Question

1. After composing an open-ended, debatable question, the next step to developing a well-supported, logical argument is to

identify the main issues regarding the topic.
determine the main arguments for and against the topic.
find various reliable resources with different perspectives about the topic.
take a stand on the issue and determine the right and wrong sides of the topic.


2. Which statement best supports the claim that starting school later in the day is good for high school students’ ability to learn?

Starting school later in the day would keep students from working after-school jobs.
Most of the students reported that they would be in favor of starting school at a later time.
Many students reported feeling stressed by their extracurricular responsibilities and activities.
Recent research shows that teenagers’ brains are most open to learning between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

3. Which detail best supports the argument that recess is good for kids’ physical health?

Independent play helps kids learn problem-solving and communication skills.
Kids who spend at least two hours playing each day are more likely to be healthy in childhood.
Playing outside for an additional 15 minutes a day helps kids increase their standardized test scores.
Students who participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day are more likely to say they enjoy school.

4. Read the sentence that appears in an argumentative essay about American public education.

Millions of dollars have been spent by taxpayers on programs to improve education.

Which revision offers the most improvement in sentence fluency?
Programs to improve education cost millions of dollars, and taxpayers need to pay for them.
Taxpayers have spent millions of dollars on programs to improve education.
So much money has been spent on education by way of taxes.
Programs endorsed by taxpayers have also been funded by taxpayers.

5. Read the excerpt from a speech.

Many enthusiastic student athletes have slim prospects for earning a spot on a varsity team; however, they would embrace the idea of after-school sporting events offered to everyone. The school could sponsor, for example, an intramural volleyball program in the afternoons. This would encourage fitness and foster student involvement. It even has the potential to train varsity hopefuls who have not had the opportunity to play on a team.

The author’s purpose is
to explain the history of high school athletics.
to criticize the school’s athletic programs.
to present a case for intramural sports.
to explain the rules of intramural volleyball.

Answer 1

1. determine the main arguments for and against the topic.
- Rationale: After posing an open-ended question, you next gather and weigh the key arguments on both sides to build a well-supported case.

2. Recent research shows that teenagers’ brains are most open to learning between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Rationale: This statement directly links later start times to students’ capacity to learn.

3. Kids who spend at least two hours playing each day are more likely to be healthy in childhood.
- Rationale: This detail directly supports the claim about physical health.

4. Taxpayers have spent millions of dollars on programs to improve education.
- Rationale: This revision is clearer and uses active voice, improving sentence fluency.

5. to present a case for intramural sports.
- Rationale: The excerpt argues for intramural programs and lists their benefits.