Name: ______________________ Class: _________________ Date: _________

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs Unit 8: Opinion Paragraphs

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the paragraph and answer the questions. You will not use all the
answers.

Plastic Water Bottles: Say No!

In my opinion, single-serve plastic water bottles should be banned. First of all, these plastic bottles
create excessive waste. If plastic bottles are not recycled, they end up in landfills where they can take
many years to break down. Not only do plastic bottles fill landfills, they also reach our oceans and
waterways where they can harm marine life and vegetation. In addition, bottled water is very expensive.
By purchasing a reusable water bottle and refilling it with tap water, an individual can save over a
thousand dollars a year. Cities would also save money by reducing waste disposal costs. For the important
reasons given here, I support a complete ban on all single-serve plastic water bottles.

a. Some people claim that plastic water bottles are an essential part of emergency
supply kits.
b. to present a strong argument for banning plastic water bottles
c. that we need to find solutions for environmental waste
d. Plastic water bottles create excessive waste.
e. to share the opposing opinion about banning plastic water bottles
f. that plastic water bottles should be banned
g. Plastic water bottles harm the environment.
____ 1. What is the purpose of this paragraph?
____ 2. What opinion does the writer state in the topic sentence of the paragraph?
____ 3. What is the first reason the writer gives to support his opinion?
____ 4. What is another reason the writer gives?
____ 5. What is a possible reason not to ban plastic water bottles?

INSTRUCTIONS: Read each statement. Write “F” if it is a fact or “O” if it is an opinion.

6. The best place to go skiing in Europe is in Chamonix, France. ____

7. In a 2014 report, around 1800 giant pandas were found living in the wild in China. ____

8. All children should have the opportunity to learn how to play a musical instrument. ____

9. Some green, leafy vegetables include spinach, arugula, and kale. ____

10. The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling have been translated into over 80 different languages. ____

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 1

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs, Fifth Edition Unit 8 Test

Name: ______________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the topic sentences and decide if they are good for opinion
paragraphs.

____ 11. Construction on the Tower of London began in the year 1080, making it the oldest building in London,
England.
a. a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph
b. not a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph

____ 12. It is important to get a college degree in order to compete in today’s job market.
a. a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph
b. not a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph

____ 13. Although many people are skeptical about cloning animals, there are commerce and research benefits
worth consideration.
a. a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph
b. not a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph

____ 14. Hiragana, katakana, and kanji are the names of the three writing systems used in Japan.
a. a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph
b. not a good topic sentence for an opinion paragraph

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the correct word form to complete each sentence.

____ 15. The teacher asked the two children to speak ________________ about the incident on the playground.
a. truthful
b. truth
c. truthfully

____ 16. Many problems can be solved by thinking ________________.

a. logic
b. logical
c. logically

____ 17. The number of people living in urban areas is expected to ________________ significantly in the next
ten years.
a. increase
b. increased
c. increasingly

____ 18. If you want to fix your ________________ problems, start by making a budget.
a. finances
b. financial
c. financially

____ 19. There has been an ________________ in smartphone technology in the past several years.
a. improving
b. improvement
c. improved

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 2

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs, Fifth Edition Unit 8 Test

Name: ______________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the word or phrase that is most closely related to the underlined
vocabulary word.

____ 20. Laura hopes to obtain a rare copy of a Beatles’ album at an auction this weekend.
a. get
b. take care of
c. offer service for free

____ 21. Most movie theaters prohibit the use of cell phones in the theater while the movie is playing.
a. not allow
b. not use time wisely
c. say something is true

____ 22. There has been a ban on cars on Mackinac Island in Michigan since the 1890s. People can travel by foot,
bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.
a. harm to a thing
b. stop or block
c. action of doing or completing something

____ 23. The interviewer asked Arthur what his motivation was for applying for the job.
a. ability to act without restriction
b. good result of something
c. strong reason for doing something

____ 24. Wall phones with long cords seem old-fashioned compared to the smartphones we use today.
a. harmed
b. not permitted
c. not modern

INSTRUCTIONS: Match each phrase to the word or phrase that best completes the
collocation. You will not use all the words.
a. common sense
b. debt
c. mandatory
d. performance
e. trillion
f. versus
g. volunteer
____ 25. good ________________ evil
____ 26. to use ________________
____ 27. attendance is ________________
____ 28. your time
____ 29. to pay off a ________________

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 3

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs, Fifth Edition Unit 8 Test

Name: ______________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the sentences with the best word in parentheses.

30. The ________________ (beneficial / benefits) of sitting in a sauna include reduced stress and improved
cardiovascular health.

31. The package was ________________ (damaged / damaging) in the mail, so I returned it for a refund.

32. Some common ________________ (occupations / occupied) of recent college graduates are sales
associates and research assistants.

33. The concierge ________________ (proposal / proposed) several different restaurants for the guests to
choose from.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. You will not
use all the words.

billions claimed freedom injured interact manage performances

34. Jessica ________________ that she returned the library books, but she still received overdue notices.

35. Some buildings were damaged during the storm, but fortunately nobody was ________________.

36. Preschoolers learn about sharing and basic problem-solving when they ________________ with their
peers.

37. Amir prefers the ________________ of traveling independently to traveling with a group.

38. There are ________________ of stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

INSTRUCTIONS: Rewrite these sentences, correcting two errors in each. Look for errors with
verbs and word forms.

39. Some people believes that fear is the most powerful emotional.

_____________________________________________________________________

40. Many people were surprising when the Beatles break up.

_____________________________________________________________________

41. Hamburgers and fries are two of the most popularity foods you can to buy at a fast-food restaurant.

_____________________________________________________________________

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 4

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs, Fifth Edition Unit 8 Test

Name: ______________________

42. One of the most important purposes of a government be to ensure the safe of its citizens.

_____________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS: Imagine you need to develop ideas for an opinion paragraph about having a
pet. Brainstorm two negative ideas and two positive ideas.

Example:
Negative point: some people have allergies
Positive point: help decrease stress

43. Negative point #1: ______________________________________________________

44. Negative point #2: ______________________________________________________

45. Positive point #1: ______________________________________________________

46. Positive point #2: ______________________________________________________

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 5

Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs, Fifth Edition Unit 8 Test

Name: ______________________

47. INSTRUCTIONS: Write an opinion paragraph that answers the question: Are cars the most
important form of transportation? Before writing your paragraph, brainstorm positive and
negative points. Write a topic sentence with a controlling idea. Write supporting sentences
that support your opinions. Give your paragraph a title. Use at least two of the vocabulary
words or phrases from Unit 8.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs Unit 8: Opinion Paragraphs

Answer Section

1. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

2. ANS: F PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
3. ANS: D PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
4. ANS: G PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
5. ANS: A PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
6. ANS:
O

PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

7. ANS:
F

PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

8. ANS:
O

PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

9. ANS:
F

PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

10. ANS:
F

PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements

11. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
12. ANS: A PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
13. ANS: A PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
14. ANS: B PTS: 2 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Elements
15. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Grammar
16. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Grammar
17. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Grammar
18. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Grammar
19. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Grammar
20. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AW
21. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AW
22. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
23. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AW
24. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
25. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

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 ID: A

26. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

27. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
28. ANS: G PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
MSC: AW
29. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary
30. ANS: benefits

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AW

31. ANS: damaged

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

32. ANS: occupations

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AW

33. ANS: proposed

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

34. ANS: claimed

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

35. ANS: injured

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AW

36. ANS: interact

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary MSC: AW

37. ANS: freedom

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

38. ANS: billions

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Vocabulary

39. ANS:
Some people believe that fear is the most powerful emotion.

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

40. ANS:
Many people were surprised when the Beatles broke up.

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

41. ANS:
Hamburgers and fries are two of the most popular foods you can buy at a fast-food restaurant.

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

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 ID: A

42. ANS:
One of the most important purposes of a government is to ensure the safety of its citizens.

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

43. ANS:
Answers will vary. Suggested answer: pets require care (walks, playtime, etc.) that owners may not have
time for

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

44. ANS:
Answers will vary. Suggested answer: food and visits to the vet are costly

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

45. ANS:
Answers will vary. Suggested answer: pets offer companionship

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

46. ANS:
Answers will vary. Suggested answer: pets offer personal and home safety

PTS: 1 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Sentences

47. ANS:
Answers will vary.

PTS: 20 REF: Unit 8 TOP: Writing

© 2020 National Geographic Learning, a Cengage Learning company 3