NJGPA Evaluation Content and Structure 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student evaluating a nonfiction text notices the author repeatedly uses emotionally charged words like 'catastrophic' and 'devastating' rather than neutral language. This technique is intended to:
- Provide objective data
- Manipulate the reader's emotions rather than reason (Correct answer)
- Build logical credibility
- Establish the author's qualifications
Correct answer: Manipulate the reader's emotions rather than reason
Loaded language is designed to trigger emotional responses and bypass critical evaluation of the argument's logic.
Question 2: In a research-based essay, which sentence functions as an effective topic sentence for a body paragraph?
- There are many opinions about this topic.
- Studies show that regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 35%. (Correct answer)
- This paragraph will discuss exercise benefits.
- Exercise is good for people in many ways.
Correct answer: Studies show that regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by up to 35%.
An effective topic sentence makes a specific, supportable claim that the rest of the paragraph will develop with evidence.
Question 3: When an author presents two opposing viewpoints side by side to highlight their differences, which text structure is being used?
- Sequential
- Descriptive
- Compare and contrast (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
Correct answer: Compare and contrast
The compare-and-contrast structure is specifically designed to examine similarities and differences between two or more subjects.
Question 4: A conclusion that simply repeats the introduction word for word is considered weak because it:
- Uses too many transition words
- Fails to synthesize ideas or leave the reader with a lasting impression (Correct answer)
- Is too short for an effective conclusion
- Introduces new arguments at the end
Correct answer: Fails to synthesize ideas or leave the reader with a lasting impression
An effective conclusion synthesizes the essay's ideas and reinforces significance rather than merely restating what was already said.
Question 5: Which of the following is the BEST example of an irrelevant detail that should be removed from an argumentative essay about public transportation?
- Statistics on bus ridership in major cities
- A quote from an urban planning expert
- A description of the author's favorite food (Correct answer)
- Data comparing carbon emissions of cars vs. buses
Correct answer: A description of the author's favorite food
Information about the author's food preferences has no bearing on the argument about public transportation and disrupts the essay's focus.
Question 6: A writer uses the structure: Claim → Evidence → Reasoning → Conclusion. The 'Reasoning' step primarily serves to:
- Restate the claim
- Explain how the evidence supports the claim (Correct answer)
- Introduce new evidence
- Summarize the entire essay
Correct answer: Explain how the evidence supports the claim
Reasoning bridges the gap between evidence and claim by explaining the logical connection between them.
Question 7: An author writing about the benefits of renewable energy includes a paragraph acknowledging the high installation costs of solar panels. This inclusion demonstrates:
- A logical fallacy
- Intellectual honesty that strengthens credibility (Correct answer)
- An off-topic digression
- Weak argumentation
Correct answer: Intellectual honesty that strengthens credibility
Acknowledging limitations or counterarguments shows intellectual honesty and builds the author's ethos with the reader.
NJGPA Evaluation Content and Structure 3
A student evaluating a nonfiction text notices the author repeatedly uses emotionally charged words like 'catastrophic' and 'devastating' rather than neutral language.
This technique is intended to: