Analyze Author's Claim and Evaluate Evidence

I went to see Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet recently. It was very good, and it led me to read up on Shakespeare, to find out who he was. Based on what I read, I have concluded that William Shakespeare could not possibly have written all of the plays that people say he did.
For one thing, there are 37 of them, and most are very long! Just as it seems unlikely that a composer could write 37 full-length symphonies, it does not seem possible that one person could have written all those plays.
For another thing, he supposedly wrote comedies, tragedies, and history plays. Each one of these is a totally different type of story. How could one person be so good at writing all three types? It seems as impossible as a novelist who is good at writing mystery novels, but also writes great science fiction stories and biographies. What are the chances of that?
Finally, the fancy poetic language in the plays sounds like someone very educated wrote them. However, historians have determined that Shakespeare never went to college. He might have been smart, but he did not get an advanced education.
For all of the above reasons, Shakespeare could not have written all of the plays people think he did. He probably wrote some of them but had help from a well-educated friend or a
teacher. I wonder what that person would think today if he or she knew that Shakespeare got all the credit.
Paragraph 4 (For all the above reasons...) mainly tries to persuade readers that

• Shakespeare was not educated enough to write the plays.
• William Shakespeare never actually went to college.
• Shakespeare wrote plays using a fancy, poetic language.
• William Shakespeare was quite smart and well educated.

For another thing, he supposedly wrote comedies, tragedies, and history plays. Each one of these is a totally different type of story. How could one person be so good at writing all three types? It seems as impossible as a novelist who is good at writing mystery novels, but also writes great science fiction stories and biographies. What are the chances of that?
Finally, the fancy poetic language in the plays sounds like someone very educated wrote them. However, historians have determined that Shakespeare never went to college. He might have been smart, but he did not get an advanced education.
In these paragraphs, the author supports the claim that Shakespeare could not have written all his plays by

• clearly stating that it could not be possible
• presenting numbers and facts as proof
• giving evidence from Shakespeare experts
• comparing it to other unlikely situations

“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in.

Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special

showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.

Which of the following is the author's claim in paragraph 1?

• People who do not have a lot of money cannot enjoy museums.

• Museums should not charge extra fees.

• Traveling exhibits should always be free.

• Museums need more traveling shows.

“The best things in life are free,” they say, which is true for things like libraries. However, it is not true for many museums. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, for example, costs $20 to get in.

Traveling exhibits, such as the work of a certain artist that is touring the country, almost always cost even more. People must pay to get into the museum and also pay for the special showing. That means people who don’t have much money cannot enjoy the art.

Most museums have “free days,” but these are usually only one or two days a month. If you’ve ever attended one of these, you know they are jam packed with people. It is hard to even see the exhibits when crammed into a room like sardines in a can!

The thing is, people already pay enough for the privilege of living in a city. In addition, museums are supported by arts organizations and individual donors. They do not need to charge the public a hefty sum as well. They should be free for everyone, all the time.

Which of the following evidence would support the author’s claim that "people already pay enough for the privilege of living in a city”?

• A comparison showing which cities are the most expensive

• Examples of the fees people who live in cities must pay

• Testimony from someone who cannot afford museum admission

• An interview with someone who thinks museums should be free

Other than a few earthquakes in California, the West Coast has been fairly quiet in terms of geological events. That could all change any day now, as the West Coast is overdue for a “Big

One.”

The 750-mile long area from Northern California to British Columbia is called the Cascadia “subduction zone.” That means it’s an area where one plate in the Earth’s crust slips underneath another. The “stress” or pressure on such places makes it likely that big

earthquakes will occur.

Scientists have figured out that the northern part of this zone “ruptures” about every 480 years. The southern part, in Oregon and California, does so about every 230 years. In 1700,

both parts of the zone had major earthquakes. That means a portion of the West Coast is overdue for a major quake.

There is no question that such an event is coming; the question is when and where. Scientists warn that people should always have emergency supplies on hand, to be prepared when the

“Big One” hits.

The author tries to convince readers that a big West Coast earthquake was caused by...

• showing the pattern of past earthquakes.

• explaining that California has had a few quakes.

• predicting what area will have an earthquake.

• urging readers to plan for a possible quake.

Other than a few earthquakes in California, the West Coast has been fairly quiet in terms of geological events. That could all change any day now, as the West Coast is overdue for a “Big

One.”

The 750-mile long area from Northern California to British Columbia is called the Cascadia “subduction zone.” That means it’s an area where one plate in the Earth’s crust slips underneath another. The “stress” or pressure on such places makes it likely that big

earthquakes will occur.

Scientists have figured out that the northern part of this zone “ruptures” about every 480 years. The southern part, in Oregon and California, does so about every 230 years. In 1700,

both parts of the zone had major earthquakes. That means a portion of the West Coast is overdue for a major quake.

There is no question that such an event is coming; the question is when and where. Scientists warn that people should always have emergency supplies on hand, to be prepared when the

“Big One” hits.

How does the author help the reader understand the threat of a West Coast major earthquake?

• By describing personal experience

• By providing scientific evidence

• By quoting specific science experts

• By appealing to the reader’s emotions

Reality TV shows are very popular right now, but I cannot understand why. They are a waste of time and should be replaced with more worthwhile programs.

You could get just as much value from placing a camera in a friend’s home. You could witness the family’s daily conversations and all the problems they deal with. Would that be a productive use of your time? No, because there would be nothing educational about it. It would also be mostly boring and not very entertaining.

I believe there’s so much reality TV because networks don’t want to hire good writers to create something really worth watching. These programs are not creative. They just show life as it is, and you can get that without turning on the TV.

Reality TV has nowhere near the value of other types of shows. For instance, a good comedy has a clever script and is creative and entertaining. Reality TV has no script. It is just people

living their lives.

I sincerely hope these shows are a fad that will soon pass. They are an insult to the viewer’s intelligence.

In this passage, the author is mainly trying to persuade readers that...

• Reality TV has little value.

• Comedies are worthwhile TV.

• Reality TV is a passing fad.

• Life is more interesting than TV.

Before text messaging, most communication was done in person or on a telephone call, so both people had to be focused completely on the conversation. Now you can send a message to people who are busy doing something else, and those people can continue what they are doing and respond at their convenience. Unfortunately, text messages can be misinterpreted more easily than phone calls because tone of voice is difficult to convey in quick texts.

What is the author's claim in the passage?

• Cell phones are detrimental to the social development of the American youth.

• Text messaging has drastically changed the way people communicate.

• Communicating with friends can be enjoyable if done through text messaging.

• Text messaging is a major feature for American consumers when choosing a cell phone.

Americans should exercise their right to vote. Many of our predecessors fought and died to earn the right to vote, and we disrespect their legacy by not voting due to apathy and forgetfulness. When informed voters cast their votes, they voice their opinions on political issues that shape public policy. It is not fair for people to complain about public policy unless they participate in the electoral process.

Choose the best statement that supports the argument.

• As citizens of a representative democracy, voting is our responsibility.

• Americans are allowed to vote as soon as they turn 18 years old.

• There is a presidential election every four years in the United States.

• High profile political campaigns are expensive and difficult to run.

The playground on South Twentieth Street is falling apart. The swings on the swing set are no longer usable because the chains are so rusted that they may break. Parents are afraid to bring their children to this playground because they fear they may get hurt. The company that built this playground is based in Maryland and has an office in this city. Although the playground is not that old, it has not been maintained the way it should be. The children of our city deserve a place where they can run and play safely.

Which statement best describes the claim the speaker is making?

• The safety of the children should be the chief priority.

• The area around the playground is being vandalized.

• Any playground should be taken care of properly.

• The playground is not safe for the children to play on.