SBAC - Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium ELA Grade 8 Writing Arguments 1

Question 1

Which organizational structure is most effective for presenting an argument in a Grade 8 essay?

Accepted Answer

State the claim, provide supporting evidence, address a counterclaim, and conclude with a call to action

Answer

List all supporting details first, then state the claim at the end

Answer

Write one long paragraph that mixes the claim, evidence, and personal feelings

Answer

Begin with a counterclaim and never introduce your own position

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?

Accepted Answer

It acknowledges a counterclaim before presenting the argument

Answer

It introduces the student's main claim

Answer

It provides statistical evidence

Answer

It serves as a transition to a new paragraph

Question 3

Which sentence contains the weakest evidence for an argumentative essay?

Accepted Answer

I personally feel that school lunches should be healthier because my friend agrees with me.

Answer

A 2023 CDC report found that teens who sleep at least nine hours perform better on standardized tests.

Answer

According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness reduces student anxiety by 30%.

Answer

Research published in the Journal of Education shows a link between class size and student achievement.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a concluding paragraph in an argumentative essay?

Accepted Answer

To reinforce the argument by synthesizing key points and leaving the reader with a final impression

Answer

To introduce new evidence that was not mentioned in the body paragraphs

Answer

To restate the claim in exactly the same words used in the introduction

Answer

To apologize for any weaknesses in the argument presented

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?

Accepted Answer

Excessive social media use among teenagers correlates with increased rates of anxiety and decreased academic performance.

Answer

Social media is really, really bad and everyone knows it.

Answer

Some people like social media, but others do not, so it is complicated.

Answer

Social media platforms were created by companies that want to make money.

Question 6

Which transition word or phrase best signals that a writer is about to introduce a counterclaim?

Accepted Answer

Admittedly

Answer

Furthermore

Answer

In addition

Answer

As a result