English 9–10 (Grades 9–10) Midterm — Semester 2, Form B

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. In rhetoric, the audience is
   1. A. the evidence used to support a writer's claim
   2. B. the people a writer or speaker aims to reach
   3. C. the time and place where a speech is given
   4. D. the main argument or claim of a speech
2. Read the sentence: "If we let students use calculators, soon they won't know basic math, and then they'll fail every class." Which fallacy does it show?
   1. A. False dilemma
   2. B. Ad hominem
   3. C. Red herring
   4. D. Slippery slope
3. Read the sentence: "I met two rude people from that town, so everyone there must be rude." Which fallacy does it show?
   1. A. Straw man
   2. B. Bandwagon
   3. C. Hasty generalization
   4. D. Slippery slope
4. Read the sentence: "My opponent wants to reduce homework, so she obviously doesn't care whether students learn." Which fallacy does it show?
   1. A. Straw man
   2. B. Appeal to authority
   3. C. Red herring
   4. D. Hasty generalization
5. In an argument, what is a concession?
   1. A. Repeating the main claim in the conclusion
   2. B. Attacking the character of an opponent
   3. C. Admitting that an opposing point has some merit
   4. D. Providing statistics to support a claim
6. Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
   1. A. Bring: a pencil, a notebook, and a calculator for the test.
   2. B. The reason we were late is: the bus broke down.
   3. C. My favorite subjects are: math, science, and art class.
   4. D. Bring three items: a pencil, a notebook, and a calculator.
7. Which sentence has correct parallel structure?
   1. A. She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
   2. B. She likes to hike, swimming, and bikes.
   3. C. She likes hiking, swims, and to bike.
   4. D. She likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
8. Choose the verb that correctly completes the sentence: "Neither Maria nor her sisters ___ going to the dance."
   1. A. has been
   2. B. was
   3. C. are
   4. D. is
9. Which sentence contains a comma splice?
   1. A. The bus was late, we missed the first bell.
   2. B. Because the bus was late, we missed the first bell.
   3. C. The bus was late; we missed the first bell.
   4. D. The bus was late, so we missed the first bell.
10. Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: "To ___ should I address the letter?"
    1. A. whose
    2. B. who's
    3. C. who
    4. D. whom
11. What does it mean for an article to be peer-reviewed?
    1. A. Experts in the field evaluated it before publication.
    2. B. Readers voted it the most popular article.
    3. C. Students in a class graded it.
    4. D. The author reviewed it twice before posting.
12. Which sentence best integrates a quotation in MLA style?
    1. A. According to biologist Dana Ruiz, "Bees are vital to crop production" (12).
    2. B. (12) Dana Ruiz "Bees are vital to crop production."
    3. C. "Bees are vital to crop production." (Dana Ruiz) (page 12)
    4. D. Bees are vital to crop production, says biologist Dana Ruiz, page 12.
13. Which transition word best signals a contrast?
    1. A. for example
    2. B. however
    3. C. furthermore
    4. D. similarly
14. Why should an argument essay address a counterargument?
    1. A. It builds credibility by showing the writer considered other views.
    2. B. It proves that the opposing side is correct.
    3. C. It makes the essay longer without changing the argument.
    4. D. It allows the writer to skip giving evidence.
15. Which describes an effective conclusion?
    1. A. It repeats the introduction word for word.
    2. B. It introduces a brand-new argument and evidence.
    3. C. It apologizes for any weak points in the essay.
    4. D. It reinforces the thesis and shows why it matters.

Part 2: Written Response

16. Write a paragraph about a memorable day that correctly uses a semicolon, a colon, and a who/whom choice. Then explain the rule behind each.