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Principles of Advanced English Composition DANTES Practice Test
1) The __________ is the section of the Toulmin Method that allows for an explanation
of any outside reasoning needed to understand the overall argument.
A) Argument
B) Bridge
C) Backing
D) Support
The correct answer is C:) Backing. The backing, or "foundation," is a section of the writing that allows you to write in any outside reasoning needed to understand the argument.
This can be especially useful if, at first, the evidence doesn't appear to belong.
2) The __________ is the presentation of an opposing claim that is then argued
against in the writing through a rebuttal.
A) Assertion
B) Backing
C) Counterclaim
D) Rebuttal
The correct answer is C:) Counterclaim. The counterclaim can either be a statement summarizing the opposing argument, or can be an entire section. Many writers will include the claims of opposition in the introduction to show how their argument fits into
the literature and how they are arguing against others' arguments.
3) Many writers will begin their paper, in the introduction, with an __________ that
shows the argument in practice.
A) Summary
B) Anecdote
C) General overview
D) Introduction sentence
The correct answer is B:) Anecdote. The anecdote is a short story that sets the pace for
the writing, showing how the argument is true by its application in the real world.
4) Another way to quote a source is to use the __________ quote, which is a longer
quotation to give more information from the source.
A) Block
B) In-text
C) Conclusive
D) Inconclusive
The correct answer is A:) Block. The block quote can be multiple lines, but should not
be any more than five lines. For particularly longer quotes, you can utilize the ellipses
to cut out unneeded words.
5) The __________ style of citation is used primarily in the liberal arts or humanities.
A) Chicago
B) APA
C) MLA
D) Harvard
The correct answer is C:) MLA. Standing for "Modern Languages Association," MLA
citation utilizes parenthetical in-text citations that include the author, date of publication,
and page number.
6) The __________ is used in a wide-variety of books due to its ability to cite but not
break up the writing with unneeded parentheses.
A) Chicago
B) APA
C) MLA
D) Harvard
The correct answer is A:) Chicago. Chicago citation utilizes footnotes and endnotes,
which provide a citation style that helps keep the focus on the writing, rather than
breaking it up with parentheses.
7) Hypothesizing is dangerous without previous knowledge of a subject because it
can __________ your judgment and form biases.
A) Strengthen
B) Cloud
C) Alter
D) Block
The correct answer is B:) Cloud. Not knowing enough of a subject or being unable to
formulate an effective argument should prevent you from hypothesizing early. In other
words, hypothesizing needs to be carefully done.
8) __________ is one of the most important aspects of becoming a great writer.
A) Writing perfectly
B) Publishing
C) Listening to music
D) Reading
E) Attending writing workshops
The correct answer is D:) Reading. A couple of the above answers will help you become
a great writer, but besides writing daily, the best thing you can do is to read.
9) The first type of reading is to read __________.
A) As many different genres as possible
B) Only the genres that will help with your career
C) Only self-help books
D) Nothing
E) Newspaper articles
The correct answer is A:) As many different genres as possible. Of the two types of
reading, the first type is the type of reading you should be doing at all times except
when you are focusing on research.
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