Lesson 19 RI.8.8 Evaluating an Argument

Multiple Choice

An ______________ is a debate over any issue in which there may be more than one answer.

• argument

• claim

• counterclaim

• relevant information

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an argument for why one should eat apples?

• Many people enjoy fruit salads.
• Eating apples is a popular snack.
• Apples are red and round.
• Eating apples is healthy because they are high in fiber and vitamins.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a claim the author supports in the paragraph?

“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in. Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.

•  Poor people cannot enjoy museums.
• Museums should not charge extra fees.
• Traveling exhibits should always be free.
• Museums need more traveling shows.

Multiple Choice

Save Your Money

Some kids earn money by doing jobs around

their houses or neighborhoods. They should save

some of their money. If they save their money for

a little while, they can buy something special. For

example, if someone wants a new video game, they

could save their money to buy it themselves.

What is the author's claim?

• kids should spend their money on a video game

• Kids should earn money doing jobs

• Kids should save their money

• Kids should buy their own things

Multiple Choice

The next time you drop food on the floor, take it straight to the trashcan. You may have heard that food dropped on the floor is still clean if it is picked up within five seconds. A high school student named Jillian Clark proved this to be false. She completed several experiments that showed that bacteria contaminates food as soon as they touch. Any moisture on the floor or the food speeds contamination even more.

What is the Author's Claim?

• You may have heard

  that food dropped on the floor is still clean if it is

  picked up within five seconds.

• Food dropped on the floor is the beginning of a dirty home and therefore must be picked up within five seconds.

• Food dropped on the floor is not clean

• A high school student

  named Jillian Clark proved this to be false.

Multiple Choice

Choose the evidence that supports the claim:

Students should not be able to eat snacks in class.

• Chewing gum raises test scores

• Studies show eating during class keeps students focused

• Teachers argue food distracts students

• Eating during school hours is important

Multiple Choice

Choose the claim that does not support this argument:

Students should be able to listen to music in class.

• Some may argue that music distracts students

• Some may argue that music is calming

• Teachers can choose the music for the students

Multiple Choice

Choose the evidence that supports the claim:

Students should not wear uniforms to school.

• Having uniforms prepares students for professional careers

• Uniforms make everyone's lives easiers

• Students need to be able to express themselves

• Uniforms allow students to focus on their work not fashion

Multiple Choice

Evidence is ___________________

• A statement or conclusion that answers a question
• Scientific data that supports the claim
• A justification that connects the claim to the evidence
• Not vital when using an argument

Multiple Choice

Over half of American households have pets. One of the benefits of owning an animal is that it may help a person live longer. According to the Department of Health, people with pets live an average of ten years longer than those who don’t have pets. Cats, dogs, lizards, and fish are all fun pets that can help you live a longer life!

What evidence from the text supports the claim that People who own pets live longer?

• Half Americans will have shorter lives

• According to the Department of Health, people with pets live an

  average of ten years longer than those who don’t have pets.

• Over half of American households have

  pets.

• Cats, dogs, lizards, and fish are all fun

  pets

Multiple Choice

The first two years of a child’s life are when the brain develops the most. According to the Kaiser Foundation, kids under two years old watch TV for more than two hours every day. This prevents these children from developing as they should. It distracts them from exploring the world around them and interacting with parents and others. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under two years old should not watch any television at all. They also recommend that kids between the ages of 2-6 have no more than one hour of time in front of a video screen each day.

What claim supports the evidence that television distracts kids from exploring the world around them and interacting with parents and others.

• They also recommend that kids

  between the ages of 2-6 have no more than one

  hour of time in front of a video screen each day.

• Watching tv for more than two hours every day prevents children from developing as they should.

• The

  American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that

  children under two years old should not watch any

  television at all.

• The

  American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that

  children under two years old should not watch any

  television at all.

Multiple Choice

What does the word relevant mean?

• to clearly show

• NOT relating to a subject in an appropriate way

• On topic

• Off topic

Multiple Choice

Which of these facts is irrelevant to the argument that baseball is the most popular sport in America.

• Every year the number of fans attending games increase.

• Soccer is played in foreign countries.

• The money teams generate increases every year.

• MLB is expanding from 30 teams to 32 teams in 2028.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is irrelevant to this claim: Amelia Earhart was very brave.

• She was the first female pilot to attempt a Trans-Atlantic flight.

• Most men were against her flying, but she flew anyway.

• She disappeared in 1937

• She served in the military during WWI.