Argumentative Essays

Standard: 8.2A

What is the most likely meaning of principle in the following sentence?

Doctors follow the principle of “do no harm” when treating their patients.

• guiding belief

• legal requirement

• medical diagnosis

• questionable practice

Standard: 8.2A

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.

• friends

• beliefs

• goals

• tools

Standard: 8.2A

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

Standard: 8.5G

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 finds the politician supporting it admirable

• She does not think it will be very helpful.

• She thinks it is a worthy goal of government.

• She believes it is full of inconsistencies.

Standard: 8.5 G

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

• 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’re allowed.

• After 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.

• 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.

Standard: 8.2C

Read the passage below from "Ban the Ban!"

I agree wholeheartedly that obesity is an issue that needs to be addressed! It is one that needs to be addressed with education, compassion, and support, not government mandates.

Which choice could be substituted for the word mandates without changing the meaning of the sentence?

• orders

• advice

• instructions

• amendments

Standard: 8.2C

Use your knowledge of the Latin root -just- to choose the best definition for the phrase bring to justice.

• to be fair to oneself

• to cause to be tried in court and punished

• to do something worthy of one's ability

• to take on term of office of a judge

Standard: 8.2C

The Latin root -mand-/-mend- comes from the Latin word mandare meaning or order a command. Based on this meaning, which of the following English words is most likely to come from that root?

• mantle

• mend

• manual

• commandeer

Standard: 8.5F

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 on 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.

Standard: 8.5F

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

a.It’s bad for you, especially in large quantities.b.[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.c.Soda consumption is already slipping nationwide.d.Let’s not forget that scientists and even governments have at times pushed people . . . into eating high levels of refined carbohydrates and sugars. . . .

• 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.

• Soda consumption is already slipping nationwide

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