Al Balqa Applied University

Irbid College
Midterm Exam
Paragraph Writing
Name: Grade: /30
Date: Dr. Saja Wardat

Question 1: Choose the appropriate topic sentence or concluding sentence for the following
paragraphs: (8 points)

I. ____________________________________________________________. Some
colleges and universities in the United Sates are private. Private colleges and universities
do not get money from taxes, so they are usually more expansive. Other colleges and
universities are public; that is, the citizens of each state pay some of the costs through
their taxes. As a result, public colleges are cheaper for students to attend. No matter
which type of college you attend – public or private, you can get a good education.

a. There are two main types of colleges and universities in the United States.---
b. Public colleges and universities get money from taxes.
c. There are many colleges and universities in the United States.

II. _______________________________________________________________. First,

living in a foreign country helps you learn another language faster than studying it at
school. Second, you can learn directly about the history, geography, and culture of a
country. Third, you become a more tolerant person because you experience different
ways of living. Fourth, living in a foreign country makes you appreciate your own
country better.

a. Living in a foreign country helps you learn.

b. Everyone should live in a foreign country for a while.
c. Living in a foreign country has four benefits. ---

III. There are two reasons I love big cities. First of all, big cities are alive 24/7. You can go
shopping, see a movie, exercise at a gym, get something to eat, or go roller skating at any
time of the day or night. Second, I love big cities because of their anonymity. You can be
completely invisible in big cities. No one watches your daily comings and goings.
Neighbors don’t bother you as long as you don’t bother them. You can stay out all night
or stay home all day, and no one cares. _______________________________________.

a. To sum up, I love big cities because you can be independent.

b. In short, big cities attract me because there are so many things to do.
c. In brief, I like big cities because of their energy and anonymity. ---

IV. Walking is the best exercise. First, walking is free, so people don’t need to buy a gym
membership to do it. Secondly, people can walk wherever they live. Third, studies show
that walking outside not only burns calories but also help a person feel happy and
optimistic. ____________________________________________________.

a. For these reasons, walking is an excellent form of exercise. ---

b. In conclusion, walking does not cost any money.
c. In summary, many people love to walk.
Question 2: Choose the correct definition of the underlined vocabulary: (4 points)
1. I opened the letter with trembling hands. Nervous/ afraid
A. calm. B. nervous.--- C. serious.

2. Please don’t omit any details. Forget.

A. add. B. forget.--- C. build on.

3. Her behavior baffled her parents. Confused

A. confused.--- B. unwound. C. relaxed.

4. We are not responsible for the loss of personal property. Something owned.
A. public. B. something owned. C. common.
Question 3: Identify the mistake (Comma Splices (CS) or Sentence Fragment (SF)) in the
following sentences and write the correction for them: (8 points)
1. The assignment sheet was unclear. Another reason we were so confused. ______
à SF: Another reason we were so confused that the assignment sheet was unclear.
2. The delivery man was late, he forgot to bring the drinks. _____
à CS: The delivery man was late, and he forgot to bring the drinks./ The delivery man
was late. He forgot to bring the drinks.
3. We canceled the picnic. Because it was raining. _____
à SF: We canceled the picnic because it was raining.
4. Got job at Sam’s club during summer vacation. _____
➔ SF: He/ She/ I /(any correct subject) got job at Sam’s club during summer vacation.
Question 4: Identify the paragraph elements (Topic sentence, main idea, controlling idea,
supporting sentences, concluding sentence) for the following: (10 points)
Paragraph 1:
[Gold: MAIN IDEA, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics: CONT.
IDEA.] TS First of all, gold has a lustrous’ beauty that is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is
suitable for jewelry, coins, and ornamental purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will
remain beautiful forever. For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the
day it was minted twenty-three centuries ago. Another important characteristic of gold is its
usefulness to industry and science. For many years, it has been used in hundreds of industrial
applications. The most recent use of gold is in astronauts’ suits. Astronauts wear gold-plated heat
shields for protection outside spaceships SUPPORTING Ss. [In conclusion, gold is treasured not
only for its beauty but also for its utility.] CONCLUDING S.
Paragraph 2:
[The most important problem MAIN IDEA is our city is its poor public transportation
system. CONTR. IDEA] TS Thousands of residents rely on the city’s buses and taxis to travel
throughout this large city, while the Metro Transportation System’s daily schedules are totally
unreliable. A bus or taxi that should arrive at 7:45 may not arrive until 8:00 or later. Moreover, it
is not unusual for a bus driver to pass up groups of people waiting for the bus because he wants
to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people often end up going to work late or missing
important appointments. SUPPORTING Ss [In order for people to get to their destination on
time, people must allow for waiting time at the bus and taxis stops.] CONCLUDING S