RLA Structuring the Extended Response 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of evidence is most appropriate to cite in a GED Extended Response?
- Personal opinions formed before reading the passages
- Specific details, examples, and reasoning drawn directly from the provided source texts (Correct answer)
- General knowledge the writer has from outside reading
- Statistics memorized from previous study sessions
Correct answer: Specific details, examples, and reasoning drawn directly from the provided source texts
The Extended Response must be grounded in the provided passages; unsupported outside claims do not count as textual evidence.
Question 2: A writer realizes her second body paragraph lacks a clear connection to her thesis. What is the best revision strategy?
- Delete the paragraph entirely to shorten the essay
- Add a sentence at the end of the paragraph explaining how it supports the thesis (Correct answer)
- Move the paragraph to the conclusion
- Replace the paragraph with another direct quotation
Correct answer: Add a sentence at the end of the paragraph explaining how it supports the thesis
Adding an explicit link between the paragraph's evidence and the thesis restores coherence without discarding relevant content.
Question 3: Which approach best demonstrates high-level critical thinking in the Extended Response?
- Summarizing both passages in equal detail without comparison
- Evaluating the quality of evidence and identifying weaknesses in the opposing argument (Correct answer)
- Writing as many paragraphs as possible regardless of content quality
- Using the most difficult vocabulary words available
Correct answer: Evaluating the quality of evidence and identifying weaknesses in the opposing argument
Evaluating evidence quality and exposing flaws in the opposing argument shows the analytical depth the scoring rubric rewards most.
Question 4: What distinguishes a claim from evidence in argumentative writing?
- A claim is a fact; evidence is an opinion about that fact
- A claim is an assertion the writer must prove; evidence is the support used to prove it (Correct answer)
- A claim is longer than evidence in a well-structured paragraph
- A claim must always come at the end of the paragraph
Correct answer: A claim is an assertion the writer must prove; evidence is the support used to prove it
Claims state the writer's position and require proof; evidence provides that proof through facts, examples, or reasoning from the source.
Question 5: A writer's introduction ends with: 'This essay will discuss both sides of the issue.' Why is this a weak thesis?
- It is grammatically incorrect
- It fails to take a position and does not tell the reader what argument the essay will make (Correct answer)
- It is too specific about the essay's content
- It mentions both sides, which is not allowed in an Extended Response
Correct answer: It fails to take a position and does not tell the reader what argument the essay will make
The Extended Response requires the writer to argue for one position; a thesis must state that position clearly, not simply announce a topic.
Question 6: How long should the Extended Response typically be, given the 45-minute time limit?
- One well-developed paragraph of at least 15 sentences
- Three to five paragraphs with an introduction, body, and conclusion (Correct answer)
- A single page of bullet points covering all key ideas
- As many pages as the writer can produce regardless of organization
Correct answer: Three to five paragraphs with an introduction, body, and conclusion
A three-to-five paragraph essay with introduction, developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion fits the time limit and meets the rubric's structure expectations.
Question 7: Which revision would most improve this sentence: 'The passage kind of shows that the author thinks maybe the policy is bad'?
- 'The passage shows that the author thinks the policy is bad in many ways.'
- 'The author argues in the passage that the policy is harmful, citing [specific evidence].' (Correct answer)
- 'Maybe the passage is showing the author's view about the bad policy.'
- 'The passage kind of reveals the author's negative view of the policy.'
Correct answer: 'The author argues in the passage that the policy is harmful, citing [specific evidence].'
Eliminating hedging language ('kind of,' 'maybe') and adding specific evidence creates a direct, authoritative claim appropriate for formal academic writing.
RLA Structuring the Extended Response 4
Which type of evidence is most appropriate to cite in a GED Extended Response?