OSSLT: Writing: organizing ideas

All 16 questions in this test

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

1. A paragraph explains how to care for a new puppy. Where should the sentence "Before you bring the puppy home, buy a crate and food" go?

   1. At the start of the steps
   2. As the paragraph's last sentence
   3. In the middle of the feeding step
   4. After the steps about training

2. Which sentence best links a paragraph on early bus times to the next paragraph on lunch breaks?

   1. Buses are painted yellow so drivers can see them easily.
   2. Mornings are not the only part of the day that feels rushed.
   3. My favourite lunch is a cheese sandwich and an apple.
   4. In conclusion, school days are far too long for everyone.

3. (1) Many students think a garden needs a big backyard. (2) In fact, a balcony or a sunny window can grow plenty of food. (3) Cherry tomatoes, lettuce and herbs all do well in pots. (4) ___, a container garden needs less weeding than a garden in the ground. (5) With a few pots and some soil, almost anyone can start growing vegetables this spring.

   In the paragraph about container gardens, which transition best fills the blank in sentence 4?

   1. For example
   2. In addition
   3. However
   4. In conclusion

4. Which is the best way to combine: "The storm knocked out the power. We played board games by candlelight."

   1. Knocking out the power, we played board games by candlelight in the storm.
   2. The storm knocked out the power and, we played board games by candlelight.
   3. The storm knocked out the power, we played board games by candlelight.
   4. When the storm knocked out the power, we played board games by candlelight.

5. (1) Then she sanded the old dresser until the chipped paint was gone. (2) Last summer, Grace decided to rescue a dresser she found at a garage sale. (3) Finally, she added new brass handles and set the dresser in her room. (4) Next, she brushed on two coats of pale green paint, letting each one dry overnight.

   Which sentence about Grace's dresser should come first because it introduces the topic?

   1. Sentence 4
   2. Sentence 3
   3. Sentence 2
   4. Sentence 1

6. (1) Our school should keep the library open until 5 p.m. (2) Many students have no quiet place to study at home. (3) Others need the computers to finish assignments. (4) The library also has comfortable chairs. (5) ___

   Which sentence in the paragraph about library hours is the weakest support for the opinion?

   1. Sentence 3
   2. Sentence 4
   3. Sentence 1
   4. Sentence 2

7. Which transition best shows contrast? "Dev practised every day. ___, he still felt nervous before the recital."

   1. For instance
   2. Similarly
   3. As a result
   4. Even so

8. Which is the best topic sentence for a paragraph about the benefits of walking to school?

   1. I walked to school yesterday morning because it was sunny and warm.
   2. Buses usually arrive at our school at around 8:15 a.m. on weekdays.
   3. Walking to school is a simple way to stay healthy and save money.
   4. Some schools are very far away from where most of their students live.

9. A paragraph argues for a school composting program. Which order of supporting points is most effective?

   1. Strongest first, then repeated in the same words
   2. From least to most convincing, ending with the strongest
   3. In the order the writer happened to think of them
   4. Alphabetical order by the first word of each point

10. (1) Many students think a garden needs a big backyard. (2) In fact, a balcony or a sunny window can grow plenty of food. (3) Cherry tomatoes, lettuce and herbs all do well in pots. (4) ___, a container garden needs less weeding than a garden in the ground. (5) With a few pots and some soil, almost anyone can start growing vegetables this spring.

    Which sentence would best follow sentence 3 in the container-garden paragraph?

    1. Gardening has been popular for thousands of years.
    2. My uncle owns a farm with forty dairy cows.
    3. Tomatoes were once thought to be poisonous.
    4. Even a single pot of basil can flavour many meals.

11. (1) Then she sanded the old dresser until the chipped paint was gone. (2) Last summer, Grace decided to rescue a dresser she found at a garage sale. (3) Finally, she added new brass handles and set the dresser in her room. (4) Next, she brushed on two coats of pale green paint, letting each one dry overnight.

    The sentences about Grace's dresser are out of order. Which order is most logical?

    1. 1, 2, 3, 4
    2. 2, 4, 1, 3
    3. 4, 1, 2, 3
    4. 2, 1, 4, 3

12. A writer's paragraph jumps between three unrelated ideas. Which revision would best improve its organization?

    1. Keep one main idea and move the others to new paragraphs
    2. Repeat the opening sentence at the very end
    3. Replace short words with longer, rarer ones
    4. Add more exclamation marks to the strongest idea

13. (1) Many students think a garden needs a big backyard. (2) In fact, a balcony or a sunny window can grow plenty of food. (3) Cherry tomatoes, lettuce and herbs all do well in pots. (4) ___, a container garden needs less weeding than a garden in the ground. (5) With a few pots and some soil, almost anyone can start growing vegetables this spring.

    What is the purpose of sentence 1 in the paragraph about container gardens?

    1. It gives the main advantage of growing herbs
    2. It explains how to fill a pot with soil
    3. It states a common belief the paragraph corrects
    4. It summarizes the paragraph's final advice

14. (1) Our school should keep the library open until 5 p.m. (2) Many students have no quiet place to study at home. (3) Others need the computers to finish assignments. (4) The library also has comfortable chairs. (5) ___

    Which sentence would make the best conclusion for the paragraph about library hours?

    1. Some students say they prefer to study in the cafeteria instead.
    2. The library was built in 1998, right next to the school gym.
    3. Longer hours would give every student a fair chance to succeed.
    4. Our principal also likes to read mystery novels on weekends.

15. Which transition best introduces an example? "Recycling saves resources. ___, one tonne of recycled paper can save many trees."

    1. In contrast
    2. Nevertheless
    3. For example
    4. On the other hand

16. Which transition best shows a result? "The road was icy. ___, the school buses were cancelled."

    1. As a result
    2. For example
    3. However
    4. Meanwhile