Question

Read the rough draft of a student’s conclusion to an argumentative editorial.

(1) Year-round schooling would help student achievement. (2) Not so much information would have to be crammed into nine months. (3) Furthermore, the elimination of long breaks, particularly summer break, would significantly reduce "learning loss” and the additional time wasted at the beginning of each academic year to reteach previously learned material. (4) It is clear that year-round schooling helps students learn and retain more. (5) The United States is not the only country to experiment with a year-round school schedule. (6) Although many still claim that evidence about year-round school and its link to higher achievement is inconclusive, these people need to open their eyes and see that students in these schools consistently score higher on certain assessments than students who attend schools with traditional nine-month calendars. (7) It is about time that we replaced our outdated and inefficient school calendars.

Why should sentence 4 be removed from this conclusion?

It criticizes those who disagree with the writer.
It strengthens the viewpoint of the opposition.
It states a fact that is unrelated to the topic.
It unnecessarily restates the editorial’s claim.

Mr. Shae’s class is having a discussion about the writings of Shakespeare. One student says, "One theme found in Romeo and Juliet is that love can cause violence. Although the play is a famous love story, it is actually very violent.”

Which would be an appropriate follow-up question to ask this student?

“Who is the most romantic character in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet?”
“What are some specific examples of love causing violence in Romeo and Juliet?”
“Who were the most violent characters in this classic Shakespeare play?”
“What are some symbols used by Shakespeare to depict love and violence?”

Mr. Tyler’s class is having a discussion about whether sugary drinks should be sold at an upcoming school event. One student says, "Sugary drinks are not nutritious and can cause many health problems."

Which would be an appropriate follow-up question to ask this student?

“Do you have a favorite recipe for fresh fruit smoothies?”
“What are the health problems caused by sugary drinks?”
“Don’t you think alternatives are a lot more expensive?”
“How do you know so much about nutrition?”

Answer 1

1) It unnecessarily restates the editorial’s claim.
- Sentence 4 simply repeats the main point already made in sentence 1 and is redundant.

2) “What are some specific examples of love causing violence in Romeo and Juliet?”
- This asks the student to support their claim with evidence from the play.

3) “What are the health problems caused by sugary drinks?”
- This asks the student to provide specific evidence for their assertion.