Question 1

Question

A)A student is writing an argument that offering more art and theater classes in schools would be good for students academically. Which of the following is an example of evidence that the student should include when developing their claim? Select the two correct answers.(1 point)
Responses

Science and math are not engaging, and most students think we need to focus on less boring subjects.
Science and math are not engaging, and most students think we need to focus on less boring subjects.

Experts agree that art and theater help students build self-confidence and learn many collaborative skills.
Experts agree that art and theater help students build self-confidence and learn many collaborative skills.

Students who take art and theater classes score an average of 35 points higher on the verbal SAT test.
Students who take art and theater classes score an average of 35 points higher on the verbal SAT test.

A recent poll showed that 93 percent of adults believe that schools should offer art and theater classes.
A recent poll showed that 93 percent of adults believe that schools should offer art and theater classes.

Art and theater classes are an integral part of most educational curricula outside of the United States.
Art and theater classes are an integral part of most educational curricula outside of the United States.
Question 2
A)A student is developing a claim about art and theater education in schools. Which of these claims is fair, focused, and complex?(1 point)
Responses

There are many ways that art and theater classes benefit students academically and socially.
There are many ways that art and theater classes benefit students academically and socially.

Art and theater classes are important to society, and so we need to offer them at school.
Art and theater classes are important to society, and so we need to offer them at school.

Schools should focus on teaching useful subjects rather than wasting time and money on the arts.
Schools should focus on teaching useful subjects rather than wasting time and money on the arts.

The arts have been a major part of society since ancient times, and we are doomed if we do not honor them.
The arts have been a major part of society since ancient times, and we are doomed if we do not honor them.
Question 3
A)
Use the passage to answer the question.

Everyone should replace the meat that they eat with fish because fish is a healthier choice. Fish is high in protein, as well as a wide range of vitamins and minerals, and very low in unhealthy fats. In fact, the American Heart Association, one of the nation’s largest health charities, recommends eating at least two servings of fish per week.
A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which counterclaim is the most fair and effective?

(1 point)
Responses

Workers in the fishing industries are badly mistreated, and if you eat fish then you are supporting this horrible and unethical industry.
Workers in the fishing industries are badly mistreated, and if you eat fish then you are supporting this horrible and unethical industry.

People should avoid fish because studies have shown that people who eat fish regularly have a 22 percent higher risk of skin cancer.
People should avoid fish because studies have shown that people who eat fish regularly have a 22 percent higher risk of skin cancer.

Some large fish such as grouper and bluefin tuna are known to have elevated levels of mercury, and consuming them in excessive amounts can cause a wide range of health problems.
Some large fish such as grouper and bluefin tuna are known to have elevated levels of mercury, and consuming them in excessive amounts can cause a wide range of health problems.

People should avoid fish because the fish are treated cruelly from the moment they are caught until they are brought to market.
People should avoid fish because the fish are treated cruelly from the moment they are caught until they are brought to market.
Question 4
A)
Use the passage to answer the question.

Claim: Biomass, or organic matter used as fuel, is an excellent source of clean and renewable energy. It generates far fewer emissions than fossil fuels and reduces our nation’s reliance on foreign energy sources.
Counterclaim: Most biomass is produced by burning wood, and since wood is a less energy-dense fuel, it creates more carbon emissions than coal does when producing electricity.
The student who wrote the claim is developing a revised claim as a rebuttal to the counterclaim. Which is the best revision?

(1 point)
Responses

Only two percent of the world’s energy is produced using biomass, so we are unaware of what its overall environmental impact will be.
Only two percent of the world’s energy is produced using biomass, so we are unaware of what its overall environmental impact will be.

Depending on how they are generated, geothermal and hydroelectric energy can create more emissions than coal when producing electricity.
Depending on how they are generated, geothermal and hydroelectric energy can create more emissions than coal when producing electricity.

A wide range of organic materials can be used to make biomass, and sources such as algae are far more energy-dense than wood.
A wide range of organic materials can be used to make biomass, and sources such as algae are far more energy-dense than wood.

One type of biomass, that is charcoal produced from plant material,r, can also be used for enriching soil, as it prevents pesticides from leaching and running off.
One type of biomass, that is charcoal produced from plant material,r, can also be used for enriching soil, as it prevents pesticides from leaching and running off.
Question 5
Pros and cons about the electoral college are often cited. For example, one often cited pro is that the use of the electoral college prevents calls for recounts and offers a level of certainty to elections. An often stated con is that the use of the electoral college may allow the candidate who does not win the popular vote to win the overall election. Those who cite this con are concerned that the will of the people is not always counted in an election.

The Electoral College should continue to be used in presidential elections because it is the fairest means of electing a president. It ensures that people in every state have a role in electing the president, no matter what their state’s demographics are.

A)
Use the passage to answer the question.

A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which counterclaim is the most fair and effective?

(1 point)
Responses

Since it is an all-or-nothing system for each state’s votes, the Electoral College allows elections to potentially be decided solely by swing states.
Since it is an all-or-nothing system for each state’s votes, the Electoral College allows elections to potentially be decided solely by swing states.

There have been four presidential elections in our nation’s history where the winner won the Electoral College vote but not the popular vote.
There have been four presidential elections in our nation’s history where the winner won the Electoral College vote but not the popular vote.

Everyone knows that each voter should have only one vote, and the Electoral College makes it possible for some people’s votes to count as more or less than one.
Everyone knows that each voter should have only one vote, and the Electoral College makes it possible for some people’s votes to count as more or less than one.

The reason why the Electoral College was established was to make it more difficult for people of color and formerly enslaved people to vote.
The reason why the Electoral College was established was to make it more difficult for people of color and formerly enslaved people to vote.

Answer 1

Here are the responses for each question based on the information provided:

Question 1: The two correct answers that the student should include as evidence when developing their claim are:

1. Experts agree that art and theater help students build self-confidence and learn many collaborative skills.
2. Students who take art and theater classes score an average of 35 points higher on the verbal SAT test.

Question 2: The fair, focused, and complex claim is:

1. There are many ways that art and theater classes benefit students academically and socially.

Question 3: The most fair and effective counterclaim is:

1. Some large fish such as grouper and bluefin tuna are known to have elevated levels of mercury, and consuming them in excessive amounts can cause a wide range of health problems.

Question 4: The best revision for the rebuttal to the counterclaim is:

1. A wide range of organic materials can be used to make biomass, and sources such as algae are far more energy-dense than wood.

Question 5: The most fair and effective counterclaim is:

1. Since it is an all-or-nothing system for each state’s votes, the Electoral College allows elections to potentially be decided solely by swing states.

These answers focus on evidence and claims that are logically sound and effective in supporting or countering the given positions.