A janitor changed my life. I was at a low point, ready to quit everything–even when I had it all. I didn’t realize how lucky I was. At 5 foot nothing, 100 and nothing pounds, I was hardly your typical football player. But, that didn’t stop me from believing that I could play for Notre Dame. It turns out, the most important part of achieving my dreams is believing in myself.
Read the following groups of sentences. Decide which belongs to a descriptive paragraph.
A. Students should study in a country other than their own for a semester. They should experience another culture to learn more about themselves and the world they live in.
B. Austin is a pretty town. It has a lot of green space and new buildings.
C. Teenagers often do not want to move to new places. One reason is that they do not want to leave their friends.
Rescue worker Jill Meadows was shocked when she entered the chaotic emergency center.
Read the thesis statement and the excerpts and from a descriptive essay. Which excerpt should come first?
A. In the middle of the room, Meadows noticed many wounded patients were waiting on the floor. Some were sitting on blankets, and many people were holding small children….
B. When Jill Meadows arrived at the medical center, she was surprised to see the hectic environment. To sum up, the center was one large room with three different areas. The reception was at the front….
C. When she arrived at the center, the front of the room was already busy and filled with people. It was a temporary reception area for people who needed help to check in….
D. At the back of the room, doctors were helping the patients with the most serious problems first. The area was divided into six small rooms separated by temporary plastic walls….
Read the following groups of sentences. Decide which belongs to a descriptive paragraph.
A. Many Korean immigrants are moving to smaller cities in the United States. They are moving because smaller towns are more affordable, and there are opportunities to open businesses.
B. There are a wide variety of Korean products in the new supermarket. It is easy to find Korean products, like kimchi and crisp green Korean pears. The salty smell of fresh fish fills the aisles.
C. Korean supermarkets in the United States are similar to supermarkets in South Korea. Both supermarkets in the United States and in South Korea sell kimchi. Most supermarkets in South Korean only sell Korean products, but in the United States they sometimes also sell Japanese products.
Read the topic sentence from a descriptive essay. Choose the correct sentence to support it:
The January 12th, 2010 earthquake in Haiti was one of the devastating natural disasters in history.
A. This earthquake hit the center of the country, about 1,500 miles from Beijing. Many homes were destroyed. Rescue workers give people warm coats and tents.
B. It was so strong that some people felt it in Argentina. Homes, hospitals, and other buildings were destroyed, leaving large piles of rocks and cement in many years.
C. More than 200,000 people died, and more than one million Haitians were homeless after the quake. Cities were noisy and frightening as people tried to rescue others.
Rescue workers from Los Angeles were well prepared to help earthquake victims in Haiti.
Read the thesis statement and the excerpts and from a descriptive essay. Which excerpt describes the conclusion?
A. Teams organized by the fire department had been specially trained to help in disasters. They had to make many preparations before they went to Haiti….
B. The US government asked the Los Angeles County Fire Department to help. They asked the fire department to put together an experienced team to help the victims in Haiti….
C. The team gathered special equipment right before they left on their trip. In addition to heavy equipment for moving large objects, they also took rescue dogs….
D. The fire department then gathered a team of medical experts and rescuers. Members of the team had trained for a year to deal with devastating events like this. They learned how to find victims trapped under heavy rocks or falling buildings…
Read the following groups of sentences. Decide which belongs to a descriptive paragraph.
A. Many students go to college in other countries. One reason is that they want to learn a new language.
B. Some students move back home after they study, while others stay in a new country. Both decisions greatly affect the students’ future careers and lifestyles.
C. Students who study in other countries experience the sights and sounds of another place. For example, they may shop in colorful markets when they have free time.
Read the essay introductory paragraph, choose the thesis statement: On January 12th, 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti. Thousands of people died, but at least one story had a positive outcome. Darlene Etienne was trapped under her home for 15 days. However, she was rescued and miraculously recovered.
A. Darlene Etienne was trapped under her home for 15 days. However, she was rescued and miraculously recovered.
B. On January 12th, 2010, an earthquake devastated Haiti.
C. Her story gave many people hope during a major catastrophe.
Read the descriptive paragraph. Choose the method of organization.
The Scientific Test Kitchen is a place where professors and students learn about new foods. In front of the room, there are five cooking areas. Each one contains a gas stove, a large sink, wooden cupboards, and a huge freezer. Next to the freezer are three microwaves. At the back of the room, there is a private meeting area. It contains a computer, a flat-screen TV, and several folding chairs. The equipment at the Scientific Test Kitchen allows people to learn about new experimental foods.
Read the excerpt of an essay body paragraph and choose the method of organization.
Darlene was rescued after a neighbor heard her voice. He and others began to dig, and soon French rescue workers arrived. Gradually, they opened a hole, and they pulled her out…
Read the excerpt of an essay body paragraph and choose what it describes.
Darlene was rescued after a neighbor heard her voice. He and others began to dig, and soon French rescue workers arrived. Gradually, they opened a hole, and they pulled her out…
Read the topic sentence from a descriptive essay. Choose the correct sentence to support it:
A third terrible disaster was the earthquake in China that happened in April 2010.
A. More than 200,000 people died, and more than one million Haitians were homeless after the quake. Cities were noisy and frightening as people tried to rescue others.
B. It was so strong that some people felt it in Argentina. Homes, hospitals, and other buildings were destroyed, leaving large piles of rocks and cement in many years.
C. This earthquake hit the center of the country, about 1,500 miles from Beijing. Many homes were destroyed. Rescue workers give people warm coats and tents.
