Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : Reading to Evaluate the Argument and Specific Claims in a Text

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Example Question #11 : Reading To Evaluate The Argument And Specific Claims In A Text

Text 1: 

One clear advantage of selling goods online is that smaller markets can be served without the seller needing to invest in high inventory costs. Recordings of classical music, for example, are increasingly hard to find at the larger music chains. Now the classical music lover can locate nearly any classical CD in print on the Internet. 

In addition, forward-thinking artists without national followings have made their music available on personal sites or through services that provide the musicians with a more generous share of profits than that offered by the large record labels. For some, this has resulted in increased sales volume, greater return on investment, greater control of the product, and a more direct connection with their fan base. 

Major orchestras and record labels have taken note, and have created websites where one can purchase individual tracks, full CDs, archival recordings, and even music exclusively made available for online downloads. Some symphony orchestras now include, with the price of admission to a concert, the right to download a recording of the concert afterward. Other services allow the listener unlimited streaming or downloading for a monthly fee.

Text 2:

One disadvantage of selling goods online is that smaller retailers can be crushed by large online retailers. Big corporations that sell online have access to more goods so that brings the cost of each item down exponentially. They place larger orders and can carry more varieties of products so they may be able to satisfy more customers.

Just about anything can be found online so it takes away the fun of the hunt. Digging through vintage record bins, combing through racks of clothing, or spending a day out shopping with friends is reduced to a few clicks online and waiting 3-5 business days for the package to arrive. Small businesses are losing foot traffic to their stores and facing declining sales when a big box store can beat their price with a cheaper imported good.

Musicians, for example, may have CDs to sell after a performance but when people can download the single song they like or it can be listened to on a streaming service the artist can lose out on those sales. Many artists don’t produce a tangible good anymore and just make their goods available for digital download or purchase.

 

What is the author’s claim in Text 1?

Possible Answers:

Selling goods online is a beneficial practice.

Selling goods in stores is better for niche markets.

Selling goods online is a new practice so little is known about it.

Selling goods online is a negative practice.

Correct answer:

Selling goods online is a beneficial practice.

Explanation:

Answer: Selling goods online is a beneficial practice. The author of Text 1 makes the claim that smaller markets can be served online, it saves those business owners or musicians inventory costs and creates a wider fanbase.

Example Question #12 : Reading To Evaluate The Argument And Specific Claims In A Text

Text 1: 

One clear advantage of selling goods online is that smaller markets can be served without the seller needing to invest in high inventory costs. Recordings of classical music, for example, are increasingly hard to find at the larger music chains. Now the classical music lover can locate nearly any classical CD in print on the Internet. 

In addition, forward-thinking artists without national followings have made their music available on personal sites or through services that provide the musicians with a more generous share of profits than that offered by the large record labels. For some, this has resulted in increased sales volume, greater return on investment, greater control of the product, and a more direct connection with their fan base. 

Major orchestras and record labels have taken note, and have created websites where one can purchase individual tracks, full CDs, archival recordings, and even music exclusively made available for online downloads. Some symphony orchestras now include, with the price of admission to a concert, the right to download a recording of the concert afterward. Other services allow the listener unlimited streaming or downloading for a monthly fee.

Text 2:

One disadvantage of selling goods online is that smaller retailers can be crushed by large online retailers. Big corporations that sell online have access to more goods so that brings the cost of each item down exponentially. They place larger orders and can carry more varieties of products so they may be able to satisfy more customers.

Just about anything can be found online so it takes away the fun of the hunt. Digging through vintage record bins, combing through racks of clothing, or spending a day out shopping with friends is reduced to a few clicks online and waiting 3-5 business days for the package to arrive. Small businesses are losing foot traffic to their stores and facing declining sales when a big box store can beat their price with a cheaper imported good.

Musicians, for example, may have CDs to sell after a performance but when people can download the single song they like or it can be listened to on a streaming service the artist can lose out on those sales. Many artists don’t produce a tangible good anymore and just make their goods available for digital download or purchase.

What is the author’s claim in Text 2?

Possible Answers:

Selling goods online has many disadvantages.

Selling goods online is a beneficial practice.

Selling goods online is a new practice so little is known about it.

Selling goods online is better for niche markets.

Correct answer:

Selling goods online has many disadvantages.

Explanation:

Answer: Selling goods online has many disadvantages. The author of Text 2 makes the claim that online shopping has a negative effect on small business and brick-and-mortar stores. The author claims that online shopping is taking money away from musicians and other independent artists.

Example Question #13 : Reading To Evaluate The Argument And Specific Claims In A Text

Text 1: 

One clear advantage of selling goods online is that smaller markets can be served without the seller needing to invest in high inventory costs. Recordings of classical music, for example, are increasingly hard to find at the larger music chains. Now the classical music lover can locate nearly any classical CD in print on the Internet. 

In addition, forward-thinking artists without national followings have made their music available on personal sites or through services that provide the musicians with a more generous share of profits than that offered by the large record labels. For some, this has resulted in increased sales volume, greater return on investment, greater control of the product, and a more direct connection with their fan base. 

Major orchestras and record labels have taken note, and have created websites where one can purchase individual tracks, full CDs, archival recordings, and even music exclusively made available for online downloads. Some symphony orchestras now include, with the price of admission to a concert, the right to download a recording of the concert afterward. Other services allow the listener unlimited streaming or downloading for a monthly fee.

Text 2:

One disadvantage of selling goods online is that smaller retailers can be crushed by large online retailers. Big corporations that sell online have access to more goods so that brings the cost of each item down exponentially. They place larger orders and can carry more varieties of products so they may be able to satisfy more customers.

Just about anything can be found online so it takes away the fun of the hunt. Digging through vintage record bins, combing through racks of clothing, or spending a day out shopping with friends is reduced to a few clicks online and waiting 3-5 business days for the package to arrive. Small businesses are losing foot traffic to their stores and facing declining sales when a big box store can beat their price with a cheaper imported good.

Musicians, for example, may have CDs to sell after a performance but when people can download the single song they like or it can be listened to on a streaming service the artist can lose out on those sales. Many artists don’t produce a tangible good anymore and just make their goods available for digital download or purchase.

What additional evidence could strengthen either author's claims?

Possible Answers:

If either author presented laboratory results it could strengthen their claims.

The authors’ claims were already strong so they do not need to add evidence.

The authors could add evidence about how many internet users there are.

If either author presented music sales data it could strengthen their claim.

 

Correct answer:

If either author presented music sales data it could strengthen their claim.

 

Explanation:

If either author presented related data it could strengthen their claim. For example, the author of Text 1 could include sales data pre- and post- online retail availability. The author of Text 2 could include data on store closures because of online sales. This data would support the claim they are making and connect the information to something concrete for the readers.

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All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources

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