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Praxis Core · Writing (5723) Selected Response

Praxis Core: Revision in Context Concepts

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Overview

This chapter puts you in the role of an editor working on a short draft. You will choose transitions, combine sentences, decide whether to add or remove a sentence, and keep the focus and tone steady across the passage.

Transitions must match the real relationship between ideas, such as contrast, cause and effect, or adding an example. When combining sentences, the goal is a smooth sentence that keeps the original meaning without extra words.

For add-or-delete questions, check whether the sentence supports the paragraph's main point. A sentence that is interesting but off-topic should go. Finally, keep the same tone as the rest of the passage, so do not drop slang into a formal essay.

Key concepts

  • Choosing a transition

    Pick the transition that matches how two ideas relate: contrast (however), cause and effect (therefore), example (for instance), addition (furthermore), or time order (then).

    Memory tipRead the sentence before and after, then name the relationship.

  • Combining sentences

    Join two short sentences into one smooth sentence using a joining word, a relative clause (who, which, that), or a phrase, while keeping the meaning.

    Memory tipSame meaning, fewer words, no new errors.

  • Relevance (add or delete)

    A sentence belongs only if it supports the paragraph's main point. Remove sentences that drift to a different topic, even if they are true.

    Memory tipAsk: "Does this help the main point?" If not, cut it.

  • Consistent tone and style

    Revisions should match the passage's level of formality and point of view. Avoid slang in formal writing and avoid sudden shifts from he or she to you.

    Memory tipThe new sentence should sound like the same writer wrote it.

  • Logical order

    Sentences and paragraphs should follow a clear order, such as time order or general-to-specific. Some questions ask where a sentence fits best.

    Memory tipLook for clue words like first, then, this, or these that point back to earlier ideas.

Often tested

  • A transition must match the relationship between the ideas.
  • Remove sentences that do not support the paragraph's main point.
  • Keep the tone and style of the rest of the passage.
  • When combining sentences, keep the original meaning and avoid extra words.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedWriting (5723) Selected Response › Revision in Context★★★★☆

Question 1. Read the draft paragraph. (1) Last spring, the fourth graders at Maple Elementary planted a vegetable garden behind the gym. (2) Each class took care of one raised bed. (3) The students measured the beds, chose the seeds, and kept a daily watering chart. (4) The school cafeteria was built in 1985. (5) Most of the plants grew well. (6) ___, the tomatoes in one bed wilted because they did not get enough water. (7) The project was a success. (8) Teachers plan to repeat it next year. Which word or phrase best fills the blank at the start of sentence 6?

  1. ① Therefore,
  2. ② For example,
  3. ③ Similarly,
  4. ④ However,
  5. ⑤ As a result,
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ However,

Key point: A transition must match the relationship between the ideas.

Sentence 5 says most plants grew well; sentence 6 describes plants that did not. That is a contrast, so "However" is the right transition.

Wrong choices

  • "Therefore,": "Therefore" shows a result, but wilting is not a result of plants growing well.
  • "For example,": "For example" would introduce an example of plants growing well.
  • "Similarly,": "Similarly" shows likeness, but the ideas are opposite.
  • "As a result,": "As a result" shows cause and effect, which does not fit.
Practice questionReviewedWriting (5723) Selected Response › Revision in Context★★★★☆

Question 2. Read the draft paragraph. (1) Last spring, the fourth graders at Maple Elementary planted a vegetable garden behind the gym. (2) Each class took care of one raised bed. (3) The students measured the beds, chose the seeds, and kept a daily watering chart. (4) The school cafeteria was built in 1985. (5) Most of the plants grew well. (6) ___, the tomatoes in one bed wilted because they did not get enough water. (7) The project was a success. (8) Teachers plan to repeat it next year. Which sentence should be removed because it does not support the main idea of the paragraph?

  1. ① Sentence 4
  2. ② Sentence 5
  3. ③ Sentence 6
  4. ④ Sentence 7
  5. ⑤ Sentence 8
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① Sentence 4

Key point: Remove a sentence that does not support the paragraph's main point.

The paragraph is about the students' garden project. When the cafeteria was built has nothing to do with the garden, so sentence 4 should be removed.

Wrong choices

  • "Sentence 5": Sentence 5 reports how the garden grew, which is on topic.
  • "Sentence 6": Sentence 6 gives a problem the students had with the garden.
  • "Sentence 7": Sentence 7 sums up the project.
  • "Sentence 8": Sentence 8 tells what will happen next, which closes the paragraph.
Practice questionReviewedWriting (5723) Selected Response › Revision in Context★★★★☆

Question 3. Read the draft of a letter to a city council. (1) The Riverside Public Library is asking the city council to restore its Sunday hours. (2) Until last year, the library was open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. (3) Many working parents used those hours to bring their children to story time. (4) Students also depended on the library's free computers to finish homework. (5) Cutting Sunday hours was a totally dumb move by the council. (6) Restoring the hours would cost about the same as the library's yearly budget for new magazines. (7) ___ Which sentence would best fill blank (7) as the conclusion of the letter?

  1. ① The library also has a large collection of mystery novels.
  2. ② Some people prefer to read e-books at home.
  3. ③ For these reasons, we ask the council to restore Sunday hours in next year's budget.
  4. ④ Story time is usually held in the children's room.
  5. ⑤ The library was first built many years ago.
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ For these reasons, we ask the council to restore Sunday hours in next year's budget.

Key point: A conclusion should restate the main point of the passage.

The letter's purpose, stated in sentence 1, is to ask for Sunday hours to return. A good conclusion repeats that request and ties it to the reasons given.

Wrong choices

  • "The library also has a large collection of mystery novels.": The mystery collection is a new detail that does not support the request.
  • "Some people prefer to read e-books at home.": This works against the letter's argument and does not conclude it.
  • "Story time is usually held in the children's room.": This is a minor detail, not a conclusion.
  • "The library was first built many years ago.": The library's age is unrelated to the request.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →