SATs Analytical Writing & Argumentation 2

Question 1

A student writes: 'We should ban junk food in schools because my friend got sick after eating cafeteria pizza.' Which flaw best describes this argument?

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Drawing a broad conclusion from a single personal anecdote is a hasty generalization.

Question 2

Which sentence most clearly states a specific, arguable thesis for an SAT essay?

Accepted Answer

Unrestricted social media use in middle schools undermines academic performance by fragmenting students' attention.

Answer

An effective thesis is specific, debatable, and previews the argument's direction.

Question 3

In an argumentative essay, what is the PRIMARY purpose of acknowledging an opposing viewpoint?

Accepted Answer

To demonstrate understanding of the issue and strengthen your credibility

Answer

Addressing counterarguments shows intellectual fairness and makes your own argument more persuasive.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a causal claim rather than a correlational one?

Accepted Answer

Eating breakfast directly improves cognitive function, leading to higher test scores.

Answer

A causal claim explicitly asserts that one factor produces or causes an effect in another.

Question 5

An author argues: 'Either we raise the driving age to 21, or teen traffic deaths will continue to rise.' This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A false dichotomy

Answer

Presenting only two options when other solutions exist is a false dichotomy fallacy.

SATs (Standard Assessment Test) Practice Test

SATs (Standard Assessment Test) Practice Test

SATs Analytical Writing & Argumentation 2