Question

Check-In (page 3): Read each of the arguments presented about a topic. Look for the evidence that is emphasized. Then answer the questions that follow in the provided text boxes below.
Argument 1:
Eggs. Milk. Dark chocolate. Each of these are important parts of a well-balanced diet. Eggs are high in protein and full of vitamins and minerals bodies need to function properly. Milk provides the calcium a body needs to develop strong bones. Dark chocolate is low in sugar and contains antioxidants that prevent damage to body systems. All three ingredients are found in chocolate cake, making it a healthy food item.

Argument 2:
Although chocolate cake is delicious, it is not part of a healthy diet. Most cakes are high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar. Each of these can result in excess weight gain, which can lead to heart disease and stroke. Every once in a while, cake is fine, but to call it part of a healthy diet is misleading.
Question
Response
Question 1: How do the two authors differ in their point of view?


Question 2: What evidence does the author of Argument 1 emphasize?


Question 3: What evidence does the author of Argument 2 emphasize?


Question 4: Is each argument convincing? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Question 1: How do the two authors differ in their point of view?
- Author 1 argues chocolate cake is healthy because it contains nutritious ingredients (eggs, milk, dark chocolate).
- Author 2 argues chocolate cake is unhealthy because cakes are generally high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar and can lead to weight gain and disease.

Question 2: What evidence does the author of Argument 1 emphasize?
- The author emphasizes the positive nutrients in the ingredients: eggs (high in protein, vitamins, minerals), milk (provides calcium for strong bones), and dark chocolate (low in sugar, contains antioxidants). They use the presence of these ingredients in cake to claim it is healthy.

Question 3: What evidence does the author of Argument 2 emphasize?
- The author emphasizes the cake’s overall nutritional harms: most cakes are high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar, which can cause excess weight gain and increase risk of heart disease and stroke. They note occasional cake is fine but not part of a healthy diet.

Question 4: Is each argument convincing? Why or why not?
- Argument 1 is not fully convincing: it cherry-picks positive aspects of individual ingredients but ignores portion size, the amounts of sugar and fat in cake, and how ingredients are combined or processed. Dark chocolate in cake may be minimal or replaced by sweeter chocolate, and overall nutritional balance matters.
- Argument 2 is more convincing because it considers the cake’s overall nutrient profile and health risks. It would be stronger with specific data (calories, fat/sugar amounts per serving), but its focus on typical cake composition and long-term effects makes its conclusion reasonable.