EDGAR ESLIT Website

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/linguistics/russell/138/practice/pract1.htm

http://www.michael-forman.com/language/phonetics.html

Name: __________________                Course: ________________

Subject: ________________                  Section: ________________

Teacher:____________               Score: ______%                        

Test I. Modified “Yes” or “No”.  Please identify which of the following  topic sentences are effective to use in a paragraph. Write “yes” for the effective topic sentence and “no” for the non effective topic sentence.  For the “no” answer, please explain your reason why?

      1. Heat strokes, which can be fatal, occur when the body cannot cool or maintain its normal temperature.  [yes]  [no]

          2.  I was late for my English 2 class because my alarm did not go off.  [yes] [no]

          3. The politician's behavior has led to public distrust, moral and ethical charges, a    reduction in campaign funds, and media debates, many of which viewers feel have gone too far and invaded the politician's private life.  [yes] [no]

      4. The effects of the popularity of the Harry Potter series are apparent on store shelves across Europe, Asia and America.  [yes] [no]

          5. There are many reasons why the president considered the bills that crossed her desk last week. [yes] [no]

          6. Blockage of nerves causes carpal tunnel syndrome.  [yes] [no]

          7. Meditation can lead to a more peaceful state of mind and a lower level of stress. [yes] [no]

          8. Road rage is rampant in urban areas.  [yes] [no]

          9. Researchers have identified several causes of road rage, which has become rampant in Metro Manila areas.  [yes] [no]

          10. Nursing produces several health benefits for the baby.  [yes] [no]

Test II. Writing a topic sentence (based on a photo)

              Example:

Topic Sentence: I will never forget the events that occurred the first night I met the lady of my dreams, Kanchana, in Makati.

        (When you see this topic sentence, you know you will read a short story about the events that occurred the first night.  It will probably be in chronological order.  It will probably be a comedy).

Or, Kanchana is by now accustomed to the routine of getting dressed for her daily "performances" on the streets of Makati.

          (When you see this topic sentence, you will probably expect to read about the process of Kanchana's owner getting her dressed for her performances.  The steps will probably be in chronological order.)

Or, finally, Kanchana is very professional in the methods she uses in begging for money on the streets of Makati.

          (When you see this topic sentence, you can expect an explanation of HOW Kanchana is a professional.  What steps does she take?  The methods may be in chronological order, but they may also be different tactics completely which would be "emphatic" development.)

Note: It would, of course, be possible to write more topic sentences based on the picture.  For example, if I knew more about the genus of Kanchana, I could develop a topic sentence about endangered species, the numbers in captivity, their habitat, etc.

Question:  Suppose you are to write a topic sentence "inspired" by the following photos. What would you write?  Write one (1) TOPIC SENTENCE for each of the five (5) photos below.

1.  9/11 New York City       2. Python Boy           3. Poetry of the Sea               4. Who am I?             5. Shhh, my mom told me this is just a practice

Test III. Paragraph. Examine this paragraph.  Your task is to underline the topic sentence once, write in Italics the pronouns and  repeated/restated key words, and write in bold the transitional words.

                                                  The Mummy

                  The ancient Egyptians were masters of preserving dead people's bodies by making mummies of them. In short, mummification consisted of removing the internal organs, applying natural preservatives inside and out, and then wrapping the body in layers of bandages. And the process was remarkably effective.  Indeed, mummies several thousand years old have been discovered nearly intact. Their skin, hair, teeth, fingernails and toenails, and facial features are still evident. Their diseases in life, such as smallpox, arthritis, fatal afflictions are still apparent: a middle-aged king died from a blow on the head;  a child king died from polio.