Evaluating Arguments in text

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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Michael Jordan was the greattest basketball player of all time. He scored more than 100 points in 1,108 games, wond two Olympic gold medals and was ranked #1 by ESPN Magazine. Chosen for the NBA All-Stars 14 times, Jordan was ten times the scoring champ, five times the Most Valuable Plater, and six times the scoring champ of the NBA. No other player has come close to those achievements.

Question: Identify the central idea - the claim - in the above persuasive paragraph.

• Jordan was six times the 'scoring champ' for NBA.

• Jordan was chosen for the NBA All-Stars 14 times.

• Jordan was the greatest basketball player.

• Jordan was a basketball player.

Answer explanation

All of the evidence in the passage points to the fact that Jordan was a truly great basketball player, which is why that is the central idea.

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Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time. When he played for the Chicago Bulls, they had one winning season after another. When he began losing his hair, he shaved his head and started a fashion trend for other players. He was chosen to make and animated movie called "Space Jam" with Bugs Bunny. There are many good players, but Michael Jordan will always be my favorite.

Question: Which detais do not support this claim? Select ALL that apply.

• He was the best player on the team.

• When he began lising his hair, he shaved his head completely started a fashion trend for other players.

• He was chosen to make and animated movie called "Space Jam" with Bugs Bunny.

• When he played for the Chicago Bulls, they had one wining season after another.

Answer explanation

"When he began losing his hair, he shaved his head completely and started a fashion trend for other players." and "He was chosen to make and animated movie called "Space Jam" with Bug Bunny" don't do much to support the central claim.

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Life in the city is always exciting. There are more than a million people in the city where I live. There are street fairs and sidewalk venders downtown. Most days, people are going about their daily business, just working. In that way, a big city is no different from a small town. But, in the city, there are many more concerts, lectures, theatrical performances, and other kinds of entertainment. Most of those are expensive, and I can't afford to go, Because of the curfew, young people aren't allowed on the streets at night, and I usually have a lot of homework.

Question: Why would the narrator like to live in a city? Select the answer with the best arguments to support the above sentence:

• 1. City life is always exciting.

  2. There are one million people livign inthe city.

• 1. There are streets fairs and sidewalk venders.

  2. There are concerts and all kinds of entertainment.

• 1. Young poeple people aren't allowed on the streets at night.

  2. I have a lot of homework.

• 1. Most of the things are expensive.

  2. I can't afford to go these exciting places

Answer explanation

This answer choice contains two positive things about living in the city, and support why the author likes living in the city.

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Life in the city is always exciting. There are more than a million people in the city where I live. There are street fairs and sidewalk venders downtown. Most days, people are going about their daily business, just working. In that way, a big city is no different from a small town. But, in the city, there are many more concerts, lectures, theatrical performances, and other kinds of entertainment. Most of those are expensive, and I can't afford to go, Because of the curfew, young people aren't allowed on the streets at night, and I usually have a lot of homework.

Question: Why can't young people enjoy city life?

Select the answer with the best arguments to support the above sentence:

• 1. City life is always exciting.

  2. Too many people live in the city.

• 1. There are street fairs and sidewalk vendors.

  2. There are concerts and all kinds of entertainment.

• 1. There's a curfew for young people at night.

  2. Young people have no time due to too much homework.

• 1. People go about their daily work.

  2. A big city is acutally no different from a small town.

Answer explanation

The correct choice gives two reasons why young peoplecan't enjoy city life, and the other anser choices not contain relevant arguments.

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Fast food is unhealthy; it leads to obesity and disease, but the convenience and addictiveness of it contribute to the laziness of the general population. Most people eat fast food because they lack time to prepare a more nutritious meal. It seems as though there is a fast food restaurant on every street corner. The general population overlooks the fact that eating nothing but these greasy foods will contribute to weight gain. Fast food is addictive because it is easily accessible and tastes so good.

Question: In the above passage, which sentences support the argument that fast food contributes to unhealthy weight gain? Select ALL that apply.

• Most people eat fast food because they lack time to prepare a more nutritious meal.

• It seems as though there is a fast-food restaurant on ever street corner.

• The general population overlooks the fact that eating nothing but these greasy foods will cause you to gain weight.

• Fast food is unhealthy; it leads to obesity.

Read the passage below and answer the question that follows:

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Kickboxing is a great form of exercise. This type of exercise tones your entire body. Punching a bag helps you gain strength and muscles in your arms. You also use the bag to do different types of kicks, thus strengthening your legs as well. Kickboxing is a total body workout that everyone should try.

Question: The claim: Kickboxing is a great form of exercise.

Select ALL the answers that support the CLAIM.

• This exercise routine allows you to use a punching bag.

• This exercise strengthens your muscles.

• This type of exercise tones your entire body.

• Kickboxing is the new trend in exercise routines.

Answer explanation

All but one of these answers support the claim.

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Electric cars are a new, innovative type of car that help the environment. They use little to no gas, thereby keeping pollutants out of the air. They may be a little more expensive than the average car, but you wil make that money back in savings on gas. The electric car is now being made by almost all car companies.

Question: The claim: Electric cars are a new, innovative type of car.

What details do NOT support the claim? Select those that apply.

• Electric cars are a great way to help the environment.

• Electric cars are only a few years old.

• Electric cars are too expensive.

• They use little to no gas, thereby keeping pollutants out of the air.

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Running a marathon is a great accomplishment. Training for a marathon takes months. First, you have to start running short distances and increase the distance you run each weak. During your training, you will eventually start running 20 miles at a time. A full marathon is 26.2 miles and very hard for people to finish. With a little time, training, and hard work, anyone can run a marathon. Completing the marathon is a great accomplishment because it shows excellent dedication and athletic ability.

Question: Identify the claim in this passage.

• Running a marathon requires you to train a lot.

• Running a marathon is a great accomplishment.

• Running requires excellent dedication.

• Not many people are able to complete a marathon.

Answer explanation

The claim, or controlling idea, is usually at the beginning ofe paragraph. That is true in this case as well.

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Smartphones are the newest innovative technology out there. On the smartphone, you can video chat with your friends or family members to keep in touch. Smartphones also are a great way to stay organized and keep your life on track. Smartphones are an easy way to search the internet when you are out and need to find something quickly. They allow you to access tons of information.

Question: Which sentence is the claim of the passage?

• Smart phones are the newest innovative technology out there.

• Smart phones are the best phone out there.

• Smart phones are the best way to stay organized.

• Smart phones can be used for video chatting.

Answer explanation

The opening sentence is the claim, or the controlling idea.

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Horses are used for many different types of activities. Horses can be used to pull carts. They are also used for riding english style in which the rider can jump and show them. Horses can also be used for riding Western-style in which riders can herd and rope cattle and go on trail rides. An English-style rider can also perform dressage, which is a highly precise series of movements involving the rider and the horse.

Question: Identify the claim in this paragraph.

• Dressage is the most intricate form of horse training.

• Horses can be used for many different activities.

• Horses can be ridden English style.

• Horses can be ridden Western style.

Answer explanation

The claim in this paragraph is the central idea, or controlling idea. It's what the author is trying to convince you of.