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SHSAT ELA · Revising/Editing
Topic Development Practice Quiz
Supporting details, relevance, and elaboration. Answer all 10 questions below, then submit to see your score and an explanation for each question. Free, no account needed. This topic quiz helps you practice the skills used on the computer-based SHSAT.
Question 1 of 10
Read this paragraph.
_______ For one thing, it reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Riding a bike also provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, helping cyclists stay fit. Additionally, cycling saves money on gas, car maintenance, and parking fees.
Which sentence best serves as the topic sentence?
Question 2 of 10
(1) Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing
environmental challenges of the twenty-first century,
particularly in the world's oceans. (2) An estimated eight
million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans every
5
year, threatening marine ecosystems and human health. (3) Much of
this pollution consists of single-use plastics, such as bags,
bottles, straws, and food packaging, which are used briefly and
then discarded. (4) Once in the ocean, plastic does not
biodegrade, instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller
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pieces known as microplastics. (5) These microplastics are
ingested by marine animals, from tiny plankton to large whales,
often with fatal consequences. (6) The chemicals in plastics can
also accumulate in the food chain, eventually reaching humans who
consume seafood. (7) One of the most visible examples of ocean
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plastic pollution is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive
accumulation of debris floating in the North Pacific Ocean. (8)
Despite its name, the patch is not a solid island of trash. (9)
It is actually a vast area of dispersed microplastics and larger
debris that covers an area estimated to be twice the size of
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Texas. (10) Governments and organizations around the world are
taking steps to address the plastic pollution crisis. (11) Some
countries have banned particular types of single-use plastics,
while others has implemented recycling programs and plastic
taxes. (12) However, experts agree that reducing plastic
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production and consumption is the most effective long-term
solution.
Which sentence describes an attempt to solve ocean plastic pollution rather than describing its sources or extent?
Question 3 of 10
A student is writing a paragraph about the importance of sleep for teenagers. Which of the following would be the best supporting detail?
Question 4 of 10
(1) The Renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual
rebirth, began in Italy in the fourteenth century and gradually
spread throughout Europe. (2) The word "Renaissance" comes from
the French word for "rebirth," reflecting the era's renewed
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interest in the art, philosophy, and learning of ancient Greece
and Rome. (3) During the Middle Ages, which preceded the
Renaissance, European culture had been heavily influenced by the
Catholic Church, while learning took place in monasteries,
cathedral schools, universities, and other settings. (4) The
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Renaissance marked a dramatic shift toward humanism, a philosophy
that emphasized the value of individual achievement and the study
of classical texts. (5) Wealthy patrons such as the Medici family
in Florence funded artists, architects, and scholars, creating an
environment where creativity flourished. (6) Leonardo da Vinci,
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who was a painter and also an inventor and a scientist,
exemplified the Renaissance ideal of the well-rounded individual.
(7) His contemporaries, including Michelangelo and Raphael,
produced masterpieces that continue to inspire awe. (8) The
Renaissance also brought significant advances in science. (9)
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Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the prevailing belief that the
Earth was the center of the universe, and Galileo Galilei's
observations through the telescope provided evidence supporting
the heliocentric model. (10) The invention of the printing press
by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 was perhaps the Renaissance's
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most transformative development, as it made books more accessible
and accelerated the spread of new ideas across Europe.
Which sentence provides essential background information that helps explain why the Renaissance was significant?
Question 5 of 10
(1) Bioluminescence, the production of light by living organisms,
is one of nature's most fascinating phenomena. (2) It occurs in a
wide variety of creatures, from deep-sea fish to fireflies to
certain species of fungi. (3) The chemical reaction responsible
5
for bioluminescence involves a molecule called luciferin, which
produces light when it reacts with oxygen. (4) An enzyme called
luciferase acts as a catalyst to speed up this reaction. (5)
Different organisms uses bioluminescence for different purposes.
(6) Some deep-sea creatures use it to attract prey in the
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pitch-black ocean depths, while others use it as a defense
mechanism to startle predators. (7) Fireflies, perhaps the most
familiar bioluminescent organisms, use their flashing lights to
communicate with potential mates. (8) Research into
bioluminescent organisms has also led to useful discoveries for
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medical research. (9) For example researchers have used the green
fluorescent protein from jellyfish to track the spread of cancer
cells in laboratory animals. (10) Unlike bioluminescence,
fluorescence requires an external source of light; the protein
fluoresces when illuminated, helping scientists observe processes
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inside cells. (11) My cousin once caught a jar full of fireflies
at summer camp. (12) As research continues, bioluminescence may
lead to new breakthroughs in medicine, environmental monitoring,
and even sustainable lighting technology.
Which sentence is least relevant to the main topic of the passage and should be removed?
Question 6 of 10
Read this paragraph.
(1) Volunteering provides significant benefits to both communities and individuals. (2) For communities, volunteers help fill gaps in services that might otherwise go unmet. (3) _______ (4) Studies show that volunteers experience lower rates of depression and report greater life satisfaction than non-volunteers.
Which sentence best fills the blank in position 3?
Question 7 of 10
(1) Earthquakes are among the most powerful and destructive
natural events on Earth, capable of causing widespread
devastation in a matter of seconds. (2) They occur when energy
stored in the Earth's crust is suddenly released, creating
5
seismic waves that shake the ground. (3) The primary cause of
earthquakes is the movement of tectonic plates, the massive slabs
of rock that make up the Earth's outer shell. (4) These plates
are constantly moving, though usually at a rate of only a few
centimeters per year. (5) When two plates collide, pull apart, or
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slide past each other, enormous pressure builds up along the
boundary between them. (6) When this pressure exceeds the
strength of the surrounding rock, the rock fractures, and an
earthquake occurs. (7) The point underground where the fracture
begins is called the focus, and the point directly above it on
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the Earth's surface is called the epicenter. (8) Scientists
measures the strength of earthquakes using the Richter scale or
the more modern moment magnitude scale. (9) Earthquakes below
magnitude 3.0 are generally too weak to be felt, while those
above 7.0 can cause catastrophic damage. (10) Some of the most
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earthquake-prone regions in the world lie along the "Ring of
Fire" a horseshoe-shaped zone of intense seismic activity that
encircles the Pacific Ocean. (11) While scientists cannot yet
predict exactly when and where earthquakes will occur, advances
in monitoring technology have improved our ability to prepare for
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and respond to these powerful events.
Which sentence provides the most essential explanation of what causes earthquakes?
Question 8 of 10
Read this paragraph.
(1) Artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare industry. (2) AI-powered diagnostic tools can analyze medical images with greater accuracy than human doctors in some cases. (3) Machine learning algorithms can predict which patients are at risk for certain diseases, allowing for earlier intervention. (4) Many hospitals have cafeterias that serve meals to patients and visitors. (5) Robotic surgical systems guided by AI can perform minimally invasive procedures with remarkable precision.
Which sentence should be removed?
Question 9 of 10
Read this paragraph.
(1) Ocean pollution poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems. (2) Plastic waste is the most visible form of ocean pollution, with millions of tons entering the oceans each year. (3) _______ (4) Chemical pollutants from agriculture and industry also contaminate ocean waters, poisoning marine organisms. (5) Addressing ocean pollution will require coordinated action from governments, industries, and individuals.
Which sentence best fills position 3?
Question 10 of 10
Read this paragraph.
(1) Coding is becoming an essential skill in the modern workplace. (2) Many jobs across industries — from healthcare to finance to entertainment — require basic programming knowledge. (3) Learning to code also develops critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. (4) Python was created by Guido van Rossum in 1991.
Which sentence does not support the main idea and should be revised or removed?
0 of 10 answered
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