Prove Your Point
What is a claim?
The debatable position that the writer presents and defends
What two things do readers combine to make an inference?
Clues or evidence from the text and relevant knowledge they already have (prior knowledge).
Read the sentence:
Instead of an elaborate display, the students chose a modest arrangement with just two photographs and a short caption.
Which word best replaces modest?
A. Expensive
B. Simple
C. Unfinished
D. Colorful
B. Simple.
An author’s point of view in nonfiction is the author’s:
A. Perspective on the topic
B. List of sources
C. Opposing argument
D. Definition of an unfamiliar word
A. Perspective on the topic.
What is the speaker’s point of view?
The school should hold a monthly student art showcase.
Read the passage:
Our school should offer a basic first-aid course. Students could learn how to respond to common injuries and recognize when to call for help.
What is the author’s claim?
Our school should offer a basic first-aid course.
Read the passage:
Before leaving for the trail, Elena checked the weather forecast, packed an extra layer, and placed a paper map beside her phone.
What can you reasonably infer about Elena?
She is preparing for possible problems or changing conditions.
Read the sentence:
Hikers should carry potable water—that is, water that is safe to drink.
What does potable mean, and which context clue tells you?
Safe to drink. The phrase after “that is” defines the word.
Read the passage:
Schools should preserve time for independent reading. Students need opportunities to explore books that match their interests. Having regular reading time also gives students a chance to build reading habits.
What is the author’s main argument?
Schools should preserve time for independent reading.
Which detail is irrelevant to the speaker’s argument?
The school opened more than fifty years ago.
A student claims that the school’s new water-bottle filling stations have reduced disposable bottle waste.
Which detail best supports the claim?
A. The stations are located near the cafeteria.
B. Many students prefer cold water.
C. A school waste audit found 30% fewer disposable bottles after the stations were installed.
D. The school mascot appears above each station.
C. It provides measurable evidence directly related to disposable bottle waste.
Read the details:
Which two details best support the inference that members are willing to give extra time to help the club succeed?
Details 2 and 3.
The prefix anti- means “against.”
The town installed anti-littering signs near the park.
What does anti-littering mean?
Against littering; intended to discourage littering.
Read the passage:
The town should create a community garden. It would give residents space to grow food and learn gardening skills. The town’s water tower was painted blue last summer. Neighbors could also share tools and advice.
Which sentence is irrelevant to the argument?
“The town’s water tower was painted blue last summer.”
Which statement is an overgeneralization? Explain why.
“Every student who joins a club becomes confident and successful.”
Read the passage:
The outdoor club teaches several practical skills. Members practice reading trail maps, building temporary shelters, and signaling for help. The club adviser also believes that joining the club makes every student a better leader.
Which claim is supported with specific examples?
The outdoor club teaches several practical skills.
Read the passage:
Several students said they could not attend tutoring because they rode the bus immediately after school. The school began offering a late bus on tutoring days. Over the following month, tutoring attendance increased.
What can you infer about the relationship between transportation and tutoring attendance?
Access to transportation likely helped more students attend tutoring.
Read the sentence:
The team captain barked instructions at the new players.
What is the connotation of barked, and what word could replace it to make the sentence more neutral?
It has a negative or harsh connotation, suggesting an abrupt, commanding tone. Gave or said would be more neutral.
Read the passage:
The school should allow students to eat lunch outdoors. Some people argue that students would leave trash behind. However, the school could provide clearly marked bins and have students check their tables before returning inside.
How do the last two sentences relate to the main argument?
They introduce a counterclaim about trash and respond with a possible solution.
What is the error in the speaker’s reasoning?
The speaker assumes one small change will lead to an extreme chain of consequences without evidence.
Read the passage:
The school should extend library hours. A student survey found that 64 students wanted a quiet place to study after school. During a two-week trial, an average of 28 students used the library each afternoon.
Which statement is not supported?
A. Some students want an after-school study space.
B. Students used the library during the trial.
C. The author favors extending library hours.
D. Longer library hours will improve every student’s grades.
D. The passage provides no grade data and does not support a claim about every student.
Read the passage:
A neighborhood’s annual storytelling festival once featured only live performances in the town square. Organizers later added recordings for residents who could not attend. This year, some storytellers also submitted videos. Live performances remain part of the celebration.
Which conclusion is best supported?
A. Traditions can adapt while keeping parts of their original form.
B. Recorded performances are always better than live events.
C. Most residents no longer enjoy storytelling.
D. Technology eventually eliminates every tradition.
A. The festival added new formats while keeping live storytelling.
Read the passage:
Preparing for an emergency is a woven rope. Supplies form one strand, knowledge forms another, and practice forms a third. Relying on only one strand leaves the rope weaker than it could be.
What does this extended metaphor suggest about emergency preparation?
Strong preparation combines supplies, knowledge, and practice. Depending on only one part is less effective.
Read the passage:
Digital maps can be useful because they update quickly and provide directions. However, hikers should also carry a paper map. A paper map remains available when a device loses power or service. Some hikers argue that carrying both is unnecessary, but a lightweight backup can help when technology fails.
Which statement best describes the author’s overall position?
A. Hikers should stop using digital maps.
B. Paper maps are useful only for experienced hikers.
C. Digital maps are helpful, but hikers should carry a paper backup.
D. Phones always fail during hikes.
C. Digital maps are helpful, but hikers should carry a paper backup.
What is the strongest evaluation of the evidence?
A. It is sufficient because the speaker is confident.
B. It is limited because the speaker offers reasoning but no research or data supporting the predicted results.
C. It is irrelevant because older students cannot give advice.
D. It proves every student will earn better grades.
B. It is limited because the speaker offers reasoning but no research or data supporting the predicted results.