WorksheetsArgumentative Unit Vocabulary Pre-Assessment
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 17mins
The purpose of argumentative writing is to ________.
inform the reader about a topic
defend a position (for or against) on a topic
entertain the reader
tell a story
Match each term to its definition. Use the context clues in the sentence to help you.
(Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner to enlarge the images.)
Reasons given to persuade others
Statement of one's position on an issue
Taking a stand on an issue
An attitude toward a particular issue
An idea on which an argument is based
Match each term to its definition. Use the context clues in the sentence to help you.
(Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner to enlarge the images.)
An opposing viewpoint (the opposition)
Reasons why the counterargument is wrong
Information used to support an argument
To say or prove a person is wrong
What is a thesis?
The main idea of a paragraph.
The 1st sentence in an essay.
The controlling idea that the whole text is about.
A reason to agree with the author.
The group of people who will be reading a piece of writing is called the __________.
Author
Audience
Readers
Peers
The group of people an author expects will be reading his or her writing is called _________.
Intended Audience
Friendly Audience
Peer Group
Teachers
What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?
(Click the image to enlarge if needed.)
READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!
Students & staff who care about healthy diet
The college's president, who can make the requested change
Vegetarian students
All students & staff at the college
What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?
(Click the image to enlarge if needed.)
READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!
Athletes at this college
All college athletes
Students & staff who care about college athletes
Sports fans
What is the MOST LIKELY intended audience for the article in the description?
(Click the image to enlarge if needed.)
READ THE CORRECT ANSWER EXPLANATION!
The college professor who was fired
Students who attend the professor's classes
Students who agree with the professor's controversial stand
Students who care about free speech
TRUE OR FALSE: A rhetorical device is a writing tool used by authors to persuade their audience.
True
False
Match each rhetorical device to its definition. Use the example in the image to help you.
(Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner to enlarge the images.)
Question asked in order to make a point
Compares 2 things to make a point
Different ideas placed close together
Speaking directly to the audience
TRUE OR FALSE: A logical fallacy is an error in logic, or thinking.
True
False
Match each logical fallacy to its definition. Use the example in the image to help you.
(Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper left corner to enlarge the images.)
It's true because lots of people agree
"Proves" a point by restating the claim
Provoke emotions / imply value judgments
General rule that's applied incorrectly
A reliable source is a source of information that is _______.
(Use the context clues in the sample sentence to help you!)
important
relevant
untrustworthy
A credible source is a source of information that is _______.
(Use the context clues in the sample sentence to help you!)
capable of being believed; believable
A bias is a _______.
(Use the context clues in the sample sentence to help you!)
rhetorical device
tendency to believe a certain way
balanced way of viewing an issue
tendency to be fair and open-minded
Faulty reasoning is _______.
(Use the context clues in the sample sentence to help you!)
illogical or flawed reasoning
reasoning that makes sense
reasoning that is well-supported by evidence
logical and flawless reasoning
Decide if each sentence is written in ACTIVE or PASSIVE voice.
Active Voice: When the subject of the sentence PERFORMS the action. (Kevin kicks the ball.)
Passive Voice: When the subject of the sentence RECEIVES the action. (The ball is kicked by Kevin.)
Sentences that start with "There is", "There are", "There were", "It is", "It was", etc. are PASSIVE voice.
The evidence clearly shows water conservation works.
For these reasons, we should all practice water conservation.
The author clearly states strong evidence to support her position.
It is clearly shown by the evidence that water conservation works.
For these reasons, water conservation should be practiced by us all.
There is a lot of evidence to support the author's position.
True or False: Active voice has a more direct, clear tone than passive voice.
TRUE
FALSE
A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE is a group of words that includes a preposition and a noun. It modifies, or gives information about, another word or phrase.
For example, "in the crowded hallway" has a preposition (in) and a noun (the hallway). This prepositional phrase could give us information about where the students are. "The students are in the crowded hallway."
Which of the following is a prepositional phrase? Mark ALL correct answers.
above the ground
in the grassy baseball field
under the kitchen sink
went fishing
