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Practice Exit Exam Writing Form A

This exam was created by the State and released to the schools for practice. The answers are at the end of the test.

Here is a link to another college’s interactive version of this test. It will tell immediately if your answer is right or wrong.

http://net2.valenciacc.edu/mwhissel/Grammar/FCBSET/fcbset_wr_01.htm

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) Likewise, 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 programs 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.

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

A. There are many different types of art.

B. Arts of all types play a vital role in children’s development.

C. This paper talks about the importance of different types of art.

D. Children can have fun and play with art materials.

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

A. sentence 5

B. sentence 7

C. sentence 8

D. sentence 10

3. 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.

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.

B. 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.

C. 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.

D. 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.

4. Which numbered sentence is least relevant to the passage?

A. sentence 2

B. sentence 7

C. sentence 9

D. sentence 11

5. 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?

A. moreover

B. consequently

C. for example

D. however

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

(1) _____________________________________________________ . (2) Persistence is revealed not only by athletes who continue to compete despite injuries, but also by athletes who continue to give their best during a competition despite overwhelming odds. (3) In fact, persistence is related to effort, a quality evident in many athletes. (4) The quality of graciousness is also demonstrated through the football player who, upon being singled out for a special award, acknowledges the value of the teammates who contributed to his success. (5) The reverse of these admirable qualities is demonstrated by the player who throws tantrums on a tennis court or who attacks the umpire after a close call. (6) Kindness is likewise shown through the athlete who congratulates a teammate on a noteworthy performance or who reaches down to help up an opponent. (7) Spectators of sports are often criticized for being passive or lazy. (8) Certainly, spectators do not attend sports events for these lessons. (9) __, it is refreshing to know that viewers of sporting events see positive human qualities beyond the events themselves.

6. Which sentence, if inserted in the blank labeled number 1, is the best main idea or topic sentence for this passage?

A. Viewers of athletic competitions can learn important lessons of persistence, graciousness, and kindness.

B. Many qualities are displayed for viewers to see by athletes participating in sports events.

C. Although sports events are largely competitive, viewers of athletic competitions can learn many interesting things.

D. Although some athletes’ behavior during their sports events is notoriously bad, others demonstrate good qualities.

7. Select the arrangement of sentences 4, 5, and 6 that provides the most logical sequence of ideas and supporting details in the paragraph. If no change is needed, select option A.

A. The quality of graciousness is also demonstrated through the player who, upon being singled out for a special award, acknowledges the value of the teammates who contributed to his success. The reverse of these admirable qualities is demonstrated by the player who throws tantrums on a tennis court or who attacks the umpire after a close call. Kindness is likewise shown through the athlete who congratulates a teammate on a noteworthy performance or who reaches down to help up an opponent.

B. The quality of graciousness is also demonstrated through the player who, upon being singled out for a special award, acknowledges the value of the teammates who contributed to his success. Kindness is likewise shown through the athlete who congratulates a teammate on a noteworthy performance or who reaches down to help up an opponent. The reverse of these admirable qualities is demonstrated by the player who throws tantrums on a tennis court or who attacks the umpire after a close call.

C. The reverse of these admirable qualities is demonstrated by the player who throws tantrums on a tennis court or who attacks the umpire after a close call. Kindness is likewise shown through the athlete who congratulates a teammate on a noteworthy performance or who reaches down to help up an opponent. The quality of graciousness is also demonstrated through the player who, upon being singled out for a special award, acknowledges the value of the teammates who contributed to his success.

D. The reverse of these admirable qualities is demonstrated by the player who throws tantrums on a tennis court or who attacks the umpire after a close call. The quality of graciousness is also demonstrated through the player who, upon being singled out for a special award, acknowledges the value of the teammates who contributed to his success. Kindness is likewise shown through the athlete who congratulates a teammate on a noteworthy performance or who reaches down to help up an opponent.

8. Which word or phrase, if inserted in the blank in sentence 9, would make the relationship of the ideas in sentences 8 and 9 clearer?

A. Furthermore

B. For example

C. Consequently

D. However

9. DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).

The huge volcano in an explosive display of molten lava and ash.

A. sputtered

B. fizzled

C. erupted

10. DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).

Exercising every morning __ the office worker.

A. instigates

B. accelerates

C. invigorates

11. 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.

12. DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are used appropriately.

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.

13. DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence in which the modifiers are placed correctly.

A. Driving to the grocery store, she saw an accident on the highway.

B. She saw an accident on the highway driving to the grocery store.

C. Driving to the grocery store, an accident on the highway was seen by her.

14. DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).

Many vacationers travel great distances to visit famous sites, they are often unaware that opportunities for sightseeing exist much closer to home.

A. so

B. yet

C. and

D. for

15. DIRECTIONS: Choose the most effective word or phrase within the context suggested by the sentence(s).

The executive’s company paid for all expenses during her trip, __ she didn’t worry about how much the meal cost at the French restaurant.

A. so

B. and

C. but

D. yet

16. DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence that has no errors in structure.

A. The children were sunburned, thirsty, and feeling exhausted.

B. The children were sunburned, thirsty, and were exhausted.

C. The children were sunburned, thirsty, and exhausted.

17. DIRECTIONS: Choose the correct word or phrase within the context suggested by the

sentence(s).

On the last night of the state fair, Tamika rode the Ferris wheel, played arcade games, and __ cotton candy.

A. was eating

B. ate

C. she ate

D. eating

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

Studying for two weeks before each major exam. She improved her grades tremendously.

A. exam; she

B. exam, she

C. exam, and she

D. No change is necessary.

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

Since passenger-side airbags in cars are improving automobile safety. There are fewer

A

traffic fatalities, so insurance companies are lowering insurance rates for drivers of cars

 B                                                                                        C

with airbags.

A. safety, there

B. fatalities so

C. rates, for

D. No change is necessary.

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

I could find only one source in our library about the author’s use of color symbolism, therefore I decided to change my research paper topic.

A. symbolism, therefore;

B. symbolism therefore,

C. symbolism; therefore,

D. No change is necessary.

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

While I like to get up early on Saturday mornings and search for books at yard sales, my A B

roommate doesn’t like to look through other people’s discarded books she would rather

                                                                                                        C

sleep late and go to bookstores in the mall.

A. mornings, and

B. sales. My roommate

C. books. She

D. No change is necessary.

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

Every time the cousins have gone to the mall, they have came home with new clothes.

A. had came

B. have come

C. had come

D. No change is necessary.

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

After the gardener brung the bag of fertilizer from the nursery, he set the day lilies in their A B

holes and spread fertilizer around them.

               C

A. had brought

B. sat

C. spreaded

D. No change is necessary.

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

For as long as anyone can remember, those birds have returned to this spot.

A. return

B. are returning

C. will return

D. No change is necessary.

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

Many fine movies are filmed in the 1930s, an era that is seen by many current critics as the

  A                                                         B

golden age of Hollywood. Today, even children enjoy these old films.

                                                                            C

A. were

B. was seen

C. enjoyed

D. No change is necessary.

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

Neither of the massive elephants show any interest in the large crowd of spectators.

A. are showing

B. have shown

C. shows

D. No change is necessary.

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

Some of the garage sale merchandise such as bikes, clothes, and video games have sold quickly.

A. has sold

B. having sold

C. have sell

D. No change is necessary.

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

Everybody, including professional athletes, hate to lose, but few know how to lose gracefully.

A B C

A. hates

B. knows

C. loses

D. No change is necessary.

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

Each marching band has their own style.

A. her

B. his

C. its

D. No change is necessary.

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

John learned that if he takes the law into your own hands, he may have to suffer the

    A                     B                      C

consequences.

A. one

B. his

C. they

D. No change is necessary.

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

I like having a cellular phone. You can make calls from the car, and I can also use it for any

A B C

emergencies.

A. One likes

B. I

C. you

D. No change is necessary.

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

As Bill approached the stadium without a ticket, he wondered how he could convince them to let him in.

A. everyone

B. the ticket takers

C. him or her

D. No change is necessary.

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

Between Isabel and me, there will always be a special bond.

A. myself

B. I

C. we

D. No change is necessary.

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

Morgan felt badly about failing the exam.

A. bad

B. very badly

C. most badly

D. No change is necessary.

35. DIRECTIONS: Choose the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.

Of the three swimmers who are trying out for the team, she is the _.

A. more better

B. most good

C. better

D. best

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

It is impossible for people to discover their weakneses alone, so they should pay attention to

A B C

the feedback they get from others.

A. imposible

B. weaknesses

C. atention

D. No change is necessary.

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

The iris, a flower found in the legends of the Far East, is a symbol of joy and happiness;

A B

therefore, it appears in many Chinese drawings.

   C

A. iris a flower

B. Far East is

C. therefore it

D. No change is necessary.

38. DIRECTIONS: Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

A. The childrens’ shoe department is located on the second of three floors.

B. The children’s shoe department is located on the second of three floor’s.

C. The children’s shoe department is located on the second of three floors.

D. The childrens shoe department is located on the second of three floor’s.

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

Although we never saw anyone working, the lawn maintenance service was mowing and

A                 B                                             C

edging our yard regularly.

A. working the

B. lawn, maintenance

C. mowing, and

D. No change is necessary.

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

As we drove by uncle George’s house, I noticed that my math book was not in my backpack,

 A                                                             B

so I asked my sister to turn the car around and go back to the school.

                      C

A. Uncle

B. Math

C. Sister

D. No change is necessary.

Answers below.
You need to get 25 out of 40 correct (62.5%) to pass the objective test.Answers: PRACTICE Exit Exam Writing — Form A

1. B 21. C
2. D 22. B
3. A 23. A
4. C 24. D
5. D 25. A
6. A 26. C
7. B 27. A
8. D 28. A
9. C 29. C
10. C 30. B
11. B 31. B
12. C 32. B
13. A 33. D
14. B 34. A
15. A 35. D
16. C 36. B
17. B 37. D
18. B 38. C
19. A 39. D
20. C 40. A

Last updated 11/14/2007