8th Grade Unit 3B Analyzing Informational Text Test Review

What strategy is the most effective way for the author of a persuasive text to refute an opposing viewpoint?

• pointing out that the opposing viewpoint if biased

• telling readers that the opposing viewpoint simply had no support

• restating the original argument in even stronger terms

• providing statistics that contradict the opposing viewpoint

Answer explanation

Providing statistics that contradict the opposing viewpoint is the most effective strategy, as it offers concrete evidence that can undermine the validity of the opposing argument, making the author's position stronger.

Water is a basic human need, yet not everyone has access to it. Lack of access to clean water is a global health crisis. Today, 785 million people—1 in 9—lack access to safe water. This means that these people, mostly women and children, must travel far distances to get water, instead of working or going to school or caring for their families. Helping people gain access to clean, safe water empowers them with more time for school and work and it contributes to improved health for people around the world. The first two sentences of this paragraph name the key concept.

How do the underlined sentences help develop this key concept?

• They give background information on the history of the global water crisis.

• They tell a real-life story of people living without clean water.

• They offer a possible solution for the global water crisis.

• They give evidence to support the claim that access to clean water is a global health crisis.

Answer explanation

The underlined sentences provide statistics about the number of people lacking access to clean water, illustrating the severity of the crisis. This evidence supports the claim that access to clean water is a global health crisis.

Although our town’s parks and recreation department has some wonderful programs, it is not inclusive. Adding an adaptive sports program to our community center would be wonderful for our town. Adaptive sports are conventional sports that have been modified to meet the needs of people with disabilities. Involvement in adaptive sports has so many benefits for people with special needs. According to Disabled Sports USA, individuals involved in adaptive sports programs have higher employment rates, have more physically active lifestyles, and enjoy socializing more. Also, regular participation in sports has been shown to increase overall physical and mental health for people of all abilities.

Which statement describes the author's point of view?

• The town offers some great programs through its parks and rec department.

• Adaptive sports are great but too expensive to implement in the town.

• An ada[tive sports program would be a great addition to the town pars and rec department.

• The parks and rec department is inclusive and does not need to add any additional programing.

Answer explanation

The author advocates for an adaptive sports program, highlighting its benefits for individuals with disabilities. This aligns with the correct choice, stating that such a program would be a great addition to the town's parks and rec department.

Why is it important for an author to include an opposing claim?

• to introduce the other side, then disprove it

• to convince the reader to agree with the other side

• to interest the reader

• to prove they are always right

Answer explanation

Including an opposing claim is important as it allows the author to introduce the other side of the argument and then effectively disprove it, strengthening their own position and enhancing the overall persuasiveness of their writing.

Which would be a sound reason to support the addition of a salad bar option to the middle school cafeteria?

• I don't like any of the current lunch options, and I like salad.

• A salad bar would provide a healthy option for vegetarian students.

• The school one town over has a salad bar, and so we should too.

• The cafeteria is dull, and the colors from the salad bar would make it prettier.

Answer explanation

A salad bar would provide a healthy option for vegetarian students, ensuring they have nutritious choices that meet their dietary needs, which is a strong reason to support its addition.

Which piece of evidence is both relevant and sufficient to support the claim that a Mediterranean diet has health benefits?

• Many people think that the Mediterranean diet is delicious.

• Scientists have found that the diet reduces the risk of heart disease.

• It ranked first in US News and World Report's best diet issue.

• Residents in countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece follow a similar diet.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'Scientists have found that the diet reduces the risk of heart disease,' provides direct evidence of health benefits, making it both relevant and sufficient to support the claim.

Use the arguments about the effects of video games on teenagers to answer the question.

Argument 1: Video games are fun, but they make teenagers less likely to engage in physical exercise. Argument 2: Video games help teach teenagers to perform more than one task at the same time.

On which point do these two arguments disagree?

• whether or not video games make teenagers more passive

• whether or not video games are a good substitute for exercise

• whether or not video games have any benefits for teenagers

• whether or not video games are fun for teenagers to play

Answer explanation

The two arguments disagree on whether video games make teenagers more passive. Argument 1 suggests they lead to less physical activity, implying passivity, while Argument 2 highlights multitasking skills, suggesting engagement.

Heather is writing an essay for her history class about the founding of her city. She has found conflicting information in her sources. Which of the sources she used is the least likely to be reliable?

• a book containing the minutes of a meeting held to discuss whether a new city should be formed or annexed into an existing city

• a newspaper article published int he state capital the year her city was founded

• a journal entry written by someone at the time of the founding who wanted to be annexed into a different city instead of creating a new one

• a chapter in a history book about why people first settled in her city

Answer explanation

The journal entry reflects a personal opinion of someone opposed to the city's founding, making it biased and less reliable compared to the other sources, which provide factual or official information.

Use the excerpt to answer the question.

Good sleep hygiene, the behaviors that promote good sleep, will help ensure that middle schoolers get enough sleep.

How does the author develop the key concept in this sentence?

• by defining an important item

• by giving an example

• by describing specific steps to solve a problem

• by comparing important ideas

Answer explanation

The author develops the key concept by defining 'good sleep hygiene' as behaviors that promote good sleep, which clarifies its importance for middle schoolers.

Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Summer should be a time of heading to the beach with friends and playing capture the flag in the yard until the streetlights come on. However, research suggests that it should also be a time for learning. Summer learning loss, sometimes referred to as the “summer slide,” is a loss of academic achievement students experience during the summer. Schools should implement summer reading programs to help combat this summer setback. Engaging summer reading programs help to foster lifelong readers. Reading over the summer helps children keep their literacy skills up, and with a broader selection of books, the program can pique the interest of reluctant readers.

What is the author's purpose?

• to show the ineffectiveness of summer reading programs in schools

• to show the benefits of summer reading programs in schools

• to outline the components of a strong summer reading program

• to explain how children should spend their summers

Answer explanation

The author highlights the importance of summer reading programs in preventing summer learning loss and fostering lifelong readers, indicating their benefits in maintaining literacy skills and engaging reluctant readers.