Question

Should Schools Have Longer Recess?
Many students believe that schools should have longer recess periods. The author claims
that longer recess helps students stay healthy and focused. According to a study shared by
a children’s health organization, students who have more time to play outside are more
active and less stressed. Teachers also report that students return to class more ready to
learn after recess.
Some people disagree and say that longer recess would take away from important learning
time. They argue that students need more time in the classroom to improve their test
scores. However, the author responds that healthier and happier students actually learn
better. When students can move and relax, they are able to concentrate more during
lessons.
In conclusion, the author believes schools should extend recess time because it supports
both physical health and academic success. The evidence shows that longer recess
benefits students overall, even if it slightly reduces classroom time.
￿ Part 2: Understanding the Argument
Answer the questions using complete sentences.
1. Author’s Claim
What is the author’s claim? What are they trying to prove?
2. Supporting Evidence
Identify one piece of evidence from the passage.
How does it support the author’s claim?
3. Counterclaim
What is the counterclaim in the passage?
4. Response to the Counterclaim
How does the author respond to the opposing viewpoint?
5. Conclusion
Does the conclusion logically follow the argument? Why or why not?
✏️ Part 3: Correlative Conjunctions Practice
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs, such as:
• both / and
• either / or
• neither / nor
• not only / but also
A. Choose the correct pair of correlative conjunctions.
1. _______ students _______ teachers benefit from longer recess.
2. You can _______ play outside _______ read quietly during recess.
3. The rule applies to _______ boys _______ girls.
B. Write Your Own Sentences

Answer 1

Part 2: Understanding the Argument

1. Author’s Claim
The author’s claim is that schools should extend recess time because longer recess supports students’ physical health and academic success.

2. Supporting Evidence
One piece of evidence is a study shared by a children’s health organization showing that students who have more time to play outside are more active and less stressed. This supports the author’s claim by linking longer recess to improved physical activity and lower stress, which help students be healthier and better prepared to learn.

3. Counterclaim
The counterclaim is that longer recess would take away from important classroom learning time and could harm students’ test scores.

4. Response to the Counterclaim
The author responds that healthier and happier students actually learn better, arguing that when students can move and relax during recess they are able to concentrate more during lessons, which offsets the slight reduction in classroom time.

5. Conclusion
Yes, the conclusion logically follows the argument because the author provided evidence and reasoning that longer recess improves students’ health and readiness to learn, and then explained why those benefits outweigh the concern about losing some classroom time.

Part 3: Correlative Conjunctions Practice

A. Choose the correct pair of correlative conjunctions.
1. Both students and teachers benefit from longer recess.
2. You can either play outside or read quietly during recess.
3. The rule applies to both boys and girls.

B. Write Your Own Sentences
1. Both students and teachers enjoy the fresh air during recess.
2. Either bring a book to read during recess or join the playground games.
3. Neither the principal nor the teachers opposed the proposal to lengthen recess.
4. Not only do children get exercise at recess, but they also return to class more focused.