Wednesday’s Writing Topics

Tackling The SAT Writing Section Essay

When many students hear that they only have 25 minutes to develop, write, and edit an essay, they PANIC!!!!!

1. RELAX! You can do this.
2. Read the question carefully. Form a mental answer.
3. Jot down important ideas first- do not let the time crunch scare you into forgetting your prep work.  Organization is key.
4. If you can quickly outline after you plan, go for it. Writing off the top of your head will not show a focused, well structured essay.
5. Write a strong introduction. This tells the reader what to expect from your essay.
6. Don’t worry about a few spelling errors or scratch-outs. The scorers are looking for content and understand this essay is more in line with a first draft, not a polished product.
7. Note above that I said a few spelling mistakes. Overall bad grammar and spelling errors will be held against you.
8. Backup your ideas with examples and evidence.
9. If stating an opinion or including personal experiences, use phrases like ” I believe” or “I think”.
10. Do not digress. Stick to your topic.
11. If you have the time, reread and edit.
12. Even though there may be little time, do not restate your introduction as the conclusion to your essay. Write a short conclusion that pulls together your thoughts.

Tuesday’s Test-Taking Question

There has been little ______ criticism about de la Mare; indeed, that which has been written is at the two extremes, either appallingly _____ or bitterly antagonistic.

A) hostile …ambiguous

B) recent … illogical

C) fervent … complimentary

D) objective … sycophantic

E) temperate … censorious

To locate the answer, click on Answers to Daily Questions under the Categories listed on the right side of the page and then use the password: answers

Monday’s Math Question

The area of a circle 6 meters in diameter exceeds the combined areas of a circle 4 meters in diameter and a circle 2 meters in diameter by how many square meters?

A) 0

B) 3 pi

C)4 pi

D)5 pi

E) 6 pi

To locate the answer, click on Answers to Daily Questions under the Categories listed on the right side of the page and then use the password: answers

Sunday’s SAT Question

(A) The origin of amusement parks lie in ancient and medieval religious festivals and trade fairs,

( B) where merchants, entertainers, and food sellers (C) gathered (D) in order to take advantage of

the large crowds. (E) No error

(A) The origin

( B) where

(C) gathered

(D) in order to

(E) No error

To locate the answer, click on Answers to Daily Questions under the Categories listed on the right side of the page and then use the password: answers

Saturday’s SSAT / ISEE Question

With the retirement of his ailing uncle, John realized the _____ was now on him to restore the family business to _____ after years of losses.

A) focus … bankruptcy

B) prospect … complacency

C) onus … profitability

D) responsibility … achievement

E) charge … respectfulness

To locate the answer, click on Answers to Daily Questions under the Categories listed on the right side of the page and then use the password: answers