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Read the Essay That Follows, Written Without Proper Paragraph Breaks

question 45

Multiple Choice

Read the essay that follows, written without proper paragraph breaks, and then answer the question(s) by selecting the letter of the correct answer.
(1) Have you ever wanted a huge party, puffy dress, and sparkling tiara? (2) If so, you just may be one of the millions of girls counting the days until their quinceañeras. (3) A quinceañera is an over-the-top, dramatic, and even funny celebration that occurs when a Hispanic girl turns fifteen, but a quinceañera is also an important event in the girl's life, marking her entry into adulthood. (4) Each girl puts her own stamp on the celebration, as several examples will show. (5) One illustration of a memorable quinceañera was my cousin Cindy's three years ago. (6) She constantly said she wanted something different from other quinceañeras. (7) The first step was her custom-made invitations. (8) Another component of the party was more like a fairytale. (9) A wooden swan was constructed to lead her into the ballroom to perform her waltz. (10) Luckily, her dress wasn't as outlandish as the swan. (11) It was simple, but it was the centerpiece of the party. (12) Many quinceañeras are lavish parties like my cousin's, but others focus on the occasion's meaning. (13) My own quinceañera four years ago is an example. (14) Despite its simplicity, it was an experience I'll never forget. (15) My family came from far away to the event, and I felt special, knowing they were there to help me transition into adulthood. (16) Even more special were my uncles' sincere speeches and my mother's proud and happy words. (17) Yet, despite this joy, I felt a little sad: I was no longer a carefree girl as I would now have to take on some responsibilities. (18) I was scared I would fail, but having my family there showed me the help I would have along the way. (19) A third example is my little cousin, who is 11 years old but already halfway through planning her own quinceañera. (20) She has already designed her own dress for the quinceañera and picked the location. (21) So far, she feels relaxed, but knowing how I felt during the first few months of planning, I wish her the best of luck. (22) I plan on helping her. (23) I already promised her a spa day before her party, but I hope the meaning of the occasion is what she appreciates the most, not the dress or shoes. (24) As you can see, a quinceañera is a pivotal experience in a Hispanic girl's life. (25) She learns there is more to life than clothes and gifts. (26) It's the togetherness of the family and determination that she learns about, two things Hispanics value highly. (27) After the party, we begin our adulthood, our entrance into the real world. (28) Somehow, we still manage to laugh and smile along the way.
⎯ Diana Valtierra, Student
The essay should be broken into five paragraphs. Select the group of sentence numbers below that includes all first sentences of new paragraphs.

Recognize the significance of individual fitness and environmental circumstances in survival.

Gain knowledge about Charles Darwin and the historical context of the theory of evolution.

Comprehend the interplay between nature and nurture in shaping human behavior and identity.

Identify how changes in traits occur in living things and the concept of genetic mutations.

Definitions:

Activity-based Costing

A costing method that assigns overhead and indirect costs to specific products or activities based on their use of resources.

Allocation Base

A criterion or standard used to distribute costs across multiple cost objects.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Costs incurred that are not directly tied to the production of goods, such as marketing and office expenses.

Factory Overhead

All indirect costs associated with manufacturing that are not directly tied to a specific product, such as maintenance, utilities, and quality control.