English 12A- Unit 5: For the Sake of Argument

Read the passage. I was waiting in line at the department store return counter. I got more and more frustrated. Calls were constantly being taken by the clerk on her cell phone. Which option shows the best way to revise the passage for clarity and cohesion?

As I waited in line at the department store's return counter, I became more and more frustrated because the clerk was constantly taking calls on her cell phone.

Read the sentence. Heather enjoys reading and discussing all kinds of books, and she belongs to two book clubs. Which option clarifies ideas in the sentence by adding a dependent clause?

Because Heather enjoys reading and discussing all kinds of books, she belongs to two book clubs.

Read the excerpt from "The Damned Human Race" by Mark Twain. Some of my experiments were quite curious. In the course of my reading I had come across a case where, many years ago, some hunters on our Great Plains organized a buffalo hunt for the entertainment of an English earl. They had charming sport. They killed seventy-two of those great animals; and ate part of one of them and left the seventy-one to rot. In order to determine the difference between an anaconda and an earl (if any) I caused seven young calves to be turned into the anaconda's cage. The grateful reptile immediately crushed one of them and swallowed it, then lay back satisfied. It showed no further interest in the calves, and no disposition to harm them. I tried this experiment with other anacondas; always with the same result. The fact stood proven that the difference between an earl and an anaconda is that the earl is cruel and the anaconda isn't; and that the earl wantonly destroys what he has no use for, but the anaconda doesn't. Which option most accurately explains how Twain's use of analogical reasoning strengthens his argument?

By comparing humans and animals, Twain highlights the glaring differences in the human and animal motives for killing. His highly effective use of analogical reasoning delineates the fact that brutality is a human trait, not an animal trait.

In Riley v. California, which fact helped the court determine that this case's search and seizure was unreasonable?

Cell phones do not pose an immediate physical to police officers; therefore, this search and seizure action was a violation of Fourth Amendment rights.

In which sentence is the word fruition used correctly?

I hope my goal will come to fruition.

In which option is the information presented correctly?

Jenny had to wash the car, buy groceries, and go to the bank before returning home.

Lesson 24

Legal Reasoning

Which sentence uses the word indemnity correctly?

Patrícia read through the construction contract to check that it provided adequate indemnity in case any structures were damaged.

Read the excerpt from "The Damned Human Race" by Mark Twain. Man is the Reasoning Animal. Such is the claim. I think it is open to dispute. Indeed, my experiments have proven to me that he is the Unreasoning Animal. Note his history, as sketched above. It seems plain to me that whatever he is, he is not a reasoning animal. His record is the fantastic record of a maniac. I consider that the strongest count against his intelligence is the fact that with that record back of him he blandly sets himself up as the head animal of the lot: whereas by his own standards he is the bottom one. In truth, man is incurably foolish. Simple things which the other animals easily learn, he is incapable of learning. Which option most effectively explains why Twain uses an anticipated counterclaim to strengthen his argument?

Rebutting the idea that man is the only rational animal helps Twain preemptively defend against those who argue man is superior.

Read the sentences. Sentence 1: For several minutes, the little girl in the ice-cream shop could not make up her mind about a flavor, but she finally chose a vanilla cone. Sentence 2: The little girl in the ice-cream shop finally chose a vanilla cone, although for several minutes she had not been able to make up her mind about a flavor. Which options correctly describe the differences between the structures of the two sentences? Select all that apply.

Sentence 1 is a compound sentence; Sentence 2 is a complex sentence. Sentence 2 changes the syntax to include a dependent clause.

Read the excerpt from the article "Participatory Journalism in the 21st Century." Today, print newspapers and television news are just one static part of the information puzzle. Online news, whether it is from a newspaper, a tweet, or a blog, provides instant updates and adjustments as events unfold. No longer are individuals passive consumers of news. People can now offer opinions on issues, contribute to specific news stories, and choose which news sites they frequent and how often they consume the news. People have more power than ever to control the type of information they receive in order to make sense of a complex and ever-changing world. Which response most accurately explains how the author uses deductive reasoning to strengthen the argument that in the information age, both the press and their audience create journalism?

The author makes a series of logical conclusions to prove that "individuals are no longer passive consumers of news."

Read the sentence. The blustery speaker, he has a reputation for making overblown statements and playing loose with facts, failed to win over the skeptical audience. Which option shows a way to make this sentence correct by using punctuation?

The blustery speaker—he has a reputation for making overblown statements and playing loose with facts—failed to win over the skeptical audience.

Read the excerpt from Betty Friedan's essay "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose." Enormous changes taking place in our society make it both possible and urgently necessary to advance the unfinished revolution of women toward true equality, now. With a life span lengthened to nearly 75 years it is no longer either necessary or possible for women to devote the greater part of their lives to child-rearing; yet childbearing and rearing—which continues to be a most important part of most women's lives—still is used to justify barring women from equal professional and economic participation and advance. Which response most accurately describes the relationship Friedan notes between life expectancy and equality?

The bulk of women's lives is no longer spent having and raising children, so there is no excuse to keep them from developing careers.

Which option correctly describes the function of the conclusion in the chain of legal reasoning?

The conclusion takes a position by explaining whether the rule applies to a set of facts presented in a court case.

If your friend told you that "starfish" is a misnomer, what question would you most likely ask your friend?

Why is the creature's name incorrect?

How can writers vary syntax in their writing? Select all that apply.

by including descriptive phrases and clauses by using a combination of simple and complex sentences

If you look in a thesaurus to find synonyms for the word anarchy, which words are you most likely to find? Select all that apply.

chaos disorder

In the chain of legal reasoning, the rule must be _[blank]_and _[blank]_. Which words correctly complete the sentence?

cited; stated

If a written agreement is not equitable, it is not _[blank]_. Which option best completes the sentence?

fair

A court's legal decision should always be based on _[blank]_. Which option best completes the sentence?

reasoning

Read the excerpt from "The Federalist No. 10" by James Madison. As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the latter will attach themselves. Which excerpts clearly identify the premises of this argument? Select all that apply.

0.25 of 1 As long as the reason of man continues fallible ... ... his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other ...

Which options accurately describe how the US Supreme Court's conclusion regarding Ingraham v. Wright compared with the decisions of the lower courts? Select all that apply.

0.25 of 1 It overruled the District Court's decision, which found that corporal punishment can be defined as cruel and unusual punishment. It overruled the Court of Appeals' decision, which found that the students were indeed subjected to cruel and unusual punishment.

Which options most accurately describe the main purposes of the letter "George W. Harkins to the American People"? Select all that apply.

0.25 of 1 to express Harkins's sentiments about the cruel relocation of the Choctaws to the West to provide information about the feelings of each of the native tribes during their relocation

Which option most accurately explains how an evaluation of the facts led to the conclusion of the case Riley v. California?

A search of a phone's digital contents represents a serious violation of individual rights to privacy; therefore, police need a warrant to examine a cell phone, even if the owner is under arrest.

Lesson 22

Advocacy in an Argument

Read the sentences. Water runs off after a storm. Water comes from places like lawns, streets, and parking lots. That water carries chemicals and contaminants. Oil is one contaminant. Which option shows how to most effectively combine this information using varying sentence structures?

After a storm, water runs off from places like lawns, streets, and parking lots. That water carries chemicals and contaminants, including oil.

Read the sentences. Carolyn forgot to set her alarm. She arrived at the theater in time for the performance. Which option best combines these sentences?

Although Carolyn forgot to set her alarm, she arrived at the theater in time for the performance.

Read the excerpt from Betty Friedan's essay "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose." Today's technology has reduced most of the productive chores which women once performed in the home and in mass-production industries based upon routine unskilled labor. This same technology has virtually eliminated the quality of muscular strength as a criterion for filling most jobs, while intensifying American industry's need for creative intelligence. In view of this new industrial revolution created by automation in the mid-twentieth century, women can and must participate in old and new fields of society in full equality—or become permanent outsiders. Which response most clearly evaluates Friedan's purpose for mentioning "muscular strength as a criterion for filling most jobs"?

Anticipating the counterargument, Friedan refutes the common idea that women are too weak to work, and she cites the shift in job requirements caused by technology.

Read the passage. Zach took an extended river cruise in Europe over the summer. He will not be able to afford a trip during his fall break. Which options most effectively revise the passage for cohesion? Select all that apply.

Because Zach took an extended river cruise in Europe over the summer, he will not be able to afford a trip during his fall break. Zach took an extended river cruise in Europe over the summer. As a result, he will not be able to afford a trip during his fall break.

Lesson 21

Breaking Down an Argument

In the court case Ingraham v. Wright, the court ruling determined that _[blank]_. Which option best completes the sentence?

Eighth Amendment protections do not apply in cases of corporal punishment in public schools

Lesson 23

Examining Constitutional Principles

Read the excerpt from "George W. Harkins to the American People." Taking an example from the American government, and knowing the happiness which its citizens enjoy under the influence of mild republican institutions, it is the intention of our countrymen to form a government assimilated to that of our white brethren in the United States, as nearly as their condition will permit. Which statement most accurately explains how Harkins uses a constitutional principle in the excerpt?

Harkins uses popular sovereignty to show that the native tribes should be able to govern themselves rather than submit to the control of the United States.

Jasmine is writing a letter to the editor in support of her town's plans to build a new public theater in the park. Which statement would make the most effective call to action in Jasmine's letter?

If you would like to see the arts thrive, please make a donation to the public theater fund.

Read the excerpt from the article "Bias in the Media." Consider the ideas of Walter Lippman, one of the most influential journalists of the 20th century. Beginning his career as a reporter, Lippman later became a speechwriter, a magazine and newspaper editor, an author, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and one of the most widely respected political journalists in the world. Lippman was born in 1889 and so came of age as a journalist as World War I unfolded. He became disillusioned with what he saw as the "error, illusion, and misinterpretation" of news reporting during war time. He critiqued the tendency of the press to present propaganda as truth and referred to this practice as the "manufacture of consent." Which option most accurately explains how inductive reasoning is used to convey the argument that journalists were engaging in the "manufacture of consent"?

Inductive reasoning is used to show what Walter Lippman discovered based on his observations of "error, illusion, and misinterpretation" in the reporting of news.

Read the excerpt from "US Supreme Court: Ingraham v. Wright." Elimination or curtailment of corporal punishment would be welcomed by many as a societal advance. But when such a policy choice may result from this Court's determination of an asserted right to due process, rather than from the normal processes of community debate and legislative action, the societal costs cannot be dismissed as insubstantial. Which option best explains how this information fits into the chain of legal reasoning?

It is part of the analysis in the case, because it considers whether local regulations could be limited if the court finds that students' rights were violated.

Which responses explain why "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose" is considered a work of public advocacy? Select all that apply.

It was written by a citizen working to improve America. It was published to inform the general public. It represents the views of a group that promotes equality for all.

Read the excerpt from President Thomas Jefferson's "Letter to John C. Breckinridge." This treaty must of course be laid before both Houses, because both have important functions to exercise respecting it. They, I presume, will see their duty to their country in ratifying & paying for it, so as to secure a good which would otherwise probably be never again in their power. But I suppose they must then appeal to the nation for an additional article to the Constitution, approving & confirming an act which the nation had not previously authorized. The constitution has made no provision for our holding foreign territory, still less for incorporating foreign nations into our Union. The Executive in seizing the fugitive occurrence which so much advances the good of their country, have done an act beyond the Constitution. The Legislature in casting behind them metaphysical subtleties, and risking themselves like faithful servants, must ratify & pay for it, and throw themselves on their country for doing for them unauthorized what we know they would have done for themselves had they been in a situation to do it. It is the case of a guardian, investing the money of his ward in purchasing an important adjacent territory; & saying to him when of age, I did this for your good; I pretend to no right to bind you: you may disavow me, and I must get out of the scrape as I can: I thought it my duty to risk myself for you. But we shall not be disavowed by the nation, and their act of indemnity will confirm & not weaken the Constitution, by more strongly marking out its lines. In the excerpt, President Jefferson is telling Attorney General Breckinridge that the legislative branch of the government should look over the treaty of the Louisiana Purchase. How effectively does Jefferson apply the constitutional principle of checks and balances to help convey his perspective?

Jefferson applies the principle of checks and balances effectively because he recognizes that any factors affecting the fair distribution of the newly acquired land need to be passed through all branches of government.

Read the sentence. When my aunt taught me to crochet, she told me it requires three things, yarn, a crochet hook, and endless patience. What is the best way to revise the sentence?

When my aunt taught me to crochet, she told me it requires three things: yarn, a crochet hook, and endless patience.

Read the excerpt from "Bias in the Media." It is impossible to consider today's press as truly objective in the face of so much evidence to the contrary, despite the profession's claims that objectivity is its highest goal. It is the failure to own up to this inherent bias that is most concerning. As always, most news sources subtly, or not so subtly, influence the news that the public is given. The question is, do people realize it? Lippman believed that the role of journalists was to interpret the news for the public so that individuals could make real choices and judgments based on the information that they were given. The public, consumed by daily life, might simply assume that information is neutral and unbiased. However, American journalism remains plagued by the same array of hidden and not so hidden agendas evident since revolutionary times. The fact that ordinary people may not notice—or, more specifically, care—is the truer threat to democracy. How effective is the author's support of the claim that the press is not always objective?

The support is not effective, because the author relies on only Lippmann as a source of information to support the claim, without considering any facts or examples from other reliable sources.

Read the excerpt from the article "Bias in the Media." On the contrary, it is wrong to believe that mainstream media has ever achieved true objectivity. Throughout American history, the press has been used as a political tool and as a way to promote particular points of view. For instance, prior to the American Revolution, revolutionary leaders such as Benjamin Franklin used emerging colonial newspapers to rally citizens to the cause of independence. Newspapers, including Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette, published political cartoons, news stories hostile to the British, and editorials clearly promoting revolution. In fact, newspapers were one of the primary tools in garnering support for independence from Britain. While the cause may have been noble, the newspapers were clearly a tool of persuasion rather than an objective chronicle of the day's events. This theme continues throughout American history. When John Adams was president, he signed the Sedition Act, a law that made it illegal to publish information that was overly critical of the president or Congress. When Thomas Jefferson was running for president he gave money to newspapers that would support him. Even during Abraham Lincoln's presidency, the government effectively shut down anti-Union newspapers by banning them from mail distribution. A warrant implied by the author is that media should be impartial, purely reporting facts with no personal perspectives or opinions. Based on Toulmin's Model, which option best evaluates how this warrant supports the author's argument?

The warrant is only somewhat effective; if the audience does not accept or understand the warrant that is implied, then the audience will not accept the argument that bias in the media is widespread and a danger to accurate reporting of news.

Which statements about the roots of the word subservient are incorrect? Select all that apply.

The word subservient contains the root "servus," which means "eat." The words servant and subservient do not share a root.

Read Betty Friedan's essay "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose." Which excerpt most clearly identifies a conclusion of Friedan's argument?

To this end, we urge American government and industry to mobilize the same resources of ingenuity and command with which they have solved problems of far greater difficulty than those now impeding the progress of women.

Read the excerpt from "The Damned Human Race" by Mark Twain. I find this Defect to be the Moral Sense. He is the only animal that has it. It is the secret of his degradation. It is the quality which enables him to do wrong. It has no other office. It is incapable of performing any other function. It could never have been intended to perform any other. Without it, man could do no wrong. He would rise at once to the level of the Higher Animals. Which answer most accurately describes what Twain's causal reasoning achieves in the excerpt?

Twain implies that the presence of moral sense in man is responsible for his ruin and makes him a lesser being.

Read the excerpt from a letter to the editor. The issue of the water quality in Echo Lake is of grave concern to our community. Test results show dangerous levels of algae, which is caused by pollution from common household chemicals. However, the families living on Echo Lake's shoreline are not the ones to blame. Which sentence could be added to the end of this letter to maintain a consistent tone?

We must all assume responsibility for returning Echo Lake to its former pristine state.

Read the excerpt from the concluding paragraph of an argumentative speech. By calling and writing our representatives in Congress, we can make our voices heard. Which option correctly identifies the element being used in the excerpt?

call to action

The constitutional principle of separation of powers states _[blank]_. Which option correctly completes the statement?

that government divides power among three branches to limit the power of any individual branch

Which option correctly defines the word infraction?

the act of breaking a rule

Read the excerpt from Betty Friedan's essay "The National Organization for Women's 1966 Statement of Purpose." NOW is dedicated to the proposition that women, first and foremost, are human beings, who, like all other people in our society, must have the chance to develop their fullest human potential. Which option best describes the purpose of this statement?

to link the argument for women's equality to the founding ideas of the nation

Read the excerpt from President Thomas Jefferson's "Letter to John C. Breckinridge." But I suppose they must then appeal to the nation for an additional article to the Constitution, approving & confirming an act which the nation had not previously authorized. The constitution has made no provision for our holding foreign territory, still less for incorporating foreign nations into our Union. Which options correctly explain Jefferson's purpose in incorporating the constitutional principle of rule of law in this excerpt? Select all that apply.

to suggest that a new amendment was needed to make sure that the Louisiana Purchase was covered under the Constitution to show that the Louisiana Purchase did not really pertain to the articles and amendments set up in the Constitution

Which word shares a root with the word veracity?

very

Which options correctly identify the legal issues in the case of Riley v. California? Select all that apply.

whether David Riley's Fourth Amendment rights were violated whether the digital content on David Riley's phone was illegally obtained

In "George W. Harkins to the American People," Harkins is using the Ninth Amendment as the basis for his argument. This amendment focuses on rights being retained by the people, as follows: The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. How effectively does Harkins apply the principles of the Ninth Amendment to convey his perspective that the Choctaws are not being treated fairly?

xxx Harkins fails to effectively apply the principles outlined in the Ninth Amendment, because he focuses more on the division of power between the US government and the state of Mississippi.

Read the excerpt from "George W. Harkins to the American People." We were hedged in by two evils, and we chose that which we thought the least. Yet we could not recognize the right that the state of Mississippi had assumed, to legislate for us.—Although the legislature of the state were qualified to make laws for their own citizens, that did not qualify them to become law makers to a people that were so dissimilar in manners and customs as the Choctaws are to the Mississippians. Admitting that they understood the people, could they remove that mountain of prejudice that has ever obstructed the streams of justice, and prevent their salutary influence from reaching my devoted countrymen. We as Choctaws rather chose to suffer and be free, than live under the degrading influence of laws, which our voice could not be heard in their formation. The Tenth Amendment states The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Which option most accurately describes how Harkins applies the Tenth Amendment to strengthen his argument that the government has failed the Choctaw people?

xxx He conveys the idea that the Choctaws should not have to conform to the legislation established by the state of Mississippi.

Read the sentence. Before accepting any scholarship offers, Sonia researched each town's options for off-campus-apartments that weren't too far away. Which option explains why the use of a hyphen in the sentence is incorrect?

xxx Hyphens should not be used in all elements if a series of compounds modifies the same noun.

Which option most accurately explains the constitutional principle of rule of law?

xxx Individuals, rather than someone within the government, have the power to control their rights.

Read the sentence. The realization that the sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and the ebbing and flowing of the tides can inspire belief in an orderly universe. Which option shows the best way to rewrite the sentence?

xxxx The realization that the sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and the tidal ebb and flow can inspire belief in an orderly universe. xxx The realization that the sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and the tides are ebbing and flowing can inspire belief in an orderly universe. try The realization that the sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and the tides ebb and flow can inspire belief in an orderly universe.