What is the main purpose of a thesis statement?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The main purpose of a thesis statement is to clearly state the main idea or argument of the essay. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, outlining the central point that the essay will address. Choice A, 'To summarize the essay,' is incorrect because while a thesis statement does provide a concise summary of the main point, its primary function is to present the main idea, not summarize the entire essay. Choice C, 'To ask a question,' is incorrect as a thesis statement is a declarative statement that asserts a position or argument rather than posing a question. Choice D, 'To provide evidence,' is incorrect because a thesis statement does not offer evidence but rather sets the direction and focus for the evidence that will be presented in the essay.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'The tests were graded by the teacher.' This sentence is an example of passive voice, where the subject receives the action. In passive voice construction, the focus is on the receiver of the action rather than the doer. Choices A, C, and D are not in passive voice. Choice A 'The teacher graded the tests' is in active voice where the subject (teacher) performs the action. Choice C 'The students took the test' is also in active voice with the subject (students) carrying out the action. Choice D 'The test was difficult' is in passive voice but does not exemplify the subject receiving an action performed by an agent, which is a defining characteristic of passive voice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Joyful.' 'Joyful' is a synonym for 'happy' as both words convey feelings of pleasure, contentment, and delight. Choice 'A: Sad' is incorrect as it is an antonym of 'happy,' representing feelings of sorrow or unhappiness. 'Angry' in choice 'C' and 'Tired' in choice 'D' are also incorrect as they represent different emotional states and do not share the same meaning as 'happy.'

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct order for the sentence 'yesterday she went to the store' is 'She went to the store yesterday.' In English, the standard word order for a sentence is subject-verb-object-adverbial (time). Choice A is the correct answer as it follows this standard order. Choice B changes the order of the subject and object. Choice C changes the order of the adverbial and subject. Choice D changes the order of the subject and adverbial. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The function of an adjective in a sentence is to describe or modify a noun. Adjectives provide more information about the noun they modify, such as its size, color, shape, etc. For example, in the sentence 'The tall building,' 'tall' is an adjective describing the noun 'building.' Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Adjectives do not describe verbs (adverbs do that), connect clauses (conjunctions do that), or show action (verbs do that).