Well-Organized Paragraph Test

Which of the following is irrelevant as part of a paragraph composed of these sentences?

I had been doing yoga at least three times a week for the past year. Yes - This is correct. This sentence does not fit the topic of training for a 5K race. At first, I walked and ran, though really it was more walking than running. No - This is an appropriate detail for the paragraph. I had never run a 5K race before, but I decided to try, and gave myself six weeks to train for it. No - This is an acceptable topic sentence for the paragraph. Each day, I was able to run a bit further and a bit faster. No - This is an appropriate supporting detail for the paragraph.

Which of the following is the best chronological sequence to construct a paragraph with these sentences? I. Jenner had observed that milkmaids who'd contracted cowpox, which was a mild disease, did not later catch smallpox. II. Jenner concluded that contracting cowpox somehow made people immune to smallpox. III. For hundreds of years, smallpox was one of the most devastating diseases in all of Europe until Edward Jenner created a vaccine in 1796. IV. Jenner tested his theory by inoculating a boy first with cowpox and then, a couple months later, with smallpox, which the boy did not contact.

IV, III, I, II No - This is not the most logical series of events. IV, III, II, I No - This is not the most logical series of events. III, I, II, IV Yes - This sequence makes the most sense. The topic sentence describes the main idea of the paragraph. Then Jenner makes an observation, makes a conclusion based on this observation, and then tests his idea. III, IV, II, I No - This is not the most logical series of events.

At what place in the paragraph below is more information or development needed? Making pizza dough from scratch is a lot easier than you think. First, you need to start with water and yeast.

Mix the water and yeast together and then stir in some olive oil. After that. add flour and salt, which will result in a kind of rough dough. No - There is no development needed here. When two pieces of dough have risen, you're ready to make pizza. Then, you can add whatever toppings, cheese, and sauce you like. Yes - The sentence after this discusses how two pieces of dough will rise, but there is no explanation of how you get two pieces of dough or how long they should rise. That's pretty much all you need to know about making pizza dough from scratch. No - There is no development needed here. You then turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for at lease five minutes. No - There is no development needed here.

Which of the following sentences makes the best topic sentence?

Ultimately, you'll find that getting it just right can be surprisingly satisfying. No - This sentence lacks context and would be better as part of a conclusion. Cooking requires a number of different skills that can be learned or processed. Yes - This sentence is the best example of the type of introductory information expected from a topic sentence. One of the first things you'll need as a chef is a good set of well-sharpened knives. No - This sentence would be better as supporting detail. Of course, it can take a while to get the hang of chopping vegetables efficiently. No - This sentence would be better as supporting detail.

Which of the following examples would most likely act as a transition sentence?

You will have an instructor and a syllabus, with a list of the books you will need to read. No - This is a supporting detail, which simply supports the main idea and does not transition. Taking a course online is in many ways similar to taking a course in a traditional classroom setting. No - This is a topic sentence and it introduces rather than transitions. You'll even have class discussions and one-on-one meetings with your professor. No - This is a supporting detail, which simply supports the main idea and does not transition. However, online students often work entirely from home, which is just one part of what makes online learning different. Yes - The second part of the sentence implies there is more information to come, which is a good way for transitioning to another paragraph.