Test-Prep Practice (TDW and Prompt)

Passage:

Excerpt from “The Case for Longer School Days” by Maria Alvarez

"Across the country, more schools are exploring longer school days to boost academic performance. Research suggests that additional instructional time allows teachers to review material more thoroughly and provide individualized support. Longer days can also offer enrichment programs—like music, art, and sports—that many schools have cut due to budget constraints. Opponents argue that extended hours could lead to student burnout. However, with proper scheduling and built-in breaks, longer school days could offer a more balanced and effective educational experience."

TDW Prompt:

Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether school days should be longer. Use evidence from the passage to support your response. In your essay, be sure to:

• Clearly state your claim

• Support your claim with logical reasoning and relevant evidence from the text.

• Acknowledge at least one counterclaim and explain why it is less convincing.

• Use clear transitions and a formal tone.

• Write the Task, Audience, and Purpose below. Use the format below. T: A: P:

Passage:

Excerpt from “The Case for Longer School Days” by Maria Alvarez

"Across the country, more schools are exploring longer school days to boost academic performance. Research suggests that additional instructional time allows teachers to review material more thoroughly and provide individualized support. Longer days can also offer enrichment programs—like music, art, and sports—that many schools have cut due to budget constraints. Opponents argue that extended hours could lead to student burnout. However, with proper scheduling and built-in breaks, longer school days could offer a more balanced and effective educational experience."

TDW Prompt:

Write an argumentative essay in which you take a position on whether school days should be longer. Use evidence from the passage to support your response. In your essay, be sure to:

• Clearly state your claim

• Support your claim with logical reasoning and relevant evidence from the text.

• Acknowledge at least one counterclaim and explain why it is less convincing.

• Use clear transitions and a formal tone.

• Write a thesis statement below for the prompt above. Use format below. School days _________________(pick should or should not) be longer because _______________ (write reason); however, some may argue that school days ___________________ (pick the other argument should or should not) be longer because ____________________________ (write reason for the counterclaim).

1. Which sentence best states the author’s claim in the passage?

• A. “More schools are exploring longer school days to boost academic performance.”
• B. “Longer school days could offer a more balanced and effective educational experience.”
• C. “Opponents argue that extended hours could lead to student burnout.”
• D. “With proper scheduling and built-in breaks, schools can be more effective.”

2. What is the author’s main reason for supporting longer school days?

• A. It allows for more review and individualized support.
• B. It helps reduce the need for summer school.
• C. It prevents students from going home too early.
• D. Students can finish their homework during class.

3. Which of the following is an example of evidence the author uses to support her claim?

• A. Many students prefer to be at home in the afternoon.
• B. Longer days can be difficult for younger students.
• C. “Research suggests that additional instructional time allows teachers to review material more thoroughly.”
• D. “Opponents argue that extended hours could lead to student burnout.”

4. Which sentence best represents a counterclaim in the passage?

• A. “Research suggests that additional instructional time allows teachers to review material more thoroughly.”
• B. “Longer school days are already in place in many parts of the world.”
• C. “With proper scheduling and built-in breaks, longer school days could offer a more balanced and effective educational experience.”
• D. “Opponents argue that extended hours could lead to student burnout.”

5. What is the purpose of including a counterclaim in an argumentative text?

• A. To confuse the reader
• B. To make the writing longer
• C. To distract from the main argument
• D. To show the writer understands different perspectives

6. Which rhetorical appeal is used when the author mentions that students gain access to music, art, and sports during longer school days?

• A. Logos (logic)
• B. Ethos (credibility)
• C. Pathos (emotion)
• D. Bias

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

7. Which rhetorical appeal is most clearly used in this sentence: “Research suggests that additional instructional time allows teachers to review material more thoroughly”?

• A. Pathos
• B. Logos
• C. Ethos
• D. Hyperbole

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

8. Which rhetorical device is used in the sentence: “Shouldn’t we do everything possible to help our students succeed?”

• A. Simile
• B. Hyperbole
• C. Loaded language
• D. Rhetorical question

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5