Analyzing Rhetorical Strategies
From a speech by a community leader, advocating for a new library.
Friends, neighbors, fellow citizens of our great town, I have lived here my entire life. I have seen our streets grow, our schools flourish, and our community become a place we are all proud to call home. For twenty years, I've served on the city council, and in that time, I've had the privilege of working with many of you to solve problems and build a better future.
The library we have today served us well in the past, but it can no longer meet the needs of a growing, modern population. The time for a new, state-of-the-art library is now. It's an investment in our children's future, a hub for lifelong learning, and a cornerstone of our community's intellectual and social life.
What rhetorical strategy does the speaker primarily use in the first paragraph to establish credibility with the audience?
a. He uses a series of complex statistics.
b. He highlights his personal connection to the community and his experience in public service.
c. He criticizes the current library's leadership.
d. He references other towns' library systems.
What is B. He highlights his personal connection to the community and his experience in public service.
A passage about the importance of bees.
Bees are vital to our ecosystem, but their populations are in decline. This problem is a result of several interconnected factors. First, the widespread use of certain pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, can disorient bees and damage their nervous systems. Secondly, a loss of habitat due to urbanization and monoculture farming reduces the diversity of flowers available for food. Lastly, climate change and new diseases, such as the varroa mite, stress bee colonies, making them more susceptible to harm. To address this crisis, we must act. One solution is to promote sustainable farming practices that limit pesticide use. Another is to create more pollinator-friendly gardens and green spaces in urban and rural areas. Finally, continued research into bee diseases and the development of resistant bee strains is crucial.
What text structure does the author primarily use to present information about the decline of bee populations?
a. Chronological order
b. Cause and effect
c. Compare and contrast
d. Problem and solution
What is d. Problem and solution
From a historical account of a marathon runner's victory.
He was the underdog, a patient, determined runner who trained relentlessly in the shadows. The crowd, a vast sea of faces, cheered for the favored champion, a man hailed as a titan of the sport. As the final miles came into view, the champion, once so confident, began to falter, his stride heavy and labored. It was then that the underdog, with a spirit that seemed to burn brighter with every step, surged past him. He didn't just win; he conquered the course and the expectations of a nation.
How does the author's word choice in the passage enhance the rhetoric?
a. By using technical running terms.
b. By employing emotional and figurative language like "burn brighter" and "sea of faces."
c. By maintaining formal, business-like language.
d. By using simple, direct statements that lack emotion.
What is b. By employing emotional and figurative language like "burn brighter" and "sea of faces."
A. Running down the long, winding road toward the finish line.
B. The old engine sputtered, it then stopped abruptly on the side of the road.
C. The curious cat watched the birds from the windowsill all afternoon.
D. Because the new bookstore opened in the downtown area.
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
a. Option A
b. Option B
c. Option C
d. Option D
What is c. Option C
"Global warming is a problem. It makes the ice melt. People need to do something about it."
Which revision best demonstrates the use of precise language and vocabulary appropriate to the topic's complexity?
a. "Global warming is bad for the world, and we should take steps to stop it."
b. "The Earth is getting hotter, which is a malevolent occurrence, so we should help."
c. "Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems, making it necessary for comprehensive international action."
d. "Climate change is happening, and it's making the planet warmer, so we must take action to fix it."
What is c. "Climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems, making it necessary for comprehensive international action."
From a speech by a community leader, advocating for a new library.
Friends, neighbors, fellow citizens of our great town, I have lived here my entire life. I have seen our streets grow, our schools flourish, and our community become a place we are all proud to call home. For twenty years, I've served on the city council, and in that time, I've had the privilege of working with many of you to solve problems and build a better future.
The library we have today served us well in the past, but it can no longer meet the needs of a growing, modern population. The time for a new, state-of-the-art library is now. It's an investment in our children's future, a hub for lifelong learning, and a cornerstone of our community's intellectual and social life.
How does the speaker's language in the second paragraph advance the main argument?
a. By using emotional language and emphasizing the library's role as a "hub" and "cornerstone," he connects the project to the community's values and future.
b. By listing the library's features, he appeals to a sense of logic and reason.
c. By mentioning the old library, he creates confusion about the project's purpose.
d. By using simple, direct statements, he makes the argument less formal.
What is a. By using emotional language and emphasizing the library's role as a "hub" and "cornerstone," he connects the project to the community's values and future.
A passage about the importance of bees.
Bees are vital to our ecosystem, but their populations are in decline. This problem is a result of several interconnected factors. First, the widespread use of certain pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, can disorient bees and damage their nervous systems. Secondly, a loss of habitat due to urbanization and monoculture farming reduces the diversity of flowers available for food. Lastly, climate change and new diseases, such as the varroa mite, stress bee colonies, making them more vulnerable. To address this crisis, we must act. One solution is to promote sustainable farming practices that limit pesticide use. Another is to create more pollinator-friendly gardens and green spaces in urban and rural areas. Finally, continued research into bee diseases and the development of resistant bee strains is crucial.
Which statement best summarizes the author's main argument in the passage?
a. Climate change is the only factor causing bee populations to decline.
b. Bees are not as important as other insects.
c. The decline of bee populations is a complex problem with multiple causes and requires a multifaceted solution.
d. People should stop using all pesticides immediately.
What is c. The decline of bee populations is a complex problem with multiple causes and requires a multifaceted solution.
From a historical account of a marathon runner's victory.
He was the underdog, a patient, determined runner who trained relentlessly in the shadows. The crowd, a vast sea of faces, cheered for the favored champion, a man hailed as a titan of the sport. As the final miles came into view, the champion, once so confident, began to falter, his stride heavy and labored. It was then that the underdog, with a spirit that seemed to burn brighter with every step, surged past him. He didn't just win; he conquered the course and the expectations of a nation.
How do the multiple perspectives of the underdog and the favored champion enhance the text's meaning?
a. They create confusion about who is the main character.
b. They focus only on the physical aspects of the race to let readers know who was in first place at each moment.
c. They demonstrate the contrast between expectations and reality, highlighting the theme of perseverance and surprising victory.
d. They distract the reader from the main story of the race.
What is c. They demonstrate the contrast between expectations and reality, highlighting the theme of perseverance and surprising victory.
A. Running down the long, winding road toward the finish line.
B. The old engine sputtered, it then stopped abruptly on the side of the road.
C. The curious cat watched the birds from the window sill all afternoon.
D. Because the new bookstore opened in the downtown area.
Identify the run-on sentence in the options provided.
a. Option A
b. Option B
c. Option C
d. Option D
What is b. Option B
A student is researching the effects of video games on cognitive development. Which research question would best help refine the scope of inquiry for a middle school audience?
a. "Are video games good or bad for middle-school-aged students?"
b. "What are the effects of video games on adolescents?"
c. "How does playing video games for 30-60 minutes daily affect problem-solving skills in adolescents aged 11-14?"
d. "Why do kids like video games so much?"
What is c. "How does playing video games for 30-60 minutes daily affect problem-solving skills in adolescents aged 11-14?"
Passage 1: From a Letter to President Grant
Your Excellency will pardon the presumption of an humble individual like myself, in addressing you, but the earnest request of my comrades in arms besides the genuine interest felt by myself in the matter is my excuse, for placing before the Executive head of the Nation our Common Grievance.
We are fully armed, and equipped, have done all the various duties pertaining to a Soldier's life, have conducted ourselves to the complete satisfaction of General Officers, who were, if anything, prejudiced against us, but who now accord us all the encouragement and honors due us; have shared the perils and labor of reducing the first stronghold that flaunted a Traitor Flag; and more, Mr. President, today the Anglo Saxon Mother, Wife, or Sister are not alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands, and Brothers.
The main question is, are we Soldiers, or are we Laborers? We have done a Soldier's duty. Why can't we have a Soldier's pay?
In the first paragraph of the letter, what rhetorical strategy does the author primarily use to establish his credibility with President Grant?
A. He emphasizes his military accomplishments.
B. He acknowledges his position while asserting his right to speak.
C. He criticizes the current payment system.
D. He references his fellow soldiers.
What is B. He acknowledges his position while asserting his right to speak.
Passage 2: From My Bondage and My Freedom
I was not allowed to be at the house during the day, so I was forced to spend my time in the yard. My mistress, however, took pity on me, and started teaching me the alphabet. I quickly learned the letters and began to learn how to spell words. This was a secret, but my master discovered what was happening and put a stop to it at once. He told my mistress that teaching a slave to read would make me discontented and unhappy, and that I would become unmanageable and useless to him.
His words, instead of discouraging me, had the opposite effect. I was inspired with a new determination to learn to read. I now understood that reading was the key to freedom. My master's opposition was the best evidence I had that what I was doing was important. What he most dreaded, that I most desired.
According to the passage, what was the master's primary concern about teaching the slave to read?
A. It would make the slave disobedient and resistant.
B. It would make the slave too valuable to the mistress.
C. It would take too much time away from the slave's duties.
D. It would cost too much money to provide education.
What is A. It would make the slave disobedient and resistant.
from Letter to Lincoln
Paragraph 5 - "Let their dusky forms rise up, out of the mires of James Island, and give the answer. Let the rich mould around Wagner's parapet be upturned, and there will be found an eloquent answer. Obedient and patient and solid as a wall are they. All we lack is a paler hue and a better acquaintance with the alphabet."
How does Gooding's word choice in this excerpt from paragraph 5 enhance his rhetoric?
A. By using technical military terms.
B. By employing emotional and poetic language.
C. By maintaining formal business language.
D. By using simple, direct statements.
What is B. By employing emotional and poetic language.
A. Running down the long, winding road toward the finish line.
B. The old engine sputtered, it then stopped abruptly on the side of the road.
C. The curious cat watched the birds from the windowsill all afternoon.
D. Because the new bookstore opened in the downtown area.
Which 2 options represent a sentence fragment?
a. Option A
b. Option B
c. Option C
d. Option D
What is a. Option A & d. Option D
When evaluating sources for a research paper on the history of medicine, which combination of criteria best determines a source's credibility?
a. The website looks nice and has a lot of pictures.
b. The author is a recognized expert in the field.
c. The information is supported by citations.
d. The article was written recently and has many comments from other people.
e. The information confirms what you already know to be true.
f. The source is from a university press or a reputable journal.
What is b. The author is a recognized expert in the field, c. The information is supported by citations, and f. The source is from a university press or a reputable journal.
Passage 1: From a Letter to President Grant
Your Excellency will pardon the presumption of an humble individual like myself, in addressing you, but the earnest request of my comrades in arms besides the genuine interest felt by myself in the matter is my excuse, for placing before the Executive head of the Nation our Common Grievance.
We are fully armed, and equipped, have done all the various duties pertaining to a Soldier's life, have conducted ourselves to the complete satisfaction of General Officers, who were, if anything, prejudiced against us, but who now accord us all the encouragement and honors due us; have shared the perils and labor of reducing the first stronghold that flaunted a Traitor Flag; and more, Mr. President, today the Anglo Saxon Mother, Wife, or Sister are not alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands, and Brothers.
The main question is, are we Soldiers, or are we Laborers? We have done a Soldier's duty. Why can't we have a Soldier's pay?
What is the central argument presented by the author in this passage?
A. Soldiers are paid too little for their service.
B. The government should not show prejudice towards its soldiers.
C. Black soldiers deserve equal pay for equal service.
D. The military should offer better training for soldiers.
What is A. Soldiers are paid too little for their service.
Passage 2: From My Bondage and My Freedom
I was not allowed to be at the house during the day, so I was forced to spend my time in the yard. My mistress, however, took pity on me, and started teaching me the alphabet. I quickly learned the letters and began to learn how to spell words. This was a secret, but my master discovered what was happening and put a stop to it at once. He told my mistress that teaching a slave to read would make me discontented and unhappy, and that I would become unmanageable and useless to him.
His words, instead of discouraging me, had the opposite effect. I was inspired with a new determination to learn to read. I now understood that reading was the key to freedom. My master's opposition was the best evidence I had that what I was doing was important. What he most dreaded, that I most desired.
How does the master's opposition ultimately affect the narrator?
A. It makes him give up on learning to read.
B. It convinces him that reading is dangerous.
C. It strengthens his determination to learn.
D. It makes him resent his mistress's teachings.
What is C. It strengthens his determination to learn.
from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
"What he most dreaded, that I most desired. What he most loved, that I most hated. That which to him was a great evil, to be carefully shunned, was to me a great good, to be diligently sought; and the argument which he so warmly urged, against my learning to read, only served to inspire me with a desire and determination to learn. In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress. I acknowledge the benefit of both."
How does Douglass's use of rhetorical contrast in this passage advance his perspective?
A. By opposing what his master dreaded with what he desired.
B. By contrasting Mr. and Mrs. Auld's personalities.
C. By comparing his past and present situations.
D. By differentiating between reading and writing.
What is A. By opposing what his master dreaded with what he desired.
What is the complete subject in this sentence: "During the game, the star quarterback threw an amazing pass, astonishing all of the fans in the stands."
a. During the game
b. threw
c.all of the fans
d. the star quarterback
What is d. the star quarterback
Which source would be most credible and relevant for a research paper on recent breakthroughs in solar energy technology?
a. A personal blog post from an energy enthusiast.
b. An article from a scientific journal published within the last six months.
c. A solar panel salesman with 20 years of experience.
d. An online article from five years ago.
e. A social media post about new inventions.
What is b. An article from a scientific journal published within the last six months.
Passage 1: From Letter to Lincoln "Now the main question is, are we Soldiers, or are we Laborers? We are fully armed, and equipped, have done all the various duties pertaining to a Soldier's life, have conducted ourselves to the complete satisfaction of General Officers, who were, if anything, prejudiced against us, but who now accord us all the encouragement and honors due us; have shared the perils and labor of reducing the first stronghold that flaunted a Traitor Flag; and more, Mr. President, today the Anglo Saxon Mother, Wife, or Sister are not alone in tears for departed Sons, Husbands, and Brothers. The patient, trusting descendant of Africa's Clime have dyed the ground with blood, in defence of the Union, and Democracy."
What is the primary function of the rhetorical question, "...are we Soldiers, or are we Laborers?" in this excerpt?
A. To express confusion about their role in the army.
B. To create a dilemma that Lincoln must solve.
C. To highlight the contradiction between their duties and their compensation.
D. To introduce a new topic for discussion.
What is C. To highlight the contradiction between their duties and their compensation.
From Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
"I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty-to wit, the white man's power to enslave the black man. It was a grand achievement, and I prized it highly. From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom."
In this passage, what text structure does Douglass primarily use to describe his experience of learning to read?
A. Chronological order, detailing the events as they happened over time.
B. Cause and effect, explaining how his master's opposition led to his determination.
C. Problem and solution, presenting his ignorance as the problem and reading as the solution.
D. Compare and contrast, showing the difference between his old life and his new one.
What is C. Problem and solution, presenting his ignorance as the problem and reading as the solution.
from Letter to Lincoln
"Let their dusky forms rise up, out of the mires of James Island, and give the answer. Let the rich mould around Wagner's parapet be upturned, and there will be found an eloquent answer. Obedient and patient and solid as a wall are they. All we lack is a paler hue and a better acquaintance with the alphabet."
What is the primary effect of Gooding's contrast between the soldiers' actions ("Obedient and patient and solid as a wall are they" ) and their perceived deficiencies ("a paler hue and a better acquaintance with the alphabet" )?
A. It shows that the soldiers are not fully qualified.
B. It emphasizes the injustice of the pay discrepancy by highlighting their humanity and sacrifice.
C. It suggests that they are still laborers, not soldiers.
D. It distracts the reader from the main argument about pay.
What is B. It emphasizes the injustice of the pay discrepancy by highlighting their humanity and sacrifice.
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
A. Running through the park at full speed.
B. The old car in the driveway.
C. She completed her science homework last night.
D. Before the storm hits the coast.
What is C. She completed her science homework last night.
Which statement best summarizes an effective conclusion for a research paper?
A. "To sum up, this paper discussed the importance of recycling to reduce the effects of climate change."
B. "In conclusion, the paper talked about many different ways to go about solving a problem between two friends."
C. "Finally, I learned a lot from this project."
D. "The evidence presented demonstrates the impact of rising sea levels on coastal ecosystems, necessitating global policies to mitigate climate change."
What is D. "The evidence presented demonstrates the impact of rising sea levels on coastal ecosystems, necessitating global policies to mitigate climate change."