GREAT WRITING 2: Great Paragraphs

ANSWER KEY

Unit 1  Paragraphs 3. Cats are good pets, but I do not like it when their hair is on
the furniture.
4. Seven.
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
5. Concluding sentence: In sum, although many children
Activity 1, pages 4–5 want a pet, parents are divided on this topic.
Before Paragraph 1.1 Possible answer: The topic sentence and the concluding
sentence both discuss the main idea of parents allowing
Possible answers: their children to have pets.
1. in South America
2. Brazil has more people. Brazil is bigger. Activity 8, page 10
4. The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. It is Spanish in 1. Topic sentences:
Chile. 1.1  Brazil and Chile are near each other, but these two
After Paragraph 1.1 South American countries differ in geography, population,
Possible answers: and language.
1. This paragraph discusses the geography, the number of 1.2  An egg salad sandwich is one of the easiest and most
people, and the languages of Brazil and Chile. delicious foods to make for lunch.
2. The most important difference between Chile and Brazil Possible answer: The topic sentence for Brazil and Chile
is language. This makes communication between the clearly states the three points in the paragraph. It’s not
countries more difficult. as clear in “An Easy Sandwich” what the paragraph will be
about.
Activity 2, page 6 2. Concluding sentences:
1. be (is/are), differ, shows, takes up, have, live, speak 1.1  These countries are near each other, but they are
clearly different in several important ways.
2. Because the paragraph states facts about the two
countries. 1.2  By following all of these steps, anyone can make this
delicious sandwich.
Activity 3, page 6 Possible answer: The topic sentence and concluding
Answers will vary. sentence in Paragraph 1.1 both state that the countries are
near each other, but different in several ways. The topic
Activity 4, page 7 sentence in Paragraph 1.2 talks about how easy it is to
make this sandwich, and the concluding sentence repeats
Before Paragraph 1.2: this idea saying “anyone can make this delicious sandwich.”
Answers will vary.
After Paragraph 1.2:
Activity 9, pages 10–12
Possible answers: Possible answers:
1. The purpose of this paragraph is to tell how to make an Paragraph 1.4
egg salad sandwich. 1. For many students, e-readers are better than paper books.
2. First, Finally 2. My friend has an e-reader, and she convinced me to buy
3. By following all of these steps, one.
3. For these reasons, e-readers are better for students than
Activities 5–6, page 8 traditional books.
Answers will vary. Possible answer: This sentence restates the main idea of
the topic sentence.
Activity 7, pages 8–9 Paragraph 1.5
Before Paragraph 1.3: 1. The main idea is that New York City is well-known.
Answers will vary. 2. No. Possible topic sentence: It’s It is difficult to find anyone
After Paragraph 1.3: in the world who does not know New York City.
1. Yes. 3. Yes.
2. Topic Sentence: At some point, parents must decide 4. For these reasons, everyone knows about this city.
whether or not to allow their children to have pets. Paragraph 1.6
The writer wants to explain that parents have different
1. The main idea is that Simón Bolívar was a great hero to
opinions about whether their children should have pets.
people in many countries in Latin America.

  1
 2. Yes. Simón Bolívar (1783–1830) was one of South America’s 5. does
greatest heroes and a very powerful man. 6. moves
3. No. Spanish is the national language in at least 22 7. is
countries.
8. was
4. Although Bolívar’s name is not as well-known outside Latin
America, many people there believe that he is the most 9. are
important person in their history. 10. is; visit

Activity 10, page 13 Activity 14, page 15

1. The geography of Turkey is unique. (3) Possible title: Two Great Japanese Cities
2. Most countries are on one continent, but Turkey lies in One reason many people want to visit Asia is to see Japan.
both Asia and Europe. (4) In many people’s opinions, the best places to visit in Japan
3. The Asian part of the country is much larger than the are Tokyo and Kyoto. Tokyo is a very modern city with many
European part. (5) tall buildings. In fact, the skyscrapers in Tokyo are some of the
tallest buildings in the world. However, the city skyline with
4. Two European countries that border Turkey are Bulgaria these incredibly tall buildings does not look like the scenery in
and Greece. (5) Kyoto at all. Life in Kyoto moves more slowly than life in Tokyo.
5. Turkey has coasts on the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Kyoto is not only smaller but also much older. Kyoto was the
Sea. (5) capital of Japan a long time ago. There are still many historic
6. Half of its land is higher than 1,000 meters above sea buildings in Kyoto, so tourists can see them all over the city. Life
level. (3) in these two places is quite different, and tourists visit each city
for very different reasons.
7. In fact, two-thirds of the country is higher than 800 meters
above sea level. (2) Activity 15, page 16
8. The geography is one reason millions of tourists visit this The Hard Work of a Kindergarten Teacher
country every year. (2)
Some people think that Mira Ahmed has an easy job, but
Activity 11, page 13 teaching a class of 22 very young children are is not easy. Mira
Possible title: The Unique Geography of Turkey is a kindergarten teacher. Class begins at 8:00 a.m., but every
teacher arrives by 7:30. Before class, Mira sets up the room for
The geography of Turkey is unique. Most countries are her students. The students arrive between 7:45 and 8:00, and
on one continent, but Turkey lies in both Asia and Europe. The then the class begins. The young students in her class keeps
Asian part of the country is much larger than the European her extremely busy for the rest of the day. They play games
part. Two European countries that border Turkey are Bulgaria and learn new things. However, there is are always a few small
and Greece. Turkey has coasts on the Mediterranean Sea and problems. Sometimes a child runs around the room or cry cries,
the Black Sea. Half of its land is higher than 1,000 meters above but Mira tries to be very patient with all of her students. After
sea level. In fact, two-thirds of the country is higher than 800 school, she attends meetings and prepares lessons for the next
meters above sea level. The geography is one reason millions of day. Mira says she loves her job, but it really is a great deal of
tourists visit this country every year. work.
Activity 12, page 14
BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
1. I: The main method of transportation in these five islands
are is the public bus system. Activity 16, page 17
2. C: Everybody prefers to live near the ocean because it is
1. let
less dry.
2. popular place
3. I: The trees behind the new high school is are very tall.
3. very hot water
4. C: Earth revolves around the sun.
4. differences
5. I: According to the new rules, a pilot and a copilot flies fly
this type of large plane. 5. easy
6. I: The three baby elephants at the zoo weighs just under 6. for a recipe
300 pounds. 7. more than half
7. C: There are many interesting things to do in San Francisco. 8. people
8. I: Each player on both teams needs the ability to run very 9. subtract
fast. 10. need
9. C: Laughing with friends is a healthy way to spend time.
10. I: Everyone with five correct answers gets a passing grade. Activity 17, pages 17–18
1. deal of
Activity 13, page 15
2. at least
1. is 3. attraction
2. are 4. patient
3. is 5. extremely
4. are

2  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

 6. obvious Unit 2  Developing Ideas for Writing
7. approximately
8. convenient ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
9. convince
Activities 1–5, pages 26–28
10. powerful
Answers will vary.
Activity 18, page 18
Activity 6, page 29
1. attract
1. This website has information important about fresh food.
2. differ
2. The pyramids in Egypt are examples excellent of ancient
3. difference architecture.
4. different 3. In Alaska, summer days are very long.
5. divide 4. A new computer can do this work difficult very quickly.
6. require 5. Colorado is a place fabulous to go skiing when it is cold.
7. requirements 6. Giraffes have very long necks and are the tallest mammals
8. tradition on Earth.
7. In 1891, a Canadian coach invented the game of basketball
Activity 19, page 19
because he wanted a sport that was less dangerous than
Answers will vary. football.
8. Coffee is one of Vietnam’s exports main, which is surprising
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES to many people.
9. The earthquake violent caused frightening aftershocks for
Activity 20, page 19 several days.
1. Many politicians in this country believes the law will to 10. The clever detective discovered that the husband jealous set
change in the near future. the fire.
2. Cell phones are more advanced than they was were in the 11. A safe place to hide during a tornado is in an underground
past. room such as a basement.
3. The normal retirement age for a teacher in the U.K. is 60, 12. Alligators are fast even though their legs are very short.
but some teachers retire when they have are 55 years old.
4. What was were the political and economic effects of the Activity 7, page 30
Great Wall of China? Paragraph 2.1
5. A word that ends in -ing can be a noun, a verb, or an 1. major
adjective. 2. busy
Activity 21, pages 19–20 3. cool
Answers will vary. 4. modern
5. odd
Activity 22, pages 20–21 6. loud
Possible answers: 7. peaceful
1. The weather was extremely cold yesterday, so a majority of 8. lucky
the flights from Boston departed late.
2. Jim Thorpe won Olympic gold medals in 1912, but he was Activity 8, page 31
not allowed to keep them. Answers will vary.
3. Thailand and Malaysia are interesting countries in
Southeast Asia, but very few tourists from North or South Activity 9, page 32
America visit them. Paragraph 2.2
River A is an important part of the forest, and the quality of
WRITING the river affects the environment around it. The fresh, clear water
is home to a wide variety of fish and plants. The fish enjoy the
Activities 23–24, pages 21–22 abundant supply of insects near the beautiful river. The tall trees
Answers will vary. near the river are green and healthy. Wild animals come to drink
the cool water and rest in the shade of the trees along the river.
Paragraph 2.3
River B is an important part of the forest, and the quality
of the river affects the environment around it. The slow, brown
water does not contain fish or plants. The fish fight to catch the
very limited number of insects that live near the dirty river. The
old trees near the river are dying. They do not provide enough
cover for the wild animals that try to drink from the polluted river.

Answer Key  3
Activity 10, page 33 City experience by visiting Times Square. Some tourists want
to go on tours through companies, but other tourists prefer
Possible answers: to discover the city on their own. New York City has many
1. The most common reason for getting a university degree is things to see and do, so millions of people visit the city
to be able to get a(n) well-paying job in the future. each year.
2. A(n) huge spider scared my younger brother.
Activity 14, page 36
3. In this picture, three brown and white cows are eating
grass on the beautiful mountain. 1. The location of the city is near the ocean, but the weather
4. A good driver avoids dangerous situations by being very in this area can be very dry.
alert at all times when driving. 2. Last year’s contract was not easy to understand, and the
5. Unfortunately, a new snack food will not sell well if it is not new contract is similar.
tasty and cheap. 3. The first section of the final exam asks questions about the
6. The food in Italy is delicious because it has various kinds of War of 1812, and it will take about 20 minutes to answer
pasta and amazing sauces. well.
7. Dogs are affectionate animals with a(n) incredible ability to 4. Some customers want a great deal of assistance when
improve the lives of lonely people. making a purchase, but others prefer to function
independently.
8. The water at the beach was warm, and the swimmers were
happy. 5. People do not understand how to pay late fees, so the
instructions are on the website.
Activity 11, page 33
Activity 15, page 36
Possible answers:
Possible answers:
Title: The Mystery Man
1. Washington, DC, is the capital of the country, but it is not
A 1 strange man entered the 2 lively party. He had 3 dark the most visited city.
hair and wore 4 black clothing. The shoes he wore were very 2. Fast food is very cheap, so many people eat it more than
5
 odd. The man was not 6 friendly. Everyone in the room was they should.
7
 interested when they first saw him. He was a(n) 8 quiet man,
too. At first, the man seemed 9 angry, but then he became more 3. Learning new vocabulary is important, and there are many
10
relaxed. He was actually very 11 interesting. The man soon left ways to do it successfully.
and everyone was 12 happy that they met him. 4. Some students have a part-time job, and others spend
their extra time studying or volunteering.
Activity 12, pages 34–35 5. September has 30 days, so it is shorter than August and
1. S Confusing words such as the verbs make and do October.
may cause problems for some students.
Activity 16, page 37
2. C This process feels like a storm of ideas in your mind, so
it is called “brainstorming.” 1.  Problems with Having a Pet Cat
3. C Certain words in a title may catch the reader’s 2.  How to Buy a Used Car
attention, but some titles are too general and do not create 3.  The Best Holiday for Kids
interest.
4.  The Health Benefits of Popcorn
4. C An independent clause has one subject-verb
relationship, and it can stand alone as a sentence. 5.  Learning to Use U.S. Money
5. S All of the sentences in a well-written paragraph talk 6.  Three Good Websites for Cheap Travel
about one topic. 7.  Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
6. C The Statue of Liberty weighs 450,000 pounds (204,117 8.  Two Fast-Food Meals
kilograms), and it is 152 feet (46 meters) high.
7. S Unlike in previous years, the slow, brown water in the BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
Galona River today does not contain fish or plants.
8. C Sometimes a simple sentence has a compound Activity 17, page 38
subject or verb, but it never has more than one clause. 1. help
Activity 13, page 35 2. old
3. buyers
Each year, millions of excited tourists from the United
States and other countries all over the world travel to New York 4. last
City. About 80 percent of these visitors come from the United 5. work
States, and about 20 percent come from other countries. These 6. very
tourists come to see the bright lights and exciting life of New
7. where
York City. Two of the most popular destinations for tourists
in New York are the Empire State Building and the Statue of 8. unusual
Liberty. Perhaps one of the most interesting and most amazing 9. give
things to see is Central Park. Many tourists start their New York 10. no light

4  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

Activity 18, pages 38–39 After Paragraph 3.1
1. recommend 1. Topic Sentence: There are many excellent reasons for
exercising several times each week.
2. function
2. the benefits of exercise
3. section
3. 1st first 2nd in addition 3rd finally
4. similar 4 for these reasons
th

5. affect 4. Possible answer: The purpose of this sentence is to restate

6. provide the main idea (that people should exercise each week
7. contract because there are many benefits).
8. fees Activity 2, page 47
9. polluted
1. General topic: winter
10. major
Best topic sentence: The best season for children is winter.
Activity 19, page 39 2. General topic: soccer
1. abundant Best topic sentence: Soccer is popular for many reasons.
2. function 3. General topic: Los Angeles
3. function Best topic sentence: People from many different cultures
live in Los Angeles.
4. limit
4. General topic: bilingual dictionaries
5. limit
Best topic sentence: Many language students prefer
6. pollution bilingual dictionaries to monolingual dictionaries.
7. recommend
8. recommended
Activity 3, pages 48–49
9. similar Possible answers:
10. similarities 1. The new test has three sections dealing with three
important skills.
Activity 20, page 40 Expectation: The reader expects the paragraph to give
Answers will vary. information about the test and the three skills and why
they are important.
2. The shocking crash of the airplane off the coast of Florida
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES confused investigators.
Activity 21, page 40 Expectation: The reader expects the paragraph to give
information about the crash and why it was confusing to
Answers will vary. investigators.
Activity 22, page 41 3. Crossword puzzles are not only educational and fun, but
also addictive.
Possible answers:
Expectation: The reader expects the paragraph to explain
1. Chicago is a modern city with many tall buildings and why this statement is true.
beautiful architecture.
4. Recent research has shown once again that eating dark
2. Serious writers should make a list of interesting and green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage may
important ideas before they begin writing. reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
3. Wood is an abundant natural resource in Canada. Expectation: The reader expects the paragraph to explain
recent research that has been done on eating vegetables
WRITING reducing some types of cancer.
5. Although buying a house may seem like a good idea,
Activities 23–24, pages 42–43 renting an apartment has many advantages.
Answers will vary. Expectation: The reader expects the paragraph to explain
the advantages of renting an apartment and why it is
better than buying a house.
Unit 3  Topic Sentences
Activity 4, pages 49–50
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
1. Research has shown female students like learning
Activity 1, pages 46–47 languages more than males do.
2. Cats are better pets than goldfish for many reasons.
Before Paragraph 3.1
3. Yesterday was the worst day of my life.
Possible answers:
4. Paul Cézanne, the father of modern art, made important
1. be healthier, reduce stress, look better contributions to the history of art.
2. laziness, too busy, dislike exercise 5. The current population of Canada includes immigrants
from all over the world.

Answer Key  5
Activity 5, page 50 Activity 10, page 54
Answers will vary. 1. Brazil is surrounded by Spanish-speaking countries, but
most people in Brazil speak Portuguese.
Activity 6, page 50 2
1. There are many excellent reasons for exercising several 2. The flags of Chile, France, and Norway have blue, white,
times each week. and red sections.
2. There are many excellent reasons for exercising several 1
times each week.
3. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident that
3. Possible answer: The controlling idea states that there are happened yesterday.
"excellent reasons for exercising," and the sentences in the
paragraph provide three reasons: you look better, have 3
more energy, and feel calmer or less stressed. 4. Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese came from Latin.
1
Activity 7, pages 51–52
5. My friend has an e-reader, and she convinced me to buy
Possible topic sentences: one.
Paragraph 3.2: There are many reasons why people learn a 2
musical instrument. 6. In the summer of 1940, German soldiers entered France.
Paragraph 3.3: Modern reptiles have a lot in common with 3
their prehistoric ancestors, dinosaurs, but there are significant
differences. 7. Because English came from German, there are many similar
words in the two languages.
Paragraph 3.4: A method for learning new words that works for
some students is the Key Word Method. 4
8. If you want to make cookies, you need flour, sugar, oil, and
Activity 8, page 53 vanilla.
1. complex 1, 4
2. complex Activity 11, page 55
3. compound
Paragraph 3.5
4. simple
Because Malaysia and Thailand are next to each other, we
5. complex might think that these two countries share many similarities. In
6. complex some ways, this is true. For example, both countries are warm all
7. compound year long. Both have many miles of beautiful beaches that attract
8. complex tourists. In addition, the economy of both countries is growing.
However, there are also several clear differences. For one,
9. complex Malaysians and Thais speak completely different languages. The
10. compound population of Malaysia is about 31 million while the population
of Thailand is about 69 million. Thailand has a king, but Malaysia
Activity 9, page 53 does not. Finally, Malaysia was part of Britain at one time, but
Thailand was never British. Therefore, the fact that two countries
1. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
are near each other does not always mean that they are similar.
Adj
2. If your photocopies cost 21 cents, your change should be BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
four cents.
Adv Activity 12, page 56
3. Gumbo is a thick soup that is made with shrimp and 1. go up
vegetables.
2. make a mistake
Adj
3. need
4. Bush became president after Clinton was president for
4. money
eight years.
5. useful
Adv
6. think
5. The season that many young children enjoy a lot is summer.
7. better
Adj
8. short
6. Because they do not go to school in summer, children
often like summer more than other seasons. 9. know
Adv 10. so
7. Most people are confused when their computer freezes. Activity 13, pages 56–57
Adv
1. reduce
8. In class, we discussed problems that were common in the
1990s. 2. contribution
Adj 3. climb

6  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

 4. effective Unit 4  Supporting and Concluding
5. sum
6. advantage
Sentences
7. connection ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
8. depend
9. imagine
Activity 1, page 64
10. culture 1. Although New York and Boston attract millions of tourists,
one of the best cities to visit in the eastern United States is
Activity 14, page 57 Washington, D.C.
1. connects Possible answer: I expect to find reasons why Washington,
D.C. is a great city to visit.
2. connect
2. The Grand Palace is one of the most popular tourist
3. connection destinations in Thailand.
4. culturally Possible answer: I expect to find interesting information about
5. cultures the Grand Palace and why it is so popular for tourists.
6. depends 3. One of the people I admire most is my great-
7. effect grandmother Carla.
8. effective Possible answer: I expect to find out about Carla and why she is
admirable.
9. imagine
10. imagination(s) Activity 2, pages 65–66
Activity 15, page 58 Answers will vary.
Answers will vary. Activity 3, page 67
Possible answers:
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES 1. The goals of the supporting sentences are to explain why
Activity 16, page 58 Washington, D.C. is one of the best cities to visit in the
eastern United States.
1. Although some politicians in this country believes that the 2. The goals of the supporting sentences are to present
new law will make a difference in electricity costs, most qualities of the Grand Palace that make it one of the most
people think there will be no change. popular tourist destinations in Thailand.
2. In the sum, gasoline prices will continue to rise each 3. The goals of the supporting sentences are to provide
year, because companies want to make more money on reasons why the narrator admires her great-grandmother.
gasoline sales.
3. Although some teachers retire when they are 55 years old, Activities 4–5, page 67–68
the normal retirement age for a teacher in the U.K. is 60. Answers will vary.
4. Brazil ranks fifth in population, and it is the fifth most big
biggest country in the world. Activity 6, pages 69–70
5. According to the article, people thought their dinner Paragraph 4.4
tasted better, when they did not use social media.
The menu at Fresh Market in downtown Springfield has
6. When an airplane takes off, the pilot and other crew are five main dishes, which are simple but very delicious. My
very busy. number one dish there is pasta with fresh vegetables. The pasta
is cooked perfectly, and the vegetables include broccoli, onions,
Activity 17, page 59 tomatoes, and corn. My second favorite main dish is the spicy
Answers will vary. chicken and brown rice soup. The chicken is a little hot for some
people’s tastes, but many people really like the fact that you
Activity 18, page 59–60 get brown rice instead of the more boring white rice. The other
main dishes are fried chicken with curry potatoes, Greek salad
Possible answers:
with grilled shrimp, and fried fish with vinegar chips. All three
1. A serious medical condition requires immediate attention. of these use the freshest of ingredients and taste great. The
2. Canada is a large country, but the population is very small. food at Paul’s Bistro is also very good. If you eat a meal at Fresh
3. The last assignment for our British History class is to write a Market, I am sure you will enjoy it tremendously.
paper that explains how the War of 1812 started. Paragraph 4.5
It seems like the number of continents would be a simple
WRITING fact, but actually, the number depends on where you live.
In the United States, for example, students learn that there
Activities 19–21, pages 60–61 are seven continents. These seven are North America, South
America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. In
Answers will vary. Europe, however, many students learn that there are six
continents. They learn that North America and South America

Answer Key  7
are one continent, which they call the Americas. Panama is 3. Although the price of gasoline is extremely high at the
the southern end of North America, but it used to be part of current time, it is expected to decrease.
Colombia, which is in South America. In some countries, Europe 4. In order to fly to an international destination, you need
and Asia are combined into one continent called Eurasia. In a passport.
others, Antarctica is not considered a continent. It is interesting
that different regions disagree on the definition of continent. 5. For some teachers, a fragment is a very serious type of
Perhaps in the future, all countries will agree on what a mistake because it shows a lack of understanding of the
continent is and how many there are on Earth. structure of a sentence.
Paragraph 4.6 Activity 10, page 74
There are three good options for traveling between Rome Possible answers:
and Paris. The fastest way is by plane. However, flying between
these two cities can be a little expensive unless you can find a 1. CS
cheap airline ticket. The second way is by train, which is very A whale is one of the largest animals on the planet. Few
popular with many tourists. In fact, Rome and Paris are visited people have seen one.
each year by millions of students from all over. The train is not OR
expensive and the service is very good, but the overnight trip
Although the whale is one of the largest animals on Earth,
takes about 14 hours. Finally, many people take a bus. The bus
few people have seen one.
is the cheapest of the three options, but it takes up to 22 hours,
which means it takes the most time. If tourists research each of 2. CS
these three travel options, they will certainly find an option that Language-learning software helps students learn
works well for them. languages. Many students buy this software in addition to
their class books.
Activity 7, page 71
3. CS
1. related It is a difficult time for many people. However, people are
It is an example of why the writer felt he or she was in prison. strong and they will survive.
2. related 4. RO
It is a list of the chores the writer had to do around the house. Dancing with the Stars is a well-known television show. The
3. unrelated dancing is very exciting.
The writer’s parents’ occupations are not related to how the 5. RO
writer was treated. There is no relationship between being This magazine has great articles on international events. It
an architect and being a strict parent. won awards last year.

Activity 8, page 72 Activity 11, page 75

1. Tennis rackets have changed tremendously in the last 1. Paragraph 4.1
10 years. They used to be small and heavy, but that is no Concluding Sentence: Washington, D.C., does not have the
longer true. large number of visitors that New York or Boston has, but this
2. Soccer is by far the most widely played sport in the world. important city is one of the best destinations for tourists.
It is played professionally on nearly every continent. restates the main idea
3. I will never forget my childhood friends Carlos and Juan 2. Paragraph 4.3
and what they taught me.
Concluding Sentence: If you ever learn more about my great-
4. Not only is text messaging fast, but it is also an interesting grandmother Carla, you, too, will be amazed at her life.
way to practice English.
gives an opinion/makes a prediction
5. A bad thing happened to my classmates and me at school
yesterday. We were late coming to class and missed a quiz. 3. Paragraph 4.4
6. If you travel to Budapest, Hungary, you will fall in love with Concluding Sentence: If you eat a meal at Fresh Market, I am
the Danube River. It separates the city into two parts— sure you will enjoy it tremendously.
Buda and Pest. give an opinion/makes a prediction
7. Here is a photo of me and my family last year. We were on 4. Paragraph 4.6
vacation in Paris. Concluding Sentence: If tourists research each of these three
8. The Grand Canyon is over a mile (6,093 feet/1,857 meters) travel options, they will certainly find an option that works well
deep. It was formed over millions of years by the Colorado for them.
River and other small rivers. makes a prediction
Activity 9, page 73 Activity 12, pages 76–77
Possible answers: Paragraph 4.8
1. One of the most common reasons that people decide to When I started college, I was surprised at the amount of
become a vegetarian is to improve their health. studying that was necessary. I had to change my study habits. In
2. Because the wind and rain were so strong when the high school, I rarely studied, yet my grades were good. In college,
airplane tried to take off, the flight was delayed. all my professors thought their class was the most important.
My favorite class in college was British history. Each professor

8  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

assigned a tremendous amount of homework. As a result, my 3. survive
free time became very limited. Reading assignments, group 4. disagree
projects, and research replaced my time with friends. My classes
kept me so busy that I only saw my friends on Saturday nights. 5. amazed
This schedule was a big change from high school, where I used to 6. unless
play sports, have fun, and see my friends several times a week. 7. due to
Possible concluding sentence: While college is a lot of hard 8. style
work, I am enjoying it and now I value the time with my friends 9. tremendously
much more than I did in high school.
10. perfectly
Paragraph 4.9
There are at least four easy ways to cook an egg. The first Activity 15, page 79
and probably the easiest way is to boil it. It is the easiest way
because the egg is not opened. Just drop the egg into a pot 1. assigned
of water and boil it for eight minutes. Another easy way is to 2. assignment
scramble it. All you need is a fork to mix the egg before you put
3. construct
it into a hot frying pan. A third way is to fry it “over easy.” Just
put the egg into the pan without breaking the yellow center 4. construction
(the yolk). After a minute or so, turn the egg over to cook it on 5. perfectly
the other side. Finally, poaching involves cooking the egg in 6. perfect
boiling water. Break the egg into a small metal cup that is sitting
in a pan of very hot, shallow water. Poaching an egg takes only 7. replacement
five minutes. Some people believe that brown eggs taste better 8. replace
than white eggs. 9. tremendous
Possible concluding sentence: I recommend trying a new 10. tremendously
way to cook this convenient and delicious food.
Paragraph 4.10 Activity 16, page 80
When bad weather, thunder, and strong winds mix, the Answers will vary.
result is a dangerous storm, but the name for that storm
differs according to where the storm occurs. When a big storm
forms in the Atlantic or eastern Pacific Ocean, it is called a
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
“hurricane.” This type of storm can be dangerous to people Activity 17, page 80
living in the United States, Mexico, Central America, or the
Caribbean Islands. When a large storm begins in the southern 1. People use cell phones for many purposes. They are very
Pacific Ocean, this same type of storm is called a “cyclone.” important in daily life.
Cyclones are less common than hurricanes due to the colder 2. Wimbledon is the home of a major international tennis
temperature of the water in the southern Pacific Ocean. Finally, competition international every summer.
if this same storm begins in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, 3. Some professors require students to submit all drafts of an
it is referred to as a “typhoon”. Typhoons hit areas such as essay, so it is important to prepare each draft carefully.
Japan, Guam, or the Philippines.
4. An example of an even number is 24. An example of an
Possible concluding sentence: While the names for these odd number is 27.
storms may differ, their impact can be harmful wherever they
occur. 5. Although some people in the U.S. are like to drink the tea,
most people prefer coffee.

BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY Activity 18, page 81

Activity 13, page 78 Answers will vary. Possible answers:
Topic Sentence: People use cell phones for many things other
1. building than calling someone.
2. Asia and Europe Supporting Sentence 1: According to many studies, the
3. travel number one use of cell phones is for texting. People find texting
4. reason more convenient than calling.
5. clothing Supporting Sentence 2: Another common use of cell phones
is for taking photos. Research shows that more photos are taken
6. chances
with phones than with cameras.
7. choices
Supporting Sentence 3: An unusual, but growing use of cell
8. not deep phones is to send money to someone. Several banks support
9. on all sides this service.
10. continue living Concluding Sentence: These are just a few of the many ways
people use cell phones.
Activity 14, pages 78–79
1. replace
2. complain

Answer Key  9
Activity 19, page 82 cup. Do this several times. Be careful not to spill it. As you do
this, it looks like you are pulling the tea, and this explains the
Possible answers: name of this delicious drink. When the mixture is thick and has
1. People from all over the world want to visit Paris for similar a white top, pour it into a clear glass. Drinking this wonderful
reasons: its great food and its beautiful architecture. tea is as enjoyable as watching someone prepare it.
2. High-protein diets are preferred by many serious athletes.
Activity 5, page 91
3. Each professor assigned a tremendous amount of
homework every night when I was a first-year university Paragraph 5.6
student. If you go to California, San Diego is a great spot to visit,
because of the many exciting things to see and do there. First,
WRITING you should visit the Gaslamp Quarter. In this historic area, you
can easily find great food, fun, and culture. Next, you should
Activities 20–21, pages 82–83 visit SeaWorld to see the amazing animal shows. After you
visit SeaWorld, you should see a football or baseball game at
Answers will vary. Qualcomm Stadium. Finally, you ought to see the animals at the
world-famous San Diego Zoo. If you decide to go to the zoo, do
Unit 5  Paragraph Review not forget to see the giant pandas. If you visit one, two, or all
three of these San Diego sites, you will certainly have a fun and
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING interesting trip.

Activity 6, pages 92–93

Activity 1, pages 86–87
Paragraph 5.7
Paragraph 5.1
In Japan, snow monkeys are very interesting animals that
Possible topic sentence: have adapted in several ways to the cold winters. First, they
Applying to college may seem impossible, but the process travel less in the winter and spend more time in hot springs to
can be easy if students follow a few simple steps. stay warm. Thousands of tourists come to see these interesting
Paragraph 5.2 monkeys every spring. Many snow monkeys sleep in trees to
Possible topic sentence: avoid being covered by the heavy snow that can fall during
the night. In addition, their very thick hair protects them from
One of the most incredible places to visit is the Capilano extremely cold temperatures. Snow monkeys also change their
Bridge. diet during the winter. During warmer months, they eat fruits,
seeds, young leaves, and other foods. When these foods are not
Activity 2, page 88 available in winter, snow monkeys find food in the ground or eat
Paragraph 5.3 fish from the hot springs. These remarkable changes allow snow
Possible answer: monkeys to live farther north than any other monkey in the
world and make this animal one of the most interesting on Earth.
For example, oranges and lemons have a lot of vitamin C.
Paragraph 5.8
Activity 3, page 88 Polar bears have unique bodies that help them live in the
harsh weather of the Arctic. They are large animals that weigh
Answers will vary.
up to 1,800 pounds (817 kilograms). The body fat from all this
Activity 4, pages 89–90 weight helps keep them warm. Their heavy white fur not only
protects them from icy winds but also helps them hide in the
Paragraph 5.4 heavy snow. It snows a lot in the Arctic. The bears have five long
There is a lot to know about the sport of hockey. Hockey sharp claws that they use to walk safely on the ice and to catch
is popular in many countries, including Canada and the United their food. Polar bears are truly amazing animals.
States. The game is played on ice, and the players wear skates
to move around. Hockey players can score a point if they hit Activity 7, pages 93–94
a special disk called a puck into the goal. However, this is not Paragraph 5.9
as easy as it seems because a special player called a goalie
Keeping score in tennis is a little complicated. To win a match,
guards the goal. The goalie’s job is to keep the puck away from
a player usually needs to win two sets. To win a set, a player needs
the goal. The next time you see a hockey game on television,
to win six games before the other player does. Thus, a set score
perhaps you will be able to follow the action better because
might be 6-2 or 6-4, for example. To win a game, a player has
you have this information.
to win four points before the other player. In most sports, the
Paragraph 5.5 points are numbered in a very simple and usual order: 1, 2, 3, etc.
Teh Tarik is a popular beverage that is served in restaurants In baseball, for example, the first point is 1, the second is 2, etc.
and markets in some Asian countries, such as Malaysia, and However, in tennis, the first point in a game is 15, the second point
Singapore. Teh Tarik is made with tea and milk, and its name is 30, and the third point is 40. The final point is simply called game.
means “pulled tea.” To make Teh Tarik, add four teaspoons of Paragraph 5.10
black tea to boiling water. Allow the mixture to cook on a low
Many high-frequency words are common because they
fire for five minutes. Then pour the tea into a separate cup and
have several meanings. For example, the word take can mean
add four teaspoons of condensed milk. Stir the mixture briefly.
“to get with your hands” or “to use a bus.” The word book can
With your hands far apart, pour the mixture into an empty cup
mean “something you read” or “to make a reservation for a trip.”
in your other hand. Then pour the mixture back into the original

10  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

The word right can mean “the opposite of left,” but this same 6. complication
word also means “correct.” Finally, the word current can mean 7. complicated
“something that is happening now” or “the movement of air,
water, or electricity.” These four examples show why it can be 8. related
difficult to learn common vocabulary in English. 9. remarkable
10. Remarkably
Activity 8, page 95
Paragraph 5.11 Activity 12, pages 97–98
Without a doubt, my grandmother is (1) the best cook in Answers will vary.
world. Many people say that their mother or grandmother can
cook (2) Ø spaghetti, (3) Ø fried fish, or (4) Ø beans really well. BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
However, if there was a cooking contest right now, I am sure
that my grandmother would win. My grandmother has cooked Activity 13, page 98
for 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and
many more relatives during her lifetime. My family lives in Answers will vary. Possible answers:
southern Louisiana, so my grandmother knows how to cook 1. Camilo Villegas is a professional golf player who attended
regional foods, such as (5) Ø seafood, (6) Ø red beans and rice, the University of Florida.
and gumbo, which is (7) a kind of seafood soup. Sometimes 2. In the United States, dog owners outnumber cat owners,
she uses (8) a cookbook, but most of the time she cooks from but the difference is not great.
memory. Anyone who eats a plate of her fried chicken or (9) Ø
3. There are many reasons why young people want to travel
meatballs will certainly agree that she is (10) a fantastic cook.
to a foreign country.
4. In this research project, I asked 28 university students
BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY about their likes and dislikes regarding online exams.
Activity 9, page 96 5. Many of the important people in U.S. history were born in
the eastern part of the country.
1. change
2. try Activity 14, page 99
3. winner Paragraph 5.12
4. protect The Everglades region consists of a huge area of very
5. prevent from seeing wet land that can be found only in southern Florida. Water
is extremely important to this unique environment. This
6. not wide area was formed by hundreds of years of flooding from Lake
7. coffee or tea Okeechobee after heavy rains. These floods always provided
8. something good the land with new water to support its wide variety of plants
9. move and animals. Unfortunately, people and nature are now taking
away too much water from the Everglades. For example, the
10. your coffee Miami River, Little River, and New River all take water away
from the Everglades. Even worse, man-made dams and canals
Activity 10, page 96 prevent flooding, but without this flooding or other source of
1. apply fresh water, the Everglades will die one day. Only time will tell
2. former whether this unique area will survive or be lost forever.
3. ought to Activity 15, page 100
4. narrow Answers will vary. Possible answers:
5. score 1. In this city, new residents can find good schools, affordable
6. pour housing, and convenient public transportation.
7. contest 2. When students are applying for a job, they can ask a former
8. site teacher, sports coach, or other adult to write a letter.
9. current 3. In basketball, a regular shot is worth two points, but a
10. harsh longer shot is worth three points.

Activity 11, page 97 WRITING

1. application
Activities 16–17, pages 100–101
2. apply
Answers will vary.
3. attempted
4. available
5. availability

Answer Key  11
Unit 6  Definition Paragraphs Activity 4, page 109
Nature’s Worst Storm
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING A hurricane is a dangerous storm that has high winds and
heavy rain.(subj adj clause) Along coasts, the heavy rain often
Activity 1, pages 104–105 results in floods that destroy entire towns, (subj adj clause) and
Possible answers: many hurricanes have winds that can exceed 100 miles per hour.
1. According to The Newbury House Dictionary of American Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean is between April and
English, gossip is “talk or writing about other people’s November. However, August and September are the months
actions or lives, sometimes untruthful.” that people usually think of when they think of hurricanes. (obj
adj clause) The worst hurricanes are usually in late summer and
2. The writer believes that gossip can be more hurtful than early fall. Modern technology now makes it possible for people
people realize and is much worse than just “talk or writing.” who live on the coast (subj adj clause) to know in advance
3. yes if there is the possibility of a hurricane hitting their region.
4. Answers will vary. However, this was not always the case. In 1900, for example,
there was a hurricane in Galveston, Texas, that killed thousands
Activity 2, pages 105–106 of residents. (subj adj clause) Although we know much more
about hurricanes now and can keep track of their movements,
Before Paragraph 6.2 they continue to be one of the most dangerous weather events.
Possible answers:
1. It is in the southern part of the United States. New Orleans Activity 5, page 110
is a popular city in Louisiana. 1. Brazil is a large country that covers about half of South
2. Seafood refers to animals that we eat that live in the seas America.
or oceans. Three examples are: fish, shrimp, and oysters. 2. The 737 is a commonly used jet that first flew in 1967.
3. Answers will vary. 3. A kindergarten teacher is a special person who needs a lot
After Paragraph 6.2 of patience.
1. The Newbury House Dictionary of American English defines 4. This paper will discuss a beverage that is made with coffee.
gumbo as “a thick soup made with okra and meat, fish, or 5. Bode Miller is an Olympic skier who has won several
vegetables,” but anyone who has tasted this delicious dish medals.
knows that this definition is too simple to describe gumbo 6. Barack Obama was the U.S. president that/who started a
accurately. national health plan in 2010.
2. yes
3. Possible answers: favorite foods or recipes, other special Activity 6, page 110
things from a person's hometown (places of interest, 1. Orlando is a city in central Florida that millions of tourists
festivals,…). visit each year.
Activity 3, page 107 2. Coffee is a popular beverage that many people drink
1. According to The Newbury House Dictionary of American several times every day.
English, an errand is “a short trip made for a specific 3. Winston Churchill is a famous person who(m) historians
purpose.” remember for his strong leadership.
2. In The Newbury House Dictionary of American English, 4. Algebra is a complicated subject that some students do
family is defined as “one’s closest relatives, usually parents, not like.
children, brothers, and sisters,” but the dictionary does not 5. Good writing includes clear definitions that readers can
include grandparents or cousins. easily understand.
3. The Newbury House Dictionary of American English defines 6. The quarter is a U.S. coin that the government first made in
stubborn as “unwilling to change one’s mind,” but is that 1796.
always a bad thing?
4. According to The Newbury House Dictionary of American Activity 7, page 111
English, a fruit is “the part of a plant that contains the seed, Possible answers:
especially when used as food,” so a tomato is a fruit.
1. A tortoise is a slow-moving animal that goes inside its hard
5. The Newbury House Dictionary of American English defines shell when there is danger.
checkers as “a game played by two people, each with 12
round black or red pieces (checkers) moved on a board 2. A copilot is someone who helps a pilot fly a plane.
divided into squares of two different colors,” but the game 3. A passport is a document that is necessary if you want to
is much simpler than it sounds here. travel internationally.
4. A submarine is a boat that moves under the water.
5. An odd number is a number that you cannot divide by two.
6. A plumber is someone that you call when your bathroom
or kitchen water has problems.
7. Serena Williams is a tennis player who many people admire.
8. The United Nations is an organization that members join to
help solve problems in the world.

12  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

Activity 8, page 112 Activity 13, page 116
1. There are 14 sentences in the first one. There are 4 Answers will vary.
sentences in the second.
2. Possible answer: The sentences in the first paragraph are BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
shorter and seem to repeat subjects a lot. The ones in the
second paragraph are longer and less repetitive. I prefer Activity 14, pages 116–117
the second because it's easier to read and flows better.
1. We can see patience in a teacher who works with young
Activity 9, page 113 children.
2. Unfortunately, in our modern society, people often lack
In ancient times, people used pottery (that was) made of clay
simple patience.
for plates and bowls.
3. I define patience as the ability to stay calm even when a
This sentence fits best on Line 2.
situation is difficult.
Patience
BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
Patience means the ability to continue doing something
Activity 10, page 114 even if you do not see any results right away. 1 We can see
patience in a teacher who works with young children. The teacher
1. count repeats things many times and does not get angry when a child
2. have does not listen immediately. We can see patience in a clerk who
3. too much water treats a customer nicely even though the clerk has already been
working with other customers for seven or eight hours. We can
4. follow
see patience in a person who is waiting in line at the grocery
5. sometimes store on a very busy day. 2 Unfortunately, in our modern society
6. not by accident people often lack simple patience. People nowadays expect
7. in spite of immediate results all the time. 3 I define patience as the ability to
stay calm even when a situation is difficult.
8. area of land
9. connected Activity 15, page 117
10. gumbo Seward’s Folly
Activity 11, pages 114–115 A folly is a foolish act that has a bad or a very strange result.
Alaska was called “Seward’s Folly” because Secretary of State
1. exceed William Seward convinced Congress to buy Alaska from Russia.
2. range Alaska is now the largest oil-producing state in the United
3. track States, but buying it from Russia in 1867 was then considered
a foolish act. At that time, many Americans thought that it was
4. related a waste of money. However, they were wrong. Large amounts
5. careless of gold and other minerals have been found in Alaska. Alaska
6. resident is also important because it produces oil for the United States.
Perhaps the purchase of Alaska in 1867 seemed like a bad
7. private
decision at the time, but today we know that buying Alaska was
8. respected certainly not a folly.
9. advance
Activity 16, page 118
10. entire
Possible answers:
Activity 12, page 115 1. Abraham Lincoln was the president who worked to save
1. accuracy the country during the Civil War.
2. accurately 2. A sentence that has two subjects and two verbs might be a
3. careless compound sentence.
4. carelessness 3. In this paper, I will discuss the reasons that residents
cannot find cheap housing or transportation.
5. expertise
6. expert
WRITING
7. occasionally
8. occasion Activities 17–18, pages 118–119
9. residential Answers will vary.
10. reside

Answer Key  13
Unit 7  Process Paragraphs Activity 4, page 127
Possible title: Serving in Tennis
ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING Many people think serving in tennis is difficult, but the
following steps show that it is quite easy. If you are left-handed,
Activity 1, page 123 you should substitute the word left for right in these directions.
Before Paragraph 7.1 First, use your left hand to throw the ball about three feet in the air.
The best position for the ball is just to the right of your head. At the
Answers will vary. same time, move your racket behind your shoulder with your right
After Paragraph 7.1 hand so that your elbow is pointed toward the sky. Just before the
1. Eating a delicious, juicy taco is messy, so it’s important to ball reaches its peak, begin to swing your racket forward as high
know how to eat one. as you can. Hit the ball into the small box on the opposite side of
2. the net. After you hit the ball, continue swinging your racket down
and across the front of your body. After you have completed the
1. Do not wear expensive clothes because you might serve, your racket should be near your left knee.
spill something on them.
2. Only eat it if you are with someone you are Activity 5, page 127
comfortable with. Answers will vary.
3. When you hold the taco, angle it toward your mouth.
4. Put the corner of it in your mouth and take a bite. Activity 6, pages 127–128
3. Possible answer: The writer’s tone is funny or serious, Before Paragraph 7.3
not angry. The topic is a bit fun, so maybe funny, but the Answers will vary.
author also provides serious and useful instructions for
After Paragraph 7.3
eating.
1.
Activity 2, page 124–125 1. First, tell your friends to think of a number greater
Before Paragraph 7.2 than zero.
Answers will vary. 2. Next, they should multiply their number by itself.
After Paragraph 7.2 3. After that, they should add their answer to their
original number.
1. Keeping a vocabulary notebook for learning new English
words is not complicated if you follow a few easy steps. 2. In the last steps, your friends should add 17 (6 + 17 = 23)
and then subtract their original number from this last total
2. Underlined sentences: (23 – 5 = 18).
1. First, buy a notebook with at least 100 lined pages. 3. Possible answer: Next, they should multiply their number
2. Second, write down any important words that you by itself (5 x 5 = 25) and then add their answer to their
come across when reading or listening. original number.
3. The next step is a bit difficult because you need to
decide what information about each word you will Activity 7, page 129
write in your notebook. Possible answers:
4. Finally, the most important thing you can do to learn 1. First, put
the words in your notebook is to practice these words
2. be
several times.
3. add
3. No. This is not indicated in the topic sentence. The
controlling idea is how to keep a notebook, so this 4. Then wrap
information is not relevant. 5. place
4. Three pieces of information are: 6. Check
1. a translation
2. an example phrase using the word BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
3. information that matches your personality and needs Activity 8, page 130
Activity 3, page 126 1. breathing
1. 5 2. 8 ÷ 4 = 2
2. 6 3. leave a place
3. 4 4. possible
4. 2 5. not neat
5. 3 6. the first
6. 7 7. the highest point
7. 1 8. place
9. make
10. show

14  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

Activity 9, pages 130–131 Activity 14, page 133
1. embarrassing Possible answers:
2. messy 1. Second, add the chopped onions, tomato slices, and black
3. reach pepper to the spinach that you just cooked.
4. divide 2. If your flight is canceled, you should call the airline to see if
they have already put you on another flight.
5. original
3. When tourists arrive in the United States, they must first go
6. experiment through immigration and then collect their bags and go
7. assume through customs.
8. select
9. slight WRITING
10. substitute
Activities 15–16, pages 134–135
Activity 10, page 131 Answers will vary.
1. assume
2. embarrassed Unit 8  Opinion Paragraphs
3. embarrassing
4. slightly ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
5. slight
Activity 1, page 138
6. organization
7. organized Before Paragraph 8.1
8. organize Answers will vary.
9. original After Paragraph 8.1
10. Originally Possible answers:
1. The purpose of this paragraph is to tell the reader that cell
Activity 11, page 132 phones should not be allowed while driving.
Answers will vary. 2. The writer states that every country should ban cell phone
use while driving.
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES 3. 1. Thousands of drivers are killed each year because they
were talking or texting. 2. Drivers cause accidents that hurt
Activity 12, page 132 others. 3. Damage to cars costs millions of dollars.
4. Possible answer: Some people may believe that there
Possible answers:
should not be a law banning cell phone use by everyone
1. First, make sure you completely understand the directions because they say young people are responsible for most
for the writing assignment. of the accidents.
2. Select a topic that is appropriate for the assignment.
Activity 2, page 140
3. Next, brainstorm suitable ideas alone or with a partner.
4. After you have an appropriate topic, write an outline of the Before Paragraph 8.2
assignment. Answers will vary.
5. Share your outline with someone else and then consider After Paragraph 8.2
that person’s suggestions. Possible answers:
Activity 13, page 133 1. The purpose of this paragraph is to express an opinion
about texting versus talking on the phone.
1. First, make sure that all of the sentences in the paragraph
2. The writer states that he or she prefers talking to texting.
have a verb.
3. I prefer, I do not care, is my preferred way
2. When you are ready to purchase your ticket, enter your
credit card number. 4. Texting is certainly very common now because it is
convenient and fast.
3. There are several steps you should take to protect your
information on the Internet. 5. Possible answers:
4. To answer a multiple-choice question, read all of the
CALLING IS BETTER TEXTING IS BETTER
choices before choosing [or you choose] your answer.
5. Finally, save your information before you close a file, 1. It’s more personal. 1. You can text silently.
because your computer may not save it automatically. 2. It expresses your 2. Texts help you limit the
feelings more time you communicate.
accurately.

Answer Key  15
Activity 3, page 140 Activity 7, page 144
Answers will vary. Possible answers:
Fact: 1. Thousands of drivers in the United States are killed or
Activity 4, page 141 injured each year from talking or texting on a cell phone. 2. The
Before Paragraph 8.3 ban is already in effect in more than 30 countries.
Answers will vary. Opinion: 1. Drivers do not have the right to endanger others’
lives. 2. Prohibiting cell phones while driving is common sense.
After Paragraph 8.3
1. The author feels that school uniforms should be mandatory Activity 8, page 144–145
for all students.
Check 2, 4, 5, 8
2. 1. They make everyone equal. 2. It makes getting ready for
school faster and easier. 3. Uniforms make students work Activity 9, page 145
harder.
Complete paragraph:
3. Their reason is that wearing a uniform takes away personal
freedom (to wear the clothing you want and have a Dangers of Fun in the Sun
personal style). People enjoy spending time outdoors, but too much time
in the sun is dangerous and can cause serious skin damage.
Activity 5, page 142 The most serious example of this damage is skin cancer.
2 According to the American Cancer Society, this disease is
often a result of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Although
5
the damage from these rays may not be seen immediately in
6 children, adults who spent a lot of time in the sun when they
7 were children later have a much higher chance of developing
3 skin cancer than those who did not. Therefore, parents should
make sure that their children put on enough sunscreen
1 before going outside. In conclusion, it is very important for
4 everyone to understand the true danger of spending too
8 much time in the sun.
Complete paragraph: Activity 10, page 146
In my opinion, all high school students should definitely
volunteer in their community. First of all, it increases our 1. believe V 6. increasingly ADV
general motivation. While some may claim that students
belief N increase V, N
should only study during the school year, research shows
that volunteering improves students’ motivation both in and believable ADJ increasing ADJ
out of the classroom. Second, volunteering helps students’ 2. finance V, N 7. equality N
academic performance. In a recent poll by the student financially ADV equal ADJ
government, 71 percent of students who volunteered
were better able to manage their time and grades. Finally, financial ADJ equalize V
students feel they are members of a larger community. A 3. logically ADV equally ADV
large majority of students at Western High School said that logic N 8. simplicity N
they felt they were part of something greater and could see
logical ADJ simply ADV
how their efforts could truly help those around them. Based
on all of the research and results, schools should encourage 4. develop V simple ADJ
students to volunteer. developmental ADJ simplify V
development N 9. legality N
Activity 6, page 143
5. freedom N legal ADJ
1. O
freely ADV legally ADV
2. F
free ADJ legalize V
3. O
4. F Activity 11, page 147
5. O 1. belief believe
6. F 2. legality legally
7. O 3. develop development
8. O 4. free freely
9. F 5. equal equally
10. O 6. simply simple
11. F 7. legal legally
12. O 8. logical logic
9. increasing increase
10. finance financial

16  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

Activity 12, page 148 Activity 17, page 151
1. education 1. beneficial
2. suddenly 2. benefit
3. crowded 3. concentrate
4. add 4. concentration
5. drivers 5. damaging
6. requirement 6. damage
7. certainly 7. occupy
8. majority 8. occupied
9. proposal 9. propose
10. solution 10. proposal

Activity 13, page 149 Activity 18, page 152

Possible answers: Answers will vary.
Negative: 1. creates a lot of trash 2. the plastic is toxic to the
environment and often ends up in the ocean 3. our food
(seafood) has plastic in it BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES
Positive: 1. it makes buying food convenient 2. it's very cheap 3. Activity 19, page 152
it doesn't break like glass does
1. If a majority of voters vote in favor of the new plan, taxes
Activity 14, page 149 will to increase. (2)
Possible topic sentence: 2. A recent study recent showed that people in big cities
voted very differently than people in rural areas. (2)
While using plastic is convenient and inexpensive, it is harming
the environment and our food supply. 3. Although biking is very popular, but many people prefer
walking as their most common mode in of transportation.
(2) (Note: "Although" may be crossed out instead of "but.")
BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY 4. Pilots will not land in very bad weather, (no comma)
Activity 15, page 150 because they do not want to endanger the passengers. (3)
5. One of the main reasons for the increasing number of
1. not allow car accidents are is an increase in the number of people
2. say driving when they are sleepy. (3)
3. owe
Activity 20, page 153
4. hurt
Answers will vary.
5. must
6. get Activity 21, page 153
7. job Possible answers:
8. not permit 1. Some history teachers may require their best students to
9. suggest read additional journal articles.
10. unpaid 2. Although most people believe a tomato is a vegetable,
several facts show that it is actually a fruit.
Activity 16, page 150–151 3. A well-known proverb says that people who live in glass
1. waste houses should not throw stones.
2. old-fashioned
3. common WRITING
4. benefits Activities 22–23, pages 154–155
5. interact
Answers will vary.
6. claim
7. prohibit
8. damage
9. occupations
10. versus

Answer Key  17
Unit 9  Narrative Paragraphs 3. Possible answer: I learned that to make friends you have to
be open and have the courage to talk to new people.

ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING Activity 5, page 162

Best answers: Luke’s Adventure in Nepal, The Graduation Party,
Activity 1, page 158 and A Great Day in the Mountains.
Possible answer: The speaker might feel nervous or shy about Activity 6, page 163
speaking in front of his class.
1. c Answers will vary.
2. e Activity 7, page 163
3. a Possible answer:
4. b A man was hiking when he saw a bear. He decided to climb a
5. d tree, and a bear noticed him climbing and ran over. The man
took out his phone to take a photo and the bear became
Activity 2, page 159 angrier. The man put his phone away and raised his arms to
Topic Sentence: c scare the bear. The bear ran away.
Beginning of the Story: e (Note: The actual photo is by National Geographic
photographer Joel Sartore. This is not a wild bear. This bear is
Middle of the Story: a, b trained and was responding to his trainer and “acting” angry.)
End of the story: d
Activity 8, page 164
Activity 3, page 160
Answers will vary.
After Paragraph 9.1
1. Possible answer: The purpose of Paragraph 9.1 is to tell the Activity 9, page 165
author’s story of getting lost in a department store. 1. knew
2. The story takes place in a department store in New York 2. followed
City.
3. got
3. Order of events:
4. rode/was riding
a. 4
5. looked
b. 3
6. arrived
c. 2
7. saw
d. 1
8. was working
4. Possible answer: The story ends with an explanation of its
9. was calling
significance to the author.
10. went
Activity 4, page 161 11. heard
After Paragraph 9.2 12. turned
Possible answers: 13. said
1. The purpose of this paragraph is to tell the story of how 14. left/was leaving
Cory Richards became an explorer for National Geographic. 15. took
2. It was a freezing cold winter day, and mountain climber 16. sent
Cory Richards was climbing down from Gasherbrum II,
the 13th-tallest mountain peak in the world, when his life Activity 10, page 166
changed in an instant. Gasherbum II is the 13th-tallest
My First Job
mountain peak in the world, is located between Pakistan
and China, and is not an easy mountain to climb. The happiest day of my life was when I got my first job last
3. They saw a wall of snow and ice coming toward them. All year. After college, I tried for six months to get a job with an
were hit and thrown to the ground. advertising firm, but my luck was bad. Finally, one day my life
changed. While I was eating a sandwich in a downtown coffee
4. The story ends with Cory Richards becoming a National
shop, my luck began to change. A young woman who was sitting
Geographic explorer.
next to me asked if she could read my newspaper. I said OK, and
After Paragraph 9.3 we started talking. She began to tell me about herself. She was
1. Possible answer: The purpose of the paragraph is to give a an executive in a huge advertising company and was looking
lesson on making friends. for an assistant. I told her that I was very interested in mass
2. The background information is that the author used to go communication. She gave me her business card, and within one
to school in Toronto where they were on the football and week, I got a job as her assistant. It was the best lunch of my life!
track teams and had a lot of friends. It’s important because
it shows the difference between the author’s life in Toronto
and his life in Florida.

18  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY Activity 16, page 169
Activity 11, page 167 1. As soon as I arrived at the hotel, I realized that I did not
have my laptop with me.
1. relaxed 2. The worst day of my life occurred when I was 31 years old.
2. paper 3. On the second day of the trip, Matt had a car accident and
3. afraid had to go to the hospital.
4. be OK again 4. First, I wrote down all the new vocabulary that I did not
5. hard to believe know yet.
6. surprised 5. My most embarrassing moment took place at a
supermarket when I was about 15 years old.
7. no sound
8. plan Activity 17, page 170
9. job Possible answers:
10. expensive 1. She was born in a small town in central Florida on January
Activity 12, page 167 18, 2000.
2. My high school graduation was certainly the most
1. reply important day in my life.
2. instant 3. My best friend and I were sitting on a train in Frankfurt that
3. realized was going to Paris when our long nightmare began.
4. capture
5. frightened WRITING
6. reminds
Activities 18–19, pages 170–171
7. advertising
Answers will vary.
8. valid
9. relationship Activity 19, page 171
10. wonder Answers will vary.
Activity 13, page 168
1. advertising Unit 10  From Paragraphs to Essays
2. advertise
3. frighten ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING
4. frightened Activity 1, pages 175–176
5. incredible Topic Sentences:
6. incredibly In the past, people did not live as long because they often
7. pain died from bacterial infections, but this is not true today.
8. painful Because of antibiotics, people suddenly had longer lives
9. silently and, therefore, time to accomplish more things.
10. silence After Essay 10.1
1. The topic sentence in paragraph 2 states that lives were
Activity 14, page 168 worse before antibiotics; The topic sentence in paragraph 3
Answers will vary. discusses the states that a longer life means more time to
do more things. These topics support the writer’s opinion
in the thesis statement that antibiotics were the most
BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES important discovery of the last century.
2. The writer discusses important inventions and makes the
Activity 15, page 169
reader think first about what the most important invention
1. On March 27, 1964, Alaska had a severe earthquake that is in the last 100 years (before saying what the writer thinks
caused 139 deaths. it is).
2. The first of the famous Star Wars movies was released to 3. The conclusion repeats the ideas in the introduction and
the public in on May 25, 1977. summarizes the ideas in the essay/gives an opinion about
3. When it was time for to board my flight for Tokyo, I could the impact of antibiotics.
not find my boarding pass.
4. The airport in San Francisco often experiences long flight
delays because of fog.
5. Alaska becomes became a state on in 1959.

Answer Key  19
Activity 2, page 176 Activity 10, page 183
Possible answers: I. Introduction (paragraph 1)
I. Introduction (What is the thesis statement?) However, in A. Beginning of Essay
my opinion, antibiotics are the most important discovery B. Thesis Statement: When people move to a new
because they have allowed people to live longer. country, many of them begin to forget not only their
II. Body (topic sentence) In the past, people did not live as culture but also their first language, and as time passes,
long because they often died from bacterial infections, but they lose the many benefits of being bilingual.
this is not true today. II. Body (paragraph 2) Topic Sentence: One of the most basic
III. Body (topic sentence) Because of antibiotics, people advantages of being bilingual is easier communication
suddenly had longer lives and, therefore, time to with more people around the world.
accomplish more things. A. Supporting Idea: They can travel to more countries with
IV. Conclusion (What does it do?) It explains that if there were less worry.
no antibiotics, we would not be able to enjoy the quality of B. Supporting Idea: They do not need a translator and can
life that we have today. communicate better.
Activity 3, page 177 III. Body (paragraph 3) Topic Sentence: Speaking a second
language also allows people to learn about another culture
1. 2 through the special words and phrases in that language.
2. Possible answer: The first two sentences mention different A. Supporting Idea: The expression “meat and potatoes”
answers to the question the thesis statement answers. teaches us about what kinds of food this culture values.
Activity 4, page 177 B. Supporting Idea: The expressions “to rat on someone”
and “to be a rat” teach us that rats do not have a positive
Statements 1 & 3 are the two best thesis statements. image in this culture.
Activity 5, page 178 C. Supporting Idea: Through the baseball expressions to
hit a home run (to do something that is very successful) or
Possible question: to strike out (to fail completely), we learn that the sport of
Why should students be required to take a cooking course? baseball is important in the culture.
Possible ideas: IV. Body (Paragraph 4) Topic Sentence: Finally, bilingualism
can help people from different countries, languages, and
1. Being able to cook your own food means you can take care cultures get along better.
of yourself when you live on your own.
A. Supporting Idea: It is easier to understand other people’s
2. Being able to cook your own food means you can save ideas, beliefs, and actions.
money because eating in a restaurant can be expensive.
B. Supporting Idea: It is easier to understand the
3. Cooking your own food means you can control your diet problems and situations in other countries.
and eat healthy foods.
V. Concluding paragraph (paragraph 5)
Activity 6, page 179 A. Restatement of Thesis: The benefits of bilingualism
1. people list the most important inventions of the last 100 are clear.
years B. Opinion/Prediction: If people do not maintain their
2. technology first language, they will clearly miss out on all the wonderful
benefits of being bilingual.
3. antibiotics
4. quality of life / improve our lives Activities 11–12, pages 184–185
Activity 7, page 179 Answers will vary.

Answers will vary. Activities 13–14, page 186

Activity 8, pages 180–181 Answers will vary.

1. a
BUILDING BETTER VOCABULARY
2. b
3. b Activity 15, page 187
4. c 1. do
5. a 2. two languages
3. 10 years
Activity 9, page 182
4. found
Answers will vary.
5. different
6. say
7. keep
8. person

20  Great Writing 2: Great Paragraphs

 9. stop Activity 21, page 190
10. nature Possible answers:
Activity 16, page 187 1. Bad weather can cause traffic accidents and flight delays.
1. maintain 2. Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city in Argentina.
2. focus 3. Oxygen is a colorless, odorless gas that is essential to
human life.
3. bilingual
4. decade
WRITING
5. prevent
6. discover Activity 22, page 191
7. accomplish Answers will vary.
8. basic
9. mayor
10. invention

Activity 17, page 188

1. accomplishment
2. accomplish
3. beneficial
4. benefits
5. inventor
6. invention
7. maintain
8. maintenance
9. prevent
10. prevention

Activity 18, page 188

Answers will vary.

BUILDING BETTER SENTENCES

Activity 19, page 189
Some words do not translate exactly from one language to
another. In French, for example, there are two ways to say know.
One is for knowing a fact, and the other is for knowing a person.
English has the words make and do, but Spanish has only hacer.
In Spanish, you use hacer with a reservation and homework,
but this certainly seems strange to an English speaker. Finally,
the English verb miss is hard to translate well into some foreign
languages. In summary, it is hard to translate certain words
from one language to another.

Activity 20, pages 189–190

1. A good mayor can accomplish a great deal if his or her
plans are creative.
2. Modern technology has brought many economic benefits
that can help improve people’s lives.
3. Many students prefer to use a bilingual dictionary when
they are trying to learn new vocabulary.
4. One invention that has clearly changed the world is
the computer.
5. Although cars are responsible for a lot of the pollution
that we have today, they have been very important to our
daily lives.

Answer Key  21