RLA Structuring the Extended Response 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The GED Extended Response prompt asks you to determine which argument is better supported. What does 'better supported' primarily mean?
- The argument written by the more famous author
- The argument with more emotional appeal and vivid language
- The argument backed by stronger evidence and sound reasoning (Correct answer)
- The argument that is longer and more detailed
Correct answer: The argument backed by stronger evidence and sound reasoning
A better-supported argument relies on relevant, credible evidence and logical reasoning rather than length or emotional appeal.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy that would weaken an Extended Response argument?
- Using statistics from the passage to support a claim
- Concluding that because two events occurred together, one caused the other (Correct answer)
- Acknowledging an opposing view and then refuting it
- Paraphrasing the author's key points accurately
Correct answer: Concluding that because two events occurred together, one caused the other
Assuming causation from correlation (post hoc fallacy) is a logical error that undermines the credibility of an argument.
Question 3: When paraphrasing source material in the Extended Response, what must the writer ensure?
- The paraphrase uses the same sentence structure as the original
- The meaning is accurately preserved and the connection to the thesis is clear (Correct answer)
- The paraphrase is longer than the original passage excerpt
- Every word from the original is replaced with a synonym
Correct answer: The meaning is accurately preserved and the connection to the thesis is clear
Effective paraphrase captures the original meaning in the writer's own words and links it clearly to the argument being made.
Question 4: A writer wants to show the reader that she is moving from one supporting point to the next. Which technique best accomplishes this?
- Starting each new paragraph with 'In conclusion'
- Using transitional expressions such as 'Furthermore' or 'In addition' (Correct answer)
- Leaving a blank line between paragraphs
- Repeating the thesis word for word at the start of each paragraph
Correct answer: Using transitional expressions such as 'Furthermore' or 'In addition'
Transitional expressions signal logical connections between ideas and guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next.
Question 5: Which strategy best helps a writer maintain a formal tone throughout the Extended Response?
- Using contractions freely to sound natural and conversational
- Avoiding first-person pronouns and colloquial expressions (Correct answer)
- Including personal stories and emotional reactions
- Writing very short sentences to keep ideas simple
Correct answer: Avoiding first-person pronouns and colloquial expressions
Formal academic writing avoids contractions, slang, and casual language, relying instead on precise vocabulary and complete sentences.
Question 6: In the context of the Extended Response, what is the role of the thesis statement?
- To summarize both passages without taking a position
- To state the writer's central claim that all body paragraphs will support (Correct answer)
- To list every piece of evidence that will appear in the essay
- To ask a question that the body paragraphs will answer
Correct answer: To state the writer's central claim that all body paragraphs will support
The thesis is the controlling idea of the essay; every body paragraph must connect back to it to create a unified argument.
Question 7: A student writes: 'Passage 1 is good. Passage 2 is also good.' Why is this an ineffective analysis?
- It uses the word 'also,' which is a weak transition
- It makes vague value judgments without evaluating specific evidence or reasoning (Correct answer)
- It refers to the passages by number instead of by author
- It is too short to serve as a topic sentence
Correct answer: It makes vague value judgments without evaluating specific evidence or reasoning
Effective analysis identifies specific evidence and explains why it strengthens or weakens an argument rather than offering vague praise.
RLA Structuring the Extended Response 3
The GED Extended Response prompt asks you to determine which argument is better supported.
What does 'better supported' primarily mean?