Question

1. why avoid vague words?

a. take up space
b. too formal
c. hard to spell
d. lack clarity

read the following original short story and answer the questions.
the essay challenge
alex stared at the blank page, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. he knew what he wanted to say, but the words just wouldnt come.
after a few minutes, alex remembered his teachers advice: start with a strong thesis. he scribbled a sentence that clearly stated his position logically.
alex also anticipated counterarguments, acknowledging that some students might think the club would take up too much time. he addressed these concerns head - on.

1. how did alex strengthen his argument in the essay?

a. by ignoring counterarguments
b. by including relevant statistics
c. by focusing solely on his personal opinions
d. by writing a lengthy introduction

read this original short story and answer the questions.
\the forgotten lighthouse\
the old lighthouse stood precariously on the edge of the cliff, its once - white paint now peeling and weathered by the relentless sea.
elena, who had inherited the lighthouse from her late grandfather, had come to survey the dilapidated structure. the interior was just as bad as the exterior and needed to be told.
as she explored the lighthouse, she stumbled upon a small, rusted box hidden beneath a loose floorboard. inside was a collection of old photographs that seemed to hold the lighthouses history. elena realized she had a connection to this place and decided to restore it.
with newfound determination, elena envisioned a future where the lighthouse would once again stand as a beacon of hope, not just for ships but for the community.

1. what does the word dilapidated most likely mean in the context of the passage?

a. neglected
b. new and shiny

Explanation:

1. Vague words lack clarity as their meaning is not precise. They can cause misunderstandings.
2. Alex strengthened his argument by anticipating counter - arguments instead of ignoring them, and there is no mention of statistics, long introductions or sole focus on personal opinions.
3. In the context of the passage, "dilapidated" describes a structure in a state of disrepair, which is similar to "neglected".

Answer:

1. d. Lack clarity
2. None of the above (since he anticipated counter - arguments but it's not an option)
3. a. Neglected