Summaries
What questions should be answered in a summary?
Who, What, Where, When, and maybe Why or How.
Which statement below is an example of fallacious reasoning?
A. My idea of an outdoor adventure is braving the rain without an umbrella.
B. Everyone knows that the ultimate outdoor adventure is braving the rain without an umbrella.
B. Everyone knows that the ultimate outdoor adventure is braving the rain without an umbrella.
Text Number 2
Advertising is annoying. No one likes having TV shows interrupted by commercials. No one likes pop-up ads getting in the way of a website. Advertisements are bad for society.
Many advertisements work by using people's insecurities. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “You won't be happy unless you buy our product!” Advertisements make people fear they are unhealthy, unattractive, unpopular, or even unsafe.
Advertisers aren't always honest. In the past, salespeople were able to tell consumers that products could do all sorts of things. These products almost never did any good. Sometimes these products even used harmful ingredients. Today laws limit what companies can say. However, many companies still find ways to mislead people. Companies might use broad terms such as “natural” or “homemade.” There are all kinds of tricks companies can use to make their products appear better than they are.
The author supports the claim that advertisements use people’s insecurities by—
A. quoting an expert. C. providing statistics.
B. giving an example. D. sharing a personal story.
B. giving an example.
Which of the following is a claim?
A. The Odyssey is a great book.
B. Odysseus's journey home is told in The Odyssey.
C. All Freshmen English classes should include The Odyssey.
D. According to The Odyssey, Odysseus is a "great teller of tales."
C. All Freshmen English classes should include The Odyssey.
Claim: Cities should focus on constructing sustainable, green buildings.
Which of these is evidence for a counterclaim?
A. "Plus, creating sustainable buildings is expensive, and the financial savings may only be clear after several years. We may not be able to afford new green buildings, let alone changing existing structures into Living Buildings."
B. "The U.S. Green Building Council says that sustainable buildings provide jobs, save resources, and improve the economy."
A. "Plus, creating sustainable buildings is expensive, and the financial savings may only be clear after several years. We may not be able to afford new green buildings, let alone changing existing structures into Living Buildings."
Is it an ant, you wonder, or a termite? Ants resemble termites, but they are quite different and can be easily distinguished. In contrast to termites, ants are usually dark in color, are hard bodied, and have constriction between the thorax and abdomen. Termites are light in color and shed their wings. Flying ants do not shed their wings. Also, ants and termites belong to different orders.
Which of the following is the best summary of the paragraph?
A. Termites are lighter in color and loose their wings at a certain stage of development.
B. Although ants resemble termites, they have differences that can be easily seen.
C. Ants and termites are both insects and have many things in common
D. Ants are dark in color, hard bodied and belong to a different order than termites.
B. Although ants resemble termites, they have differences that can be easily seen.
Which statement below is an example of fallacious reasoning?
A. With patience, humor, and gentle prodding, my Aunt Jess can teach anyone to build a chicken coop and gain an appreciation for nature.
B. Aunt Jess used patience, humor, and gentle prodding. She showed me that I, Lori the Literature Lover, can appreciate nature and build cool stuff.
A. With patience, humor, and gentle prodding, my Aunt Jess can teach anyone to build a chicken coop and gain an appreciation for nature.
Text Number 2
Advertising is annoying. No one likes having TV shows interrupted by commercials. No one likes pop-up ads getting in the way of a website. Advertisements are bad for society.
Many advertisements work by using people's insecurities. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “You won't be happy unless you buy our product!” Advertisements make people fear they are unhealthy, unattractive, unpopular, or even unsafe.
Advertisers aren't always honest. In the past, salespeople were able to tell consumers that products could do all sorts of things. These products almost never did any good. Sometimes these products even used harmful ingredients. Today laws limit what companies can say. However, many companies still find ways to mislead people. Companies might use broad terms such as “natural” or “homemade.” There are all kinds of tricks companies can use to make their products appear better than they are.
The author supports the claim that advertisers aren’t always honest by—
A. providing statistics from research.
B. giving examples of misleading words.
C. naming an example of a time a company lied.
D. comparing how a product is advertised to how it is in real life.
B. giving examples of misleading words.
Text Number 2
Advertising is annoying. No one likes having TV shows interrupted by commercials. No one likes pop-up ads getting in the way of a website. Advertisements are bad for society.
Many advertisements work by using people's insecurities. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “You won't be happy unless you buy our product!” Advertisements make people fear they are unhealthy, unattractive, unpopular, or even unsafe.
Advertisers aren't always honest. In the past, salespeople were able to tell consumers that products could do all sorts of things. These products almost never did any good. Sometimes these products even used harmful ingredients. Today laws limit what companies can say. However, many companies still find ways to mislead people. Companies might use broad terms such as “natural” or “homemade.” There are all kinds of tricks companies can use to make their products appear better than they are.
What is the main claim of this section?
A. Advertising is annoying.
B. No one likes having TV shows interrupted by commercials.
C. No one likes pop-up ads getting in the way of a website.
D. Advertisements are bad for society.
D. Advertisements are bad for society.
Counterclaim: Social media allows teens to avoid face to face interactions.
Which of these is evidence for a REBUTTAL?
A. "At a recent digital family summit, Sonnino said she heard from kids who are doing things like creating Rainbow Loom bracelets to raise money for cystic fibrosis, and taking ‘selfies’ and using the hashtag #unselfie to promote awareness of ‘Giving Tuesday,’ the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which is billed as a day to promote giving to others during the holiday season."
B. "In the survey of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds about how they view their digital lives, 28% said social networking made them feel more outgoing versus 5% who said it made them feel less so; and 29% said it made them feel less shy versus the 3% who said it made them feel more introverted."
C. "In fact, according to a report last year by the nonprofit child advocacy group Common Sense Media, one in five teens said social media makes them feel more confident, compared with 4% who said it makes them feel less so."
B. "In the survey of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds about how they view their digital lives, 28% said social networking made them feel more outgoing versus 5% who said it made them feel less so; and 29% said it made them feel less shy versus the 3% who said it made them feel more introverted."
In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors. There is spontaneous music making as well as performances by social and music groups at ceremonies and feasts. There is no written music or music notation. African music tradition, like folklore and history, is transmitted orally. Music is a social activity in which almost everyone participates. Clearly, African music has several interesting characteristics.
Which of the following is the best summary of the paragraph?
A. In Africa, music is usually performed outdoors.
B. There is no written music or musical notation.
C. African music has several interesting characteristics.
D. In Africa, music making is spontaneous
C. African music has several interesting characteristics.
Text Number 1
Soon all cars will be driverless. This is a good thing for road safety. Driverless cars will prevent all the deaths and terrible accidents we now have on the roads. Once there are only driverless cars, there won’t be any traffic, and no one will be late again. But are driverless cars safe? Are cars driven by people safe? Today, many accidents are caused by human error. The driverless cars of the future are smarter than people. They don’t get angry at another driver. They don’t get distracted by a phone call. No one used to be able to make phone calls in cars. Today distracted driving is at an all-time high. Passengers want to do just about anything in a car. This includes texting, applying makeup or even preparing food. Scientists and futurists, people who predict what technology trends will occur in the future, say that driverless cars will change the way Americans get around. Opponents of driverless cars argue against them for different reasons including safety and job losses. These people don’t see the benefit of increased road safety and would rather keep wild and distracted drivers on the road.
What is an example of fallacious reasoning?
A. "Once there are only driverless cars, there won’t be any traffic, and no one will be late again."
B. "But are driverless cars safe? Are cars driven by people safe?"
C. "This is a good thing for road safety."
D. "Scientists and futurists, people who predict what technology trends will occur in the future, say that driverless cars will change the way Americans get around."
A. “Once there are only driverless cars, there won’t be any traffic, and no one will be late again.”
Text Number 3
Although gaming has become a leading leisure activity, the benefits as far as communication goes are minimal. More than half of the people in the world’s industrialized countries identify as gamers (“Gaming Gone Global” 2016). Yet the negatives of gaming are clear. You just have to look at how it affects relationships and language use.
Gaming damages relationships by reducing communication between gamers and their family and friends. A study at Brigham Young University examined the gaming habits of college students across the country. As the amount of time spent gaming went up, the quality of relationships went down (Hadfield). People need family and friends as the foundation of their life. Gaming damages this foundation.
Which sentence most clearly states a reason for the author’s claim?
A. "Gaming damages relationships by reducing communication between gamers and their family and friends."
B. "A study at Brigham Young University examined the gaming habits of college students across the country."
C. "As the amount of time spent gaming went up, the quality of relationships went down (Hadfield)."
D. "Gaming damages this foundation."
A. "Gaming damages relationships by reducing communication between gamers and their family and friends."
Which of these statements would be the central claim? (The rest are reasons supporting the claim.)
A. Students should learn practical things, such as how to manage their money, before they go to college.
B. Classes such as auto mechanics, cosmetology, and building construction would benefit students who might not want to or be able to go to college.
C. Cooking is an important skill that is used daily, but many young people never learn how; preparing healthy meals at home is key to being a healthy weight.
D. Our school currently offers elective classes in art, drama, and music, but more practical electives, such as personal finance, career preparation, and healthy cooking, should be added.
D. Our school currently offers elective classes in art, drama, and music, but more practical electives, such as personal finance, career preparation, and healthy cooking, should be added.
Claim: Los Angeles should expand its Metro public transit system.
Which of these is evidence for a counterclaim?
A. "After all, freeways get clogged. Driving is expensive. Gas pollutes the environment. In cities where hopping on a train or bus is easy, people save time and money by using public transit."
B. "Mitchell Swartz, a Democratic candidate running for mayor in Los Angeles, concurs. He says, 'If we had all the money in the world, then I’d say great. But we don’t. Not when the roads are unpaved, when the streets are cracked, when the pension costs eat away at our budget.'"
B. "Mitchell Swartz, a Democratic candidate running for mayor in Los Angeles, concurs. He says, 'If we had all the money in the world, then I’d say great. But we don’t. Not when the roads are unpaved, when the streets are cracked, when the pension costs eat away at our budget.'"
There is a common belief that while the dog is man’s best friend, the coyote is his worst enemy. The bad reputation of the coyote traces back to his fondness for small animals; he hunts at night and is particularly destructive to sheep, young pigs, and poultry. Yet it is sometimes wise to encourage coyotes. Provided valuable farm animals are protected, the coyote will often free the property of other animals, like rabbits, which are ruinous to crops and certain trees. He is especially beneficial in keeping down the rodent population. Where coyotes have been allowed to do their work without molestation, ranchers and fruit growers have found them so valuable that they would no more shoot them than they would shoot their dogs.
Which of the following is the best summary of the paragraph?
A. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.
B. The coyote is feared because of his fondness for small animals.
C. Modern ranchers would no sooner shoot coyotes than they would shoot dogs.
D. The coyote usually prefers rabbits and other rodents to sheep and poultry.
A. Under certain conditions the coyote is helpful to man.
Text Number 1
Soon all cars will be driverless. This is a good thing for road safety. Driverless cars will prevent all the deaths and terrible accidents we now have on the roads. Once there are only driverless cars, there won’t be any traffic, and no one will be late again. But are driverless cars safe? Are cars driven by people safe? Today, many accidents are caused by human error. The driverless cars of the future are smarter than people. They don’t get angry at another driver. They don’t get distracted by a phone call. No one used to be able to make phone calls in cars. Today distracted driving is at an all-time high. Passengers want to do just about anything in a car. This includes texting, applying makeup or even preparing food. Scientists and futurists, people who predict what technology trends will occur in the future, say that driverless cars will change the way Americans get around. Opponents of driverless cars argue against them for different reasons including safety and job losses. These people don’t see the benefit of increased road safety and would rather keep wild and distracted drivers on the road.
What is an example of a false statement?
A. "Opponents of driverless cars argue against them for different reasons including safety and job losses."
B. "This includes texting, applying makeup or even preparing food."
C. "They [driverless cars] don’t get angry at another driver."
D. "Driverless cars will prevent all the deaths and terrible accidents we now have on the roads."
D. "Driverless cars will prevent all the deaths and terrible accidents we now have on the roads."
Text Number 4
Millions of dollars have been appropriated by Congress and are being spent each year for “Indian Education.” All you have to do is take advantage of it and encourage your school to make an effort to use it in the name of “equal education.” My Indian child has a constitutional right to learn, retain, and maintain his heritage and culture. By the same token, I strongly believe that non-Indian children also have a constitutional right to learn about our Native American heritage and culture, because Indians play a significant part in the history of Western society. Until this reality is equally understood and applied in education as a whole, there will be a lot more school children in grades K-2 identified as “slow learners.”
My son, Wind-Wolf, is not an empty glass coming into your class to be filled. He is a full basket coming into a different environment and society with something special to share. Please let him share his knowledge, heritage, and culture with you and his peers.
Which of the following sentences best helps reinforce the authors claims in the final paragraph?
A. "Millions of dollars have been appropriated by Congress and are being spent each year for 'Indian Education.'"
B. "All you have to do is take advantage of it and encourage your school to make an effort to use it in the name of 'equal education.'"
C. "Until this reality is equally understood and applied in education as a whole, there will be a lot more school children in grades K-2 identified as 'slow learners.'"
D. "He is a full basket coming into a different environment and society with something special to share."
D. "He is a full basket coming into a different environment and society with something special to share."
Text Number 3
Although gaming has become a leading leisure activity, the benefits as far as communication goes are minimal. More than half of the people in the world’s industrialized countries identify as gamers (“Gaming Gone Global” 2016). Yet the negatives of gaming are clear. You just have to look at how it affects relationships and language use.
Gaming damages relationships by reducing communication between gamers and their family and friends. A study at Brigham Young University examined the gaming habits of college students across the country. As the amount of time spent gaming went up, the quality of relationships went down (Hadfield). People need family and friends as the foundation of their life. Gaming damages this foundation.
Which sentence most clearly states a claim made by the author to build her argument?
A. "More than half of the people in the world’s industrialized countries identify as gamers."
B. "Yet the negatives of gaming are clear."
C. "You just have to look at how it affects relationships and language use."
D. "People need family and friends as the foundation of their life."
B. "Yet the negatives of gaming are clear."
Counterclaim: Social media ruins the self esteem of adolescents.
Which of these is evidence for a REBUTTAL?
A. "At a recent digital family summit, Sonnino said she heard from kids who are doing things like creating Rainbow Loom bracelets to raise money for cystic fibrosis, and taking ‘selfies’ and using the hashtag #unselfie to promote awareness of ‘Giving Tuesday,’ the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which is billed as a day to promote giving to others during the holiday season."
B. "In the survey of more than 1,000 13- to 17-year-olds about how they view their digital lives, 28% said social networking made them feel more outgoing versus 5% who said it made them feel less so; and 29% said it made them feel less shy versus the 3% who said it made them feel more introverted."
C. "In fact, according to a report last year by the nonprofit child advocacy group Common Sense Media, one in five teens said social media makes them feel more confident, compared with 4% who said it makes them feel less so."
C. "In fact, according to a report last year by the nonprofit child advocacy group Common Sense Media, one in five teens said social media makes them feel more confident, compared with 4% who said it makes them feel less so."
In earlier days those who had overseas business which they believed should be discussed personally, took ship and set out across the briny deep. Once aboard they transacted their affairs, engaging in commercial and social matters or conducting government business. Today ships and passengers continue to sail the seven seas, and airplanes soar overhead. But above them all, words speed through the sky – telephone conversations quickly bring together in the most personal fashion people who are separated by thousands of miles.
Which of the following is the best summary of the paragraph?
A. Many conversations which once required overseas travel can now be conducted by telephone.
B. Nothing can take the place of person-to-person conversation in settling business, social, and government problems.
C. Overseas telephone service today is ruling out all need for overseas travel.
D. Even with modern overseas telephone service people continue to travel abroad by ship or by plane.
A. Many conversations which once required overseas travel can now be conducted by telephone.
Text Number 1
Soon all cars will be driverless. This is a good thing for road safety. Driverless cars will prevent all the deaths and terrible accidents we now have on the roads. Once there are only driverless cars, there won’t be any traffic, and no one will be late again. But are driverless cars safe? Are cars driven by people safe? Today, many accidents are caused by human error. The driverless cars of the future are smarter than people. They don’t get angry at another driver. They don’t get distracted by a phone call. No one used to be able to make phone calls in cars. Today distracted driving is at an all-time high. Passengers want to do just about anything in a car. This includes texting, applying makeup or even preparing food. Scientists and futurists, people who predict what technology trends will occur in the future, say that driverless cars will change the way Americans get around. Opponents of driverless cars argue against them for different reasons including safety and job losses. These people don’t see the benefit of increased road safety and would rather keep wild and distracted drivers on the road.
What is an example of an ad hominem argument?
A. "Today distracted driving is at an all-time high."
B. "Passengers want to do just about anything in a car."
C. "They [driverless cars] don’t get distracted by a phone call."
D. "Today, many accidents are caused by human error."
B. "Passengers want to do just about anything in a car."
Text Number 4
Millions of dollars have been appropriated by Congress and are being spent each year for “Indian Education.” All you have to do is take advantage of it and encourage your school to make an effort to use it in the name of “equal education.” My Indian child has a constitutional right to learn, retain, and maintain his heritage and culture. By the same token, I strongly believe that non-Indian children also have a constitutional right to learn about our Native American heritage and culture, because Indians play a significant part in the history of Western society. Until this reality is equally understood and applied in education as a whole, there will be a lot more school children in grades K-2 identified as “slow learners.”
My son, Wind-Wolf, is not an empty glass coming into your class to be filled. He is a full basket coming into a different environment and society with something special to share. Please let him share his knowledge, heritage, and culture with you and his peers.
How is the author's overall claim developed further by the statement: "By the same token, I strongly believe that non-Indian children also have a constitutional right to learn about our Native American heritage and culture, because Indians play a significant part in the history of Western society."
A. It supports the idea that in order for his son to be more successful in school, he needs to focus on his Native American heritage and culture.
B. It supports the idea that the author believes Native American culture is more important than others since it was such a part of the Western society’s history.
C. It supports the idea that Native American culture is not only important for his son to have, but is important that non-Indian people understand it as well.
D. It supports the idea that his son should not have to learn the same things as his peers in school because he belongs to a different culture.
C. It supports the idea that Native American culture is not only important for his son to have, but is important that non-Indian people understand it as well.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Which of the following states an argument of the passage?
A. We must commit ourselves to the preservation of the Union and its ideals.
B. We cannot dedicate this cemetery because too many men have lost their lives here.
C. What we do here is insignificant; the immediate goal must be a peaceful end to the war.
D. What these men have done is far more important than anything we or future Americans can say or do.
A. We must commit ourselves to the preservation of the Union and its ideals.
Claim: The U.S. should implement a carbon tax on fuel.
Which of these is evidence for a counterclaim?
A. "In Ireland people have to pay a tax for fuel they use at home, in their cars, in their businesses, and on farms. As a result of the tax, Ireland’s overall carbon emissions have dropped by 15%. The country’s economy has also improved."
B. "Some also think there should be a global carbon tax. They say this would reduce pollution worldwide. But it would not be easy to organize a global tax. Countries would have to work together to create a system."
B. "Some also think there should be a global carbon tax. They say this would reduce pollution worldwide. But it would not be easy to organize a global tax. Countries would have to work together to create a system."