ENC1101
English Composition I
EXAM Q & A
2024
,Q1. What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an academic essay?
A) To summarize the main points of the essay
B) To introduce the topic and the author's perspective
C) To provide background information and context
D) To state the main argument and the main supporting points
Answer: D) To state the main argument and the main supporting points
Rationale: A thesis statement is a concise and specific statement that expresses the main idea
and the main supporting points of an academic essay. It helps the reader to understand the
purpose, scope and direction of the essay.
Q2. What is the difference between a topic sentence and a supporting sentence in a paragraph?
A) A topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
provides evidence, examples or explanations for the topic sentence.
B) A topic sentence states the main point of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
develops or expands on the topic sentence.
C) A topic sentence summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
illustrates or clarifies the topic sentence.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: A topic sentence and a supporting sentence have different functions in a paragraph.
A topic sentence introduces, states or summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, while a
supporting sentence provides evidence, examples, explanations, illustrations or clarifications
for the topic sentence.
Q3. What is the difference between coherence and cohesion in a paragraph?
A) Coherence refers to how well the sentences are connected logically, while cohesion refers to
how well the sentences are connected grammatically.
B) Coherence refers to how well the sentences relate to the main idea of the paragraph, while
cohesion refers to how well the sentences link to each other using transitions, pronouns or
repetition.
C) Coherence refers to how well the sentences flow smoothly and clearly, while cohesion
refers to how well the sentences stick together and form a unified whole.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Coherence and cohesion are two aspects of paragraph organization that contribute to
its effectiveness. Coherence refers to how well the sentences are connected logically, relate to
the main idea of the paragraph, and flow smoothly and clearly. Cohesion refers to how well the
sentences are connected grammatically, link to each other using transitions, pronouns or
repetition, and form a unified whole.
Q4. What are some common types of transitions that can be used to improve cohesion in a
paragraph?
A) Transitions that show addition, contrast, comparison, cause and effect, time or sequence,
example or illustration, emphasis or summary.
B) Transitions that show similarity, difference, reason, result, purpose, condition, concession or
conclusion.
C) Transitions that show addition, contrast, cause and effect, time or sequence, example or
illustration, concession or conclusion.
, D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Transitions are words or phrases that help to connect sentences or paragraphs by
showing their relationship. There are different types of transitions that can be used to show
addition, contrast, comparison, cause and effect, time or sequence, example or illustration,
emphasis or summary, similarity, difference, reason, result, purpose, condition, concession or
conclusion.
Q5. What are some common types of evidence that can be used to support an argument in an
academic essay?
A) Facts, statistics, quotations, examples or anecdotes
B) Opinions, beliefs, assumptions or personal experiences
C) Observations, experiments, surveys or interviews
D) A and C are correct.
Answer: D) A and C are correct.
Rationale: Evidence is any information that can be used to support an argument in an academic
essay. There are different types of evidence that can be used depending on the purpose and
audience of the essay. Some common types of evidence are facts,
statistics,
quotations,
examples,
anecdotes,
observations,
experiments,
surveys,
or interviews. Opinions,
beliefs,
assumptions,
or personal experiences are not considered reliable evidence in academic writing unless they
are supported by other sources.
Q6. What is plagiarism and why is it important to avoid it in academic writing?
A) Plagiarism is copying someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit or
citation.
B) Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas as if they were your own without
acknowledging their source.
C) Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work as your own without their permission or
consent.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that violates the principles of academic
integrity and honesty. Plagiarism can take different forms, such as copying, paraphrasing,
summarizing, or using someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit or citation,
using someone else's words or ideas as if they were your own without acknowledging their
source, or presenting someone else's work as your own without their permission or consent.
Plagiarism can have negative consequences for the writer, such as losing marks, failing the
assignment or the course, or facing disciplinary action.
English Composition I
EXAM Q & A
2024
,Q1. What is the purpose of a thesis statement in an academic essay?
A) To summarize the main points of the essay
B) To introduce the topic and the author's perspective
C) To provide background information and context
D) To state the main argument and the main supporting points
Answer: D) To state the main argument and the main supporting points
Rationale: A thesis statement is a concise and specific statement that expresses the main idea
and the main supporting points of an academic essay. It helps the reader to understand the
purpose, scope and direction of the essay.
Q2. What is the difference between a topic sentence and a supporting sentence in a paragraph?
A) A topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
provides evidence, examples or explanations for the topic sentence.
B) A topic sentence states the main point of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
develops or expands on the topic sentence.
C) A topic sentence summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, while a supporting sentence
illustrates or clarifies the topic sentence.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: A topic sentence and a supporting sentence have different functions in a paragraph.
A topic sentence introduces, states or summarizes the main idea of the paragraph, while a
supporting sentence provides evidence, examples, explanations, illustrations or clarifications
for the topic sentence.
Q3. What is the difference between coherence and cohesion in a paragraph?
A) Coherence refers to how well the sentences are connected logically, while cohesion refers to
how well the sentences are connected grammatically.
B) Coherence refers to how well the sentences relate to the main idea of the paragraph, while
cohesion refers to how well the sentences link to each other using transitions, pronouns or
repetition.
C) Coherence refers to how well the sentences flow smoothly and clearly, while cohesion
refers to how well the sentences stick together and form a unified whole.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Coherence and cohesion are two aspects of paragraph organization that contribute to
its effectiveness. Coherence refers to how well the sentences are connected logically, relate to
the main idea of the paragraph, and flow smoothly and clearly. Cohesion refers to how well the
sentences are connected grammatically, link to each other using transitions, pronouns or
repetition, and form a unified whole.
Q4. What are some common types of transitions that can be used to improve cohesion in a
paragraph?
A) Transitions that show addition, contrast, comparison, cause and effect, time or sequence,
example or illustration, emphasis or summary.
B) Transitions that show similarity, difference, reason, result, purpose, condition, concession or
conclusion.
C) Transitions that show addition, contrast, cause and effect, time or sequence, example or
illustration, concession or conclusion.
, D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Transitions are words or phrases that help to connect sentences or paragraphs by
showing their relationship. There are different types of transitions that can be used to show
addition, contrast, comparison, cause and effect, time or sequence, example or illustration,
emphasis or summary, similarity, difference, reason, result, purpose, condition, concession or
conclusion.
Q5. What are some common types of evidence that can be used to support an argument in an
academic essay?
A) Facts, statistics, quotations, examples or anecdotes
B) Opinions, beliefs, assumptions or personal experiences
C) Observations, experiments, surveys or interviews
D) A and C are correct.
Answer: D) A and C are correct.
Rationale: Evidence is any information that can be used to support an argument in an academic
essay. There are different types of evidence that can be used depending on the purpose and
audience of the essay. Some common types of evidence are facts,
statistics,
quotations,
examples,
anecdotes,
observations,
experiments,
surveys,
or interviews. Opinions,
beliefs,
assumptions,
or personal experiences are not considered reliable evidence in academic writing unless they
are supported by other sources.
Q6. What is plagiarism and why is it important to avoid it in academic writing?
A) Plagiarism is copying someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit or
citation.
B) Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas as if they were your own without
acknowledging their source.
C) Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work as your own without their permission or
consent.
D) All of the above are correct.
Answer: D) All of the above are correct.
Rationale: Plagiarism is a serious academic offense that violates the principles of academic
integrity and honesty. Plagiarism can take different forms, such as copying, paraphrasing,
summarizing, or using someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit or citation,
using someone else's words or ideas as if they were your own without acknowledging their
source, or presenting someone else's work as your own without their permission or consent.
Plagiarism can have negative consequences for the writer, such as losing marks, failing the
assignment or the course, or facing disciplinary action.
