Question
A. DIRECTIONS: Read the passage below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Giving birth at home is a choice that more and more women are making. However, under certain circumstances, a hospital birth is a wiser choice than a home birth. A recently published policy from the Rochester Clinic supports home births for pregnant women. However, it also provides seven scenarios when a hospital birth would be considered preferred or necessary. The policy also strongly suggests that pregnant women select trained and licensed healthcare providers to help them determine whether a home birth is the right choice for them, and if so, creating an alternate plan to follow if something goes wrong or their circumstances change.
1. What is the author's argument in this passage?
2. Does the author give a source or sources for the statistics and opinions quoted? If so, what are the sources?
3. Does the author show bias? Explain your answer.
B. DIRECTIONS: Read the passage below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
(1) A survey from the Nielsen organization indicates that the average teen spends 900 hours in school and 1,200 hours watching television per year. (2)
Statistics from the same survey show children choose to spend their time watching television over spending time with families 54% of the time. (3) Time spent watching television is linked to poor health in teens.
1. What is the author's argument in this passage?
2. How could you prove that the second sentence is a fact?
3. Why is the third sentence an opinion?
4. Do you agree with the argument and its supporting evidence? Why or why not?
Giving birth at home is a choice that more and more women are making. However, under certain circumstances, a hospital birth is a wiser choice than a home birth. A recently published policy from the Rochester Clinic supports home births for pregnant women. However, it also provides seven scenarios when a hospital birth would be considered preferred or necessary. The policy also strongly suggests that pregnant women select trained and licensed healthcare providers to help them determine whether a home birth is the right choice for them, and if so, creating an alternate plan to follow if something goes wrong or their circumstances change.
1. What is the author's argument in this passage?
2. Does the author give a source or sources for the statistics and opinions quoted? If so, what are the sources?
3. Does the author show bias? Explain your answer.
B. DIRECTIONS: Read the passage below. Then, answer the questions that follow.
(1) A survey from the Nielsen organization indicates that the average teen spends 900 hours in school and 1,200 hours watching television per year. (2)
Statistics from the same survey show children choose to spend their time watching television over spending time with families 54% of the time. (3) Time spent watching television is linked to poor health in teens.
1. What is the author's argument in this passage?
2. How could you prove that the second sentence is a fact?
3. Why is the third sentence an opinion?
4. Do you agree with the argument and its supporting evidence? Why or why not?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Passage A
1. **What is the author's argument in this passage?**
The author's argument is that while home births are an increasingly popular choice among women, there are specific circumstances where hospital births are preferable or necessary. The author emphasizes the importance of having trained and licensed healthcare providers to guide pregnant women in making this decision and to have a plan in place in case of emergencies.
2. **Does the author give a source or sources for the statistics and opinions quoted? If so, what are the sources?**
Yes, the author cites a recently published policy from the Rochester Clinic as the source for the opinions expressed regarding home births and the circumstances that necessitate hospital births.
3. **Does the author show bias? Explain your answer.**
The author does not appear to show explicit bias. They provide a balanced view by acknowledging the choice of home births while also highlighting the importance of professional guidance and contingencies for potential complications. This suggests a thoughtful consideration of both options rather than a one-sided preference.
### Passage B
1. **What is the author's argument in this passage?**
The author's argument is that a significant amount of time is spent by teens watching television, which detracts from other important activities, such as family time, and is linked to negative health outcomes. The message implies that excessive television watching could be detrimental.
2. **How could you prove that the second sentence is a fact?**
The second sentence can be proven a fact by referencing the original survey data from the Nielsen organization that reports children’s choices of activities. This data provides measurable statistics that can be verified through the survey results.
3. **Why is the third sentence an opinion?**
The third sentence is an opinion because it suggests a causal relationship ("Time spent watching television is linked to poor health in teens") without providing direct evidence of that claim within the passage. While there may be studies to support this claim, the sentence as presented does not cite any specific data or sources that establish this link definitively.
4. **Do you agree with the argument and its supporting evidence? Why or why not?**
Agreement with the argument may vary depending on individual perspectives. Some may agree that excessive television watching can lead to negative outcomes for teens, given the potential for reduced physical activity and less time spent on social interactions. Others may disagree, believing that television can be educational and a form of relaxation, arguing that moderation is key. Supporting evidence in the form of comprehensive studies correlating television watching to health could strengthen the argument.
1. **What is the author's argument in this passage?**
The author's argument is that while home births are an increasingly popular choice among women, there are specific circumstances where hospital births are preferable or necessary. The author emphasizes the importance of having trained and licensed healthcare providers to guide pregnant women in making this decision and to have a plan in place in case of emergencies.
2. **Does the author give a source or sources for the statistics and opinions quoted? If so, what are the sources?**
Yes, the author cites a recently published policy from the Rochester Clinic as the source for the opinions expressed regarding home births and the circumstances that necessitate hospital births.
3. **Does the author show bias? Explain your answer.**
The author does not appear to show explicit bias. They provide a balanced view by acknowledging the choice of home births while also highlighting the importance of professional guidance and contingencies for potential complications. This suggests a thoughtful consideration of both options rather than a one-sided preference.
### Passage B
1. **What is the author's argument in this passage?**
The author's argument is that a significant amount of time is spent by teens watching television, which detracts from other important activities, such as family time, and is linked to negative health outcomes. The message implies that excessive television watching could be detrimental.
2. **How could you prove that the second sentence is a fact?**
The second sentence can be proven a fact by referencing the original survey data from the Nielsen organization that reports children’s choices of activities. This data provides measurable statistics that can be verified through the survey results.
3. **Why is the third sentence an opinion?**
The third sentence is an opinion because it suggests a causal relationship ("Time spent watching television is linked to poor health in teens") without providing direct evidence of that claim within the passage. While there may be studies to support this claim, the sentence as presented does not cite any specific data or sources that establish this link definitively.
4. **Do you agree with the argument and its supporting evidence? Why or why not?**
Agreement with the argument may vary depending on individual perspectives. Some may agree that excessive television watching can lead to negative outcomes for teens, given the potential for reduced physical activity and less time spent on social interactions. Others may disagree, believing that television can be educational and a form of relaxation, arguing that moderation is key. Supporting evidence in the form of comprehensive studies correlating television watching to health could strengthen the argument.