The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A Which is the best evaluation of the support given for the claim in "Ban the Ban!"?

The reasoning is unsound and the evidence is irrelevant.

The reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant.

The reasoning is logical but more relevant evidence is needed.

The reasoning is questionable but the evidence is relevant.

Part B Which of the following quotations from the text provide the best example of the answer to Part A?

Remember the days when New York was a really cool and fun place to live?

I respect being given information that enables me to make an informed decision.

I agree wholeheartedly that obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Well, it is our responsibility to fight back too.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A Which best describes how the author of "Soda's a Problem but . . ." feels about the soda ban?

She believes it is full of inconsistencies.

She finds the politician supporting it admirable.

She does not think it will be very helpful.

She thinks it is a worthy goal of government.

Part B Which of these quotations from the text most clearly supports her perspective?

Convenience stores such as 7-Eleven are overseen by the state and would be exempt, but a Burger King across the street would be restricted.

…it's wrong for one man, even an elected official and even a well-meaning one at that, to dictate to people how big a cup of sugary soda they are allowed.

[A]fter years of sacrificing their students' health to their desire to raise more money, most [schools] have stopped allowing vending machines stocked with sodas.

Bloomberg is playing nanny in the worst sort of way by interfering in a basic, private transaction involving a perfectly legal substance.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A The author of "Soda's a Problem but . . ." comments on the argument that "people are helpless in the face of sugar." Which best describes her perspective of this argument?

She believes people are not helpless and will change their behavior as they learn more about the risks of soda.

She sees soda as an addictive substance, so agrees that people struggle when given too many options.

She believes that people are so helpless they need government intervention to make good decisions.

She considers the argument an overstatement but agrees that sugar is difficult to resist.

Part B Which of these quotations from the text is the most relevant evidence in support of her perspective?

Soda consumption is already slipping nationwide.

It's bad for you, especially in large quantities.

[A]fter years of sacrificing their students' health to their desire to raise more money, most [schools] have stopped allowing vending machines stocked with sodas.

Let's not forget that scientists and even governments have at times pushed people . . . into eating high levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars. . . .

Which of these overgeneralizations is the basis for the argument in "Ban the Ban!"?

stating a large sugary drink ban is the same as stripping away civil liberties

claiming calorie-count disclosure helps people make informed decisions

arguing that the impact of obesity is as bad as the impact of smoking

suggesting smoking bans are comparable to the soda ban

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B. Part A Which of the following states the most important claim on which the argument in "Soda's a Problem but . . ." is based?

Bloomberg attempts to address a real problem but has overstepped his authority in trying to eliminate people's choices.

The ban that Bloomberg proposed included so many problems that it would have been impossible to enact.

Soda is known to be bad for health and a contributor to obesity, but it is a legal substance and should be available to consumers.

The government should step in when dangerous situations that affect innocent people are legal, but drinking too much soda is not dangerous.

Part B Which of these quotations from "Soda's a Problem but . . ." best supports the answer to Part A?

Bloomberg is . . . interfering in a basic, private transaction involving a perfectly legal substance.

[Soda]'s bad for you, especially in large quantities. The evidence against it mounts on a semi-regular basis.

The inherent contradictions . . . were a good part of why earlier this week a judge stopped the new rules from being implemented.

That still leaves the question of whether governments or their leaders can begin dictating the look of an individual's meal. . .

Which of the following quotations from "Ban the Ban!" are the best examples of the logical fallacy of over-reliance on emotion? Choose two options.

What I do not respect is having my civil liberties stripped away.

When he insisted on calorie counts being posted, I think many of us cringed but, again, it made sense.

If, despite all those efforts, someone chooses to have a sugary drink anyway, that is their choice and their right.

I, personally, feel that it goes against everything this country stands for—we are a country built on freedom.

The author of "Ban the Ban!" claims that implementing the ban on large sodas is the beginning of "a very slippery slope." According to the author, where will this slippery slope lead?

The government will take away people's freedoms, including freedom of speech.

New York will become a boring place to live.

Obesity will become unmanageable in the United States.

People will be forced to eat unsalted and unbuttered popcorn at the movies.

Read the following quotation from "Three Cheers for the Nanny State." John Stuart Mill wrote in 1859 that the only justifiable reason for interfering in someone's freedom of action was to prevent harm to others. Which idea from "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem but . . ." provides the best example of an action that Mill would find acceptable?

banning large-sized sugary drinks

Ban the Ban/Soda's a Problem, but...

Authored by Katie Dowson

English

8th Grade

CCSS covered

Used 1K+ times

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About

This quiz focuses on argumentative analysis and critical reading skills through the examination of two opinion pieces about New York City's proposed soda ban under Mayor Bloomberg. The content is appropriate for 8th grade students, requiring them to analyze author perspectives, evaluate evidence and reasoning, identify logical fallacies, and compare arguments across texts. Students need strong reading comprehension skills to extract specific details and implicit meanings from complex argumentative texts. They must demonstrate understanding of how authors construct arguments, use evidence to support claims, and employ rhetorical devices. The quiz also assesses vocabulary knowledge, including understanding of word meanings in context and Latin prefixes, which supports reading comprehension at this grade level. Critical thinking skills are essential as students evaluate the quality of reasoning, identify overgeneralizations and emotional appeals, and distinguish between different types of evidence. Created by Katie Dowson, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This quiz serves as an excellent tool for assessing students' ability to analyze argumentative texts and evaluate author credibility and reasoning. Teachers can use this quiz as a formative assessment following a unit on persuasive writing and critical reading, or as a summative evaluation of students' analytical skills. It works well for homework assignments that reinforce classroom discussions about media literacy and evaluating sources. The quiz effectively supports instruction in close reading strategies and helps students develop the critical thinking skills necessary for analyzing complex texts they encounter in academic and real-world contexts. The content aligns with Common Core State Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.8.8 for evaluating arguments and claims, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.6 for determining author's point of view, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.8 for evaluating reasoning and evidence in argumentative texts.

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21 questions

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Why is Michael Bloomberg mentioned in both "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem but . . ."?

He was a three-term mayor of New York City.

He tried to implement a law banning large sodas.

He appointed the members of the New York Board of Health.

He implemented a law banning smoking in public places in New York City.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Which of the following ideas are suggested in both "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem but . . ."? Choose two options.

The government should be more eager to get involved in people's choices.

Taking away the option of purchasing a certain size soda is not right or legal.

People have no control when given the option to consume sugar, especially sugary drinks.

Placing a ban on smoking in public places is understandable because it poses a danger.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RI.7.7

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

According to "Soda's a Problem but . . ." how does the proposed law regulating soda size differ from the smoking ban that was implemented? Choose two options.

Public smoking poses a danger to others, whereas drinking soda does not.

The smoking ban had full public support, but the soda regulations were opposed.

People are able to control their urge to smoke but are compelled to drink large-sized sugary drinks.

The smoking ban limits where smoking can take place, not how many cigarettes can be purchased at one time.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.3

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

According to "Soda's a Problem, but…," which is a main reason the ban on large sodas failed to be approved?

Mayor Bloomberg wanted to implement the law statewide.

Fruit juice, especially apple juice, has as many calories as soda.

The number of contradictions within the law made it impossible to enact.

People who really wanted more soda could simply buy two smaller drinks.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

If a plan is implemented, which of the following must be true?

The plan is a good idea.

People voted on the plan.

The plan is carried out.

People will question the plan.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

Which word means the same as intentions in this sentence?
Paul has good intentions, but in spite of being well-meaning, he rarely completes a project.

goals

beliefs

friends

tools

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

2 mins • 1 pt

Which of the following most clearly presents a reason for someone to intervene? Base your answer on the meaning of intervene.

to stop kids from fighting over a toy

to show interest in a new hobby or activity

to ask an adult for permission to do something

to question whether a person is telling the truth

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

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Ban the Ban/Soda's a Problem, but...

Why is Michael Bloomberg mentioned in both "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem but . . ."?

Which of the following ideas are suggested in both "Ban the Ban!" and "Soda's a Problem but . . ."? Choose two options.

According to "Soda's a Problem but . . ." how does the proposed law regulating soda size differ from the smoking ban that was implemented? Choose two options.

According to "Soda's a Problem, but…," which is a main reason the ban on large sodas failed to be approved?

If a plan is implemented, which of the following must be true?

Which word means the same as intentions in this sentence? Paul has good intentions, but in spite of being well-meaning, he rarely completes a project.

Which of the following most clearly presents a reason for someone to intervene? Base your answer on the meaning of intervene.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.Part AWhich is the best evaluation of the support given for the claim in "Ban the Ban!"?

Part BWhich of the following quotations from the text provide the best example of the answer to Part A?

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.Part AWhich best describes how the author of "Soda's a Problem but . . ." feels about the soda ban?

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Which word means the same as intentions in this sentence?
Paul has good intentions, but in spite of being well-meaning, he rarely completes a project.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A
Which is the best evaluation of the support given for the claim in "Ban the Ban!"?

Part B
Which of the following quotations from the text provide the best example of the answer to Part A?

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A
Which best describes how the author of "Soda's a Problem but . . ." feels about the soda ban?