Delineate an Argument Practice - Omnivore's Dilemma
Authored by Kaitlyn Henrik
English
8th Grade
CCSS covered
Used 40+ times
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About
This quiz focuses on argumentative analysis within the context of literary nonfiction, specifically examining Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma." The material is appropriate for 8th grade students who are developing critical reading skills and learning to identify and evaluate argumentative structures in complex texts. Students must demonstrate their ability to distinguish between central claims, supporting points, and evidence while analyzing the author's argumentative strategies across multiple chapters. The core concepts required include understanding the hierarchy of argumentative elements, recognizing implicit versus explicit claims, evaluating the relevance and strength of supporting evidence, and identifying author's purpose in persuasive writing. Students need strong comprehension skills to parse complex sentences about industrial agriculture, organic farming practices, and environmental impacts, while simultaneously applying analytical frameworks to deconstruct Pollan's arguments about food systems and agricultural practices. Created by Kaitlyn Henrik, an English teacher in the US who teaches grade 8. This quiz serves as an excellent formative assessment tool for students studying argumentative analysis and can be effectively used during reading comprehension units focused on nonfiction texts. Teachers can implement this as a guided practice activity after students have read the specified chapters, as homework to reinforce lesson concepts, or as a warm-up review before deeper discussions about argumentative writing techniques. The quiz effectively supports classroom instruction by requiring students to practice essential skills in textual analysis while engaging with contemporary issues in food production and environmental responsibility. This assessment aligns with Common Core standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.8, which requires students to distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1, which focuses on writing arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
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6 questions
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1.
MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
In chapter 11 Michael Pollan implies the central claim that industrial organic food is better than industrially raised food, yet it still has negative impacts on human health and the environment.
Select TWO supporting points for this claim.
Industrial organic farming is the most sustainable food system consumers can choose.
Research has proven that industrial organic food and industrial food use similar amounts of pesticides in their practices.
Although better for the environment overall, industrial organic food still uses many fossil fuels, which have a negative impact on the environment.
Industrial organic food is better for you and the environment because it contains fewer pesticides than conventionally grown food.
2.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Point #1: Industrial organic food is better for you and the environment because it contains fewer pesticides than conventionally grown food.
Select one piece of evidence to support this point.
Chemicals from pesticides used on conventionally grown food have been proven to cause cancer.
Pesticide use became widespread in the 1950s, after chemicals used in World War II were found effective for pest control on crops.
Very little research has been done to determine the effects of low levels of these poison.
More research on the herbicide Atrazine, and its effects on humans, is needed.
Tags
CCSS.RL.8.1
CCSS.RI.7.8
CCSS.RI.8.1
CCSS.RI.8.8
CCSS.RL.9-10.1
3.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Point #2: Although better for the environment overall, industrial organic food still uses many fossil fuels, which have a negative impact on the environment.
Choose a piece of relevant evidence to support this.
Soils of industrial farms are often lifeless because the pesticide use strips them of compounds called polyphenols.
Most of the fossil fuels used in the food industry are for processing andtransporting food, rather than growing it
Industrial organic farming uses fewer sustainable practices, like renewable energy, than any other food system.
Industrial organic food is produced with less energy and fossil fuels than any other food system.
Tags
CCSS.RL.8.1
CCSS.RI.7.8
CCSS.RI.8.1
CCSS.RI.8.8
CCSS.RL.9-10.1
4.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
In chapter 5, Michael Pollan implies the central claim that raising cows in an industrial setting is a terrible way to raise beef.
Select one supporting point for this claim.
A cow’s digestive system has evolved to eat grass, yet cows are fed a corn-based diet because it fattens them up quickly.
Bison and the prairie grasses lived together in a partnership for thousands of years, but that changed with the development of industrial farming.
Cows have a specialized stomach called a rumen.
Cows spread grass seed, plant it with their hooves, and fertilize it with their manure.
5.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
Point #1: A cow’s digestive system has evolved to eat grass, yet cows are fed a corn-based diet because it fattens them up quickly.
Select one piece of relevant evidence for this point.
“Cattle raised on grass simply take longer to grow than cattle raised on corn” (63).
“Only certain animals, including cows, sheep, goats, and bison, can make a meal out of grass” (64).
“The bacteria break down the cell walls of the grass and allow the cows to get at the protein and carbohydrates within” (64).
“On the plains of the American west, where steer 534 was born, bison and the prairie grasses lived together in a partnership for thousands of years” (65).
Tags
CCSS.RL.8.1
CCSS.RI.7.2
CCSS.RI.8.2
CCSS.RL.7.1
CCSS.RL.7.2
6.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
1 min • 1 pt
RICH FIELDS, POOR FARMERS
"The industrial food chain makes some people very rich. Big agribusiness companies take in billions of dollars in profit. Yet one person who is not getting rich from the mountain of corn is the American farmer. George Naylor is all but going broke. . ."
What is the author's purpose for wring this?
to explain the business of agriculture to readers
to promote the importance of corn and soybean crops
to convince readers that farmers are trapped in poverty
to analyze why farmers do not understand agribusiness
Tags
CCSS.RI.8.6
CCSS.RI.8.9
CCSS.RL.7.6
CCSS.RL.8.6
CCSS.RL.9-10.6
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