CAEC: Writing: the persuasive essay

All 14 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. What should the introduction of a CAEC persuasive essay do?

   1. Present the issue and state a clear position
   2. Avoid saying which side the writer takes
   3. List every argument in full detail
   4. Tell a joke unrelated to the topic

2. What is the most effective way to handle an opposing view in a persuasive essay?

   1. Insult the people who hold that view so they seem less credible
   2. Agree with it in the conclusion so that the writer seems fair
   3. State it fairly, then explain why your position is stronger
   4. Ignore it completely so that the reader does not think about it

3. Which revision fixes the run-on? "Recycling saves money it also reduces waste."

   1. Recycling saves money and, it also reduces waste.
   2. Recycling saves money, and it also reduces waste.
   3. Recycling saves money it, also reduces waste.
   4. Recycling, saves money it also reduces waste.

4. Which sentence best connects a reason to its evidence?

   1. Bike lanes make roads safer; city data show fewer injuries on streets with protected lanes.
   2. Bike lanes exist. Some people ride bikes to work, and other people drive cars.
   3. Bike lanes are good. Our city has a large population and a great many streets.
   4. Bike lanes are safer, and also bicycles come in many different colours and sizes.

5. Which piece of evidence best supports the claim that a community garden reduces food costs?

   1. Vegetables come in many colours, shapes and sizes.
   2. Members saved an average of $40 a month on vegetables last summer.
   3. Gardens are beautiful places to spend a sunny afternoon.
   4. Many people have gardened since they were children.

6. Which transition best introduces a writer's strongest final argument?

   1. On the contrary,
   2. Most importantly,
   3. Meanwhile,
   4. For instance,

7. How is the CAEC Writing task scored?

   1. Position, voice and conventions count equally
   2. Only the thesis statement is scored
   3. Length is worth half of the score
   4. Only spelling and grammar are scored

8. Which sentence shows awareness of the issue's complexity?

   1. A four-day week may cost some overtime, but the gain in staff health outweighs it.
   2. A four-day week has no disadvantages at all for workers or for employers.
   3. A four-day week is the best idea that anyone in this company has ever had.
   4. Everyone in every workplace agrees that a four-day week is simply perfect.

9. Which conclusion is strongest for an essay arguing that libraries should stay open until 10 p.m.?

   1. Later hours would let shift workers and students use a space their taxes already fund.
   2. Some public libraries in our province also have very interesting modern architecture.
   3. In conclusion, that is everything that I wanted to say in my essay about libraries.
   4. Libraries have books, computers and comfortable chairs that visitors can use all day.

10. An essay is addressed to a city council. Which sentence has the most suitable tone?

    1. Council totally needs to get it together on buses, seriously.
    2. Anyone who disagrees with me about buses is clueless.
    3. We respectfully ask council to fund more evening bus routes.
    4. Buses are kind of whatever, but maybe add some?

11. Prompt: "Should cities ban cars from downtown on weekends?" Which thesis is strongest?

    1. This essay will talk about the topic of cars and the streets in the downtown core.
    2. There are good points and bad points about allowing cars into the downtown area.
    3. Cities should ban cars downtown on weekends to make streets safer and help local shops.
    4. Cars are one of the most common ways for people to travel around Canadian cities.

12. Which is the best use of the last ten minutes of the 75-minute CAEC Writing test?

    1. Proofread for spelling, punctuation and sentence errors
    2. Start writing a brand-new essay on a different topic
    3. Copy the full prompt into the essay one more time
    4. Add a second thesis that argues the opposite side

13. Which sentence uses the most precise word choice for a persuasive essay?

    1. The new crosswalk cut pedestrian injuries on Elm Street by half.
    2. The new crosswalk made things a lot better on Elm Street.
    3. The new crosswalk was really good and helped stuff.
    4. The new crosswalk changed a bunch of things for people.

14. Which outline is best organized for a persuasive essay on raising the minimum age for e-scooter rental?

    1. Thesis; safety reason; cost-of-injury reason; counter-argument and reply; conclusion
    2. A story about a scooter ride; a list of scooter brands; then the thesis
    3. Conclusion first; then the thesis; then one reason repeated three times over
    4. Thesis; reasons for both sides given equal space; and no conclusion at all