Modified K.2 & K.5 IXL: Strong & Weak Evidence & Counterclaims

Athletes who wear red are more likely to win competitions. Which piece of evidence better supports this claim?

• Evidence A: Researchers analyzed certain Olympic Games events, like boxing and tae kwon do, where athletes were randomly assigned either blue or red uniforms. In games deemed evenly matched, competitors wearing red won sixty percent of the time.
• Evidence B: A study from a research institute in Japan revealed that color affects some people's perceptions of time. For example, participants who stared at a red screen thought more time had passed than participants who stared at a blue screen.

Evidence A: Researchers analyzed certain Olympic Games events, like boxing and tae kwon do, where athletes were randomly assigned either blue or red uniforms. In games deemed evenly matched, competitors wearing red won sixty percent of the time. Evidence B: A study from a research institute in Japan revealed that color affects some people's perceptions of time. For example, participants who stared at a red screen thought more time had passed than participants who stared at a blue screen. Why is Evidence A stronger than Evidence B?

• Evidence B does not directly support the claim. It does not show that athletes who wear red win more competitions.
• Evidence B is anecdotal. It is based on one person's personal feelings about the color red.

A meal is more satisfying if someone else cooks it. Which piece of evidence better supports this claim?

• Evidence A: On a popular cooking show, one audience member pointed out how the same dish prepared by someone else seems to taste better than when he cooks it. Several other audience members clapped in agreement with his sentiment.
• Evidence B: Research has demonstrated that food becomes less desirable to us the more time we spend preparing it and thinking about it. Therefore, the same food prepared by someone else is more appealing.

Evidence A: On a popular cooking show, one audience member pointed out how the same dish prepared by someone else seems to taste better than when he cooks it. Several other audience members clapped in agreement with his sentiment. Evidence B: Research has demonstrated that food becomes less desirable to us the more time we spend preparing it and thinking about it. Therefore, the same food prepared by someone else is more appealing. Why is Evidence B stronger than Evidence A?

• Evidence A does not directly support the claim. It does not show that a meal can be more satisfying if someone else cooks it.
• Evidence A is anecdotal. It represents the experience of only a few people.

Most people should not bathe or shower every single day. Which piece of evidence better supports this claim?

• Evidence A: A Cleveland Clinic doctor who specializes in skin conditions recommends showering every two or three days. More than that, she warns, can strip the average person's body of its protective oils and cause itchy, dry skin.
• Evidence B: An article in a medical journal questions the wisdom of taking only hot showers and instead advocates for cold showers. The article points out numerous benefits of cold showers, including increasing brain activity and reducing stress.

Evidence A: A Cleveland Clinic doctor who specializes in skin conditions recommends showering every two or three days. More than that, she warns, can strip the average person's body of its protective oils and cause itchy, dry skin. Evidence B: An article in a medical journal questions the wisdom of taking only hot showers and instead advocates for cold showers. The article points out numerous benefits of cold showers, including increasing brain activity and reducing stress. Why is Evidence A stronger than Evidence B?

• Evidence B does not directly support the claim. It does not discuss how often people should bathe or shower.
• Evidence B does not come from a credible source. The source is unreliable and cannot tell us anything about the effects of showering.

Handmade products are more meaningful and personal than machine-made items. Which piece of evidence better supports this claim?

• Evidence A: According to a recent Journal of Marketing study, people prefer handmade items because of their connection to the artist. The authors of the study state that people see handmade products as transmitting the artist's love for the product.
• Evidence B: In an interview at a regional craft fair, one shopper said that he prefers to buy handmade over machine-made gifts for friends and relatives, saying, "I feel that buying handmade gifts ensures that the item was carefully made using quality materials."

Evidence A: According to a recent Journal of Marketing study, people prefer handmade items because of their connection to the artist. The authors of the study state that people see handmade products as transmitting the artist's love for the product. Evidence B: In an interview at a regional craft fair, one shopper said that he prefers to buy handmade over machine-made gifts for friends and relatives, saying, "I feel that buying handmade gifts ensures that the item was carefully made using quality materials." Why is Evidence A stronger than Evidence B?

• Evidence B does not directly support the claim. It does not show why people prefer handmade products.
• Evidence B is anecdotal. It might not represent everyone's thoughts on handmade items.

Soda in a glass bottle tastes better than soda in a plastic bottle. Which piece of evidence better supports this claim?

• Evidence A: According to the Institute of Food Technologists, soda's fizz leaks out of a plastic bottle faster than a glass bottle, making it go flat sooner. Unlike glass, plastic also tends to transfer an unpleasant taste into soda.
• Evidence B: A taste researcher at a top college notes that exposure to light can alter the taste of soda. "Soda in an aluminum can may taste fresher than soda in a clear plastic bottle," she explains.

Evidence A: According to the Institute of Food Technologists, soda's fizz leaks out of a plastic bottle faster than a glass bottle, making it go flat sooner. Unlike glass, plastic also tends to transfer an unpleasant taste into soda. Evidence B: A taste researcher at a top college notes that exposure to light can alter the taste of soda. "Soda in an aluminum can may taste fresher than soda in a clear plastic bottle," she explains. Why is Evidence A stronger than Evidence B?

• Evidence B is anecdotal. The source is voicing a personal opinion about soda containers.
• Evidence B does not directly support the claim. It does not compare soda in glass bottles to soda in plastic bottles.