RI 7.6-Author's Purpose "Cooking Elective"

What is the author’s main purpose in paragraph 4 when citing Leslie Cunningham-Sabo’s research?

• To provide expert evidence that supports the benefits of cooking programs

• To argue that only certain students benefit from hands-on learning

• To explain why cooking should replace traditional academic subjects

• To show that school administrators are not interested in nutrition education

Answer explanation

The author cites Leslie Cunningham-Sabo’s research to provide expert evidence that supports the benefits of cooking programs, reinforcing the argument for their positive impact on education.

The author’s perspective on cooking programs in schools is that they are beneficial. How do paragraphs 1-4 support this view?

• The author believes cooking programs are unnecessary for schools and provides reasons why they fail as subjects.

• The author presents cooking programs as beneficial by highlighting their impact on student learning and skills.

• The author remains neutral, presenting both sides of the argument without taking a stance.

• The author argues that schools should focus only on nutrition and eliminate hands-on cooking programs.

Answer explanation

The author presents cooking programs as beneficial by highlighting their impact on student learning and skills, emphasizing how these programs enhance practical knowledge and foster important life skills.

If a researcher wanted to challenge the author's viewpoint in paragraphs 1-4, what type of evidence would be most effective?

• A survey of students who enjoy cooking in school

• A study showing that cooking programs take time away from core academic subjects

• A list of schools that have successfully implemented cooking programs and the success rates they showcase

• A report discussing the benefits of nutrition education without hands-on cooking

Answer explanation

The most effective evidence to challenge the author's viewpoint would be demonstrating that cooking programs do not improve academic performance, as this directly undermines the argument for their educational value.

How does the author develop their point of view about school cooking programs in paragraphs 5-6?

• By focusing only on the challenges of implementing cooking programs in schools

• By presenting both positive and negative viewpoints without taking a stance

• By arguing that cooking is more important than math and geography core classes for students

• By including expert research and examples of how cooking supports academic learning

Answer explanation

The author develops their point of view by including expert research and examples that demonstrate how cooking programs can enhance academic learning, thus supporting the argument for their importance in schools.

How would the author’s argument about school cooking programs change if paragraphs 5-6 did not mention connections to math and geography?

• The argument would be stronger because fewer details would make the point clearer for readers to understand the author's claims

• The argument would be weaker because it would focus only on social skills rather than academic benefits

• The argument would remain unchanged since math and geography are unrelated to cooking

• The argument would shift to focus only on nutrition and healthy eating

Answer explanation

The argument would be weaker because without the connections to math and geography, it would lack emphasis on academic benefits, focusing only on social skills, which diminishes the overall impact of the author's claims.

If you were to rewrite paragraphs 5-6 from the perspective of someone who disagrees with school cooking programs, how would the argument change?

• The text would emphasize how cooking helps students develop teamwork and problem-solving skills.

• The author would include more quotes from nutrition researchers supporting cooking programs.

• The focus would shift to the idea that cooking takes time away from core subjects like math and science.

• The passage would stay the same but remove any references to geography and math.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that a disagreement with cooking programs would focus on the argument that these classes detract from essential subjects like math and science, rather than promoting teamwork or nutrition.

In paragraph 10, why does the author include the example of students measuring out sugar to visualize the amount in a Big Gulp?

• To argue that students should not be allowed to drink sugary beverages; especially ones with higher amounts than others

• To suggest that math is more important than cooking in schools

• To emphasize the importance of hands-on learning in understanding nutrition

• To show that students were not interested in the activity

Answer explanation

The author uses the example of students measuring sugar to highlight how hands-on learning can enhance understanding of nutrition, making abstract concepts more tangible and relevant to their lives.

What is the author’s point of view on the role of school cooking programs in addressing the obesity epidemic, based on paragraph 7?

• The author argues that school cooking programs have no connection to obesity or the education about its harm

• The author suggests that school cooking programs could be part of the solution, but more research is needed

• The author believes that cooking programs should replace traditional physical education classes

• The author states that cooking programs are too expensive to help with obesity issues

Answer explanation

The author indicates that school cooking programs may help combat obesity, but emphasizes the need for further research to understand their effectiveness, aligning with the correct choice.

If the author wanted to argue that school cooking programs should be mandatory, what additional evidence would strengthen their argument?

• A study showing that students in cooking programs develop better eating habits and improve their academic skills

• A list of different types of foods students enjoy eating at school and how healthy or unhealthy they are

• A survey where students share their favorite recipes

• A chart showing how many schools already have kitchens

Answer explanation

A study showing that students in cooking programs develop better eating habits and improve their academic skills would provide strong evidence for the benefits of such programs, directly supporting the argument for their mandatory implementation.

What is the author's primary purpose in writing the article, and how does the structure of the text support this purpose?

• To argue that school cooking programs should replace traditional academic subjects, using research to support this claim

• To explain the benefits of school cooking programs while acknowledging the need for further research, using expert opinions and real-world examples

• To entertain the reader with stories about students learning to cook, without making a clear argument

• To criticize schools for not prioritizing nutrition education, using only negative perspectives on current policies

Answer explanation

The author aims to explain the benefits of school cooking programs while recognizing the need for more research. The text's structure, featuring expert opinions and real-world examples, effectively supports this informative purpose.