Writing Essays

Respuesta correcta: A) School uniforms should be replaced by a dress code based on comfort.

• A) School uniforms should be replaced by a dress code based on comfort.It states the topic and the writer's position in one clear thesis.
• B) There are many opinions about school clothes.It only announces a topic without taking a position.
• C) This essay will talk about uniforms.A metadiscourse announcement adds no content.
• D) Uniforms are worn every day by millions of students.It gives a fact but does not present an argument.

Respuesta correcta: C) It states the central argument of the essay.

• A) It lists every source used.References belong in the bibliography, not in the thesis.
• B) It concludes the argument with a summary.That is the role of the conclusion.
• C) It states the central argument of the essay.The thesis is the claim the whole text supports.
• D) It introduces the author's biography.Biographical information is not part of the thesis.

Respuesta correcta: B) However

• A) Therefore'Therefore' would draw a conclusion, not a contrast.
• B) However'However' introduces a contrast between cost and improved results.
• C) Besides'Besides' adds supporting information, which is not the relation here.
• D) For example'For example' introduces an illustration, not an opposing idea.

Respuesta correcta: C) For these reasons, schools should adopt flexible dress codes.

• A) There are many reasons to think about school uniforms.That is a vague repetition, not a conclusion.
• B) I will now write about the second reason.That is a metadiscourse remark and breaks the conclusion.
• C) For these reasons, schools should adopt flexible dress codes.It restates the argument and closes the essay without new evidence.
• D) Uniforms cost ten dollars per year.A new fact at the end distracts from the argument.

Respuesta correcta: B) To present the strongest objection and then answer it.

• A) To weaken the essay by confusing the reader.The purpose is to strengthen, not to confuse.
• B) To present the strongest objection and then answer it.Addressing an objection makes the argument more convincing.
• C) To repeat the thesis in other words.Repetition of the thesis is not a counterargument.
• D) To list unrelated sources.Sources are cited to support a position, not listed randomly.

Respuesta correcta: D) Remote learning improves independence but requires better internet access.

• A) Remote learning is a topic that many people discuss.It only announces a topic and cannot be argued.
• B) Remote learning is used in many countries.It is a fact, not a debatable claim.
• C) Remote learning changed education.It is too vague to serve as an argument.
• D) Remote learning improves independence but requires better internet access.It takes a clear position that can be defended with evidence on both sides.

Respuesta correcta: B) Two studies published in 2020 reported improved attendance.

• A) The terrible old system never worked for anyone.'Terrible' and 'never' are judgements, not evidence.
• B) Two studies published in 2020 reported improved attendance.It presents verifiable data with no emotional judgement.
• C) Everyone knows that online classes are fantastic.'Everyone knows' and 'fantastic' are subjective and unverified.
• D) Obviously, the new method is the best option.'Obviously' assumes the conclusion instead of arguing it.

Respuesta correcta: C) The writer is summarising the argument.

• A) The writer is starting a new paragraph.It signals the end, not the beginning.
• B) The writer is quoting a source.Quotations need reference markers, not a linking phrase.
• C) The writer is summarising the argument.'In conclusion' marks the synthesising part of the text.
• D) The writer is asking a question.Questions use question forms, not this connective.

Respuesta correcta: D) The amount of electricity saved by recycling paper last year.

• A) Recycling is a wonderful idea.That is an opinion repeated from the thesis.
• B) I think everyone should recycle.A personal preference does not support an argument.
• C) Some people do not like bins in the corridors.An irrelevant personal reaction, not evidence.
• D) The amount of electricity saved by recycling paper last year.Measurable data directly supports the claim.

Respuesta correcta: A) Furthermore, schools should reduce paper waste.

• A) Furthermore, schools should reduce paper waste.It adds a further point without breaking the topic.
• B) In conclusion, recycling is a good practice.That signals the end, which is not a mid-text transition.
• C) For example, I have three brothers.The personal detail breaks the line of argument.
• D) On the other hand, that was a different school.The contrast introduces an unrelated setting.

Respuesta correcta: D) An argumentative essay defends a position; a descriptive one explains characteristics.

• A) The descriptive essay always includes statistics.Statistics belong to argumentative texts.
• B) The argumentative essay has no structure.Both genres require an organised structure.
• C) The descriptive essay presents a conclusion.Both genres normally end with a closing paragraph.
• D) An argumentative essay defends a position; a descriptive one explains characteristics.The first argues, the second depicts.

Respuesta correcta: A) Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.

• A) Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.It announces the general idea the paragraph will develop.
• B) My uncle installed panels on his roof.A single specific case is too narrow for a topic sentence.
• C) Panels are useful because they reduce bills and emissions.This already gives the reasons, which belong after the topic sentence.
• D) Panels.A single word cannot announce the content of a paragraph.

Respuesta correcta: B) To give the reader background so the thesis makes sense.

• A) To fill space so the essay looks longer.Padding is not a rhetorical reason.
• B) To give the reader background so the thesis makes sense.Context first, claim second is the standard order.
• C) To list all the sources used.Sources are cited in the body, not listed as background.
• D) To repeat the conclusion twice.Repeating a conclusion is not a function of the introduction.

Respuesta correcta: A) show

• A) show'Show' indicates evidence without claiming absolute proof.
• B) prove'Prove' claims certainty, which empirical results rarely support.
• C) guess'Guess' contradicts the factual register of the sentence.
• D) feel'Feel' is subjective and does not fit academic writing.

Respuesta correcta: C) The absolutes make the claim impossible to argue precisely.

• A) The thesis is too short to be valid.Length does not determine the validity of a thesis.
• B) It should end with a question mark.A thesis is a statement, not a question.
• C) The absolutes make the claim impossible to argue precisely.'Definitely', 'good' and 'everyone' remove any space for qualification.
• D) It needs a quotation in the middle.Quotations belong to the body of the essay.

Respuesta correcta: D) Point out that its evidence does not support its conclusion.

• A) Repeat the opponent's words louder.Volume does not refute an argument logically.
• B) Change the subject quickly.Avoiding the issue leaves the objection unanswered.
• C) Call the author a poor writer.Personal attacks are a fallacy, not an argument.
• D) Point out that its evidence does not support its conclusion.A refutation attacks the link between evidence and claim.

Respuesta correcta: A) The second paragraph.

• A) The second paragraph.The body paragraph carries the thesis and its supporting evidence.
• B) The first paragraph.The first paragraph is the introduction.
• C) The last paragraph.The last paragraph is the conclusion.
• D) Any paragraph at random.Structure follows a deliberate order, not randomness.

Respuesta correcta: C) Quoting without naming the author or the year.

• A) Quoting a sentence of fewer than eight words.Short quotations are acceptable when they are attributed.
• B) Using a quote to support your own argument.That is a legitimate and common use of evidence.
• C) Quoting without naming the author or the year.An unattributed quote cannot be verified by the reader.
• D) Introducing the quote with a colon.A colon is the standard way to introduce a quotation.

Respuesta correcta: B) Why Buses Beat Cars in City Streets

• A) Essay About TransportIt is too vague to inform the reader of the content.
• B) Why Buses Beat Cars in City StreetsIt names the topic and signals a comparative argument.
• C) The Second Essay of the YearIt refers to the assignment, not to the content.
• D) Things I LikeIt does not identify the subject matter at all.

Respuesta correcta: D) In my view, later start times would reduce stress for teenagers.

• A) Later start times are obviously the truth.'Obviously' asserts the claim as fact and gives no reason.
• B) Everyone knows that teenagers prefer late classes.'Everyone knows' is an unsupported generalisation.
• C) Later start times reduce stress.Stated alone, it reads as a fact rather than an argued opinion.
• D) In my view, later start times would reduce stress for teenagers.It marks the position as an opinion and gives a reason.