Writing
Sample Passage 1
Read the passage below and then answer questions 1-4.
1 Can you imagine digging in your yard and finding one of the most significant
archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century? 2 A group of farmers was
digging a well in 1974 when they discovered chambers filled with life-sized
pottery soldiers made for the Emperor Qin Shi Huang almost 2,200 years earlier.
3 These figures were made of clay and fired in kilns in nearby villages. 4 Kilns
heated to 900 degrees C were used to “fire” or bake the figures to maintain an
even thickness and to harden the clay. 5 The statues’ legs were molded solid. 6
The upper parts of the bodies were made using one-inch thick coiled ropes that
were then smoothed with paddles. 7 While dozens of heads might have been
made from the same mold, each face was carved to give individaul details to the
eyes, hair, mustaches, and ears. 8 Although they have faded over the centuries,
various shades of lacquer were used to glaze figures with colors such as pink,
red, blue, and even bright yellow. 9 No two figures are identical. 10 Since then,
people have attempted to make figures of similar quality and failed. 11
Altogether, over 7,000 figures, horses, and chariots have been uncovered at this
site, and excavation continues to this day.
1.5.8
E
1. Where would this sentence best fit in the passage?
These pottery soldiers are known as the Terra Cotta Warriors.
A. after sentence 2
B. after sentence 4
C. after sentence 8
D. after sentence 10
1.5.8 F
2. Which explains the reason for quotation marks around the word fire in sentence 4?
A. The word is part of a title.
B. The word is used in a new way.
C. The word is part of a dialogue.
D. The word is a foreign word.
1.5.8 F
3. Which sentence shows the correct apostrophe placement in sentence 5?
A. The statue’s legs were molded solid.
B. The statues’ legs were molded solid.
C. The statues leg’s were molded solid.
D. The statues legs were molded solid.
1.5.8 F
4. Which word in sentence 7 is misspelled?
A. dozens
B. mold
C. individaul
D. mustaches
Sample Passage 2
Read the passage below and then answer questions 5-8.
1 Have you ever seen a flying squirrel? 2 Flying squirrels are unusual creatures. 3 First
of all, they can’t really fly; however, they can glide distances of 30 to 60 feet. 4 A fold of
skin on each side of the flying squirrel’s body connects its front and back legs. 5 With its
legs spread out, the flying squirrels uses this extra skin as wings. 6 Although these
squirrels can’t defy gravity to reach a higher level than the one from which they start,
they can gracefully glide downward. 7 Even though flying squirrels’ bodies are fairly
small, five to six inches in length, their tails are long. 8 They use these lengthy tails as
rudders to control a glide’s direction. 9 Also, while other North American squirrels are
active during the day, flying squirrels are nocturnal. 10 Nocturnal predators can pose
significant problems for them. 11 Making use of their large eyes, flying squirrels
constantly are on the lookout for owls. 12 Who often prey upon them.
1.5.8 F
5. Which is the correct form of the verb use in sentence 5?
A. used
B. using
C. use
D. has used
1.5.8 E
6. Which word or phrase could replace the word Also in sentence 9 without changing the
meaning of the sentence?
A. Consequently
B. Nevertheless
C. In addition
D. For example
1.5.8 E
7. Which is the best revision to make sentence 12 a complete sentence?
A. Owls often prey.
B. Owls are often prey for them.
C. Owls often prey for flying squirrels.
D. Owls often prey upon flying squirrels.
1.5.8 E
8. Which is the most relevant detail to add to the passage?
A. Flying squirrels are such good gliders that they can “steer” around objects.
B. Female flying squirrels usually give birth in early summer.
C. A rock band uses the name “The Flying Squirrels.”
D. I once saw a flying squirrel.
Sample Passage 3
Read the passage below and then answer questions 9-12.
1 Even though we’ve come to rely more than ever on computers, it’s hard to imagine
school without pencils. 2 Ancient Romans used metal rods, some containing lead, that
left marks on early forms of paper. 3 By the 1500s, pencils were sticks of graphite. 4
Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead. 5 It is non-toxic. 6 It is soft and brittle and
requires some kind of holder, so the graphite was wrapped in string. 7 Later, people
hollowed out sticks to hold the graphite. 8 Have you ever wondered why pencils are so
often painted yellow? 9 While early American pencils ere unpainted to show the quality
of wood used, in the 1890s, American pencil makers wanted to show buyers that their
pencils were made with Chinese graphite, the best quality graphite available. 10 They
painted their pencils yellow, a color associated with royalty and respect in China. 11
Today, 75 percent of pencils sold in the United States are yellow. 12 One pencil can
write 45,000 words or it can draw a line 35 miles long. 13 Pencils have been around a
long time.
1.5.8 E
9. Which is the best way to combine sentences 4 and 5?
A. Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, so it is non-toxic.
B. Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, but it is non-toxic.
C. Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, for it is non-toxic.
D. Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, and it is non-toxic.
1.5.8 F
10. Which word from sentence 6 is an adjective?
A. soft
B. requires
C. kind
D. wrapped
1.5.8 F
11. Which sentence is missing a comma?
A. sentence 2
B. sentence 9
C. sentence 12
D. sentence 13
1.5.8 E
12. Which is the best concluding sentence?
A. It’s hard to imagine life without pencils.
B. The development of paper is also very interesting.
C. I once used the same pencil for two solid months.
D. The first patent to attach an eraser to a pencil was issued in 1858.