Claim & Counterclaim Assessment "Mentor Text: Picture a Nation"

What is the basic definition of a nation according to the text?

(a)  

• Large group of people who live in the same region
• A group of people with the same cultural background

• A collection of independent states

• A community with a single leader

The text suggests the metaphor that best captures the essence of a nation is (a)  

• A business

• A body

• A family
• A machine

What is a major flaw of comparing a nation to a business?

• It focuses on teamwork

• It emphasizes profit over other goals

• It highlights the role of leaders

• It encourages innovation

How does the metaphor of a nation as a family help us understand national identity?

• It shows the importance of economic growth

• It highlights the uniqueness and shared history of individuals

• It emphasizes the need for strict rules

• It focuses on the role of government

What does the text suggest about the roles of individuals within a nation?

(a)  

• They are fixed and unchanging

• They can change dramatically over time
• They are determined by economic status

• They are irrelevant to national identity

Why does the text argue that a simple definition of a nation is insufficient?

(a)  

• It lacks historical context

• It doesn't capture the spirit of the idea
• It is too complex to understand

• It focuses too much on geography

What is the author's main claim in the text?

• A nation is best understood as a business where people work toward profit.

• The dictionary definition of a nation is all we need to understand national identity.

• A nation is most meaningfully understood as a family.

• The metaphor of a body best captures the spirit of a nation.

Which of the following best describes the counterclaims the author addresses?

• A nation does not have enough shared values to be considered a family.

• A nation is better understood through abstract art rather than metaphors.

• A business is the most accurate metaphor for a nation because it is goal-oriented.

How does the author respond to the counterclaim that a nation could be understood as a body?

• By agreeing that the metaphor is better than a family.

• By stating that national identity never changes, unlike body parts.

• By arguing that in a nation, unlike a body, individuals’ roles can change significantly over time.

Now that you've read a little more about what makes a nation, write your response to the essential question, including evidence from today's text and your prior knowledge to back up your response:

What makes a nation?