The theater attracts other students who, entranced with make-believe worlds, may lose themselves in playing dramatic roles such as Hamlet.
The theater attracts other students who, entranced with make-believe worlds, may lose themselves in playing dramatic roles such as Hamlet. Likewise, exposure to the piano, saxophone, or drums can spark a lifelong appreciation for music. Still others may like building stage props or working behind theatrical scenes.
Still others may like building stage props or working behind theatrical scenes. Likewise, exposure to the piano, saxophone, or drums can spark a lifelong appreciation for music. The theater attracts other students who, entranced with make-believe worlds, may lose themselves in playing dramatic roles such as Hamlet.

Form A

Which numbered sentence is least relevant to the passage?

Sentence 2
Sentence 7
Sentence 9
Sentence 11

Which word or phrase, if inserted in the blank in sentence 13, would make the relationship of the ideas in sentences 12 and 13 clearer?

moreover
consequently
for example
however

Directions- Choose the mot effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).

Exercise every morning___________________the office worker.

instigates
accelerates
invigorates

Directions- Choose the option that corrects an error in the underlined portion(s). If no error exists, choose “No change is necessary.”

The high school principal’s attitudes effected the faculty’s morale.

A B C

A. principle’s

B. affected

C. moral

D. No change is necessary

Directions- Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are used appropriately.

8. A. Ricardo put a single red rose on her desk, hoping to impress his girlfriend.

B. Ricardo put a single red rose, hoping to impress his girlfriend, on her desk.

C. Hoping to impress his girlfriend, Ricardo put a single red rose on her desk.

9. A. The dog that won Best in Show had excellent conformation.

B. The dog had excellent conformation that won Best in Show.

C. The dog won Best in Show that had excellent conformation.

Form A

Directions: Some of the sentences in the following passage contain errors. Read the following passage carefully. Then, choose the correct option for the individual questions on selected sentences form this passage.

Passage I

Americans today face many problems such as: unemployment, inflation, and drugs. In addition, crime and acts of violence threaten Americans wherever they live, and the rate of teenage pregnancy is rising everyday. To overcome these problems, American’s must pull together. However, pulling together is not easy, in fact, it is often difficult. Many arguments result from differences in race, religion, sex, and education. If common problems are to be overcome, each of these individual differences have to be put aside. Every person needs to think first of their responsibilities to others. Developing such an attitude is difficult because most individuals formed their personalities at a very early age. They have set attitudes, that will be difficult to overcome. Many feel bad about this because of past events. However, this kind of people cannot set back and expect someone else to solve today’s problems. America’s History shows that a lot of problems can be overcome when people work together. All Americans must work together to help themselves.

Directions: Choose the correct option.

10. Americans today face many problems such as: unemployment, inflation, and drugs.

A. such as, unemployment

B. such as; unemployment

C. such as unemployment

D. No change is necessary

11. In addition, crime and acts of violence threaten (A) Americans wherever they live, and (B) the rate of teenage pregnancy rising (C) everyday.

A. threatens

B. live and

C. rises

D. No change is necessary

12. To overcome these problems, American’s must pull together.

A. Americans

B. Americans’

C. Americas

D. No change is necessary

13. However, pulling together is not easy, in fact, it is often difficult.

A. easy, In fact it

B. easy in fact, it

C. easy; in fact, it

D. No change is necessary

14. Many arguments (A) result from differences in race, (B) religion, sex, (C) and education.

A. arguments

B. race:

C. sex

D. No change is necessary

15. If problems are to be overcome, (A) each (B) of these individual differences have (C) to be put aside.

A. overcome

B. every

C. has

D. No change is necessary

16. Every person needs to think of their responsibilities to others.

A. there

B. they’re

C. his or her

D. No change is necessary

17. Developing such and attitude is difficult because (A) most individuals formed (B) their personalities (C) at a very early age.

A. although

B. form

C. personality’s

D. No change is necessary

18. They have (A) set attitudes, that (B) are (C) difficult to overcome.

A. He has

B. attitudes that

C. is

D. No change is necessary

19. However, this kind (A) of people cannot set (B) back and expect someone else to solve todays (C) problems.

A. these kinds

B. sit

C. today’s

D. Change all of the above

20. America’s History (A) shows that a lot of (B) problems can be overcome when people work together. All Americans must work together to help theirselves. (C)

A. history

B. many

C. themselves

D. Change all of the above