Pick a Side!
Students should have more time for recess. Physical activity helps students stay healthy, and taking breaks can help students return to class ready to learn. More recess would give students additional opportunities to move and recharge.
What is the author's main claim?
A. Physical activity should be a required part of every classroom lesson.
B. Schools should increase recess time because students benefit from movement and breaks.
C. Students need breaks because classroom lessons are often too difficult.
D. Schools should focus on physical health before academic learning.
B. Schools should increase recess time because students benefit from movement and breaks.
Children should get daily exercise. Moving their bodies helps strengthen their muscles and hearts. Walking, running, and riding bicycles are all ways children can be active.
Which detail most directly supports the claim that daily exercise benefits children's physical health?
A. Walking, running, and cycling are activities children can choose from.
B. Children can exercise in different locations depending on the weather.
C. Physical movement helps strengthen muscles and the heart.
D. Many children have opportunities to play after school.
C. Physical movement helps strengthen muscles and the heart.
Schools should offer healthy lunch choices. Nutritious foods provide energy and important nutrients that growing children need.
Which reason most logically supports the author's claim?
A. Healthy lunches can give students access to nutrients that support their growth and daily needs.
B. Students should be allowed to select any food they want because choice increases satisfaction.
C. Schools serve lunch every day, so they should offer as many options as possible.
D. Students who eat lunch at school may have different food preferences from those who eat at home.
A. Healthy lunches can give students access to nutrients that support their growth and daily needs.
Students should drink water throughout the school day. Water helps the body function properly. Carrying a refillable bottle can make it easier for students to get water when they need it.
Which statement is the author's claim rather than a supporting detail?
A. Water helps the human body function properly.
B. Students should drink water throughout the school day.
C. Refillable bottles can make water easier to access.
D. Students may carry bottles with them during the school day.
B. Students should drink water throughout the school day.
Walking to school can be a good way for some students to get exercise. Walking makes the body move and uses energy. Students who live close to school and have a safe route may be able to walk.
Which detail most directly supports the claim that walking provides physical exercise?
A. Some students live close enough to school to walk.
B. Students may need a safe route before walking to school.
C. Walking requires the body to move and use energy.
D. Walking is one way students can travel to school.
C. Walking requires the body to move and use energy.
Schools should plant gardens on their campuses. Gardening gives students hands-on science experiences. Students can observe how plants grow, learn about soil, and understand what plants need to survive.
Which statement best represents the author's viewpoint?
A. Gardening is an enjoyable activity that students should do during their free time.
B. Science lessons should focus more on plants than on other scientific topics.
C. School gardens are a worthwhile way to give students practical science experiences.
D. Schools should replace some traditional science lessons with outdoor activities.
C. School gardens are a worthwhile way to give students practical science experiences.
Schools should create recycling programs. Recycling paper and plastic can keep useful materials out of landfills. Students can place used paper in special bins so it can be collected and processed into new products.
Which evidence best supports the claim that recycling programs help conserve resources?
A. Schools generate paper waste during daily classroom activities.
B. Collected paper can be processed and made into new products.
C. Students can learn to sort different materials into separate bins.
D. Recycling bins can be placed in classrooms and hallways.
B. Collected paper can be processed and made into new products.
Classrooms should have class pets when students can care for them responsibly. Observing animals can help students learn about living things and their needs.
Which reason most directly supports the author's claim?
A. Animals can make classroom environments more interesting and enjoyable.
B. Caring for an animal can provide opportunities to observe its behavior and learn about its needs.
C. Many children have experience with animals outside of school.
D. Teachers can use animal-related books to introduce new vocabulary.
B. Caring for an animal can provide opportunities to observe its behavior and learn about its needs.
School gardens should be part of science lessons. Students can observe plant growth and learn how plants respond to their environment. Measuring a plant each week lets students track changes over time.
How does measuring a plant each week support the author's reasoning?
A. It proves that plants grow at the same rate in every environment.
B. It shows that students should spend more time gardening than studying other science topics.
C. It demonstrates that growing plants requires little scientific knowledge.
D. It gives students a way to collect observations and monitor plant growth over time.
D. It gives students a way to collect observations and monitor plant growth over time.
Every classroom should recycle paper. Recycling can reduce the amount of paper sent to landfills. Used paper can also be processed to make new paper products.
Which evidence is most relevant to the claim that recycling paper reduces waste?
A. Recycled paper can be processed into new products instead of being discarded.
B. Students use paper for notes, assignments, and artwork.
C. Paper can be made in different colors and sizes.
D. Recycling bins can be placed near classroom doors.
A. Recycled paper can be processed into new products instead of being discarded.
Students should read independently every day. Reading regularly helps students build vocabulary and become more fluent readers. Daily reading also gives students opportunities to explore new ideas and learn about different subjects.
Which sentence expresses the central claim rather than a supporting reason?
A. Reading regularly helps students become more fluent readers.
B. Daily reading gives students opportunities to explore new ideas.
C. Reading independently can expose students to different subjects.
D. Students should make independent reading part of their daily routine.
D. Students should make independent reading part of their daily routine.
Students should read for pleasure regularly. Reading exposes students to unfamiliar words and shows them how authors organize ideas. Over time, students may become more comfortable understanding challenging texts.
Which additional evidence would most strongly support the claim that regular reading improves vocabulary?
A. A survey showing that students enjoy choosing books that interest them.
B. A list of popular books read by students in several classrooms.
C. A comparison showing that students who read regularly recognize and understand more unfamiliar words over time.
D. An observation showing that students spend more time reading when books include illustrations.
C. A comparison showing that students who read regularly recognize and understand more unfamiliar words over time.
Middle and high schools should consider starting later in the morning. Teenagers' sleep patterns often shift as they grow, making it harder for some to fall asleep early. A later start may give students more opportunity to sleep.
Which statement best explains the reasoning in the passage?
A. Since teenagers sometimes stay awake late, schools should remove morning classes.
B. Because sleep is important, all schools should begin at the same time regardless of students' ages.
C. Because some teenagers struggle to fall asleep early, a later start may allow them more time to sleep.
D. Since students have different sleep schedules, schools should allow each student to choose an individual start time.
C. Because some teenagers struggle to fall asleep early, a later start may allow them more time to sleep.
Schools should reduce waste by recycling materials. Recycling allows some materials to be used again rather than thrown away. For instance, collecting aluminum cans means they can be processed into new products instead of being sent directly to a landfill.
Which explanation best describes how the evidence supports the claim?
A. The example shows a specific way recycling can prevent usable material from becoming waste.
B. The example proves that recycling eliminates all waste produced by schools.
C. The example shows that aluminum cans are the only materials schools should recycle.
D. The example proves that every recycled material can be reused indefinitely without processing.
A. The example shows a specific way recycling can prevent usable material from becoming waste.
Schools should give students time to visit the library. Libraries offer access to books and other resources. Students can explore topics that interest them and find information for class projects.
Which evidence would most strongly strengthen the author's argument?
A. A description of the different sections found in a school library.
B. A survey showing that students enjoy having quiet places to read.
C. A list of the number of books available at several school libraries.
D. Examples of students using library resources to locate accurate information and complete research projects.
D. Examples of students using library resources to locate accurate information and complete research projects.
Schools should encourage students to bring reusable water bottles. Reusable bottles can reduce plastic waste. Students can refill their bottles at water stations instead of throwing away single-use plastic bottles after lunch.
Which statement best captures the author's overall claim?
A. Schools should install water stations so students have convenient access to drinking water.
B. Students should avoid using plastic products whenever possible.
C. Schools should encourage reusable bottles as a way to reduce waste.
D. Students should be responsible for cleaning up waste after lunch.
C. Schools should encourage reusable bottles as a way to reduce waste.
Every classroom should have a library. When books are easy to access, students can choose reading materials that interest them. A teacher noticed that students began choosing books more frequently after a bookshelf was added to the classroom.
Which statement best evaluates the teacher's observation as evidence for the author's claim?
A. It provides a relevant example that supports the idea that access to books can encourage reading, but it does not prove that every classroom library will have the same effect.
B. It proves that classroom libraries are the most effective way to improve reading achievement in every school.
C. It is unrelated to the claim because choosing books does not involve reading.
D. It proves that students prefer classroom libraries to all other sources of reading materials.
A. It provides a relevant example that supports the idea that access to books can encourage reading, but it does not prove that every classroom library will have the same effect.
Teachers should sometimes take lessons outside. Outdoor learning can help students observe nature directly. For example, students studying plants can examine leaves, compare plant structures, and observe insects in their natural surroundings.
Which reason is best supported by the evidence?
A. Outdoor lessons are more effective than classroom lessons for every subject.
B. Students should study plants outside because indoor science materials are not accurate.
C. Learning outside makes science more entertaining, which guarantees students will remember the information.
D. Outdoor lessons can give students direct access to examples they are studying.
D. Outdoor lessons can give students direct access to examples they are studying.
Students should have independent reading time each day. Reading regularly provides practice with vocabulary and comprehension. A teacher who gives students time to read can also help them select books that match their interests and reading levels.
Which statement best explains how the author's reasons support the claim?
A. Because teachers can help students select books, independent reading should always be supervised.
B. Because reading improves vocabulary, students should read only books with unfamiliar words.
C. Daily reading provides practice with important skills, while appropriate book choices can help students engage with the text.
D. Students should read independently instead of participating in other classroom activities.
C. Daily reading provides practice with important skills, while appropriate book choices can help students engage with the text.
Schools should provide technology for learning. Computers can help students research topics, practice skills, and create presentations. However, students need guidance to use technology responsibly.
Which statement best evaluates the evidence provided in the passage?
A. The passage proves that technology improves learning for every student in every subject.
B. The passage gives plausible examples of technology's uses, but specific data or research would provide stronger support for its benefits.
C. The passage provides no support because computers are not used for educational purposes.
D. The passage proves that responsible technology use is more important than access to technology.
B. The passage gives plausible examples of technology's uses, but specific data or research would provide stronger support for its benefits.
Schools should offer more after-school sports. Playing sports gives students opportunities to exercise, cooperate with teammates, and develop perseverance. At one school, students in a soccer program practiced working together to achieve a common goal.
Which statement best explains the author's overall argument?
A. Schools should prioritize team sports because teamwork is more important than individual achievement.
B. Expanding after-school sports could benefit students by supporting physical activity and personal development.
C. Schools should offer soccer programs because they provide the best opportunities for teamwork.
D. Students who participate in sports develop stronger academic and social skills than students who do not.
B. Expanding after-school sports could benefit students by supporting physical activity and personal development.
Schools should make breakfast available to all students. Eating breakfast gives students an opportunity to get nutrients before beginning the school day. A student who arrives at school without eating may have fewer opportunities to get food before lunchtime.
Which additional evidence would best strengthen the author's argument?
A. A list of breakfast foods commonly served in school cafeterias.
B. Student interviews showing that many children prefer eating breakfast at home.
C. A count of how many students enter the cafeteria before school.
D. Reliable research comparing relevant student outcomes at schools with breakfast programs and similar schools without them.
D. Reliable research comparing relevant student outcomes at schools with breakfast programs and similar schools without them.
Schools should assign reasonable amounts of homework. Homework can give students practice with skills taught in class, but excessive assignments may leave students with less time for sleep, family, and activities.
Which conclusion best reflects the author's reasoning?
A. Because homework offers practice, schools should assign as much as possible.
B. Schools should balance the benefits of practice against the demands homework places on students' time.
C. Since excessive homework can reduce free time, schools should eliminate all assignments.
D. Students should decide how much homework teachers assign because they understand their needs best.
B. Schools should balance the benefits of practice against the demands homework places on students' time.
Schools should assign reasonable amounts of homework. Homework can help students practice skills taught in class. However, too much homework can leave students with less time for sleep, family, and other activities. Schools should balance practice with students' needs outside school.
Which statement best evaluates how the reasons support the author's claim?
A. The author proves that homework is harmful because some students have other activities after school.
B. The author presents benefits and drawbacks of homework to support a balanced position, although additional evidence would strengthen the argument.
C. The author contradicts the main claim because practicing skills cannot help students learn.
D. The author proves that reducing homework will improve every student's sleep, health, and academic performance.
B. The author presents benefits and drawbacks of homework to support a balanced position, although additional evidence would strengthen the argument.
Elementary schools should consider increasing recess time. Physical activity gives children opportunities to move, and breaks may help them return to learning refreshed. A school could compare student activity levels and classroom engagement before and after changing its recess schedule.
Which evidence would best help determine whether increasing recess supports the author's argument?
A. A student poll asking which playground games are the most popular.
B. A list comparing the amount of playground equipment at different schools.
C. Data collected before and after the schedule change, measuring activity levels and classroom engagement while considering other possible explanations for any changes.
D. Teacher opinions about whether recess is an enjoyable part of the school day.
C. Data collected before and after the schedule change, measuring activity levels and classroom engagement while considering other possible explanations for any changes.