Arguments/Claims
Passage: Many students at Lincoln Middle School say the new library chairs are uncomfortable. Last month, the school surveyed 200 students, and 150 of them said they preferred the old chairs. Several teachers also reported that students have trouble sitting still during reading time.
Claim: “The new library chairs are uncomfortable for most students.”
This claim is either supported or unsupported with evidence.
What is supported by survey + teacher reports?
The story opens with a description of the quiet town at sunrise—empty streets, soft light, and the smell of fresh bread from the bakery.
Question: How does this opening help develop the story?
A. It introduces the main conflict
B. It establishes the setting
C. It reveals the theme
D. It shows the story’s ending
What is B. It establishes the setting?
Text 1 – Story: Lena practiced shooting baskets every afternoon, even when she missed more than she made. She refused to give up.
Text 2 – Poem: The runner stumbles, knees scraped, but rises again— the finish line still calling.
Question: What theme do both texts share? A. Friendship B. Never giving up C. Fear of failure D. Winning is everything
What is B — Never giving up?
Maya had always been the quiet one in class, the kind of student who sat near the window and doodled in the margins of her notebook. On the first day of sixth grade, her teacher introduced a new project: each student would create a mural representing their community. While others groaned or whispered excitedly, Maya’s eyes lit up. She immediately began sketching ideas, her pencil moving quickly across the page. Over the next week, the author shows Maya staying after school to add details, asking classmates about their neighborhoods, and carefully choosing colors that represented different parts of the town.
Question: How is Maya, the central individual, introduced and developed in the passage? A. Through her love of art shown by her actions and dedication B. Through her arguments with classmates C. Through descriptions of her athletic abilities D. Through her teacher’s complaints about her work
What is A. Through her love of art shown by her actions and dedication?
When our teacher announced we’d be doing a group project, everyone cheered—except me. Group projects always end the same way: I do all the work while everyone else “forgets” their part. As my classmates rushed to pick partners, I stayed in my seat, hoping I wouldn’t get stuck with the same people as last time.
Question: How does the author develop the narrator’s point of view about group projects?
A. By describing how excited the narrator is to work with classmates
B. By showing the narrator’s past experiences and negative thoughts about group work
C. By explaining how the teacher assigns groups fairly
D. By describing how much the narrator enjoys being a leader
What is b.) by showing the narrator’s past experiences and negative thoughts about group work?
Some people believe that eating breakfast helps students focus better in class. However, the author only says, “I feel more awake when I eat breakfast,” and does not include any studies, surveys, or examples from other students.
Claim: “Eating breakfast improves every student’s focus.”
This claim is supported or unsupported with evidence.
What is unsupported with only personal feeling?
In the first scene of the drama, the main character refuses to speak to her best friend. In the next scene, the friend reveals she accidentally shared a secret.
Question: How does the structure of these back‑to‑back scenes support the plot?
A. It shows the resolution of the story.
B. It explains the theme directly focusing on best friends.
C. It describes the setting the includes her best friend.
D. It builds suspense by revealing the cause of the conflict
What is D. It builds suspense by revealing the cause of the conflict?
Text 1 – Story: During the blackout, neighbors gathered on porches, sharing candles and stories until the lights returned.
Text 2 – Informational Article: During natural disasters, communities often come together to share resources and support one another.
Question: How are the themes of these two texts similar? A. Both show how people compete during emergencies B. Both show how communities fall apart C. Both show how people help each other in difficult times D. Both show how technology solves problems
What is C — People help each other in difficult times?
The storm began as a distant rumble, barely noticeable over the chatter of the marketplace. But within minutes, dark clouds rolled in, swallowing the sunlight. Vendors rushed to cover their stands as wind whipped through the streets. The author continues developing the event by showing how the storm intensifies: rain pours down in sheets, lightning cracks across the sky, and people scramble for shelter. Later, the storm knocks out power, floods the lower streets, and forces the community to gather in the town hall until it passes.
Question: How is the central event—the storm—developed in the text? A. By showing how it grows stronger and how the community responds B. By explaining the scientific causes of storms C. By focusing only on one family’s reaction D. By describing storms in other countries
What is A. By showing how it grows stronger and how the community responds?
When the new student walked into class, everyone stared. She wore bright yellow shoes and carried a backpack covered in pins from places I’d never heard of. She smiled like she already belonged here. I wished I could be that confident on my first day anywhere.
Question: How does the author show the narrator’s perspective toward the new student?
A. By showing the narrator is jealous of the new student’s grades
B. By describing the new student as rude and unfriendly
C. By using the narrator’s observations and comparisons to show admiration
D. By explaining that the narrator wants to avoid the new student
What is C. By using the narrator’s observations and comparisons to show admiration?
The city park recently added a butterfly garden. According to the Parks Department, the number of butterflies in the area increased by 40% in the first year. Visitors also reported seeing more species than before.
Claim: “The butterfly garden helped increase the butterfly population.”
This claim is supported or unsupported with evidence.
What is supported with data and observations?
A poem begins with short, choppy lines describing a storm. Later stanzas shift to longer, calmer lines as the storm passes.
Question: How does the poem’s structure support its theme?
A. The line lengths mirror the shift from chaos to calm
B. The poem uses rhyme to describe characters
C. The poem repeats the same line to show boredom
D. The poem ends suddenly to confuse the reader
What is A. The line lengths mirror the shift from chaos to calm?
Text 1 – Drama Scene: CHARLIE: I can’t believe you broke my model! MIA: I didn’t mean to. Let me help you fix it. CHARLIE: Maybe… if we work together.
Text 2 – Poem: Two voices clash, sharp as thunder— but slowly soften into understanding.
Question: What theme connects these two texts? A. Arguments always end badly B. Creativity solves every problem C. Friends should avoid conflict D. Cooperation can repair relationships
What is D — Cooperation can repair relationships
The author introduces the idea that “small acts of courage can change a person’s life” in the opening paragraph. At first, this idea appears when Jordan decides to speak up for a new student who is being teased. Later, the author develops the idea through additional moments: Jordan volunteers to present first in class even though he is nervous, and he apologizes to a friend after an argument. Each example shows Jordan taking small but meaningful risks. By the end of the story, the author reinforces the idea when Jordan reflects that courage isn’t about being fearless—it’s about choosing to do the right thing even when it’s difficult.
Question: How is the central idea developed throughout the text? A. Through a debate about whether courage matters B. Through a list of famous courageous people C. Through examples of Jordan taking small courageous actions D. Through descriptions of Jordan’s hobbies
What is C. Through examples of Jordan taking small courageous actions?
I knew I shouldn’t have taken my phone out during lunch, but I wanted to show Maya the picture I took of the science experiment. Now it was gone. I checked under every table twice. My stomach twisted as I imagined telling my mom. She always says I’m “too careless,” and this time she might be right.
Question: How does the author reveal the narrator’s feelings about losing the phone?
A. By showing the narrator laughing about the situation
B. By showing the narrator blaming Maya for losing it
C. By explaining that the narrator doesn’t care about the phone
D. By describing the narrator’s nervous thoughts and physical reactions
What is D. By describing the narrator’s nervous thoughts and physical reactions?
The author argues that video games are harmful for kids. The only reason given is, “Kids spend too much time on them, and I don’t like them.” No research, examples, or expert opinions are included.
Claim: “Video games are harmful for kids.”
This claim is supported or unsupported with evidence.
What is unsupported with only opinion?
In the middle of the story, the author includes a flashback showing the moment the main character first learned to play the piano. This memory appears right before the character must perform on stage.
Question: How does the flashback support the plot?
A. It reveals the setting of the performance
B. It explains why the character is nervous
C. It shows the story’s theme directly
D. It introduces a new character
What is B. It explains why the character is nervous?
When the new student arrived, most kids ignored him. Only Jordan invited him to sit at lunch, and soon others followed.
Text 2 – Speech: “Kindness is powerful. One small act can inspire others to do the same.”
Question: How do both texts develop a similar theme? A. Both show that kindness can spread to others B. Both show that new students should stay quiet C. Both show that speeches change people’s minds D. Both show that popularity is important
What is A. Both show that kindness can spread to others?
At the beginning of the drama, Leo stands alone backstage, nervously twisting the strings of his hoodie. He whispers his lines under his breath, stumbling over the words. In the next scene, the author shows Leo attending extra rehearsals and asking the director for feedback. As the play progresses, Leo begins helping other cast members memorize their lines and even suggests creative ideas for the final scene. By the final act, Leo steps confidently onto the stage, delivering his lines with energy and expression. The audience cheers, and Leo realizes how far he has come.
Question: How is Leo, the central individual, developed throughout the drama? A. By showing Leo quitting the play B. By describing his dislike for acting C. By focusing on the director’s background D. By showing his growth from nervous to confident through actions and interactions
What is D. By showing his growth from nervous to confident through actions and interactions?
Dad said the hike would be “fun,” but after the first mile, I wasn’t so sure. My legs ached, and the sun felt like it was sitting on my shoulders. Dad kept pointing out birds and trees like we were on some nature show. I tried to smile, but all I wanted was to sit down and drink something cold.
Question: How does the author develop the narrator’s point of view about the hike?
A. By showing the narrator’s physical discomfort and contrasting it with Dad’s enthusiasm
B. By explaining that the narrator is an expert hiker
C. By describing how much the narrator loves nature
D. By showing the narrator racing ahead of Dad on the trail
What is A. By showing the narrator’s physical discomfort and contrasting it with Dad’s enthusiasm?
A local teacher started an after‑school reading club. In the first semester, students in the club improved their reading scores by an average of 12 points. Parents also said their children were reading more at home.
Claim: “The reading club helped students improve their reading skills.”
This claim is supported or unsupported with evidence.
What is supported with score data and parent reports?
The story ends with a repeated image from the beginning: the same broken bicycle leaning against the fence. But this time, the narrator walks past it confidently instead of avoiding it.
Question: How does this repeated structural element support the theme?
A. It shows the narrator has changed and grown
B. It introduces a new conflict
C. It explains the setting in more detail
D. It adds humor to the ending
What is A. It shows the narrator has changed and grown?
Text 1 – Story: Aisha’s grandmother taught her how to cook traditional dishes. As they cooked, she shared stories about their family’s past.
Text 2 – Poem: Hands knead dough, hands pass history— recipes written in memory, not ink.
Question: What theme do both texts explore? A. Cooking is difficult B. Family traditions connect generations C. Stories should be written down D. Grandparents always know best
What is B — Family traditions connect generations?
The poem opens with the line, “A single spark can light the dark,” introducing the idea that inspiration often begins small. In the second stanza, the spark becomes a lantern carried by a traveler who shares its light with others along the road. In the third stanza, the lantern becomes a bonfire where people gather, warming their hands and telling stories. By the final stanza, the bonfire has grown into a beacon shining across the valley, guiding lost travelers home. Through these expanding images, the author develops the idea that one person’s inspiration can spread and impact many others.
Question: How is the central idea developed in the poem? A. Through symbols that grow stronger and larger over time B. Through a list of different types of fires C. Through characters arguing about ideas D. Through a description of a camping trip
What is A. Through symbols that grow stronger and larger over time?
Everyone else seemed excited about auditioning for the school play, but my hands shook just thinking about standing on stage. When Ms. Carter said, “You’d be great for the lead role,” I laughed nervously. Me? The lead? She must have mixed me up with someone braver.
Question: How does the author show the narrator’s perspective on performing in the play?
A. By describing the narrator’s confidence and eagerness to audition
B. By showing the narrator’s nervous reactions and self‑doubt
C. By explaining that the narrator has acted in many plays before
D. By showing the narrator encouraging others to audition
What is B. By showing the narrator’s nervous reactions and self‑doubt?