Argument Unit Practice Test

Part A: What is the author’s argument in “Music Education Helps Students Thrive”?

• Music education is beneficial and should be required. 

• Every student needs an instrument to play music and participate in group activities. 

• Playing music uses a different part of the brain and develops teamwork skills. 

• Music education should not be required.

 Part B: Which sentence from the article is the best evidence for the answer to Part A? 

• “Although formal music education can be beneficial, it should not be required for all students.” 

• “Participation in music offers many other benefits for students.”

• “Because music education also builds practical skills, it should be required in school.”

• “Too often music is seen as an extracurricular activity, but it can be so much more.” 

Which statement from “Music Education Helps Students Thrive” is an example of an appeal to reason? Choose two.

• Those musical moments can happen at any level and every student should have the opportunity to experience them.

• every student needs this refreshing break from the usual class schedule

• If music education is not required, then students might never try it or might not have access to all its benefits.

• middle school students who attend schools with excellent band programs scored 22 percent better in English and 20 percent better in math than students from schools without music programs 

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Part A:Read this sentence from paragraph 4 of “Music Education Helps Students Thrive.”  What connotation does the word refreshing have in this sentence?: "Plus, every student needs this refreshing break from the usual class schedule."

• Refreshing has a neutral connotation of showing the schedule starting again.

• Refreshing has a positive connotation of revitalization. 

• Refreshing has a negative connotation showing sarcasm.

• Refreshing has a negative connotation showing weariness.

Part B: From the answer to Part A, why did the author most likely use the word refreshing when describing music education

• To show it is not really needed or necessary as classes are exciting enough

• To show it is needed in order to liven up a typical schedule

• To show it may be difficult and tiresome

• To show it is similar to other courses that inspire creativity

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.6

CCSS.RI.8.6

CCSS.RI.8.9

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.6

Which of the following is a persuasive technique that is most clearly used in paragraph 7 of “Music Education Can Happen Anywhere”?

• The author repeats an important fact multiple times in order to highlight the fact for effect

• The author uses words with negative connotations to describe the price of instruments to trigger the reader’s anger about the effects of requiring music education in areas where many students are in poverty

• The author appeals to emotions by focusing on reader’s guilt of requiring families to buy instruments they might not be able to afford

• The author refers to factual studies about musical instruments to give his or her argument authority

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

What fact does the author present in "Music Education Can Happen Anywhere" to support the claim that most educational music moments happen outside of the classroom?

• Students should be using more critical thinking skills when practicing an instrument outside of the classroom.

• All you need to do is belt out a catchy pop song or mime a crazy metal solo on your air guitar to benefit from music.

• Teachers have difficulty engaging students in music education courses and should promote youth orchestras to their students.

• Just listening to music can reduce stress.

Which best describes the different opinions of the authors of “Music Education Helps Students Thrive” and “Music Education Can Happen Anywhere”? 

• They have differing opinions on whether or not families should purchase instruments and pay for music lessons on their own.

• They have differing opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of music education classes.

• They have differing opinions on whether or not students who are enrolled in music education classes will be at an advantage in the classroom.

• They have differing opinions on whether or not school districts should require students to enroll in music education classes. 

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

Compare the two arguments “Music Education Helps Students Thrive” and “Music Education Can Happen Anywhere” by answering these questions.  What fact about music and education do both authors agree on?  How does their opinion about this fact differ?

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

CCSS.RL.7.7

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.8.7

Which of the following is an example of a slippery slope logical fallacy?

• If you don't brush your teeth in the morning, all of your teeth will fall out and no one will ever offer you a job.

• If you don't brush your teeth in the morning, you will regret it halfway through the day.

• If you don't brush your teeth in the morning, you'll need to make sure you do this evening.

• If you don't brush your teeth in the morning, your breath might stink.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1