Process Paragraph: Winter Driving
Read the following paragraph carefully. Answer the questions that follow the paragraph by typing your responses in the text boxes. After you finish the exercise, click on Email to email your work to your instructor, or click on Print to print a copy of your work.

Winter Driving
If you ever need to drive in snowy, winter conditions, knowing five steps possibly can save your life. First, be sure your car is ready for winter weather. For the best traction and response time on snow and ice, check the tread and the air pressure in your tires. Check that your battery is working properly, that your car has the required level of antifreeze, and that the windshield-washing fluid is no-freeze fluid. Second, stock your car with emergency roadside supplies. Have a flashlight, jumper cables, a shovel, chains, warning flares or flashing lights, blankets, an ice scraper, and an abrasive material, such as sand or cat litter, for traction should you get stuck. Carry a cell phone if one is available. Third, practice winter driving before you drive on the roads. Go to a large ice or snow-covered parking lot to practice maneuvering, braking, rounding corners, and coming out of skids. When you do skid, avoid braking. Instead, ease your foot off the accelerator. Shift to neutral. Steer the car in the direction you want the front end to head. After you gain traction, shift back to drive and continue the forward motion. Next, before you get in your car and onto winter roads, plan your route in advance. Check the weather reports so you know what to expect and can plan additional travel time if it is necessary. Try to know your route in advance so your hands do not leave the steering wheel and your eyes do not leave the road in an attempt to find directions on a map. If you are traveling into isolated areas, let someone know your route. Notify the person when you arrive safely. The final step is to know what to do if you do get stuck, stalled, or stranded. Stay in your car where you will be warmer, safer, and protected from the elements. Tie a bright piece of cloth or a marker on your antenna and hang another bright piece of cloth on the outside of your window. Both of these are distress signals. Clear any ice or snow from your exhaust pipe before you run your car; run your car long enough to remove the chill. Try to wait calmly and patiently for help to arrive. Do not leave your car and attempt to walk long distances for help. Following these five steps will lead to safer winter driving and even could save your life some day.

1. The following sentence is the topic sentence. Is it an effective topic sentence? If you ever need to drive in snowy, winter conditions, knowing five steps possibly can save your life.




2. What words are used to signal the beginning of each step?




3. Complete the informal outline inside the text box for the first step in the paragraph.
First, be sure your car is ready for winter weather.
-Check the traction.
-
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4. Does the paragraph have unity? Explain your answer.




5. Does the paragraph have adequate development? Explain your answer.