Addressing and Refuting Counter-Arguments

Which statement opposes the following claim?

Cell phones are beneficial for teenagers.

• Cell phones are extremely helpful for most teenagers.

• Cell phones are distracting for teenagers.

• It should be illegal for people under 18 to have a cell phone.

• Cell phones have benefits and costs.

Which statement opposes the following claim?

Actors and professional athletes are paid too much.

• Entertainment industry salaries have reached an all time high.

• Actors should be paid based on the number of awards they have won.

• The income of actors and professional athletes is fair.

• People who make over one million dollars should be required to donate to charity.

Which statement opposes the following claim?

Violent video games cause behavior problems.

• Teen violence has been on the rise since the introduction of games like Call of Duty.

• Kids who play violent video games are more likely to get into violent altercations at school.

• Violent video games should be banned for people under 18.

• Psychologists agree that behavior problems do not stem from video game habits.

Which statement opposes the following claim?

The death penalty is a fair punishment for murder.

• Death is an unacceptable sentence for any crime.

• The death penalty should only be given to mass murderers.

• The death penalty should be assigned to criminals convicted of child abuse.

• The death penalty is one of the oldest forms of punishment.

Which statement opposes the following claim?

Curfews keep teens out of trouble.

• Teens who abide by a curfew are less likely to be involved in criminal activity.

• Rules are made to be broken, and that's exactly what teens do with curfews.

• Studies show that enforcing a curfew has no significant impact on teen behavior.

• Most teens despise having a curfew.

Which piece of textual evidence BEST refutes, or argues against the following claim?

Cigarettes cannot be blamed for lung cancer.

• "Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 7 million deaths per year."

• "Our government collects $2.81 billion in tobacco sales taxes federally."

• "Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."

• "Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

Which piece of textual evidence BEST refutes, or argues against the following claim?

Homework is necessary for a good education.

• "Homework carries educational benefits for all age groups, including time management and organization."

• "Homework also provides students with the ability to think beyond what is taught in class."

• "Active learning promotes the analysis and application of class content in real world settings."

• "For elementary school students, homework has no association with achievement gains when measured by standardized tests results or grades."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Which piece of textual evidence BEST refutes, or argues against the following claim?

Teachers should be held responsible for their students' standardized test scores.

• "Teachers may receive bonuses for high student achievement."

• "Other factors such as family background, prior teachers and student motivation have major influences on how much a student learns."

• "Ineffective teachers would receive additional training on how to help students succeed."

• "Teachers will be more motivated to differentiate for the needs of diverse learners."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Which piece of textual evidence BEST refutes, or argues against the following claim?

All students should be required to take Physical Education classes in high school.

• "P.E. classes strengthen peer relationships and build teamwork skills."

• "These types of classes often provide an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety."

• "Some students have medical issues that prevent them from fully participating in physical education classes."

• "Physical education provides regular, healthy physical activity under the supervision of a trained educator."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

Which piece of textual evidence BEST refutes, or argues against the following claim?

Cyberbullies should be prosecuted.

• “Cyberbullying is a serious concern that all communities must confront, but there are better and more constructive ways to address the problem than giving children criminal records."

• "A 2011 city Health Department study found 18 percent of high school students were bullied on school property and 16 percent were victims of cyberbullying."

• "Lawmakers are considering legislation requiring anti-bullying instruction in public schools."

• "Research shows that girls are somewhat more likely than boys to be involved in cyber bullying."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

CCSS.RL.7.1