Writing Argumentative Essay

Respuesta correcta: A) The thesis statement

• A) The thesis statementA thesis statement declares the writer's position and argument in one clear sentence, usually at the end of the intro.
• B) A body paragraphA body paragraph develops reasons and evidence to prove that thesis, so it states the position only indirectly.
• C) The conclusionThe conclusion sums up the arguments and leaves the reader with the final message, not the first claim.
• D) A counterargument sentenceA counterargument sentence concedes the opposing view so the writer can answer it later in the essay.

Respuesta correcta: C) Some drivers argue that bike lanes take too much road space.

• A) Bicycle lanes would make traffic safer and faster for everyone.This is a supporting reason for the writer's own position, so it belongs in a body paragraph, not a counterargument.
• B) In conclusion, San Jose should build more bicycle lanes.The phrase 'In conclusion' marks a closing move, so this sentence summarizes the argument instead of opposing it.
• C) Some drivers argue that bike lanes take too much road space.This sentence voices the opposing side's view, which is exactly what a counterargument does before the writer answers it.
• D) My essay discusses bike lanes, safety and road space.This sentence only names the parts of the essay, so it takes no side and cannot present an opposing view.

Respuesta correcta: B) High schools in Costa Rica should cut homework because it reduces sleep and motivation.

• A) Homework is something that students have.It names a topic but states no position, so the reader cannot tell what the writer wants to prove.
• B) High schools in Costa Rica should cut homework because it reduces sleep and motivation.It takes a clear position, names a reason, and is arguable, so it works as a thesis for a persuasive essay.
• C) Some students do not like homework.This reports a vague group feeling without an arguable claim, so it cannot guide body paragraphs.
• D) This essay will talk about homework and schools.This announces the topic instead of arguing a position, which makes it a topic sentence, not a thesis.

Respuesta correcta: D) It presents the thesis statement.

• A) It gives statistics about the city.Statistics belong in body paragraphs as evidence, not as the closing move of an introduction.
• B) It lists every paragraph of the essay.Outlining the paragraphs previews the structure, but an introduction ends with the position, not a list.
• C) It answers the strongest opposing view.Answering the opposing view happens in the body, after the thesis is already on the table.
• D) It presents the thesis statement.Introductions move from background to the writer's claim, so the thesis closes the paragraph and guides the body.

Respuesta correcta: A) Free bus fares in Alajuela would boost ridership and cut traffic, so the city should test them.

• A) Free bus fares in Alajuela would boost ridership and cut traffic, so the city should test them.It answers the prompt directly, takes a side, and gives a reason, which is what an effective thesis must do.
• B) Buses in Alajuela have fares and routes.This only states a fact about fares, so it leaves no argument for the reader to follow or disagree with.
• C) Fares are free in some cities.This is a fact about other cities, not a position on Alajuela, so the prompt is never really addressed.
• D) People in Alajuela can take the bus.This describes a service, not an opinion, so it cannot serve as the thesis of an argumentative essay.

Respuesta correcta: B) Monteverde hotels should fund reforestation, since tourism depends on the cloud forest.

• A) Tourism is very important for Monteverde.This is a fact about an industry, so it offers no position for the writer to defend or a reader to reject.
• B) Monteverde hotels should fund reforestation, since tourism depends on the cloud forest.It names who should act, what they should do, and why it matters, which makes the thesis specific and arguable.
• C) Many people visit Monteverde every year.This is a statistic about visitors, so it belongs in body paragraphs as background, not as the claim.
• D) My favourite place in Costa Rica is Monteverde.A personal preference cannot be argued with reasons and evidence, so it cannot serve as a thesis.

Respuesta correcta: D) It is too informal because it uses the word 'everyone'.

• A) It uses the word 'good', but key words are always allowed in essays.Key words from the prompt are welcome in a thesis, so the problem here is not the choice of words.
• B) It is a short sentence, and short sentences weaken an argument.Sentence length has no effect on argument quality; a short claim simply needs supporting evidence after it.
• C) It repeats the idea of the topic sentence instead of giving proof.This restates the paragraph's point in new words, so it adds no reason, example or statistic to prove it.
• D) It is too informal because it uses the word 'everyone'.The word 'everyone' is common in student writing; the real problem is that the sentence claims no evidence.

Respuesta correcta: A) Some residents say the extra night buses would increase noise complaints.

• A) Some residents say the extra night buses would increase noise complaints.This reports what an opposing group believes, which is the material a counterargument paragraph refutes.
• B) Night workers currently wait up to two hours for the last bus home.This is evidence for the writer's own claim, so it belongs in a body paragraph supporting the thesis.
• C) The city has run three different bus schedules in the last year.This is a neutral fact about the city's history, so it explains the topic without arguing either side.
• D) Later night service is exactly what ferry workers have asked the city for.This restates the thesis with a source, so it strengthens the writer's position instead of opposing it.

Respuesta correcta: C) Schools that cut homework now give students back the hours that training and rest require.

• A) In this essay I talked about homework, sports and school.This only lists the sections of the essay, so it is a summary of the structure and not a persuasive ending.
• B) Homework and sports are both important things in school life.This is a general observation about two topics, so it adds no argument and simply restates what is already clear.
• C) Schools that cut homework now give students back the hours that training and rest require.It returns to the thesis and extends it with a consequence, which is what a strong conclusion should do.
• D) I really liked writing about this topic for my essay.This comments on the writer's own writing, not on the topic, so it tells the reader nothing new.

Respuesta correcta: B) The school nurse counted 30 students treated for heat headaches last term.

• A) Trees are nice and everybody likes them.This is a general opinion with no evidence, so it shows the writer's taste rather than proving the need.
• B) The school nurse counted 30 students treated for heat headaches last term.Specific measured data from the school itself supports the claim and can be checked by the reader.
• C) Trees grow in many parts of Costa Rica.This only states where trees can grow, so it says nothing about conditions on this playground.
• D) My friend says the playground feels hot at noon.One friend's impression is anecdotal and unverified, so it is far weaker than recorded data.

Respuesta correcta: C) Some teachers argue that bins in classrooms create more mess than they solve.

• A) Recycling bins should be added to every classroom.This is the writer's own thesis, so it belongs in the introduction and not with the opposing position.
• B) Recycling protects the environment for future generations.This supports the thesis with a benefit, so it serves as a body paragraph reason rather than a counter claim.
• C) Some teachers argue that bins in classrooms create more mess than they solve.It names who disagrees and what they believe, which is precisely what the counterargument paragraph must present.
• D) In conclusion, schools should teach recycling from primary school.A closing statement like 'In conclusion' belongs at the end, so this sentence cannot open the opposing argument.

Respuesta correcta: A) Bikes help people in Turrialba get around town faster.

• A) Bikes help people in Turrialba get around town faster.This is a general true statement, so it gives the writer nothing to argue about and readers nothing to dispute.
• B) Public bicycle repair stations exist in many cities.This is a fact about other cities, so it gives context but takes no position on what Turrialba should do.
• C) Turrialba should build a public bike repair station near the main park.It states a clear proposal about a specific place, so readers can agree or disagree and the essay has a real question.
• D) My cousin rides a bicycle to work every morning.A single personal habit is an anecdote, not an arguable position that a whole essay could defend.

Respuesta correcta: D) Costa Rican high schools should start at 7:30 a.m. so students get more sleep.

• A) School is not perfect for anybody anywhere in the world.Adding 'anywhere in the world' keeps the claim vague, so the writer still avoids naming who should act.
• B) School is not perfect, and that is fine.Adding 'and that is fine' turns the complaint into agreement, so the thesis no longer argues for a change.
• C) School is the most perfect system that was ever built.Calling school the most perfect system contradicts the critical tone and drops the argument about start times.
• D) Costa Rican high schools should start at 7:30 a.m. so students get more sleep.It adds a specific actor, a concrete proposal and a reason, which turns a complaint into a defensible thesis.

Respuesta correcta: B) The ministry already publishes national water data every year, so local reports would add nothing.

• A) Only three families in Tibas read the newspaper, so reports reach few people.A small readership may limit impact, but it does not remove the public's right to know how their water is treated.
• B) The ministry already publishes national water data every year, so local reports would add nothing.Existing national data makes the local proposal redundant, which removes the writer's reason for asking for change.
• C) Water quality in Tibas has improved since the treatment plant was rebuilt.Improved quality supports the writer's concern and shows the system works, so it strengthens rather than weakens it.
• D) Reading about water takes time that students would rather spend playing sports.Saying people prefer other activities criticises their choices instead of the argument, so it is not a real objection.

Respuesta correcta: C) Over ten years the lower fuel and maintenance costs repay the price, plus grants cover part of it.

• A) Electric buses cost nothing, so the cost objection is simply false.Saying the cost is zero is factually untrue, so this reply loses credibility instead of answering the objection.
• B) The canton should think about money more carefully before buying anything new.This asks readers to agree on tone rather than reasons, so it offers no evidence to settle the money question.
• C) Over ten years the lower fuel and maintenance costs repay the price, plus grants cover part of it.It answers with a time frame, comparable costs and funding, so it meets the objection with evidence rather than slogans.
• D) Diesel buses are the cheapest option, so the canton should keep them.Restating the objection as the writer's conclusion abandons the thesis, so the argument collapses instead of being defended.

Respuesta correcta: D) This essay argues that Alajuela should build protected bike lanes and refutes the cost objection.

• A) This essay will describe the history of bicycles in Alajuela.Announcing a history is only a topic, so the plan never commits to a position the reader could debate.
• B) In this essay I will discuss my favourite bike and where I ride it.Focusing on a private favourite narrows the essay to the writer, so it cannot persuade the whole community.
• C) The word bike comes from English and refers to a two-wheeled vehicle.Defining the word 'bike' is a vocabulary step, so it prepares no argument at all about the town's transport.
• D) This essay argues that Alajuela should build protected bike lanes and refutes the cost objection.It names the stance and the objection to answer, which is exactly what an argumentative essay plan must promise.

Respuesta correcta: B) Reserving cloud forest trails will protect fragile habitats and keep local guides employed.

• A) Tourists should think about nature when they visit cloud forests.This is gentle advice with no proposal, so there is nothing for readers to support or reject in the essay.
• B) Reserving cloud forest trails will protect fragile habitats and keep local guides employed.It proposes one action and gives two benefits, so it is specific, arguable and supported by the paragraphs to follow.
• C) Monteverde is a beautiful place that many tourists like to visit.A compliment to the destination supports neither side of the debate, so it cannot carry an argumentative thesis.
• D) The trail system was built a long time ago and it is still used today.This historical note gives background context, which belongs in the introduction rather than in the thesis itself.

Respuesta correcta: C) Libraries in Heredia should remain open on Sundays so working students can study.

• A) Last year 4,300 people borrowed books on Saturdays.A yearly borrowing figure is evidence, so it belongs in a body paragraph that supports the thesis.
• B) Students who work weekends lose all library access during the week.This explains who loses access and why, so it works as a body reason that justifies the thesis.
• C) Libraries in Heredia should remain open on Sundays so working students can study.It states the position the whole essay defends, which is the thesis sentence that opens the introduction.
• D) Some people prefer buying books in a shop instead of borrowing them.This reports an opposing preference, so it belongs in the counterargument paragraph, not the introduction.

Respuesta correcta: A) Two thousand students work in the morning, so evening classes would let them keep studying.

• A) Two thousand students work in the morning, so evening classes would let them keep studying.It links a measurable group to a specific benefit, so the reason is relevant, checkable and supports the thesis.
• B) Evening classes sound nice and would probably be fun.A pleasant impression with 'probably' shows taste and doubt, so it proves nothing about student needs.
• C) The university has been the same for a long time.Pointing out that the university is old adds nothing to the case for new evening timetables.
• D) I would like evening classes for my own convenience.Personal convenience is a narrow motive and it ignores the wider benefit the essay claims for other students.

Respuesta correcta: D) Plastic bottles are everywhere in the world today.

• A) Students prefer cold water from fountains over warm tap water.This describes a preference, so it says nothing measurable about how much water the two systems consume.
• B) Bottle fillers are a modern idea that some schools already use.This proves that the idea exists elsewhere, but it gives no figure about water use in this school.
• C) Cleaning one fountain and refilling a bottle uses about eight times less water than washing a new bottle.The general remark offers no data, so a reader cannot judge whether bottles really waste water.
• D) Plastic bottles are everywhere in the world today.It compares quantified water use for both systems, so readers can verify the claim and accept it.