Title: Unit 9 Assessment - Form A
Course: Developmental English > Section: Unit 9: Applied Critical Analysis

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164423 - Objective(s) 9.1.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

What is the main idea of the passage?
- Despite a successful history, the United States Postal Service is in trouble and requires changes to save it. (Correct. You have correctly identified the main idea of the passage. The main idea reflects multiple viewpoints about the United States Postal Service.)
- Congress should allow the United States Postal Service to discontinue service on Saturdays. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence is one of the recommendations listed in paragraph 9, but it is not the main idea of the entire passage.)
- The United States Postal Service began in 1775 and was headed by Benjamin Franklin. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence is a fact and a topic of paragraph 2, but it is not the main idea of the entire passage.)
- Starting in 2007, a drop in demand changed the United States Postal Service forever. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence is a claim made in paragraph 5, but it is not the main idea of the passage.)
A: Despite a successful history, the United States Postal Service is in trouble and requires changes to save it.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164411 - Objective(s) 9.1.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

What sentence best expresses the main idea of the passage?
- Because of a dramatic decrease in the volume of mail, the USPS needs to be reorganized and reformed. (Correct. You have correctly identified the main idea of the passage. The main idea reflects multiple viewpoints about the USPS.)
- If people want their post offices to stay open, they should contact their Congressional representatives. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence is a suggestion made in paragraph 11, but it is not the main idea of the passage.)
- The USPS has been losing money for many years, mostly because of the increase of social media. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence reflects a statement from the first paragraph, but it is not the main idea.)
- In 2006 the volume of mail was at its highest but in 2007 the numbers quickly began to drop. (Incorrect. The main idea reflects multiple points of view about the USPS. This sentence is a fact from paragraph 6, but it is not the main idea.)
A: Because of a dramatic decrease in the volume of mail, the USPS needs to be reorganized and reformed.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164286 - Objective(s) 9.1.2

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

What evidence from the passage supports the author's bias against the government?
- Until the mid-1900s, however, there were no home mailboxes or stamps, just pickup and delivery at centralized post offices. (paragraph 2) (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
- Most Americans pay at least one bill each month online. (paragraph 7) (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
- Should we even expect the USPS, a government agency regulated by Congress, to be efficient and profitable? (paragraph 9) (Correct. You have correctly identified the sentence that shows bias against the government. Sarcastically, the writer suggests that it's illogical to expect Congress to be effective.)
- In the meantime, the price of postage stamps rises slowly but steadily. (paragraph 10) (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
A: Should we even expect the USPS, a government agency regulated by Congress, to be efficient and profitable? (paragraph 9)

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164274 - Objective(s) 9.1.2

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Which evidence from the passage supports the author's bias that going paperless is better than using the USPS?
- . . . more financial statements, bills, and the checks that follow them have become digital every year. (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
- Most Americans pay at least one bill each month online. (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
- . . . the paper bill, paper check, and paper bank statement are becoming fossils of a bygone age. (Correct. You have correctly identified the sentence that shows the author's bias. The phrase “fossils of a bygone era” suggests that going paperless is positive step.)
- Interestingly, the volume of mail that is considered advertising has held steady. (Incorrect. A writer shows bias when he or she leans toward one side of an argument. This sentence is a fact and there is no side taken.)
A: . . . the paper bill, paper check, and paper bank statement are becoming fossils of a bygone age.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164262 - Objective(s) 9.1.3

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Which sentence from the passage is an example of an opinion disguised as a fact?
- However, this all changed in 2007. (paragraph 4) (Incorrect. Sometimes writers state their opinions as if they were facts. This sentence is a historical fact not an opinion.)
- In 2002, about 75 percent of all bills were paid by mail; by 2012, that number had decreased to 40 percent and the trend continues. (paragraph 7) (Incorrect. Sometimes writers state their opinions as if they were facts. This sentence is a historical fact, not an opinion.)
- For example, in 2012, each of the 80 billion pieces of advertising brought 21 cents in revenue, compared to 42 cents for first-class mail. (paragraph 8) (Incorrect. Sometimes writers state their opinions as if they were facts. This sentence is a measurable fact, not an opinion.)
- Citizens should weigh in. (paragraph 11) (Correct. You have correctly identified the sentence that appears to be a fact but is the author's opinion. One could argue that citizens should not bother weighing in because radical change is inevitable.)
A: Citizens should weigh in. (paragraph 11)

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164250 - Objective(s) 9.1.3

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Read this sentence from paragraph 10 of the passage.

They would be especially difficult for people in rural areas who depend on their local post offices as a link to their community and to the world at large.

Which words reveal that the author is expressing an opinion in this sentence?
- especially difficult (Correct. You have correctly identified the words that reveal the author's opinion. The phrase “especially difficult” is an opinion. The author does not know if the proposals would be difficult for people in rural areas.)
- people in rural areas (Incorrect. Sometimes writers inject a bit of opinion to sway their readers. However, this phrase does not contain an opinion.)
- a link to their community (Incorrect. Sometimes writers inject a bit of opinion to sway their readers. However, this phrase does not contain an opinion.)
- the world at large (Incorrect. Sometimes writers inject a bit of opinion to sway their readers. However, this phrase does not contain an opinion.)
A: especially difficult

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164399 - Objective(s) 9.2.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

You are asked to write an essay on the United States Postal Service, using this passage as a source.

Which paragraph best supports the claim that the United States Postal Service has a long history?
- paragraph 2 (Correct. You have correctly identified the paragraph that would support the claim that the United States Postal Service has a long history. This paragraph states that the USPS “dates back to 1775.”)
- paragraph 4 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence about the history of the United States Postal Service.)
- paragraph 6 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence about the history of the United States Postal Service.)
- paragraph 9 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence about the history of the United States Postal Service.)
A: paragraph 2

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164387 - Objective(s) 9.2.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

You are asked to write an essay on the United States Postal Service, using this passage as a source.

Which paragraph best supports the claim that the United States Postal Service has suffered because of technology?
- paragraph 3 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence that the United States Postal Service has suffered because of technology.)
- paragraph 7 (Correct. You have correctly identified the paragraph that would support the claim that the United States Postal Service has suffered because of technology. This paragraph says that all types of correspondence has decreased because people use technology.)
- paragraph 8 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence that the United States Postal Service has suffered because of technology.)
- paragraph 9 (Incorrect. Writers use relevant sources to find answers to their questions. This paragraph contains no evidence that the United States Postal Service has suffered because of technology.)
A: paragraph 7

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164375 - Objective(s) 9.2.2

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

The author of this passage wants to add information from page 32 of the book Post Office Jobs by Dennis Damp, published by Bookhaven Press in 2009.

What is the correct in-text citation using MLA style?
- (Damp, Dennis, Post Office Jobs, page 32) (Incorrect. In MLA style, in-text citations do not include the author's full name, the title, or the word page.)
- (Bookhaven Press, 2009, 32) (Incorrect. In MLA style, in-text citations do not include the publisher, the date of publication, or a comma.)
- (Post Office Jobs, 32) (Incorrect. In MLA style, in-text citations do not include the title of the book or a comma.)
- (Damp 32) (Correct. You have correctly identified the format and content of an MLA in-text citation for a book: the author's last name and the page number in parentheses.)
A: (Damp 32)

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164238 - Objective(s) 9.6.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Read these sentences from the introduction of the passage.

Last month when I mailed a check to pay my phone bill, it arrived a week late. I got charged a late fee! Mail delivery these days is terrible!

Which logical fallacy is found in this sentence?
- non sequitur (Incorrect. A non sequitur is a conclusion that is completely disconnected from the evidence that precedes it. There is a connection here; it just is not enough to be credible.)
- red herring (Incorrect. A red herring is a claim that is misleading for the purpose of distracting the reader from the argument at hand. This fallacy is not misleading.)
- hasty generalization (Correct. You have correctly identified the logical fallacy used in this sentence. The speaker makes a hasty generalization based on one piece of evidence.)
- bandwagon appeal (Incorrect. A bandwagon appeal implies that because many people believe something, it must be true. This fallacy is not an appeal.)
A: hasty generalization

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164363 - Objective(s) 9.6.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Which sentence from the passage is the best example of a “red herring?”
- However, it probably hasn't been that long since you sent or got a text, an e-mail, or a tweet. (Incorrect. This sentence is not a “red herring.” A red herring is a claim that is misleading for the purpose of distracting the reader from the argument at hand.)
- The volume of U.S. mail peaked in 2006 at 213 billion pieces, but in 2007 the numbers quickly began to drop. (Incorrect. This sentence is not a “red herring.” A red herring is a claim that is misleading for the purpose of distracting the reader from the argument at hand.)
- Interestingly, the volume of mail that is considered advertising has held steady. (Incorrect. This sentence is not a “red herring.” A red herring is a claim that is misleading for the purpose of distracting the reader from the argument at hand.)
- Should we even expect the USPS, a government agency regulated by Congress, to be efficient and profitable? (Correct. You have correctly identified the “red herring,” because this inflammatory and critical sentence momentarily distracts the reader from the logical argument at hand.)
A: Should we even expect the USPS, a government agency regulated by Congress, to be efficient and profitable?

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164226 - Objective(s) 9.10.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Read the following entry that could be added to the Works Cited page of this passage.

Clarke, Susan L. The United States Postal Service: A New Trend Begins. Brighton House, 2013.

If the author quotes from page 12 of the following source, which is the correct in-text citation using MLA style?
- (Clarke 12) (Correct. You have correctly identified the correct MLA format for in-text citations: author's last name and page number in parentheses with no punctuation.)
- (Clarke, S. page 12) (Incorrect. In MLA format, an in-text citation does not include the author's first initial.)
- (Clarke, A New Trend Begins, p. 12) (Incorrect. In MLA format, an in-text citation does not include the title unless there is more than one book by the same author.)
- (Brighton House, Susan L. Clarke, 12) (Incorrect. In MLA format, an in-text citation does not include the publisher or the author's full name.)
A: (Clarke 12)

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164214 - Objective(s) 9.12.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Read the sentence from paragraph 7 of the passage.

As many businesses offer incentives such as gift cards or discounts for going paperless, the paper bill, paper check, and paper bank statement are becoming fossils of a bygone age.

Which word could best replace incentives in this sentence?
- suggestions (Incorrect. The context clue “such as” tells us that “gift cards” and “discounts” are examples of incentives. They are not suggestions.)
- demands (Incorrect. The context clue “such as” tells us that “gift cards” and “discounts” are examples of incentives. They are not demands.)
- rewards (Correct. You have used context clues to correctly identify the best replacement for incentives. The context tells you that gift cards and discounts are examples of incentives.)
- ideas (Incorrect. The context clue “such as” tells us that “gift cards” and “discounts” are examples of incentives. They are not ideas.)
A: rewards

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164351 - Objective(s) 9.12.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

Read the sentence from paragraph 8 of the passage.

For example, in 2012, each of the 80 billion pieces of advertising brought 21 cents in revenue, compared to 42 cents for first-class mail.

Which word could best replace revenue in this sentence?
- government (Incorrect. The context tells you that revenue is related to “21 and 42 cents,” not government.)
- surprise (Incorrect. The context tells you that revenue is related to “21 and 42 cents;” it is not about surprise.)
- income (Correct. You have used context clues to correctly identify the best replacement for revenue. The context tells you that revenue is related to “21 cents and 42 cents” per piece of mail. That is the income of the USPS.)
- debt (Incorrect. The context tells you that revenue is related to “21 and 42 cents” that the USPS brought in, not debt.)
A: income

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164334 - Objective(s) 9.8.1

Read this sentence.

Project Gutenberg was the first project to give an offer of an online tool that offered free books that cost nothing to anyone who could access or use the Internet.

Which of the following is the most concise way to write this sentence without losing important information?
- A project called Project Gutenberg was the first to offer an online tool that offered free books to anyone who could access or use the Internet. (Incorrect. Although this revision repairs the redundant “free books that cost nothing” and changes “to give an offer” to “to offer,” it can still be more concise.)
- Project Gutenberg was the first to offer free books to anyone who could access the Internet. (Correct. You have correctly identified the revision that deletes unnecessary repetition without losing important information.)
- Project Gutenberg was the first project to give an offer of free books to anyone. (Incorrect. Although this revision repairs repetition, it includes the wordy phrase “to give an offer” and sacrifices the information about accessing the Internet.)
- The first online tool for everyone was Project Gutenberg. (Incorrect. Although this revision deletes a lot of unnecessary words, it goes too far. It sacrifices the details about offering free books and accessing the Internet.)
A: Project Gutenberg was the first to offer free books to anyone who could access the Internet.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164322 - Objective(s) 9.8.1

Read this sentence.

Claudia is a person who rides a bike to work every day so that she can stay and remain very fit and really healthy.

Which of the following is the most concise way to write this sentence without losing important information?
- Claudia is a person who rides a bike to work every day to stay really healthy. (Incorrect. Although this revision repairs the redundant “fit and healthy,” it can still be more concise.)
- Claudia rides a bike to work every day so that she can remain very fit. (Incorrect. Although this revision deletes the unnecessary “is a person who” and the redundant “fit and healthy,” it can still be more concise.)
- Claudia rides a bike to work every day to stay fit. (Correct. You have correctly identified the revision that deletes unnecessary repetition and avoids qualifiers without losing purposeful information.)
- Claudia likes to ride a bike to work every day. (Incorrect. Although this revision deletes a lot of unnecessary words, it goes too far. It sacrifices the detail about staying fit.)
A: Claudia rides a bike to work every day to stay fit.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164310 - Objective(s) 9.8.1

Read this sentence.

Students who do not take the advice of their teachers are a lot more likely to fail than students who follow their teachers' advice.

Which of the following is the most concise way to write this sentence without losing important information?
- Students who do not take the advice of their teachers are a lot more likely to fail than students who do not fail to do so. (Incorrect. Although this revision eliminates some repetition, it can still be more concise by changing the negatives to positives.)
- Students who do not take the advice of their teachers are more likely to fail than other students who take the advice. (Incorrect. Although this revision deletes the unnecessary qualifier “a lot,” it can still be more concise.)
- Students who take their teachers' advice are more likely to succeed. (Correct. You have correctly identified the revision that deletes unnecessary repetition and qualifiers and changes negatives to positives, without losing important information.)
- Students should always follow advice from teachers. (Incorrect. Although this revision deletes many unnecessary words, it goes too far. It eliminates the ideas of success/failure.)
A: Students who take their teachers' advice are more likely to succeed.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164298 - Objective(s) 9.13.1

Read this sentence.

When it comes to typing, my aunt is fast and unerring.

What does the word unerring mean as it is used in this sentence?
- to make no errors (Correct. You have correctly identified the meaning of unerring based on the root “err,” which means to make a mistake; the prefix “un-,” which means not; and the present participle suffix “-ing,” which turns a verb into an adjective.)
- to make some errors (Incorrect. The prefix “un-” means not.)
- to make a lot of errors (Incorrect. The prefix “un-” means not.)
- to repeat the same errors (Incorrect. The prefix “un-” means not.)
A: to make no errors

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164435 - Objective(s) 9.8.1

Read this sentence.

Bothered by allergies, a condition that made them sneeze, some of the high schoolers had sinus troubles that caused them to miss several days of school last fall.

Rewrite this sentence in a more concise way without losing important information.

Q: Unit 9 Quiz 162611 (Form A) Question 164347 - Objective(s) 9.5.1

Click here to read the passage before answering the question.

A thesis for a critical analysis essay should identify what the author wanted to accomplish and then assess the author's success in doing so.

You have just read the passage “The Future of the USPS.” Write a sample thesis statement for a multi-page critical analysis essay that presents your opinion about the passage's effectiveness.