HiSET: Language Arts - Writing : Organization of Ideas
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HiSET: Language Arts - Writing
All HiSET: Language Arts - Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Analyzing Paragraph Structure
(1) Yoga is an ancient practice. (2) It is a practice that originated in India. (3) Although many modern yoga practitioners think that yoga is mostly about stretching and exercise, its origins are much more closely related to meditation and spirituality. (4) One major text that forms a large portion of what we now know about yoga is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. (5) Hatha is the name of one style of yoga. (6) In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, eight different components or “limbs” of yoga are introduced. (7) Only one of these “limbs” pertains to a physical yoga practice. (8) The other seven are related to moral virtuous behavior, breathing, and inward focus. (9) Yoga was first introduced to the west in the 19th century and gained major mainstream popularity in the 20th century. (10) In the United States and around the world, a wide variety of yoga styles have taken hold. (11) A few current popular yoga styles include vinyasa, ashtanga, bikram, and many others. (12) Many of these styles are quite different from the earlier forms of yoga. (13) In fact, many of the poses in contemporary yoga were actually influenced by calisthenics done by the British army. (14) Krishnamacharya, the yogi-in-residence in Mysore, India for much of the twentieth century, combined the earlier mystic elements of yoga with movements borrowed from gymnastics and military conditioning routines. (15) Often called “The Father of Modern Yoga,” Krishnamacharya personally instructed some of the most influential teachers who then went on to establish their own styles of teaching.
The writer is considering breaking the passage into two separate paragraphs. Where is the best place for a paragraph break?
Between sentences (8) and (9)
Between sentences (7) and (8)
Between sentences (5) and (6)
Between sentences (10) and (11)
Between sentences (3) and (4)
Between sentences (8) and (9)
This is a natural place for a paragraph break because the content shifts from the historical origins of yoga to its emergence in the western world. A new paragraph typically signals to readers that there is a new point of new idea being discussed. In this passage, the transition from the ancient history of yoga to the more recent history of contemporary yoga (as well as its journey to the United States) is exactly the kind of shift that calls for a new paragraph.
Example Question #2 : Analyzing Paragraph Structure
Dear Author,
Thank you for bringing the Harold Rodgers series into the world—your books have made my life so much better and more interesting. (1) Your books are just amazing. The characters and the plot spark my imagination and take me into a new world. (2) I just couldn’t put the books down once I read them they are so suspenseful. I think you should write another book. If you did, a lot of people would buy it. (3) When your previous books were published, the lines at the bookstore were out the door, and people were waited all night to get your book. You could make a lot of money selling your books to children and adults since so many people would buy it. (4) Everyone needs to make money to survive. Please consider writing another book for your fans. Thank you for taking time to read my request.
What change should be made to sentence 1?
(no change)
You're books are just amazing.
Your book's are just amazing.
Omit the sentence
Omit the sentence
The best choice would be to omit this sentence from the paragraph. This is because the author has already expressed that he or she thinks that the author’s books are amazing through the details in the paragraph, making this sentence redundant and repetitive. The other choices are grammatically incorrect or do not correct the problem of repetitiveness.
Certified Tutor
All HiSET: Language Arts - Writing Resources
