A trip to the ocean can be a relaxing escape from the everyday pressures of life. A sailboat glistening on the horizon provides a mental escape to faraway places.

A trip to the ocean can be a relaxing escape from the everyday pressures of life. A sailboat glistening on the horizon provides a mental escape to faraway places. The rhythm of the ocean beating against the sand is sedating music to a troubled mind. A slow, gentle breeze can relax your tensions. You should always be careful to avoid overexposure to the sun at the beach.

a. Write the sentence that is the topic sentence of the paragraph.

b. Write the sentence that is unrelated to the topic and can be eliminated.

List four things to look for when you’re proofreading.

Complete the following two steps:

a. Define the term cliché.

b. Use a cliché in a sentence that you create.

Name and explain two types of prewriting.

Choose one of the prompts listed below. Write a five-sentence paragraph using chronological order and including a topic sentence to explain the steps that you would take to complete one of the following tasks.

a. Preparing for a test

b. Preparing to host a party or an event

c. Getting ready for work

d. Cleaning your room or your home

e. Building a snowman, sandcastle, or sculpture

f. Creating a budget

Choose one of the following topics. Write an eight-sentence paragraph that fully develops the topic.

a. Following instructions is very important.

b. Job training programs (such as Job Corps) are valuable to both employers and potential employees.

c. Advances in technology are making people less social.

d. A high school diploma is important to my future.

e. College is not for everyone.

f. Drunk driving can be stopped.

Checklist

Ask yourself these questions after you answer the questions for your exam.

Did I answer all six questions and follow the instructions for each one?

Did I answer all questions on my own, without help from the Internet?

Did I select a topic for question 5 from the list given in the instructions?

Is question 5 ONE paragraph?

Does question 5 contain five sentences?

Is question 5 written in chronological order?

Did I select a topic for question 6 from the list given in the instructions?

Is question 6 ONE paragraph?

Does question 6 contain eight sentences?

Is my work saved as a Microsoft Word document or in Rich Text Format?

If you answered YES to all of the questions, you are ready to submit your work for grading!

Grading Rubric

Your instructor will use the following rubric to grade your work:

Grading Rubric Excellent Good Moderate Fair Poor N/A

Question 1a: Identification of topic sentence 5 * * * * 0

Question 1b: Identification of unnecessary sentence 5 * * * * 0

Question 2: Proofreading element 1 2.5 * 2 * * 0

Question 2: Proofreading element 2 2.5 * 2 * * 0

Question 2: Proofreading element 3 2.5 * 2 * * 0

Question 2: Proofreading element 4 2.5 * 2 * * 0

Question 3a: Definition of cliché 5 4 3 2 1 0

Question 3b: Use of a cliché in an original sentence 5 4 3 2 1 0

Question 4: First type of prewriting identified 2 * * * * 0

Question 4: Explanation for first type 3 * 2 * 1 0

Question 4: Second type of prewriting identified 2 * * * * 0

Question 4: Explanation for second type 3 * 2 * 1 0

Question 5: Five-sentence paragraph in chronological order, written for one of the prompts. 30–26 25–21 20–16 15–11 10–6 5–0

Question 6: Eight-sentence paragraph that fully develops one of the stated topic sentences. 30–26 25–21 20–16 15–11 10–6 5–0

 Totals  

Please note: If your assignment is returned without a grade, you must submit a revised exam. You will only earn a final course grade when you properly complete each of the writing exams in the Practical English course.