greetings from the author iii

part i
the basics: getting acquainted with the writing test 1
overview of the writing test / 3
the essay / 6
multiple-choice questions / 8

part ii
dress rehearsal: a sample test 15
sample test / 19
answer key / 37
performance evaluation chart / 45
conversion table / 46
answer explanations / 47

part iii
how to write an essay in 1,500 seconds 57
steps for writing the perfect essay / 59
prewriting: getting set to write / 60
reading and analyzing the topic carefully / 60
narrowing the topic / 63
choosing a main idea / 65
gathering and arranging ideas purposefully / 68
composing: putting words on paper / 71
writing a gripping introduction / 71
building an essay with paragraphs / 75
paragraph development / 82
transitions / 87
using plain and precise language / 89
fresh language and surprises / 94
varying sentence structure / 97
sentence types / 100
repetition of ideas / 100
short and long sentences / 101
ending your essay / 105
editing and proofreading: the final touches / 108
editing for clarity / 108
editing for interest / 115
checking for standard usage and mechanics / 126
review / 134
answer key to practice exercises / 134

part iv
you be the ump: essays for evaluation 147
how essays are judged and graded / 149
guidelines for evaluation / 149
essays for evaluation / 151
essay topics for practice / 164

part v
the heart of the test: multiple-choice questions 167
introduction / 169
improving sentences questions / 169
sample sentence improvement questions / 170
problems in style and expression / 173
problems in sentence structure / 178
problems in standard usage / 196
review / 217
identifying sentence errors / 218
errors in expression and style / 219
errors in grammar and usage / 235
improving paragraphs questions / 246
answering the questions / 248
how to answer improving paragraphs questions / 250
review / 263
answer key to practice exercises / 264

part vi
tests for practice, practice, practice 271
practice test a / 273
answer key / 291
performance evaluation chart / 295
conversion table / 296
answer explanations / 297
practice test b / 305
answer key / 322
performance evaluation chart / 326
conversion table / 327
answer explanations / 328
practice test c / 335
answer key / 352
performance evaluation chart / 356
conversion table / 357
answer explanations / 358
practice test d / 367
answer key / 385
performance evaluation chart / 389
conversion table / 390
answer explanations / 391

index 400