Structure of Paragraphs and Testing Tips?

Question

What is the structure of a paragraph?

On a test, I have a set of 5 sentences, each of them denoted by Q, R, S, T, U. I will have to arrange them in such an order that it will form a paragraph. I read the sentences in the order I set them to be and it makes sense, but it still may not be the correct answer. Hence I am here to ask this question.

I would also like to ask for testing tips. I have realized that not making an error within 50 questions is a difficulty for me. As people may know, I am not aware of any errors. Is there a way for me to not make an error or simply be able to catch an error?

Thanks.

Answer 1

You are going to be surprised to learn this, but it is absolutely logical.

First, identify the introduction and the conclusion.

Here the intro is easy: Q (in this case it is just a superlative rather than an intro to the subject -- but that's the way those English types think).

The conclusion is a summation or a proof: T -- "This explains why" is the key language.  It is conclusionary.  It also doesn't fit anywhere else whereas S does

Now on to the body.  We know the ending is about salt in the ocean -- how do we get there?

U - Remarkable ability to pick up ... minerals

S - Because of this "pure" water is rarely found in nature.(This actually sounds like a conclusion -- but it is not.  It is just follows U)

R -- Even a raindrop is not "pure" --- this follows S.  It shows that there are trace minerals in even the purest water.

***  What you did wrong is applied your scientific knowledge.  Why is the sea salty.  Because it dissolves trace elements.  There is very little pure water in nature, because even raindrops pick up trace minerals.  But you end up with two examples of why water is amazing without a coherent narrative.

***  It is also a pretty sucky paragraph.  I would never write such cr*p.  Nor would you find anything like it beyond a 3rd grade science textbook.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...

Addendum:  I agree with Kittana and Kakski that their draft is much more interesting to read.  It is that final twist at the end.  It gives something for the reader to chew on.

But unfortuately you just can't apply that style regularly.

Answer 2

I’d prefer Q, U, S, T, R;

Answer 3

I agree with Kaksi's answer. The order hez given is the right wat u've suggested is right but not absolutely correct. I am gonna follow Kaksi's answer. Hez right in giving u the order.

O, U, S, T, R.

Remo is right in giving the explanation but as he said the paragraph suckkkksss big time and such incomplete or non relative sentences do not make a good paragraph.

Even tho Remo is right I still am going with Kaksi's answer.

Answer 4

This may be the one of the stupidest questions I've seen since junior high.  The notion that you can teach or test writing by some kind of multiple choice exercise is ridiculous.

That said, I do like the answer given QUSRT

Remo summed it up.  Here's my take:

Q is obviously the beginning. The subject of sentence U, "it", only makes sense if it is immediately after Q, so we know that "it" refers to water.  "These things" in S refers to the list of solutes given in U, so S should follow U.  The "even x is not pure" phrase in R has to follow the use of the word "pure" in phrase S.  And T is a very pat statement of conclusion that naturally goes at the end.