Bell Ringer 08/05/24

Passage Excerpt: "The economic policies of the early 20th century laid the foundation for the Great Depression. By reducing taxes on the wealthy and cutting public spending, the government inadvertently widened the wealth gap. As a result, consumer spending plummeted, leading to a prolonged economic downturn."

Question: How does the author use the second sentence to develop the claim introduced in the first sentence?

• By providing a historical context for the economic policies

• By illustrating the negative consequences of the policies

• By contrasting different economic theories of the time

• By describing the government's intention behind the policies

Passage Excerpt: "In her seminal work on social justice, the author begins by exploring the historical context of inequality. The first chapter delves into the economic and political systems that have perpetuated social stratification. Subsequent chapters focus on case studies from various countries, illustrating the universal nature of these issues."

Question: Which part of the text refines the author's initial claim about the historical context of inequality?

• The introduction

• The first chapter

• The subsequent chapters

• The conclusion

Passage Excerpt: "Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems. The rising temperatures have led to more frequent and severe weather events, disrupting habitats and food sources. As detailed in the following sections, these changes have far-reaching impacts on biodiversity and human populations alike."

Question: How do the sentences following the initial claim contribute to the development of the author's argument about climate change?

• By challenging the claim with opposing viewpoints

• By providing evidence of the effects of rising temperatures

• By explaining the methods used to measure climate change

• By offering solutions to mitigate climate change

Passage Excerpt: "The implementation of renewable energy sources is crucial for sustainable development. Initially, the high cost of these technologies was a significant barrier. However, recent advancements and economies of scale have made renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective. This shift is detailed in the subsequent analysis, highlighting successful case studies and economic data."

Question: In what way does the paragraph refine the author's claim about renewable energy?

• By summarizing historical data on energy costs

• By describing initial challenges and subsequent advancements

• By listing the types of renewable energy sources

• By discussing government policies on renewable energy

Passage Excerpt: "The educational reforms of the late 20th century aimed to address disparities in academic achievement. The early sections of the report provide an overview of the systemic issues that necessitated these reforms. Later sections offer a detailed analysis of the outcomes, revealing both successes and ongoing challenges."

Question: How do the later sections of the report refine the author's claim about educational reforms?

• By proposing new reforms to address the disparities

• By providing a historical overview of educational policies

• By detailing the successes and challenges of the reforms

• By comparing educational systems in different countries