VA EOC SOL Writing

Some say that the journey is more important than the destination. They argue that people find more joy and satisfaction in working toward a goal than in achieving it. Others say that it is the destination that gives meaning to the journey. They argue that the process of working toward a goal would be meaningless without its achievement. Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your ideas.

Which idea is NOT relevant to this argument?

• Achievements can be remembered forever

• The destination is more important because reaching it is what makes the struggle of the journey relevant.

• Everyone goes through several journeys that have specific goals or destinations

• Deciding on a journey is difficult because there are so many places to go.

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.2B

Some say that the journey is more important than the destination. They argue that people find more joy and satisfaction in working toward a goal than in achieving it. Others say that it is the destination that gives meaning to the journey. They argue that the process of working toward a goal would be meaningless without its achievement. Take a position on this issue. Use reasons and specific examples to support your ideas.

What two stances is this prompt asking your to consider?

• The journey is more important than the destination

• The destination is more important than the journey

• The destination and journey are equally important

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.2B

CCSS.SL.9-10.4

Because of safety concerns, many states have increased the age at which teens can begin to drive. Your state legislature is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 18. Do you think the minimum driving age should be raised? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Which of the following is an example of how you can write the bridge in your intro paragraph?

• "Due to safety concerns, the state legislature is is considering raising the minimum driving age from 16 to 18."

• "Thousands of teens die every year from car accidents."

• "I do not think the minimum driving age should be raised."

• "Do you remember that adrenaline rush you felt when you drove away for the first time on your own?"

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.2B

The British naturalist and politician John Lubbock wrote, “Your character will be what you yourself choose to make it.” Do we choose our own character traits, or is our character formed by influences beyond our control? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and examples.

What do you NOT need to know in order to answer this prompt? Select all that apply.

• What a British naturalist is

• Who John Lubbock is

• What character traits are

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CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.9

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Determine never to be idle . . . It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.” Do we accomplish more if we are always doing something, or does inactivity also serve a purpose? Take a position on this question. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

What are the two argumentative points this prompt is asking you to choose from?

• Do we accomplish more if we are always doing something?

• Does inactivity also serve a purpose?

• What does “Determine never to be idle . . . It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing” mean?

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.1E

"I agree that having a positive attitude is the key to success in life."

What is the counterclaim to the statement above?

• To be successful in life, one must always have a positive attitude.

• Having a positive attitude is not important to having successful life.

• If you are not positive in life, you will not succeed.

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

It has been said that first impressions are almost impossible to change. Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with this statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

Which of the following are reasons to support being on the "Agree" side of this argument?

• Your first impression will always be the first thing someone thinks when they see you.

• If someone doesn’t like you after their first impression they’re not going to try and get to know you better.

• Things aren’t always as they appear.

• You can only meet someone for the first time once, you can’t change your first encounter with someone.

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

CCSS.W.9-10.1B

CCSS.W.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.2B

CCSS.W.9-10.1E

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Do you agree or disagree with Emerson’s statement about individuality? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

What is the "big question" here?

• Do you agree that staying true to yourself, despite what the world is trying to make you, is the greatest accomplishment?

• Is it hard not to let the world change you?

• Do you agree that Ralph Waldo Emerson is the greatest writer about individuality?

• Can you stay true to yourself, despite living in a world that is constantly changing?

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CCSS.RI.1.4

Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.” Based on your experiences, do you agree or disagree with Emerson’s statement? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

What would be a sufficient bridge for your introductory paragraph?

• There are many famous people who failed at the start of their hobbie.

• If you do not fail, you will not grow.

• Author Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”

• I agree with Emerson's statement because you never know what you are capable of until you try, experiences shape us as people, and failure teaches us how to proceed.

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CCSS.W.9-10.1

CCSS.W.9-10.1A

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CCSS.W.9-10.4

Civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi wrote, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Do you agree or disagree with Gandhi’s statement about the importance of helping others as a way of discovering more about yourself? Take a position on this issue. Support your response with reasons and specific examples.

What is the "big question" here?

• Is Mahatma Gandhi the best civil rights leader?

• What is the best way to discover yourself?

• Do you agree or disagree that helping others is important to discover more about your self?

• Is helping others the key to happiness?

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CCSS.RL.2.1

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