Writing Argumentative

Respuesta correcta: A) An introduction with the position, body paragraphs with evidence, and a conclusion.

• A) An introduction with the position, body paragraphs with evidence, and a conclusion.Correct! An argument needs a claim, support and a closing statement of the result.
• B) A single paragraph that states the opinion without explanation.A single unsupported sentence is an assertion, not an argument.
• C) A narrative that recounts a personal experience in order.A personal narrative is a mode of narration, not a structure of argument.
• D) A list of definitions with no position taken.A list of definitions takes no position and supports no claim.

Respuesta correcta: B) Schools should replace the written exam with a portfolio of work.

• A) The written exam has problems.'The written exam has problems' is vague because it does not say which problems.
• B) Schools should replace the written exam with a portfolio of work.Correct! The sentence states a clear, contestable position with a concrete proposal.
• C) Exams exist.'Exams exist' is a fact that nobody disputes, so it cannot be argued.
• D) Some students dislike exams.'Some students dislike exams' reports a reaction rather than making a claim.

Respuesta correcta: C) A comparison of results in two schools with different timetables.

• A) The opinion of the school principal.An opinion is not evidence, and using one weakens the argument.
• B) A description of what a classroom looks like.A description of a room shows nothing about results.
• C) A comparison of results in two schools with different timetables.Correct! A comparison of results between two timetables is measurable evidence that can confirm or refute the claim.
• D) A statement that students find long days tiring.A statement about tiredness is an impression, and it may support the opposite claim.

Respuesta correcta: D) Critics point out that longer days reduce time for sport.

• A) Longer days are not always practical.The first sentence expresses the writer's own doubt and weakens the position.
• B) Some teachers prefer shorter days.The second sentence is a personal preference and not a formulated argument.
• C) Longer days need a timetable.The third sentence is a practical note, not an opposing claim.
• D) Critics point out that longer days reduce time for sport.Correct! Naming the objectors and stating their point clearly is what presenting a counterargument means.

Respuesta correcta: A) Admittedly

• A) AdmittedlyCorrect! 'Admittedly' signals that the writer accepts the opposing point for the sake of the argument.
• B) Therefore'Therefore' presents a consequence and concedes nothing.
• C) Moreover'Moreover' adds a supporting point and creates no concession.
• D) Hence'Hence' is a result connective and likewise concedes nothing.

Respuesta correcta: B) The strength of the evidence and the quality of the reasoning.

• A) The number of words used to present them.Length is not a measure of quality, and a long argument can still be weak.
• B) The strength of the evidence and the quality of the reasoning.Correct! Evidence and reasoning decide the strength of an argument; nothing else does.
• C) The confidence with which the writer states the claim.Confidence is a matter of tone and says nothing about the truth of a claim.
• D) The order in which the arguments are presented.The order of presentation is a matter of style, not of argument.

Respuesta correcta: C) The survey covered only students from one school.

• A) The survey was published last year.The date of publication is a fact about the source, not a limitation of its conclusions.
• B) The survey contains forty questions.The number of questions is a description of the instrument, not a weakness.
• C) The survey covered only students from one school.Correct! Restricting the sample to one school limits how far the results can be generalised.
• D) The survey was carried out online.The method of collection is a neutral detail unless it introduces a bias.

Respuesta correcta: D) Longer days are tiring, but the evidence on results outweighs that concern.

• A) Longer days are tiring and I agree with that.The first sentence abandons the original position instead of defending it.
• B) Longer days are tiring, so the school should not change.The second sentence gives in to the counterargument.
• C) Longer days are tiring, and that is the main point.The third sentence treats the objection as the writer's own claim.
• D) Longer days are tiring, but the evidence on results outweighs that concern.Correct! The sentence states the objection and then answers it, which is concession plus refutation in one structure.

Respuesta correcta: A) The central point is that

• A) The central point is thatCorrect! 'The central point is that' announces the claim the paragraph will develop.
• B) Interestingly'Interestingly' comments on the material without introducing a claim.
• C) In the end'In the end' belongs to a conclusion, not to a body paragraph.
• D) At first'At first' belongs to an account of a sequence, not to an argument.

Respuesta correcta: B) For these reasons, the change should be implemented next term.

• A) The change has many sides.The first sentence is vague and closes nothing.
• B) For these reasons, the change should be implemented next term.Correct! The sentence gathers the reasons and repeats the position, which is the function of a conclusion.
• C) Some people are worried about the change.The third sentence reports a reaction that the essay was supposed to answer.
• D) The change was discussed in three meetings.The fourth sentence recounts a process and is not a conclusion.

Respuesta correcta: C) demonstrate

• A) shout'Shout' is informal and unrelated to evidence.
• B) happen'Happen' describes an event and does not take a clause as its object.
• C) demonstrateCorrect! 'Demonstrate' means to show clearly that something holds, which is the function of evidence.
• D) arrive'Arrive' describes movement towards a place and cannot introduce a claim.

Respuesta correcta: D) Some students prefer quiet places, while others need noise to concentrate.

• A) Quiet is the best condition for study.'Quiet is the best' is an absolute claim with no evidence behind it.
• B) I cannot concentrate with noise.'I cannot concentrate' is a single personal experience.
• C) Study is best done in silence.'Study is best done in silence' generalises from an unstated basis.
• D) Some students prefer quiet places, while others need noise to concentrate.Correct! The sentence reports two preferences without claiming that either is universally better.

Respuesta correcta: A) Present both positions fairly, weigh them with stated criteria and defend the choice.

• A) Present both positions fairly, weigh them with stated criteria and defend the choice.Correct! Weighing two positions against declared criteria is what turns a comparison into a reasoned choice.
• B) Present one position and ignore the other completely.Ignoring one position produces an unbalanced essay that a reader will not accept.
• C) Present the writer's position first and list the objections without answering them.Listing objections without answering them leaves the position unsupported.
• D) Alternate between the two positions sentence by sentence without a conclusion.Alternating without a conclusion gives the reader no result at the end.

Respuesta correcta: B) Taken together, the evidence favours the shorter timetable.

• A) The shorter timetable saves time.The first sentence states a benefit that could appear anywhere in the body.
• B) Taken together, the evidence favours the shorter timetable.Correct! The phrase 'taken together' shows that the sentence gathers the previous points instead of adding one.
• C) A shorter timetable is convenient.The third sentence is a single claim that still needs support.
• D) Time is limited.The fourth sentence is a general statement that closes nothing.

Respuesta correcta: C) According to the report published in 2019, the figure is rising.

• A) Everybody knows the figure is rising.'Everybody knows' is not a source and claims agreement without evidence.
• B) It is obvious that the figure is rising.'It is obvious' removes the need for evidence entirely.
• C) According to the report published in 2019, the figure is rising.Correct! The sentence names the source and the date, which is what attribution requires.
• D) The figure is rising.The last sentence states the claim with no source at all.

Respuesta correcta: D) The research measured results after only four weeks.

• A) Group work develops communication skills.The first sentence supports the claim.
• B) Group work requires careful planning.The second sentence adds a condition that makes the claim more reasonable.
• C) Some students prefer to work alone.The third sentence is a fact that can be acknowledged in a balanced essay.
• D) The research measured results after only four weeks.Correct! A short measurement period limits what the results can show, so this sentence undermines the argument.

Respuesta correcta: A) Every claim should be supported by evidence or reasoning.

• A) Every claim should be supported by evidence or reasoning.Correct! Support is what separates an argument from a sequence of opinions.
• B) Every sentence should be longer than the previous one.Sentence length is a matter of style and has no bearing on the argument.
• C) Every paragraph should contain a question.A paragraph may ask a rhetorical question, but that is not a requirement.
• D) Every claim should avoid the use of connectives.Connectives are what make the relationships between claims visible, and avoiding them weakens the writing.

Respuesta correcta: B) Claim, explanation, evidence and a link back to the argument.

• A) Evidence, more evidence, and a repetition of the topic.The first sequence piles up support without explaining what it supports.
• B) Claim, explanation, evidence and a link back to the argument.Correct! The sequence states the point, explains it, supports it and returns to the whole argument.
• C) Question, answer, question and answer with no position.The third sequence offers a series of exchanges and never states a position.
• D) Definition, example, definition and example.The fourth sequence is a pattern of illustration with no argument in it.

Respuesta correcta: C) Economists argue that the measure will not reduce costs.

• A) The measure will not reduce costs.The first sentence asserts the claim in the writer's own voice.
• B) I think the measure will not reduce costs.The second sentence is a personal opinion, which is a different thing.
• C) Economists argue that the measure will not reduce costs.Correct! The sentence names who holds the view, so the reader can tell the opinion from the writer's own claim.
• D) It is clear that costs will not fall.The fourth sentence presents the claim as a fact and hides the source.

Respuesta correcta: D) Everyone knows that the proposal is the only solution.

• A) The proposal reduces costs by a measured amount.The first sentence is supported by measurement and is strong for a reason.
• B) The proposal may reduce costs slightly.The second sentence is a careful hedge and is honest about the size of the effect.
• C) The proposal is cheaper than the alternative.The third sentence is a limited comparison that does not overstate the case.
• D) Everyone knows that the proposal is the only solution.Correct! 'Everyone knows' and 'the only solution' claim universal agreement and exclusivity without any evidence.