High Schools Starting Later to Help Sleepy Teens

What does the author of "Keep Start Times as They Are" achieve by restating the thesis (a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay in the introductory paragraph) statement in the conclusion?

• The text becomes a call to action asking all readers to come up with new solutions to the problem

• The reader is left with a clear understanding of what the author wants readers to believe

• The author leaves the reader with something new to think about that was not discussed earlier

• The author ensures the reader will never forget the important information that was expressed in the thesis statement.

Which of the following examples of word choice demonstrate how the author of "A Later Start for Health" achieves a formal tone in the text? Select two options.

• The author sometimes uses the word "adolescent" instead of "teen."

• The author sometimes uses the word "extracurricular" instead of "after–school."

• The author sometimes uses the word "doctors" instead of "physicians."

• The author uses the phrase "nodding off" instead of "falling asleep."

• The author uses the phrase "school buses" instead of "transportation system."

How does the development of the argument in "A Later Start for Health" resemble the development of the argument in "Keep Start Times as They Are"? Select three options.

• Each argument expresses the main idea in the introduction, develops it in the body paragraphs, and restates it in the conclusion, making the authors' positions perfectly clear.

• Each argument addresses counterclaims of the opposing argument, showing the reader the authors have prepared to address possible objections the reader might have.

• Each argument contains a clearly stated position in a thesis statement, making the authors seem confident in their arguments.

• Each argument uses the body paragraphs to attack the credibility of the author of the opposing argument, making the reader think the other author may be lying.

• Each argument lacks sufficient evidence in the body paragraphs to support the claims made in the texts, making each argument seem less convincing.

Which of the following claims do both the author of "A Later Start for Health" and the author of "Keep Start Times as They Are" make in their arguments about school start times? Select three that apply

• Younger children need more sleep than teens do.

• The chance to participate in clubs or sports teams is a major factor in students' willingness to come to school.

• Teens who get the proper amount of sleep do better in school

• A later start time will decrease the amount of time available for extracurricular activities

• A later start time for the middle school will result in changing schedules at all schools in the district

What did the author of "A Later Start Time for Health" do to strengthen his or her argument that the author of "Keep Start Times as They Are" did not?

• The author of "A Later Start Time for Health" exaggerated the truth in order to sound more convincing

• The author of "A Later Start Time for Health" made his or her argument longer than it needed to be.

• The author of "A Later Start Time for Health" included scientific evidence to support his or her claims.

• The author of "A Later Start Time for Health" tried to win teens' approval by appealing to their desire to sleep in.

What is the overall difference in opinion between the author of "A Later Start for Health" and the author of "Keep Start Times as They Are"?

• One author believes a later school start time for teens would improve test scores and performance whereas the other author believes this change would make no difference

• One author believes the best way to improve teenagers' health is to start school later whereas the other author believes this change could make teens less healthy

• One author believes something needs to be done to help teens get more sleep whereas the other author believes nothing needs to be done about it.

• One author believes beginning the school day later would be beneficial whereas the other author believes this change would cause too many complications to be worth it.

One author believes beginning the school day later would be beneficial whereas the other author believes this change would cause too many complications to be worth it.

Which excerpt from the texts best supports the statement above?

• Many renowned doctors have also weighed in and support later school start times. These esteemed doctors have found that adolescents who get the proper amount of sleep...have a better quality of life

• Studies have shown that a later school start time allows teenage students to get the sleep they need in order to grow and learn

• Changing school start times for teens has been suggested as a way of improving test scores and overall performance. Some research even supports this change

• While something needs to be done in order to help teens get more sleep, pushing the school start time back is not the answer. The complications necessary for this sort of change are too vast and not worth the effort

After reading "A Later Start for Health," one can conclude that the author's purpose is to present a solution to the potential impact on after–school activities if schools are started later.

What conclusion can be made about the effect on after–school activities as presented in "Keep Start Times as They Are"?

• Schools do not have enough money for their basic needs.

• There will not be a problem of starting later if schools install outdoor lights.

• A possible reduction of offered activities could have a negative impact on some students.

• Students will show better performance in athletic events because they will be more rested.

"Keep Start Times As They Are" concludes that a possible reduction of offered activities could have a negative impact on some students.

Which two excerpts from the texts best supports the statement above?

• Students who are involved with after–school activities will have to cut back or even eliminate their involvement if school gets out later

• School attendance for these students could decline significantly if they are forced out of activities

• There have been ideas about installing lights so that students can play sports on the outdoor fields later at night

• While this could be a good solution, there are not many school districts willing, or able, to make this sort of investment

What inference can be made regarding the evidence presented in "Keep Start Times as They Are"?

• The evidence supports that elementary schools should also start later.

• The evidence supports that family time is more important than sleep schedules.

• The evidence supports that parents should leave work early in order to spend time with their children.

• The evidence supports that the sleep needs of younger children is a more significant problem than the sleep needs of teens.