SBAC - Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organizational structure is most effective for presenting an argument in a Grade 8 essay?
- List all supporting details first, then state the claim at the end
- State the claim, provide supporting evidence, address a counterclaim, and conclude with a call to action (Correct answer)
- Write one long paragraph that mixes the claim, evidence, and personal feelings
- Begin with a counterclaim and never introduce your own position
Correct answer: State the claim, provide supporting evidence, address a counterclaim, and conclude with a call to action
Effective argumentative essays state the claim early, support it with evidence, acknowledge and refute opposing views, and end with a strong conclusion. This structure guides the reader logically through the argument.
Question 2: A student writes: 'Some people think homework is harmful, but studies show that moderate homework improves academic performance.' What is the function of the first part of this sentence?
- It introduces the student's main claim
- It provides statistical evidence
- It acknowledges a counterclaim before presenting the argument (Correct answer)
- It serves as a transition to a new paragraph
Correct answer: It acknowledges a counterclaim before presenting the argument
The phrase 'Some people think homework is harmful' acknowledges an opposing viewpoint (counterclaim) before the writer pivots to defend their own position with evidence, which is a hallmark of strong argumentation.
Question 3: Which sentence contains the weakest evidence for an argumentative essay?
- A 2023 CDC report found that teens who sleep at least nine hours perform better on standardized tests.
- According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness reduces student anxiety by 30%.
- I personally feel that school lunches should be healthier because my friend agrees with me. (Correct answer)
- Research published in the Journal of Education shows a link between class size and student achievement.
Correct answer: I personally feel that school lunches should be healthier because my friend agrees with me.
Personal feelings and anecdotal agreement from a friend are not credible evidence. Strong argumentative essays rely on data, expert sources, and peer-reviewed research rather than personal opinion.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay?
- To introduce new evidence that was not mentioned in the body paragraphs
- To restate the claim in exactly the same words used in the introduction
- To reinforce the argument by synthesizing key points and leaving the reader with a final impression (Correct answer)
- To apologize for any weaknesses in the argument presented
Correct answer: To reinforce the argument by synthesizing key points and leaving the reader with a final impression
A strong conclusion synthesizes — rather than simply repeats — the main argument and evidence, reminding the reader why the claim is valid and often ending with a broader implication or call to action.
Question 5: A student wants to strengthen the following sentence: 'Social media is bad for teenagers.' Which revision best turns it into a focused, arguable claim?
- Social media is really, really bad and everyone knows it.
- Excessive social media use among teenagers correlates with increased rates of anxiety and decreased academic performance. (Correct answer)
- Some people like social media, but others do not, so it is complicated.
- Social media platforms were created by companies that want to make money.
Correct answer: Excessive social media use among teenagers correlates with increased rates of anxiety and decreased academic performance.
A strong claim is specific, focused, and debatable. The revised sentence identifies who is affected (teenagers), what the effect is (anxiety, lower academic performance), and uses precise language that can be supported with evidence.
Question 6: Which transition word or phrase best signals that a writer is about to introduce a counterclaim?
- Furthermore
- In addition
- Admittedly (Correct answer)
- As a result
Correct answer: Admittedly
'Admittedly' signals that the writer is conceding a point to the opposing side before refuting it. Words like 'Furthermore' and 'In addition' add supporting points, while 'As a result' shows cause and effect.
SBAC - Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments 1
Which organizational structure is most effective for presenting an argument in a Grade 8 essay?