Vocabulary
an assertion, position, or arguable thesis about a topic or issue
Claim
Sally never tells lies because she told us so.
Circular reasoning
Cell phones are beneficial for teenagers.
A. Cell phones are extremely helpful for most teenagers.
B. It should be illegal for people under 18 to have a cell phone.
C. Cell phones are distracting for teenagers.
D. Cell phones have benefits and costs.
C. Cell phones are distracting for teenagers.
Cigarettes cannot be blamed for lung cancer.
A. "Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 7 million deaths per year."
B. "Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."
C. "Our government collects $2.81 billion in tobacco sales taxes federally."
D. "Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis."
B. "Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."
Strong reading skills are essential for all students (Pick 2)
A. Reading is just as important as math.
B. Reading helps to develop the mind and imagination and the creative side of a student.
C. According to DoSomething.org, 85% of juveniles in the court system are unable to read.
D. You'll never get a job if you can't read well.
B. Reading helps to develop the mind and imagination and the creative side of a student.
C. According to DoSomething.org, 85% of juveniles in the court system are unable to read.
the author's particular attitude, either stated or implied in writing
My friend has been eating only hamburgers, pizza, and fries for 10 years, and he has no health issues. Therefore, fast food is not unhealthy for you.
Hasty/ Sweeping Generalization
Actors and professional athletes are paid too much.
A. Entertainment industry salaries have reached an all time high.
B. The income of athletes and professional athletes is fair.
C. Actors should be paid based on the number of awards they have won.
D. People who make over one million dollars should be required to donate to charity.
B. The income of athletes and professional athletes is fair.
Homework is necessary for a good education.
A. "Homework carries educational benefits for all age groups, including time management and organization."
B. "Active learning promotes the analysis and application of class content in real world settings."
C. "Homework also provides students with the ability to think beyond what is taught in class."
D. "For elementary school students, homework has no association with achievement gains when measured by standardized tests results or grades."
D. "For elementary school students, homework has no association with achievement gains when measured by standardized tests results or grades."
Stephen and Joseph Montgolfier were papermakers, but they had been interested in flying for many years. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea. He was sitting in front of the fire when he saw some small pieces of scorched paper being carried up the chimney.Soon afterwards, the brothers conducted an experiment. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once, the bag rose to the ceiling. After this, Stephen and Joseph conducted many more experiments, both indoors and in the open air. Eventually, they built a huge balloon of linen and paper. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.
Which sentence in this article provides text evidence for the inference that the Montgolfier brothers used hot air to lift their balloon?
A. they built a huge balloon of linen and paper.
B. On June 5th, 1783, they launched their balloon in the village of Annonay.
C. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once the bag rose to the ceiling.
D. One night, in 1782, Joseph noticed something that gave him an idea.
C. They lit a fire under a small silk bag, which was open at the bottom; at once the bag rose to the ceiling.
a technique that enhances an argument
rhetorical device
What type of logical fallacy is present in the following conversation:
Alex: "Let's go to the gym today"
Sam: "I can't today."
Alex: "So you're saying you don't care about your health."
(twisting the original person's claim)
The death penalty is a fair punishment for murder.
A. Death is an unacceptable sentence for any crime.
B. The death penalty should be assigned to criminals convicted of child abuse.
C. The death penalty should only be given to mass murderers.
D. The death penalty is one of the oldest forms of punishment.
A. Death is an unacceptable sentence for any crime.
Teachers should be held responsible for their students' standardized test scores.
A. "Ineffective teachers would receive additional training on how to help students succeed."
B. "Teachers may receive bonuses for high student achievement."
C. "Other factors such as family background, prior teachers and student motivation have major influences on how much a student learns."
D. "Teachers will be more motivated to differentiate for the needs of diverse learners."
C. "Other factors such as family background, prior teachers and student motivation have major influences on how much a student learns."
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sob. His mother comforted him, "There, there, Max. We'll just find something else to do." She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, "I don't wanna sand-mich!" A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
What line in the text tell you that Max is upset it is raining?
A. He says, "I don't wanna sandwich?"
B. Thunder struck and rain poured
C. Dropping his kite from his hand, Max broke out into a full sob
D. Mom sighed
C. Dropping his kite from his hand, Max broke out into a full sob
a technique that weakens an argument
logical fallacy
Were you at your house on February 4th?
Leading Question
Curfews keep teens out of trouble.
A. Teens who abide by a curfew are less likely to be involved in criminal activity.
B. Rules are made to be broken, and that's exactly what teens do with curfews.
C. Studies show that enforcing a curfew has no significant impact on teen behavior.
D. Most teens despise having a curfew.
C. Studies show that enforcing a curfew has no significant impact on teen behavior.
All students should be required to take Physical Education classes in high school.
A. "P.E. classes strengthen peer relationships and build teamwork skills."
B. "Some students have medical issues that prevent them from fully participating in physical education classes."
C. "These types of classes often provide an outlet for releasing tension and anxiety."
D. "Physical education provides regular, healthy physical activity under the supervision of a trained educator."
B. "Some students have medical issues that prevent them from fully participating in physical education classes."
Despite the hatred that most people feel toward cockroaches, they do help humans in several ways.For example, they are perfect experimental animals and are used for scientific research in the laboratory. Breeding them is easy, for they thrive under almost any conditions. In studies on nutrition and food, cockroaches are good subjects because they will eat any kind of food. They can be used to study heart disease, and cancer researchers work with roaches because they grow cancerous tumors like those that are found in humans.
What inference can be made from this passage?
A. Cockroaches are vile, disgusting insects with no redeeming qualities.
B. Cockroaches are easy to breed and thrive under almost any conditions.
C. Cockroaches are genetically resilient insects with beneficial qualities.
D. It’s obvious the world will be taken over by cockroaches.
C. Cockroaches are genetically resilient insects with beneficial qualities.
specific details or facts that support an inference or idea
evidence
Most people believe there is a God, so it must be true.
Bandwagon
Violent video games cause behavior problems.
A. Teen violence has been on the rise since the introduction of games like Call of Duty.
B. Kids who play violent video games are more likely to get involved in violent altercations in school.
C. Violent video games should be banned for people under 18.
D. Psychologists agree that behavior problems do not stem from video game habits.
D. Psychologists agree that behavior problems do not stem from video game habits.
Cyberbullies should be prosecuted.
A. “Cyberbullying is a serious concern that all communities must confront, but there are better and more constructive ways to address the problem than giving children criminal records."
B. "Lawmakers are considering legislation requiring anti-bullying instruction in public schools."
C. "A 2011 city Health Department study found 18 percent of high school students were bullied on school property and 16 percent were victims of cyberbullying."
D. "Research shows that girls are somewhat more likely than boys to be involved in cyber bullying."
A. “Cyberbullying is a serious concern that all communities must confront, but there are better and more constructive ways to address the problem than giving children criminal records."
Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of America's greatest heroes due to both his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal. His is a remarkable story of the rise from humble beginnings to achieve the highest office in the land; then, a sudden and tragic death at a time when his country needed him most to complete the great task remaining before the nation. Lincoln's Distinctively human and humane personality and historical role as savior of the Union and emancipation of the slaves creates a legacy that endures.
What inference can be made from this passage?
A. Slavery is Abraham Lincoln’s legacy.
B. Abraham Lincoln was a better than average president.
C. Abraham Lincoln’s tragic death overshadows his myriad accomplishments.
D. Abraham Lincoln’s legacy is a combination of his personal traits and heroic accomplishments.
D. Abraham Lincoln’s legacy is a combination of his personal traits and heroic accomplishments.