- What is the main problem with the concluding sentence the student wrote?
Answer: It only repeats information from the first sentence instead of summarizing the full discussion of benefits and drawbacks.
A strong concluding sentence should wrap up the whole paragraph, reminding readers of the main points instead of echoing just one line. This paragraph gives a balanced picture: solar panels make clean electricity and save money over time, but they are pricey and don't suit every roof. A good ending would pull that balance together. The student's sentence, "Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity," simply restates the opening line and ignores everything in between, so it fails to summarize the benefits and drawbacks. The choice saying the sentence points out cost problems is wrong because the sentence never mentions cost at all. The choice claiming it adds a brand-new point about saving money is also wrong, since money-saving was already discussed and the sentence doesn't mention it either. The choice saying it contradicts the earlier evidence is incorrect too, because the sentence never denies the costs or sunlight limits; it just repeats the introduction. Ask yourself: does this sentence remind me of all the main points, or only one? If it only echoes the opening, it hasn't done its summarizing job.
- Which sentence would best conclude this paragraph without introducing any new, unsupported ideas?
Answer: Volunteering offers real rewards for both students and the community they serve.
A strong conclusion gathers together the ideas the paragraph already discussed without adding anything new. This paragraph says volunteering makes students happier and more connected, teaches teamwork and responsibility, and helps shelters run smoothly. The sentence that volunteering offers real rewards for both students and the community wraps up all of those threads—the student side and the community side—without introducing a fresh topic. That is exactly what a conclusion should do.
The sentence about shelters partnering with local businesses that donate supplies brings up fundraising, a subject the paragraph never mentions, so it launches a new idea instead of summarizing. The sentence saying schools should require fifty hours of service jumps to a policy proposal the passage never supports—another new argument, not a wrap-up. The sentence claiming volunteering builds skills far better than any classroom repeats only one detail and exaggerates it into a comparison the paragraph never actually makes, so it is too narrow and slightly unsupported.
When you choose a conclusion, cross out any option that raises a fresh idea or clings to a single detail. The best answer echoes all of the paragraph's supported points and pulls them together.
- Which sentence best concludes this paragraph about pet ownership?
Answer: Although caring for a pet takes time and effort, most owners find the companionship it brings is worth the commitment.
Whenever a question asks for the best concluding sentence, look for two things: a sentence that sums up the whole paragraph's main idea and matches the tone of what came before. A good conclusion doesn't introduce new topics or contradict the passage—it wraps up the ideas already presented.
This paragraph makes one central point: pet ownership takes real work, but the companionship makes it worthwhile. The sentence "Although caring for a pet takes time and effort, most owners find the companionship it brings is worth the commitment" restates both halves of that idea—the effort and the reward. It echoes the passage's final thought and gives the reader a satisfying sense of closure, which is exactly what a conclusion should do.
The sentence about dogs being "easier to train than cats" adds a brand-new comparison the paragraph never discussed—a conclusion shouldn't launch a fresh topic. The claim that "ownership costs have risen sharply over the past decade" drops in an unrelated statistic that pulls attention away from the main idea about companionship. And "Anyone who doesn't have time to train a pet should never get one" clashes with the paragraph's warm, encouraging tone by turning harsh and preachy—it doesn't summarize, it scolds.
A reliable strategy: reread the paragraph's main idea, then ask, "Does this sentence tie everything together, or does it wander off?" The best conclusion mirrors the passage's message and mood. Beware distractors that sneak in new facts, off-topic details, or a sudden change in tone—those are classic conclusion traps.
- Which sentence would work best as a concluding statement added to the end of this paragraph?
Answer: Clearly, community gardens do far more than grow food—they help build stronger, safer neighborhoods.
A good concluding statement wraps up the whole paragraph and gives a sense of closure—it pulls the main ideas together instead of adding something new or covering just one point.
The sentence "Clearly, community gardens do far more than grow food—they help build stronger, safer neighborhoods" does this best. It signals a wrap-up and gathers both big benefits from the paragraph—the friendship and trust that make neighborhoods "stronger" and the lower crime that makes them "safer"—into one tidy ending.
The sentence about turning empty lots into gardens across the country sounds like an ending, but it introduces a brand-new idea (a nationwide plan) the paragraph never discussed. A conclusion should close ideas, not open unrelated ones.
The sentence about requiring apartment buildings to add rooftop gardens also brings in a new topic—rooftop rules—that the paragraph never mentioned, so it does not summarize what was said.
The sentence about gardening being a wonderful way to make friends is true, but it only covers one detail and ignores the crime and community benefits. A strong conclusion should reflect the whole paragraph, not a single point.
Study tip: Look for the choice that (1) sounds like an ending and (2) summarizes all the main ideas—not just one, and not a surprise new topic.
- Which concluding statement best follows the information presented in the passage?
Answer: Because lyrics can distract while instrumental music does not, students who want to stay calm and focused may prefer instrumental tracks over songs with words.
Whenever a question asks for the best concluding statement, remember that a good conclusion pulls together the main ideas the passage actually presented and offers a sensible wrap-up. It shouldn't add brand-new information, contradict the passage, or simply repeat the opening.
Look at what this passage covered: music with lyrics distracts, instrumental music doesn't hurt focus much, and music can help students feel calmer. The choice that ties all three ideas together is the one saying that because lyrics distract while instrumental music does not, students who want to stay calm and focused may prefer instrumental tracks over songs with words. It uses the passage's evidence to reach a balanced, logical recommendation — exactly what a conclusion should do.
The statement that students should never listen to music with lyrics is too extreme; the passage never says "never," and words like always and never are usually traps. The choice about scientists studying memory in older adults introduces a completely new topic that the passage never mentioned, so it can't be a valid conclusion. And the choice that simply restates that many students are convinced music helps them concentrate just repeats the opening idea — a conclusion should move the thinking forward, not circle back to the beginning.
A helpful strategy: when choosing a concluding sentence, ask yourself, "Does this summarize the whole passage without adding new facts or overstating?" Watch out for two common traps on the 6th-grade writing exam — extreme wording (never, always) and off-topic "new information" answers. The best conclusion stays inside the passage's boundaries.
- Which sentence would be the best concluding statement for this informational paragraph?
Answer: Without healthy bee populations, much of the food supply that people depend on could be at risk.
When you're asked to find the best concluding sentence for an informational paragraph, think about what a conclusion is supposed to do: it should wrap up the paragraph's main idea and leave the reader with a final, meaningful takeaway. A strong conclusion connects back to what the whole paragraph was actually about—not just any related fact.
This paragraph focuses on how important bees are to the food supply and warns that their populations are declining. The sentence "Without healthy bee populations, much of the food supply that people depend on could be at risk" ties those two ideas together perfectly. It builds on the "one out of every three bites of food" point and the decline mentioned at the end, giving the reader a clear, summarizing final thought.
"Bees also produce wax, which people use to make candles and lip balm" introduces a brand-new topic. A conclusion should close ideas, not open unrelated ones. "Isn't it strange that such a small insect can be so important to farming?" is a question, and its casual, surprised tone doesn't fit the informative style—conclusions in informational writing should state ideas, not ask them. "Bees have been around for millions of years and are found on every continent except Antarctica" is a true fact, but it's random trivia that has nothing to do with the paragraph's focus on food and pollination.
A helpful tip: a good conclusion echoes the paragraph's main idea. Before choosing, ask yourself, "Does this sentence sum up what the paragraph was really about?" If it introduces new information or drifts off-topic, it's not your answer.
- Which sentence would be the most effective concluding statement for this passage?
Answer: Because opinions and research results vary so widely, the debate over school uniforms will likely continue as families and educators weigh the benefits and drawbacks.
When you're asked to choose a concluding statement, remember that a good conclusion wraps up the main idea of the whole passage. It should reflect what the passage actually says—not add brand-new information, not overstate the point, and not simply repeat a sentence you've already read.
This passage presents both sides of the uniform debate and points out that research shows "mixed results." So the best ending is the one that captures that balance: "Because opinions and research results vary so widely, the debate over school uniforms will likely continue as families and educators weigh the benefits and drawbacks." It ties together the differing opinions and the unclear research, giving the reader a sense of closure that matches the passage's fair, both-sides tone.
The sentence about "high-tech fabrics that adjust to changing classroom temperatures" introduces a completely new topic that was never discussed—a conclusion shouldn't launch a brand-new idea. The choice claiming uniforms are "the best choice for every student because they completely eliminate classroom distractions" contradicts the passage, which clearly said research was mixed; words like completely and every overstate and take a one-sided position the text never supported. Finally, repeating "Some parents believe school uniforms reduce distractions..." just copies the opening sentence—a conclusion should pull ideas together, not restate a single point.
A helpful strategy: match the tone of the passage. If a passage stays balanced, your conclusion should too. Be suspicious of extreme words like every, always, or completely, and of any sentence that introduces information the passage never mentioned.
- A student is writing a report on volcano types. Which sentence would best conclude the paragraph above?
Answer: A volcano's shape and eruption style depend largely on the thickness of the lava that forms it.
A strong concluding sentence pulls together the whole paragraph's main idea without adding new information. This paragraph describes three volcano types, and each description connects the volcano's shape and eruption to the thickness of its lava. The sentence about how a volcano's shape and eruption style depend on lava thickness ties all three examples together, so it is the best conclusion. The sentence about scientists using seismographs to predict eruptions brings up a brand-new topic—prediction tools—that the paragraph never discussed, so it can't summarize it. The sentence about Mount St. Helens erupting in 1980 is a specific detail about just one volcano; a conclusion should cover everything, not zoom in on a single example. The sentence warning people to live far from volcanoes adds an opinion and advice that don't match the paragraph's factual, descriptive purpose. Before choosing, try restating the paragraph's main idea in your own words—the best conclusion will echo that idea and cover all the examples.
- A student drafted the paragraph above about the benefits of team sports. Which sentence should be added at the end as the concluding statement?
Answer: Through teamwork, resilience, and a focus on shared goals, team sports help shape valuable life skills beyond the game itself.
A concluding sentence should wrap up a paragraph by pulling together the main ideas the writer already presented—without adding brand-new information or drifting to a different topic. When you're asked to choose one, look back at what the paragraph actually discussed and find the choice that summarizes those points.
This paragraph covers three specific benefits: communication and cooperation (teamwork), building resilience, and shifting focus toward shared goals rather than personal glory. The sentence "Through teamwork, resilience, and a focus on shared goals, team sports help shape valuable life skills beyond the game itself" echoes all three of those ideas and states the paragraph's big-picture message. That makes it a strong, unifying conclusion.
The choice about "Basketball and soccer are two of the most popular team sports" introduces a new fact about specific sports that the paragraph never mentioned—it's a detail, not a summary. "Some athletes go on to play professionally" wanders into the topic of professional careers, which has nothing to do with the life-skills argument here. And "Individual sports like tennis and swimming also require practice and discipline" actually switches to the opposite subject—individual sports—which would confuse readers rather than conclude the paragraph about team sports.
A good tip: a concluding sentence usually restates or ties together the paragraph's key points using slightly different words. Before choosing, quickly list the paragraph's main ideas, then pick the answer that mirrors that list. If a choice adds a new example, name-drops something unmentioned, or shifts topics, cross it out.
- Which sentence would be the strongest concluding statement for this paragraph?
Answer: Because sleep affects so many parts of health and learning, teens should make getting enough rest a daily priority.
Whenever you're asked to pick the best concluding sentence, think about what a conclusion actually does: it wraps up the main idea of the whole paragraph, pulling the details together rather than adding brand-new information. Look back at what this paragraph is really about—how sleep helps the body and mind, and how teens often don't get enough.
The sentence "Because sleep affects so many parts of health and learning, teens should make getting enough rest a daily priority" is strongest because it summarizes the paragraph's points (repair, memory, mood, focus, immunity) and gives the reader a clear takeaway. It looks back at everything discussed and closes with a logical "so what."
"Adults typically need only seven hours of sleep, less than teenagers require" introduces a new topic—adults—that the paragraph never discussed, so it wanders off the main idea. "Sleep is definitely the most important habit a person can have in life" is an overstatement; words like definitely and most important make a sweeping claim the passage doesn't support. "Many teens use their phones right before bed, which can make falling asleep harder" adds a fresh detail instead of concluding; it belongs in the middle of the paragraph as support, not at the end.
Your strategy: a good conclusion ties together what was already said—it never introduces new facts, and it avoids exaggerated claims. When choosing one, ask, "Does this sentence sum up the whole paragraph?" If it only adds one new point or overstates the case, cross it out.
- Which concluding statement most logically follows from the information in this paragraph?
Answer: Recycling can reduce waste and save energy, but its success depends on people sorting materials properly.
A strong conclusion pulls together the main ideas the paragraph already discussed without adding new facts. This paragraph makes three points: recycling reduces landfill trash, it saves energy, and it only works when people sort their materials correctly. The statement that recycling can reduce waste and save energy but depends on people sorting materials properly captures all three of those points in a balanced way, which is exactly what a good conclusion does.
The other choices each miss the mark. The statement about curbside programs starting in the 1980s and 1990s adds a historical fact the paragraph never mentions, so it introduces new information instead of summarizing. The statement about glass and plastic taking hundreds or thousands of years to break down also brings in a new detail; the paragraph never discusses how long materials take to decompose. The statement that sorting is not really necessary directly contradicts the passage, which warns that contaminated recycling often ends up in the trash anyway. A good conclusion mirrors what the passage actually said, so the balanced summary is the best choice.
- A student wrote the paragraph above for a report. Which sentence best concludes it?
Answer: Community gardens benefit neighborhoods by improving both the environment and the well-being of the people who live there.
When you're asked to choose a concluding sentence, remember that a good conclusion pulls together the main idea of everything that came before it. It should feel like a summary, not a brand-new fact or a random detail. Ask yourself: "What is this whole paragraph really about?"
Here, the paragraph lists several benefits of community gardens: they beautify neighborhoods (the environment), lower stress and boost physical activity (well-being), and even reduce crime. The sentence "Community gardens benefit neighborhoods by improving both the environment and the well-being of the people who live there" captures all of those points in one big-picture statement. That's exactly what a conclusion should do.
"Gardening in the city is impossible without help from neighbors and volunteers" introduces a new claim about needing help that the paragraph never discussed, so it doesn't summarize anything. "Tomatoes and peppers are two of the most commonly grown vegetables in home gardens" is a narrow supporting detail — interesting, maybe, but it zooms in instead of wrapping up, and the paragraph isn't even about specific crops. "In conclusion, gardens are nice" uses conclusion-signaling words but is far too vague and casual; "nice" ignores all the specific benefits the writer worked to explain, and it's not the formal tone a report needs.
A quick trick: a strong conclusion often restates the topic in broader terms and echoes the key ideas. If a choice adds a new fact, shrinks to a tiny detail, or stays vague, it's probably not your answer.
