The paragraphs of the following essay have been scrambled so that they are out of order. Read them and then answer the question(s) that follow.
Making a Difference
___ (1) Most important, volunteers can do much to improve the quality of life in Westlake. (2) A sophomore named Annie Blakely, for instance, volunteered with a crew of other students to spruce up the neglected Stevenson Park. (3) Because budget cuts had reduced the number of caretakers, some of its gardens had become overgrown. (4) Supervised by the Parks Department, the crew cleared weeds, trimmed bushes, and planted several colorful flowerbeds. (5) They also painted the park benches a bright red, a welcome change from their former drab and faded gray. (6) For six Saturday afternoons, Annie and the other volunteers worked their magic. (7) Thanks to them, the park is certainly prettier and more inviting than it had been.
_ (8) Clearly, community service not only benefits the community but also rewards the volunteer. (9) Signing up can make a big difference in many lives.
_ (10) While helping out, volunteers can also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of others. (11) Last year, another student, Kyle Hairston, worked for a few hours each week at the Westlake Home for the Aged. (12) He began with many preconceptions about the elderly; however, his work with them convinced him how wrong he had been. (13) For example, he assumed that the residents, because they lived in the home, had lost contact with the rest of the world. (14) While playing chess or chatting with them, he realized that they avidly watched the news on TV; read newspapers; and were well informed about local, national, and world affairs. (15) Also a surprise to Kyle, their opinions were often similar to his own. (16) These seventy-year-olds were not as "old-fashioned" as he had thought. (17) Kyle Hairston, the person, owes his respect for the elderly and his open-mindedness to Kyle Hairston, the volunteer.
_ (18) Finally, volunteers can often learn new skills. (19) Margo Rosa, a whiz in mathematics, volunteered to tutor Sandy Lewin, a junior high school student struggling with her math homework. (20) Aspiring to become a teacher, Margo hoped this assignment would give her a head start on her future career. (21) At first, she had trouble understanding why Sandy found fractions so confusing or decimals so difficult. (22) Soon, however, Margo saw where and why Sandy got stuck and thought of creative ways to help. (23) She also increased her patience, a necessary trait for any good teacher. (24) By the end of the semester, when Sandy's grades had improved, Margo was certain that she would become a first-rate teacher.
___ (25) The Community Service Office at Westlake College offers placement opportunities for students who wish to do volunteer work. (26) For a number of reasons, students who have the time should consider volunteering to help out their neighbors in the community.
Select the number of the sentence that is the thesis statement of this essay.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 25
C) Sentence 26

Question

The paragraphs of the following essay have been scrambled so that they are out of order. Read them and then answer the question(s) that follow.
Making a Difference
_____ (1) Most important, volunteers can do much to improve the quality of life in Westlake. (2) A sophomore named Annie Blakely, for instance, volunteered with a crew of other students to spruce up the neglected Stevenson Park. (3) Because budget cuts had reduced the number of caretakers, some of its gardens had become overgrown. (4) Supervised by the Parks Department, the crew cleared weeds, trimmed bushes, and planted several colorful flowerbeds. (5) They also painted the park benches a bright red, a welcome change from their former drab and faded gray. (6) For six Saturday afternoons, Annie and the other volunteers worked their magic. (7) Thanks to them, the park is certainly prettier and more inviting than it had been.
_____ (8) Clearly, community service not only benefits the community but also rewards the volunteer. (9) Signing up can make a big difference in many lives.
_____ (10) While helping out, volunteers can also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of others. (11) Last year, another student, Kyle Hairston, worked for a few hours each week at the Westlake Home for the Aged. (12) He began with many preconceptions about the elderly; however, his work with them convinced him how wrong he had been. (13) For example, he assumed that the residents, because they lived in the home, had lost contact with the rest of the world. (14) While playing chess or chatting with them, he realized that they avidly watched the news on TV; read newspapers; and were well informed about local, national, and world affairs. (15) Also a surprise to Kyle, their opinions were often similar to his own. (16) These seventy-year-olds were not as "old-fashioned" as he had thought. (17) Kyle Hairston, the person, owes his respect for the elderly and his open-mindedness to Kyle Hairston, the volunteer.
_____ (18) Finally, volunteers can often learn new skills. (19) Margo Rosa, a whiz in mathematics, volunteered to tutor Sandy Lewin, a junior high school student struggling with her math homework. (20) Aspiring to become a teacher, Margo hoped this assignment would give her a head start on her future career. (21) At first, she had trouble understanding why Sandy found fractions so confusing or decimals so difficult. (22) Soon, however, Margo saw where and why Sandy got stuck and thought of creative ways to help. (23) She also increased her patience, a necessary trait for any good teacher. (24) By the end of the semester, when Sandy's grades had improved, Margo was certain that she would become a first-rate teacher.
_____ (25) The Community Service Office at Westlake College offers placement opportunities for students who wish to do volunteer work. (26) For a number of reasons, students who have the time should consider volunteering to help out their neighbors in the community.
Select the number of the sentence that is the thesis statement of this essay.

A) Sentence 1
B) Sentence 25
C) Sentence 26

Lourie Peters · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Sentence 26 is the thesis statement because it encapsulates the main idea of the essay, which is to encourage students to volunteer in their community for various benefits.

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