Name: _______________________________________

Date: _______________
English 10
Benchmark 1 Review: transitional words, thesis statement, text structure, logical sequence,
punctuation, commas, colons, semicolons, sentence combining, MLA, source credibility,
reliability, bias, primary/secondary sources, appropriate sources, inferences, conclusions,
informational texts
Directions: Read the passages and answer the questions that correspond below. Write the error
in the sentence in the blank labeled: Error.
Myths About Earthquakes
By: Sammy Elchenko
(1) Earthquakes rattle our psyches as well as our structures. (2) It is easy to tell jokes about how
jumpy people can be when an earthquake strikes. (3) However; our blood pressure rises precipitously
when the Earth suddenly springs to life without so much as a warning. (4) Events such as the magnitude5.8 earthquake centered in Virginia, which shook up many people without inflicting tremendous damage,
they offer a good wake-up call. (5) They provide a chance to consider our response and preparedness
plans; additionally, they cause us to reconsider our knowledge about earthquakes.
(7) There is a notion that animals anticipate impending earthquakes. (8) There are documented
references to show this unusual animal behavior. (9) This was fueled recently by accounts, including one
in The Washington Post, that some animals at the National Zoo had become restless and disoriented
before the quake that recently occurred. (10) Their animal stature, being close to the ground specifically,
might cause them to feel an initial weak shaking that goes unnoticed. (11) By humans, until stronger
waves arrive, which are felt by humans more easily. (12) Yet, every pet owner understands that cats and
dogs behave strangely for no apparent reason. (13) This does not indicate that they can predict
earthquakes. (14) As far as we understand, animals, like humans, have no ability to predict earthquakes.
(15) With so many earthquakes in the news recently, such as those in Haiti, Chile, and Japan, it
seem that the frequency of big temblors has risen. (16) There is an element of truth to this assumption.
(17) Since the magnitude-9.3 Sumatra-Andamans earthquake struck just after Christmas in 2004 and
unleashed a tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the Earth has experienced more great quakes, many have had
magnitudes near 9.0. (18) There are clear explanations behind this myth.
(19) The frequency of tremors across the world always fluctuates considerably from year to year.
(20) A more concerning trend is illustrated by the 2010 Haiti earthquake. (21) However, this one had a
devastating toll despite its magnitude because of a the poorly built structures and a densely packed
population. (22) As both population and urbanization expand in developing nations, more people are in
harms way. (23) The frequency of quakes is not expected to change significantly, therefore, the toll is
likely to keep rising.
(24) The high occurrence of earthquakes may seem like a mythical experience; however, they
have logical explanations. (25) Their effects are detrimental to all populations, but especially dense, poor
populations. (26) No matter the magnitude, an earthquake can shatter structures and our mental stability.

1 In paragraph 1, how is sentence 3 best revised? Error: ___________________

A However our blood pressure rises precipitously, when the Earth suddenly springs to life
without so much as a warning.
B However: our blood pressure rises precipitously when the Earth suddenly springs to life
without so much as a warning.
C However, our blood pressure rises precipitously when the Earth suddenly springs to life
without so much as a warning.
D However; our blood pressure rises precipitously when the Earth suddenly springs to life
without so much as a warning.
2 In paragraph 1, which sentences is the thesis of this passage?
F
G
H
J

(1)
(2)
(4)
(5)

3 In paragraph 2, which word serves a synonym for notion?

A
B
C
D

belief
doubt
pretension
sieve

4 In paragraph 2, how can sentences 7 and 8 best be combined without changing the
meaning?
F Because there is a notion that animals anticipate impending earthquakes, there are
documented references to unusual animal behavior.
G There is a notion that animals anticipate impending earthquakes; however, here are
documented references to unusual animal behavior.
H There is a notion that animals anticipate impending earthquakes, and there are documented
references to unusual animal behavior.
J There is a notion that animals anticipate impending earthquakes but there are documented
references to unusual animal behavior.
5 In paragraph 2, which sentence needs to be revised because it is a fragment?
A
B
C
D

(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)

6 In paragraph 3, which sentence needs revising for a subject-verb agreement error?

F (15)

G (16)
H (17)
J (18)
7 In paragraph 3, which sentence needs revising because it is a run-on?
A (15)
B (16)
C (17)
D (18)
8 In paragraph 4, which transitional word needs to replace However in sentence (21) to
link the information better?
F
G
H
J

Consequently,
But,
As a result,
In fact,

9 In paragraph 4, how is sentence 23 written correctly? Error: _________________

A The frequency of quakes is not expected to change significantly, therefore the toll is likely to
keep rising.
B The frequency of quakes is not expected to change significantly; therefore, the toll is likely to
keep rising.
C The frequency of quakes is not expected to change significantly therefore, the toll is likely to
keep rising.
D The frequency of quakes is not expected to change significantly, therefore, the toll is likely to
keep rising.
10 In paragraph 5, how is sentence 24 written correctly? Error: ___________________
F The high occurrence of earthquakes may seem like a mythical experience; however, they had logical
explanations.
G The high occurrence of earthquakes may seem like a mythical experience; however, they will have
logical explanations.
H The high occurrence of earthquakes may seem like a mythical experience; however, they has logical
explanations.
J The high occurrence of earthquakes may seem like a mythical experience; however, they have logical
explanations.

11 What is the text structure of this essay?

A Compare/Contrast
B Problem/Solution
C Cause/Effect
D Chronological
12 Sammy needs to research more information about recent earthquakes on the east coast,
which keywords would produce the most relevant information?

F
G
H
J

the earthquakes around us

earthquakes in Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina
how earthquakes are triggered
preventing earthquakes on the east coast

13 Which primary source would Sammy use because it is the most reliable?
A Hanes, John. Earthquakes: Their Effects and Causes across Borders. Princeton: Pittsburgh
(2005). Print.
B Torrence, Richard. The Survey of Earthquake Victims. Earthquakes Annual. Salem, Inc.:
Raleigh. www.earthquakerich.org. Web.
C If Plates Could Talk. Scaling Earthquakes: (2001). 12(54). Thomas Printing Press, Co.
Print.
D Harper, Erin and Klutz, Hannah. All Things Earthquakes. (2013). Print.
----------- ------------

--------------------

--------------

-------------------------

14 Which source is a primary source?

F
G
H
J

An in-depth cover on the Civil War

A student report on slavery in America
An interview with President Obama
A research essay about significant Americans for English class

15 What does MLA stand for?

A
B
C
D

Modern Literacy Association

Modern Language Association
Modern Literacy Alliance
Modern Language Alliance

16 Which source would not be reliable because it presents a bias?

F An scholarly essay written by a doctor
G A report on the effects of abuse written by graduate student
H A quantitative examination of student attendance written by a researcher
J An opinion section in the newspaper written by a journalist