Grammar & Writing for Standardized Tests

by Lee, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780821507636
• ISBN10: 082150763X
• Edition: Student
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-31
• Publisher: William H Sadlier

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(3)
The Essay: Writing to a Prompt
Overview
What Makes a Good Essay?	4	(1)
Scoring Essays	5	(2)
Sample Essays	7	(4)
Before You Write
Topic 1 Reading Carefully	11	(2)
Topic 2 Narrowing Your Focus	13	(4)
Topic 3 Gathering and Grouping Ideas	17	(4)
Topic 4 Choosing a Thesis Statement and Ordering for Support	21	(4)
As You Write
Writing Better Essays
Topic 5 Opening Strong, Finishing Memorably	25	(4)
Topic 6 Choosing the Right Words	29	(4)
Topic 7 Supporting Your Ideas	33	(2)
Writing Better Paragraphs
Topic 8 Unity in Paragraphs	35	(2)
Topic 9 Coherence and Transitions	37	(4)
Topic 10 Varying the Structure of Your Paragraphs	41	(2)
Writing Better Sentences
Topic 11 What Is and Isn't a Sentence	43	(4)
Topic 12 Varying Sentence Structure and Type	47	(6)
Topic 13 Avoiding Cliches and Slang	53	(2)
Topic 14 Avoiding Wordy and Empty Sentences	55	(4)
Topic 15 Avoiding Choppy Sentences	59	(4)
Topic 16 Using the Active Voice	63	(2)
Topic 17 Using Commas, Semicolons, and Colons	65	(4)
Polishing Your Essay
Topic 18 Making Changes	69	(2)
Topic 19 Fixing Flawed Essays	71	(2)
Step-By-Step Models
Model A: From Prompt to Finished Essay	73	(4)
Model B: From Prompt to Finished Essay	77	(4)
Your Turn	81	(5)
Multiple Choice: Grammar and Usage
Overview
Multiple-Choice Formats	86	(1)
Strategies for Solving Multiple-Choice Questions	86	(1)
Topics Tested in Multiple-Choice Formats	87	(4)
Identifying Sentence Errors and Improving Sentences
Topic 20 Subject-Verb Agreement	91	(6)
Topic 21 Verb Tenses and Forms	97	(6)
Topic 22 Adjectives vs. Adverbs	103	(6)
Topic 23 Double Negatives	109	(4)
Topic 24 Faulty Idioms	113	(4)
Topic 25 Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement	117	(6)
Topic 26 Pronoun Reference and Shift	123	(6)
Topic 27 Pronoun Choice: Who and Whom	129	(4)
Topic 28 Fragments and Run-Ons	133	(6)
Topic 29 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers	139	(6)
Topic 30 Faulty Comparisons	145	(6)
Topic 31 Parallel Construction	151	(6)
Topic 32 Faulty Subordination	157	(6)
Improving Paragraphs
Topic 33 Revising Sentences in Paragraphs	163	(4)
Topic 34 Combining Sentences in Paragraphs	167	(4)
Topic 35 Organizing and Developing Paragraphs	171	(6)
Practice Tests
Practice Test 1	177	(16)
Practice Test 2	193	(16)
Appendices
Commonly Confused Words	209	(2)
Idioms	211	(2)
Test-Taking Tips	213	(2)
Student Self Evaluation	215	(2)
Index	217