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IMPROVING PARAGRAPHS DRILL .................................................
(1) My brother has a special talent. (2)
The skill to express himself perfectly through
his artwork. (3) My brother is autistic, and has
trouble expressing himself with words. (4) When
he wants to convey something, he does so with
paintings. (5) He concentrates intensely, lets
his brushstrokes translate his thoughts, and my
questions are seemingly answered by him with his
finished work of art. (6) Even people who aren’t
related to him can understand what he is expressing.
(7) Many people think that words are necessary
for effective communication. (8) My brother, by
all accounts, proves this point of view wrong,
because he effectively communicates with friends,
family, and strangers through his artwork every
day.
(9) At school, my brother’s teacher and
friends benefit from his skill. (10) He does not fit
within the required curriculum and organized
lesson plan. (11) The teacher has been able to
practice her flexibility, modifying lesson plans
and curriculum to suit my brother’s capabilities
and talent. (12) Her abilities as a teacher are
strengthened every day, as she learns and grows
with my brother. (13) My brother’s friends have
learned to listen and communicate without
words, which has strengthened their ability to
express themselves. (14) Likewise, we choose
the people we want to hang out with.
(15) My brother’s talent affects his whole
life. (16) His talent allows him to communicate
with others so that he is part of the world, rather
than living outside of it. (17) It allows him not to
be a victim of his autism, but to make his diagnosis
work for him. (18) Furthermore, it develops his
artistic talent so that he can one day earn a living.
(19) I am proud of my brother for both his talent
and his ability to express himself through it.
Of the following, which is the best way to revise
and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)?My brother has a special talent. The skill to
express himself perfectly through his artwork.(A) My brother has a special talent that includes
the skill to express himself perfectly
through his artwork.
(B) Despite my brother’s special talent, he still
has the skill to express himself perfectly
through his artwork.
(C) My brother has a special talent and the skill to
express himself perfectly through his artwork.
(D) My brother has a special talent, it is the skill to
express himself perfectly through his artwork.
(E) My brother has a special talent: the skill to
express himself perfectly through his
artwork.Of the following, which is the best way to phrase
sentence 4 (reproduced below)?He concentrates intensely, lets his brushstrokes
translate his thoughts, and my questions are seemingly
answered by him with his finished work of art.(A) (As it is now)
(B) As he concentrates intensely and lets his fingers
translate his thoughts, he seems to be answering
my questions with his finished work of art.
(C) He concentrated intensely and let his fingers
translate his thoughts, seeming to answer my
questions with his finished work of art.
(D) He concentrates intensely, lets his brushstrokes
translate his thoughts, and then seems to answer
all my questions with his finished work of art.
(E) Concentrating intensely, he will let his
brushstrokes translate his thoughts and then
my questions are seemingly answered by
him with his finished work of art.