Read this paragraph. Then answer the questions that follow.

Cities are a great place to live because they have everything you need right at your fingertips, such as the best hospitals, restaurants, and stores. There are also a lot of interesting places to visit in the city. Museums and zoos are especially popular. Small towns on the other hand, offer a simpler way of life. While they may be farther away from some modern conveniences, they are often surrounded by nature and an abundance of outdoor activities. It is also easier to get to know other people when they all live close by in a small community.
What is the structure of this paragraph? *

a:cause and effect
b:compare and contrast

How do you know? Please use complete sentences to clearly explain how you were able to identify the text structure of the paragraph above. *

Read this paragraph. Then answer the questions that follow.
Mount St. Helens is a volcano in the state of Washington. For many years, it was inactive. Then, in 1980, it started to show signs of life. On May 18, the volcano blew up. A violent eruption caused the mountain to explode and shoot out lava, rocks, ash, and gas. As a result of the eruption, 57 people died and countless animals and plants were destroyed. It was the deadliest eruption ever in the United States.
What is the structure of this paragraph? *
A:cause and effect
B:compare and contrast
How do you know? Please use complete sentences to clearly explain how you were able to identify the text structure of the paragraph above. *

Read the passage. Then answer the following questions.
"The Unusual Venus Flytrap" by Amy Baker

The Venus flytrap is a unique plant with many admirers. This carnivorous plant grows in the bogs of North America. With redlined lobes that resemble a mouth, the Venus flytrap looks more like a creature than a plant. It uses these lobes to capture and eat insects. It can even digest small frogs! The lobes have small trigger hairs that cause the plant to clamp down in an instant when unsuspecting prey comes too close. Fingerlike extensions called cilia intertwine to keep the lobes shut tight. It is this trapping action that people find so fascinating.

One of the most mysterious things about the Venus flytrap is that scientists still don’t understand how the trap closes. The flytrap does not have the muscles, tendons, or nervous system necessary for movement. Scientists guess that the trap might close using some electrical impulses and pressure changes. The longer they study the Venus flytrap, the more likely scientists are to discover how it functions. It should be no mystery, however, why this unusual plant has captured the imaginations of so many people.

Write down two details from the text that support the main idea. (Supporting Details) *

Read this paragraph. Then answer the following question.
Students are not allowed to chew gum in my class. While some students think that I am just being mean, there are many good reasons for this rule. First, some irresponsible students make messes with their gum. They may leave it on the bottoms of desks, drop it on the floor, or put it on other people’s property. Another reason why I don’t allow students to chew gum is because it is a distraction. When they are allowed to chew gum, students are more worried about having it, popping it, chewing it, and snapping it then they are in listening, writing, reading, and learning. This is why I don’t allow students to chew gum in my class.
What is the best paraphrase for this paragraph? *
Students who chew gum are irresponsible and messy.
"Mean" teachers often have good reasons for their rules.
Gum can damage people's personal property, so it should not be chewed in class.
Students are not allowed to chew gum in class because it can be messy and distracting.

Read this sentence. Then answer the question that follows.
Today was the best day in the whole world my family began our beach vacation!
Choose the best correction for the run-on sentence. *
Today was the best day in the whole world! My family began our beach vacation.
Today was the best day in the whole world, my family began our beach vacation!
Today was the best day in the whole world so my family began our beach vacation!
Today was the best day; in the whole world my family began our beach vacation!

Read this sentence. Then answer the question that follows.
Finally got to the beach!
Choose the best correction for the sentence fragment. *
Finally! Got to the beach!
Finally, got to the beach!
We finally got to the beach!
Finally got to the beach and started our day.

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What are your choices?

The structure of the first paragraph is compare and contrast. I know this because it discusses the similarities and differences between cities and small towns.

The structure of the second paragraph is cause and effect. I know this because it explains the cause (the volcano blowing up) and the effect (people dying and destruction of animals and plants).

Two details from the text that support the main idea are:
- The Venus flytrap uses its lobes to capture and eat insects and small frogs.
- Scientists still don't understand how the Venus flytrap closes, but they are studying it to find out.

The best paraphrase for the paragraph is: Students are not allowed to chew gum in class because it can be messy and distracting.

The best correction for the run-on sentence is: Today was the best day in the whole world! My family began our beach vacation.

The best correction for the sentence fragment is: We finally got to the beach!

The structure of the first paragraph is b: compare and contrast. I can identify this because the paragraph discusses the advantages of living in cities and compares them to the advantages of living in small towns. It presents contrasting ideas and highlights the different benefits of each.

The structure of the second paragraph is a: cause and effect. I can identify this because the paragraph discusses the cause (the volcano showing signs of life) and the effect (the violent eruption and its consequences) that resulted from it. It presents a clear cause and its resulting effect.

Two details from the passage that support the main idea are:
1. The Venus flytrap has unique lobes that resemble a mouth and are used to capture and eat insects.
2. Scientists are still unsure of how the Venus flytrap closes its trap, and they continue to study it to discover more about its functioning.

The best paraphrase for the paragraph is: Students are not allowed to chew gum in class because it can be messy and distracting.

The best correction for the run-on sentence is: Today was the best day in the whole world! My family began our beach vacation.

The best correction for the sentence fragment is: We finally got to the beach!