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WorksheetsBrent Staples "Why Colleges Shower their Students with A's"
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
What is Staples's central claim in the essay?
The University of Phoenix is only focused on profits.
It is easy to get an A at an Ivy League school.
As college costs rise, grade inflation is becoming more common.
Profit-making universities dominate smaller educational institutions
Current grade point average formulas encourage students to take “easy A” classes.
In paragraph 1, what device does Staples use to describe the quality of a college education?
analogy
alliteration
allegory
asyndeton
In paragraph 5, Staples points out "that critics compare [The University of Phoenix] to a drive-through restaurant”; this comparison characterizes The University of Phoenix as
powerful and inclusive of all.
efficient and specialized at its task.
systematic and unconcerned with quality.
unique and important.
bland and unoriginal.
In paragraph 6, the line “students are treating grades as a matter of life and death” uses what rhetorical device?
paradox
metaphor
hyperbole
rebuttal
In paragraph 6, the word "restive" can best be defined as
at ease.
restless.
lazy.
proud.
passionate.
Professor Paul Korshin’s labeling of his grievance panel as the “rhinoplasty committee” (paragraph 7) implies that he views their job as
cosmetic.
superficial.
nasal.
perfect.
stupid.
In paragraph 8, Staples
makes a reasonable concession.
refutes a potential counterargument.
emphasizes his own credibility.
questions the credibility of The University of Phoenix.
What method of development is used in paragraph 9?
exemplification
compare-contrast
process analysis
causal analysis
definition
In paragraph 9, what does the word “stanch” mean?
press down
stop
increase
be steadfast
alter
Staples cites Valen Johnson's experience (paragraph 10) in order to
offer an anecdote about the issue of grade inflation.
refer to a credible source from a reputable university.
demonstrate how controversial the issue of grade inflation has become.
point out a possible solution to grade inflation.
all of these
Staples cites all of the following as reasons for grade inflation EXCEPT
professors want better evaluations from students.
part-time professors with limited job security feel threatened.
students feel more entitled to A's as a result of rising college tuition.
due to greater academic competition and improving educational institutions, students are better prepared for college.
Which paragraph does NOT feature evidence in the form of facts/statistics?
paragraph 5
paragraph 2
paragraph 7
paragraph 4
Whom does Staples accuse of being "addicted to counterfeit excellence"?
students
parents
colleges
all of these
Which passage best conveys the main argument of the essay?
“The most vulnerable teachers are the part-timers who have no job security and who now teach more than half of all college courses" (paragraph 4).
“Faced with demanding consumers and stiff competition, colleges have simply issued more and more A’s, stoking grade inflation and devaluing degrees" (paragraph 1).
“One way to stanch inflation is to change the way the grade point average is calculated" (paragraph 9).
"Two hundred colleges have closed since a businessman dreamed up Phoenix 20 years ago" (paragraph 5).
“...[G]rades are rising because students are better prepared..." (paragraph 8).
Which word best describes Staples's tone in paragraph 11?
hopeful
bitter
cautionary
mournful
incredulous
