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WorksheetsCentral Idea and Argument Review
Total questions: 56
Worksheet time: 56mins
Fill in the blank:
A (a) is a specific statement that you want to prove is true.
Is this a strong claim: Netflix is the most successful streaming service.
Yes
No
Put a checkmark next to all the STRONG reasons for this claim: Starbucks is more successful than Dunkin.
Starbucks has more stores worldwide.
Starbucks made more money last year.
Starbucks sells less donuts than Dunkin.
Starbucks' stores are in more countries around the world.
Which one of these statements is a CLAIM?
Today is Friday
July 4th is the day we celebrate Independence Day
Digital books are better than paper books.
Put a checkmark next to each of the Claim statements.
The Lions are the worst football team in the league.
Vegetarian options should be available in school cafeterias.
The driving age should be raised to 21.
The COVID vaccine is now available in most states.
Put a checkmark next to the statements that are true about claims:
They are arguable
They are found in every piece of opinion writing.
They are all facts that cannot be argued
They state an opinion
What is a CLAIM?
A statement you believe to be false
An opinion
An arguable statement
Evidence that proves something is right
What does EVIDENCE mean?
A statement you believe to be true
An opinion
An argument
Proof that supports your reasons
What does the REASON do?
Explains evidence
It makes a good argument
Tells your opinion
Tells why you think what you think
Is the example below a claim, reason, or evidence?
Ex. Dogs can protect you from home intruders.
Claim
Reason
Evidence
Is the example below a claim, reason, or evidence?
Dr. Shelnutt, a veterinarian, said that, "Dogs have a protective instinct. They can sense danger, and they will do what they can to protect you."
Claim
Reason
Evidence
Which evidence matches the reason "Sleep is needed to grow the right way."
Researchers have discovered that kids getting 10-11 hours of sleep a night grow taller than those that don't.
According to Kids Health, scientists have proven that kids getting 10-11 hours of sleep a night are nicer and have more friends.
My mom only gets 4 hours of sleep a night and is really stressed out and tired all the time.
Sleep is good for your skin and will make wrinkles in your face much smaller.
Which piece of evidence could be used to BEST support this claim:
Students should be required to wear uniforms.
When adding everything up, a school uniform could end up costing more than $200.
A student reported, "Allowing us to wear our own clothes gives us a chance to show our unique style and independence."
Last year, at many schools that required students to wear uniforms, attendance rates went up and behavior incidents went down.
School uniforms can be ordered online.
"Two out of three high school students fail to get enough sleep" is an example of:
Claim
Evidence
Reason
"Food at KFC tastes better than food at McDonalds!"
Is this a claim, evidence or reason?
Claim
Evidence
Reason
The Warriors are the best NBA team.
Claim
Reason
Evidence
The Warriors won the NBA championship in 2017.
Claim
Reason
Evidence
The Warriors won the NBA championship this year which makes them the best team in the National Basketball Association.
Claim
Reason
Evidence
Which statement is strong evidence?
My family has a computer at home.
My son loves Star Wars.
In a recent study, 78% of students like community service.
I believe that the steelers are the best football team in the NFL
It is important to buy books for the library. Kids will have more opportunities to read. They can save money by checking out books. Plus, the school will not have to wait as long to read our favorite book!
Which sentence is the claim?
It is important to buy books for the library.
Kids will have more opportunities to read.
They can save money by checking out books.
Plus, the school will not have to wait as long to read our favorite book!
Steve Jobs created innovative electronics such as the iPod, Phone, iPad, and Mac computers. He has built a reputation for his products, selling nearly 575,000,000 iPhones alone. Apples sells best electronics out there!
Which sentence is the claim?
Steve Jobs created innovative electronics such as the iPod, Phone, iPad, and Mac computers.
He has built a reputation for his products, selling nearly 575,000,000 iPhones alone.
Apples sells best electronics out there!
Over 75% of today's teens have a social media account. Our way of communication has shifted towards interacting over the internet rather than face-to-face. Social media is ruining many friendships today, and we need to change this.
Which sentence is the claim?
Over 75% of today's teens have a social media account.
Our way of communication has shifted towards interacting over the internet rather than face-to-face.
Social media is ruining many friendships today, and we need to change this.
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria first opened in 1971. They sell deep-dish pizza. In 2011, Lou Malnati opened their biggest pizzeria in Chicago. Even though there are several restaurants that sell pizza, Lou Malnati's is the best. They will continue to serve pizza lovers.
Which sentence is the claim?
Lou Malnati's Pizzeria first opened in 1971.
In 2011, Lou Malnati opened their biggest pizzeria in Chicago.
Even though there are several restaurants that sell pizza, Lou Malnati's is the best.
They will continue to serve pizza lovers.
American Idol has been on TV for several seasons. The show first debuted in 2001. Kelly Clarkson was the first winner of the singing competition. Most people think that Kelly Clarkson is still the best singer that has been on the show.
Which sentence is the claim?
American Idol has been on TV for several seasons.
Kelly Clarkson was the first winner of the singing competition.
Most people think that Kelly Clarkson is still the best singer that has been on the show.
The show first debuted in 2001.
Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech, the Gettysburg Address in 1863. It was one of the best-known speeches given in American history. Abraham Lincoln believed in equality when he said, "...proposition that all men are created".
Which sentence is the claim?
Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech, the Gettysburg Address in 1863.
It was one of the best-known speeches given in American history.
Abraham Lincoln believed in equality when he said, "...proposition that all men are created".
Reese's peanut butter cups are the world's best candy. Created in 1928 by H.B. Reese, they are milk chocolate creation made out of chocolate coated peanut butter. They are marketed by Hershey.
Which sentence is the claim?
Reese's peanut butter cups are the world's best candy.
Created in 1928 by H.B. Reese, they are milk chocolate creation made out of chocolate coated peanut butter.
They are marketed by Hershey.
Albert Einstein's scientific findings show that he is one of the smartest scientists in history. He discovered the theory of relativity, which helped atomic energy. He has so many accomplishments, that even schools are named after him!
Albert Einstein's scientific findings show that he is one of the smartest scientists in history.
He discovered the theory of relativity, which helped atomic energy.
He has so many accomplishments, that even schools are named after him!
Strep throat, colds, and other flu-like sickness are going around. Many students are having to miss several days of school. Washing your hands several times a day is very important. If you do not, you are at higher risk of getting sick.
Which sentence is the claim?
Strep throat, colds, and other flu-like sickness are going around.
Many students are having to miss several days of school.
Washing your hands several times a day is very important.
If you do not, you are at higher risk of getting sick.
Emoji's are a newer addition to texting. There are a total of 845 emoji's that have different expressions. Everyone should download emojis on their electronic device. After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!
Emoji's are a newer addition to texting.
There are a total of 845 emoji's that have different expressions.
Everyone should download emojis on their electronic device.
After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!
Research shows less than 52% of Americans do not leave the country in their lifetime. There is so much to see, different customs to learn, and opportunities for people who travel the world. Everyone should travel a new country.
Which sentence is the claim?
Research shows less than 52% of Americans do not leave the country in their lifetime.
There is so much to see, different customs to learn, and opportunities for people who travel the world.
Everyone should travel a new country.
Emoji's are a newer addition to texting. There are a total of 845 emoji's that have different expressions. Everyone should download emojis on their electronic device. After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!
Emoji's are a newer addition to texting.
There are a total of 845 emoji's that have different expressions.
Everyone should download emojis on their electronic device.
After all, they are free, expressive, and add a little something to any text!
What is a topic?
It's who or what the passage is about
It's the sequence of a story
It's the author's point of view
What is the topic?
bananas, oranges, lemons, apples
yellow things
fruit
my favorite foods
sports
What is the topic?
green, blue, purple, red
colors
things
animals
people
What is the topic?
pants, shirt, socks, shoes
animals
clothes
games
colors
What does the MAIN IDEA of a story tell the reader?
The most important idea about a topic or a story.
The conflict of the story
Soccer players learn many skills when playing soccer. Soccer players learn how to dribble and pass the ball. They also learn how to control the ball so they can eventually score. Most importantly, soccer players learn how to work together with their teammates.
What is the main idea?
There are many fun things to do at the beach. Swimming is one thing that can be done at the beach. Snorkeling is another thing that can be enjoyed. Playing beach volleyball can be a lot of fun. It is also fun to look for shells. Some people simply like to sunbathe.
What is the main idea?
There are many fun things to do at the beach.
It is also fun to look for shells.
Some people simply like to sunbathe.
Going to the beach to swim can be fun.
Is this a topic or a main idea?
animals
main idea
topic
Is this a topic or a main idea?
There are many kinds of animals that live in the ocean.
main idea
topic
Being a clown isn't all fun and games. Rodeo clowns expose themselves to great danger every time they perform. When cowboys dismount or are bucked off of bulls at riding competitions, rodeo clowns jump in front of the bulls and motion wildly to get their attention. In this way rodeo clowns provide an alternate target, and in doing so protect the rider. So you see, sometimes clowning around can be serious business
This author belives that:
What is the central idea?
A penny for your thoughts? If it's a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War II, so the 1943 copper penny is ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have overlapping dates and letters. If it's uncirculated, it'd easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that's a pretty penny.
What is the central idea of the passage?
Millions of acres of tropical rainforest have been destroyed. Many animals and people lose their homes when the rain forest is cut down. Today, people are destroying the forests so quickly that the animals are unable to adapt. Many of these animals, such as the leopard, need miles and miles of untouched rain forest in order to live. Furthermore, as more of the rainforest is destroyed, the risk of air pollution and loss of oxygen increases.
Leopards are losing their homes
The destruction of the rain forest is harming humans and animals.
The destruction of the rain forest is an interesting subject
Forests provide oxygen for humans and animals
What is the central idea of the passage?
Thomas Edison’s life span is known as “The age of Edison.” If it wasn’t for Thomas Edison, we might not have electric lights, telephones, movie cameras, or computers! Think of all the ways these great products affect our lives today. Edison held over 1,000 patents and received dozens of awards during his lifetime for his inventions and contributions to science.
The light bulb was an important invention
Thomas Edison was an important inventor
Thomas Edison was an excellent student
Creating inventions is a difficult process
What is the central idea of the passage?
The law was not exactly fair in the Middle Ages in Europe. Back then, you could blame someone in your town for committing a crime. The “criminal” could then challenge you to a fight to prove his guilt or innocence. If you lost the fight, you were charged as a liar and the criminal was believed to be innocent. If you won, the criminal was believed to be guilty.
Laws were unfair in the Middle Ages
Fighting is a good way to decide guilt or innocence.
Most people lied about crime in the Middle Ages.
Those who were innocent of crimes often won
What is the central idea of the passage?
In 1981, a new television channel was introduced to showcase musicians performing their songs in music videos. This channel was called MTV, or Music Television. Since the channel first went on the air, viewership has increased, and the channel has expanded to countries all over the world. Today, MTV not only shows music videos, but a variety of other television programming as well.
MTV has been a ground-breaking TV channel
MTV offers interesting videos
Watching MTV is a great way to see musicians
MTV is a channel that is broadcasted around the world
What is the central idea of the passage?
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. Many beautiful three-dimensional creations are made with this art. Starting with only one square of paper, you can fold and fold and fold, until you’ve created amazing models. With practice, you can learn to make abstract designs or recognizable animals such as cranes (a type of bird) or even dinosaurs.
Origami is an interesting and beautiful art form
The art of origami came from Japan
Origami is three-dimensional art
Origami is a good way to show creativity
What is the central idea of the passage?
Leonardo da Vinci was born in Italy long ago in the year 1452. Besides being a great artist, he is well-known for his many inventions. He kept notes on all of his ideas. Among his notes were designs for parachute, a diving suit, and a flying machine similar to today’s helicopter.
Da Vinci was a great artist.
Da Vinci was a man ahead of his time.
Da Vinci was a better artist than inventor.
Da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa
