SBAC Grade 7 ELA 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In an argumentative essay, what is the PURPOSE of a counterclaim?
- To provide a summary of the main argument
- To acknowledge an opposing viewpoint before refuting it (Correct answer)
- To introduce new evidence that supports your claim
- To restate the thesis statement
Correct answer: To acknowledge an opposing viewpoint before refuting it
A counterclaim acknowledges the opposing side's argument, which strengthens your essay by showing you have considered multiple perspectives.
Question 2: Which transition word BEST signals a contrast between two ideas?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- However (Correct answer)
- Additionally
Correct answer: However
'However' signals a contrast or shift in ideas, connecting two different or opposing points.
Question 3: A student writes: 'The team played good in the championship game.' What revision makes this sentence grammatically correct?
- The team played goodly in the championship game.
- The team played well in the championship game. (Correct answer)
- The team played better in the championship game.
- The team played the best in the championship game.
Correct answer: The team played well in the championship game.
'Well' is the correct adverb form to describe how the team played; 'good' is an adjective and cannot modify the verb 'played.'
Question 4: What is the MAIN purpose of a thesis statement in an argumentative essay?
- To provide background information about the topic
- To list all the evidence that will be used
- To state the writer's main claim or position on a topic (Correct answer)
- To summarize what other writers have said
Correct answer: To state the writer's main claim or position on a topic
A thesis statement clearly states the writer's main claim or position, which guides the entire argument throughout the essay.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct comma usage with a coordinating conjunction?
- She studied hard, but she still felt nervous. (Correct answer)
- She studied hard but, she still felt nervous.
- She studied hard but she still, felt nervous.
- She studied, hard but she still felt nervous.
Correct answer: She studied hard, but she still felt nervous.
A comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction (but, and, or, so) when it connects two independent clauses.
Question 6: In an explanatory essay, which type of evidence is MOST appropriate to include?
- Personal opinions and feelings
- Facts, statistics, and expert quotations (Correct answer)
- Creative descriptions and imagery
- Predictions about the future
Correct answer: Facts, statistics, and expert quotations
Explanatory essays rely on facts, statistics, and expert quotations to inform and explain a topic objectively.
Question 7: A writer wants to add a sentence to their paragraph to improve coherence. What should that sentence do?
- Introduce a completely new topic
- Contradict the main idea of the paragraph
- Connect to and support the paragraph's central idea (Correct answer)
- Summarize the entire essay
Correct answer: Connect to and support the paragraph's central idea
To improve coherence, a new sentence should logically connect to and support the paragraph's central idea, keeping the writing unified.
SBAC Grade 7 ELA 2
In an argumentative essay, what is the PURPOSE of a counterclaim?