Claim
In many urban neighborhoods, empty lots sit unused for long periods of time. These spaces could be transformed into community gardens that bring residents together. Besides offering fresh produce, gardens can help reduce stress by giving people a calm outdoor place to unwind. They also encourage teamwork and responsibility among community members.
What is the author’s main claim?
A. Community gardens can help people relax and make friends.
B. Empty lots can be used in many ways, including for gardens.
C. Turning unused lots into community gardens would improve neighborhoods.
D. People should spend more time outdoors to reduce stress.
C. Turning unused lots into community gardens would improve neighborhoods.
What does evidence mean?
A. Statements that prove your reasons and support your claim
B. Opinions or ideas that explain why you think something is true, even if they aren’t backed up by facts or examples
C. Details or examples that are related to the topic but don’t actually show that your reasons are correct
D. A summary of information that tells what happened without supporting any argument
A. Statements that prove your reasons and support your claim
Which option best defines a reason in an argument?
A. A statement that restates the claim using different words.
B. A statement that explains why the claim is true and shows its importance.
C. A short example that illustrates the main idea of the claim.
D. A sentence that summarizes the entire argument at the end.
B. A statement that explains why the claim is true and shows its importance.
What is a counterclaim?
A. A statement that repeats the main idea of the claim
B. A fact that supports the author’s evidence
C. An opposing viewpoint to the presented claim
D. A reason that explains why the claim is true
C. An opposing viewpoint to the presented claim
Which option best defines the word irrelevant?
A. A detail that clearly explains the main idea of a topic.
B. Information that helps the reader better understand an argument.
C. Something that is NOT connected to the topic and does not help explain it.
D. A fact that is interesting and important to include in a paragraph.
C. Something that is NOT connected to the topic and does not help explain it.
Students today often spend hours completing homework after school, leaving them with little time to rest or pursue interests they enjoy. Schools should set limits on the amount of homework assigned each night. Research shows that excessive homework does not always improve learning and can actually increase stress. A smaller, more purposeful amount of homework would support learning without overwhelming students.
What is the author’s main claim?
A. Students should not participate in after-school activities.
B. Homework makes students smarter.
C. Schools should reduce the amount of homework they assign.
D. Teachers need to grade homework more quickly.
C. Schools should reduce the amount of homework they assign.
Claim: Eating breakfast improves students’ ability to focus in school.
Evidence: In a recent survey, 80% of students said breakfast is their favorite meal.
Does this evidence support the claim?
A. Yes, it shows students enjoy breakfast.
B. No, it does not show anything about focus or learning.
C. Yes, it proves that breakfast gives energy.
D. Yes, because many students like breakfast foods.
B. No, it does not show anything about focus or learning.
Claim: Schools should offer more outdoor learning activities.
Evidence: Research shows that students who spend time outside have better focus afterward.
Which reason best connects the claim and the evidence?
A. Outdoor spaces can be used for science or reading lessons.
B. Outdoor learning can help students stay focused and ready to learn.
C. Many schools have playgrounds or fields available.
D. Students enjoy being outside with their friends.
B. Outdoor learning can help students stay focused and ready to learn.
What does it mean to differentiate?
A. To decide which items you like best
B. To tell the difference between two or more things.
C. To group similar things together
D. To compare things that are exactly alike
B. To tell the difference between two or more things.
What makes an argument convincing?
A. Using long sentences that sound impressive.
B. Adding as many opinions as possible to show passion.
C. Including clear reasons and strong evidence that support the claim.
D. Using fancy vocabulary so the writing looks more advanced.
C. Including clear reasons and strong evidence that support the claim.
Although some students see museums as outdated, they offer experiences that classrooms alone cannot provide. Seeing real artifacts, scientific displays, and original artwork makes learning more meaningful and memorable. These hands-on experiences help students understand class concepts in deeper ways. Because of this, schools would benefit from offering more visits to museums.
What is the author’s main claim?
A. Museums can make learning more meaningful for students.
B. Schools should schedule more museum field trips.
C. Artifacts and displays help students better understand what they study.
D. Museums offer experiences that textbooks cannot fully provide.
B. Schools should schedule more museum field trips.
Claim: Reading fiction can help increase empathy.
Which evidence best supports the claim?
A. Some readers say fiction helps them understand characters’ empathy better.
B. Many people believe nonfiction offers fewer chances to explore empathy.
C. A study found that people who read fiction regularly showed higher empathy scores.
D. Libraries often recommend fiction to students to build empathy and insight.
C. A study found that people who read fiction regularly showed higher empathy scores.
Claim: Students should get more time for independent reading.
Evidence: A study shows that students who read daily score higher on comprehension tests.
Which reason best connects the claim and the evidence?
A. Independent reading lets students choose books they enjoy.
B. More reading time helps students improve their comprehension skills.
C. Schools often include reading activities in each class period.
D. Many students bring books with them from home.
B. More reading time helps students improve their comprehension skills.
What does it mean to evaluate?
A. To list all the parts of something in order and explain how each part works together to form a whole.
B. To figure out the value of something or decide how good, important, or correct it is
C. To describe something in your own words and summarize its main points
D. To compare two ideas to find their differences and similarities, noting which is stronger or more convincing
B. To figure out the value of something or decide how good, important, or correct it is
Why do we trust some claims more than others?
A. Because the claim uses complicated words that sound impressive.
B. Because the writer includes their personal opinions and feelings.
C. Because the claim is supported by strong evidence and reliable information.
D. Because the claim is the longest or most detailed in the text.
C. Because the claim is supported by strong evidence and reliable information.
1. What does the word claim mean when evaluating what an author is trying to prove in a text?
A. A statement the author makes that tells what the text is about but does not try to convince the reader.
B. A statement the author makes that provides ideas from an outside source.
C. The statement the speaker makes that can be supported or proven with reasons and evidence.
D. A statement the author includes to make the text more interesting without trying to prove it.
C. The statement the speaker makes that can be supported or proven with reasons and evidence.
Claim: The invention of the printing press helped spread new ideas quickly.
Which evidence supports the claim?
A. Early books were often decorated with colorful illustrations.
B. Many people collected books as treasured family items.
C. Printed materials could be produced faster and shared with more people.
D. Handmade books took a long time to write and copy.
C. Printed materials could be produced faster and shared with more people.
Claim: Students should have more time for physical activity during the school day.
Which reason does NOT support the claim?
A. Physical activity can improve students’ overall health.
B. Exercise helps students focus better in class.
C. Movement breaks can reduce stress and boost energy.
D. Some students like to draw or read instead of being active.
D. Some students like to draw or read instead of being active.
What does relevant mean?
A. Information that is interesting or exciting but may not actually help explain or understand the topic
B. A fact or idea that is true but does not help explain or understand the topic
C. Something that is connected to the topic and helps explain or understand it. It matters to what you’re talking or writing about.
D. Details that describe something in great depth, even if they don’t relate to the topic
C. Something that is connected to the topic and helps explain or understand it. It matters to what you’re talking or writing about.
What does it mean to be skeptical?
A. To believe everything you hear right away
B. To doubt something and want proof before believing it.
C. To feel excited about every new idea
D. To agree with others without asking questions
B. To doubt something and want proof before believing it.
Which of the following is NOT a claim?
A. Schools should offer more after-school clubs for students.
B. Having a pet can improve a person’s mental health.
C. Many dogs are adopted from shelters each year.
D. Cities need to create more safe biking paths.
C. Many dogs are adopted from shelters each year.
Claim: Planting trees can help reduce air pollution.
Which evidence supports the claim?
A. Trees can grow in many different climates around the world.
B. Some trees lose their leaves during certain seasons of the year.
C. Trees absorb harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide from the air.
D. Many cities plant trees to make neighborhoods look more attractive.
C. Trees absorb harmful pollutants like carbon dioxide from the air.
Claim: Schools should teach students how to manage money.
Which reason does NOT support the claim?
A. Learning about money helps students make responsible financial choices.
B. Understanding budgeting can prepare students for adult life.
C. Many students enjoy spending money with friends after school.
D. Money lessons help student avoid future financial problems.
C. Many students enjoy spending money with friends after school.
2. What does the word argument mean when evaluating what an author is trying to prove in a text?
A. A writer’s position on an issue that is supported by reasons and evidence.
B. A set of opinions that describe how someone feels about a subject.
C. A statement of facts that list important details from a passage.
D. A fight or disagreement between two people about a topic.
A. A writer’s position on an issue that is supported by reasons and evidence.
What is an excerpt?
A. A summary that explains the entire story
B. A small piece of writing taken from a longer text.
C. A picture that shows what happens in a story
D. A list of all the chapters in a book
B. A small piece of writing taken from a longer text.