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Answer 1

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Read this essay, titled "A Domestic Dispute," and then answer the questions about it.

(1) 1When my husband and I were dating, we learned pretty quickly that we disagreed on one fundamental issue: pets. 2I'm a cat person, and he's a dog. 3I mean, he's a dog person. 4Quite seriously, our argument about pets may not seem like a major issue to a lot of people, but it was for us. 5We definitely wanted a pet, so we each argued our side vigorously. 6Finally, we sat down and compared cats and dogs, and the answer became obvious.

(2) Dogs, I pointed out to my husband, are stinky. With all that hair and all their energy, they cannot help but stink. Furthermore, their odor would make our whole house stink. Cats, on the other hand, clean themselves. They do not stink. At that point, my husband corrected me. Cats do need litter boxes, and litter boxes stink. OK, I admitted, that is true.

(3) So we went on to another point. Dogs, my husband pointed out, are known for their loyalty and heroic behavior. Many a dog has saved a human life, I was excitedly told. I had to acknowledge that yes, dogs have saved human lives, but Reader's Digesthas published stories about cats saving lives too. In one story that I remember, a cat pawed her owner's chest until the owner awoke to find the house full of flames. So there-cats can be heroes, too.

(4) Yes, my husband conceded, but dogs are fun. They can accompany you on walks; they will listen to your problems; they will go swimming with you; they will play Frisbee with you. I had to agree, but then I asked my husband if dogs would softly knead their little paws on you when they sit on your lap. Would they purr gently and lie patiently on your lap while you watch TV? And what about cats' needs? I don't see any cat owners walking their tabbies around the block on cold, rainy nights when everyone else is indoors. Cats are virtually maintenance-free, but they still give you love when you want it.

(5) In the end, my husband had to admit I was right about cats. The bad thing was that I had to admit he was right about dogs. So we came up with the obvious answer. We'd have to get both. So he now has his dog, a big, slobbery Labrador retriever, and I have little Tootsie, a sweet orange cat who cuddles up with me and purrs when I watch chick flicks. Now our little family is a picture of domesti(cat)ed bliss.

1.

Which sentence in paragraph 1 is the thesis statement?

a)

sentence 1

b)

sentence 4

c)

sentence 6

d)

sentence 5

Correct. The thesis statement contains the controlling idea of an essay. The thesis statement of this essay is sentence 6 in paragraph 1.

2.

How does the writer organize this comparison?

a)

subject by subject

b)

half by subject and half point by point

c)

mostly by subject

d)

point by point

Incorrect. A point-by-point arrangement compares two subjects on the first point, then on the second point, and so on through all the points. The writer of this essay organizes the comparison point by point.

3.

Each body paragraph discusses one point, except paragraph

a)

2.

b)

3.

c)

4.

d)

5.

Incorrect. When using a point-by-point arrangement, focus on only one point per body paragraph. In this essay, each body paragraph discusses one point, except paragraph 4.

4.

What is the best way to revise paragraph 4?

a)

Break it into two paragraphs: one based on fun and the other on needs.

b)

Delete the information about needs.

c)

Delete the information about fun.

d)

Do nothing; paragraph 4 is fine the way it is.

Correct. A balanced comparison covers the same topics for each subject. To revise paragraph 4 of this essay, break it into two paragraphs, one based on fun and the other on needs.

5.

This essay is

a)

mostly contrast-how cats and dogs differ.

b)

mostly comparison-how cats and dogs are alike.

c)

a combination of comparison and contrast.

d)

partly comparison and partly definition.

Correct. A comparison examines similarities, and a contrast examines differences. This essay is mostly contrast-how cats and dogs differ.

Read this essay, titled Rethinking the Luxury Car, and then answer the questions about it.

(1) 1After I graduated from college and landed my first real job, I couldn't believe the amount of money I had coming in every month. 2I went from pauper to prince. 3So I spent some of my riches on a new car. 4I traded in my 1992 Honda for a new Infiniti I30. 5The Infiniti was a great car, but after a year of paying $650 a month for it, I began thinking about what else I could be doing with that money. 6I could save for a vacation or buy some nice furniture. 7Or I could help my sister get through college more comfortably than I had. 8With a little research, I found a 2001 Buick LeSabre that compared favorably with the Infiniti on three important points-safety, amenities, and price.

(2) In terms of safety, the Infiniti and Buick both stack up well. Both vehicles have antilock brakes and traction control. Both have front air bags for drivers and passengers. Insofar as the overall weight of a vehicle is a factor in surviving a crash, the Buick is far heavier. I will admit, though, that the Infiniti has side air bags. All in all, the two are fairly safe vehicles.

(3) The Buick and Infiniti are also comparable in terms of amenities. The Infiniti has beautiful tan leather seats; so does the Buick. The Infiniti has a good sound system with a CD player; so does the Buick. The Infiniti has an air-conditioning system that adjusts itself according to the car's internal temperature; so does the Buick. There are some amenities that the Buick has but the Infiniti does not, such as a passenger-side air-conditioning adjustment, back seat air-conditioning vents, and more interior lighting options. The Buick also has enough internal space to seat five comfortably and six in a pinch. The Infiniti offers a programmable garage door opener that the Buick does not have. Overall, however, both cars are comfortable and well appointed.

(4) On the third factor-price-the Buick far outshines the Infiniti. Of course, we're comparing a new luxury vehicle with an old family car, but the price difference is amazing. I owed $22,000 on the Infiniti when I bought the Buick for $6,000. That's a $16,000 difference. The Infiniti had 50,000 miles on it when I sold it, and the Buick came with 56,000 miles, driven by one owner. Granted, the two vehicles don't compare well in the long term. According to the data, the Infiniti will outlast the Buick by a lot. But the data are averages, and my LeSabre might be the car that doesn't fit the pattern.

(5) In short, I am very happy with my automobile decision. Since I wrote a check for $6,000 for the Buick, I no longer have monthly car payments. Better yet, I drive a comfortable car that I feel safe in. But best of all is the smile on my sister's face when I give her a check each month to help her through college. Luxury has a price, but helping someone out is priceless.

6.

Which sentence in paragraph 1 is the thesis statement?

a)

sentence 5

b)

sentence 8

c)

sentence 4

d)

sentence 1

Correct. The thesis statement contains the controlling idea of an essay. The thesis statement in this essay is sentence 8 in paragraph 1.

7.

The thesis statement indicates that the essay will be organized

a)

mostly by subject.

b)

subject by subject.

c)

half subject and half point by point.

d)

point by point.

Incorrect. In a comparison-and-contrast essay, the thesis statement tells whether the writer has organized the essay by point or by topic. The thesis statement in this essay indicates that the essay will be organized point by point.

8.

The introduction to this essay includes the thesis statement and

a)

summarizes the essay.

b)

introduces the writer.

c)

provides background information.

d)

identifies the audience.

Incorrect. The introductory paragraph of a comparison-and-contrast essay provides necessary background information while stating which items will be compared or contrasted. The introduction to this essay includes the thesis statement and provides background information.

9.

Why is this thesis statement effective or ineffective?

a)

It is effective because it states the purpose of the comparison.

b)

It is ineffective because it does not state the purpose of the comparison.

c)

It is effective because it begins with a transition.

d)

It is ineffective because it does not give the year of the Infiniti.

Incorrect. The thesis statement of a comparison-and-contrast essay explains whether the writer will examine the subjects separately or show how one subject is superior to another. This thesis statement is effective because it states the purpose of the comparison.

10.

What is the purpose of the comparison?

a)

to paint a word picture of the two cars

b)

to show that one car is superior to the other

c)

to examine each item without making any judgments

d)

to tell how to find a good used car