6VWO_Argumentative_Essay_Challenge_MODERN (1)
6 VWO – Argumentative Essay Challenge
20 questions to practise claims, arguments, evidence, counterarguments, rebuttals and essay structure.
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6 VWO – Argumentative Essay Challenge
20 questions to practise claims, arguments, evidence, counterarguments, rebuttals and essay structure.
1. What is a strong claim?
A General fact about a topic
B Personal feeling with no clear position
C Clear, debatable position that can be supported
D Example from a source
Answer 1
A General fact about a topic
B Personal feeling with no clear position
C Clear, debatable position that can be supported
D Example from a source
Answer: C
2. Which is the strongest claim?
A School uniforms exist in many schools.
B I do not like school uniforms.
C Schools should allow students to choose their own clothes because this encourages self-expression.
D Students wear uniforms at school.
Answer 2
A School uniforms exist in many schools.
B I do not like school uniforms.
C Schools should allow students to choose their own clothes because this encourages self-expression.
D Students wear uniforms at school.
Answer: C
3. What is evidence?
A The writer's conclusion
B Information or examples used to support an argument
C The title of the essay
D A personal greeting
Answer 3
A The writer's conclusion
B Information or examples used to support an argument
C The title of the essay
D A personal greeting
Answer: B
4. Which is the best evidence?
A Homework is a controversial topic.
B Homework is difficult.
C A survey found that 68% of students felt stressed after regularly receiving more than two hours of homework per evening.
D I personally dislike homework.
Answer 4
A Homework is a controversial topic.
B Homework is difficult.
C A survey found that 68% of students felt stressed after regularly receiving more than two hours of homework per evening.
D I personally dislike homework.
Answer: C
5. What is a counterargument?
A A repetition of your claim
B A reasonable opposing point of view
C Your introduction
D Your final sentence
Answer 5
A A repetition of your claim
B A reasonable opposing point of view
C Your introduction
D Your final sentence
Answer: B
6. Which sentence introduces a counterargument?
A Smartphones can distract students.
B Schools should restrict smartphone use.
C Some people argue that smartphones can be useful for research and educational activities.
D Smartphones are popular.
Answer 6
A Smartphones can distract students.
B Schools should restrict smartphone use.
C Some people argue that smartphones can be useful for research and educational activities.
D Smartphones are popular.
Answer: C
7. What is a rebuttal?
A A response explaining why your position remains convincing
B A new introduction
C A source list
D A topic sentence
Answer 7
A A response explaining why your position remains convincing
B A new introduction
C A source list
D A topic sentence
Answer: A
8. Which is the best topic sentence?
A Social media is popular.
B Another important problem with social media is its potential impact on teenagers' sleep.
C Teenagers have phones.
D There are many opinions about social media.
Answer 8
A Social media is popular.
B Another important problem with social media is its potential impact on teenagers' sleep.
C Teenagers have phones.
D There are many opinions about social media.
Answer: B
9. Which linking phrase is formal?
A Anyway,
B You know,
C On the other hand,
D And stuff like that,
Answer 9
A Anyway,
B You know,
C On the other hand,
D And stuff like that,
Answer: C
10. Which paragraph order is most logical?
A Evidence → conclusion → topic sentence → explanation
B Topic sentence → argument → evidence → explanation
C Counterargument → unrelated example → topic sentence
D Explanation → unrelated argument → topic sentence
Answer 10
A Evidence → conclusion → topic sentence → explanation
B Topic sentence → argument → evidence → explanation
C Counterargument → unrelated example → topic sentence
D Explanation → unrelated argument → topic sentence
Answer: B
11. True or False?
A counterargument should present a reasonable opposing point of view rather than simply repeating the writer's own argument.
Answer 11
A counterargument should present a reasonable opposing point of view rather than simply repeating the writer's own argument.
Answer: TRUE
12. True or False?
A rebuttal explains why the writer's position remains convincing after acknowledging a counterargument.
Answer 12
A rebuttal explains why the writer's position remains convincing after acknowledging a counterargument.
Answer: TRUE
13. Which argument is strongest?
A Phones are bad because they are bad.
B Phones make students lazy, obviously.
C Smartphones may reduce students' engagement because notifications can distract them from academic tasks.
D Everyone knows phones are harmful.
Answer 13
A Phones are bad because they are bad.
B Phones make students lazy, obviously.
C Smartphones may reduce students' engagement because notifications can distract them from academic tasks.
D Everyone knows phones are harmful.
Answer: C
14. What should evidence be followed by?
A An explanation of how it supports the argument
B A completely unrelated idea
C A new introduction
D A joke
Answer 14
A An explanation of how it supports the argument
B A completely unrelated idea
C A new introduction
D A joke
Answer: A
15. Which sentence is most academic?
A Social media is super bad for teens.
B Social media can have negative effects on adolescents' wellbeing.
C Social media is kinda terrible.
D Everyone knows social media is bad.
Answer 15
A Social media is super bad for teens.
B Social media can have negative effects on adolescents' wellbeing.
C Social media is kinda terrible.
D Everyone knows social media is bad.
Answer: B
16. Which is the best rebuttal?
Counterargument: 'Homework helps students practise what they learn.'
A That is stupid.
B However, excessive homework may reduce the time students have for sleep and other important activities.
C Homework exists in many schools.
D I hate homework.
Answer 16
Counterargument: 'Homework helps students practise what they learn.'
A That is stupid.
B However, excessive homework may reduce the time students have for sleep and other important activities.
C Homework exists in many schools.
D I hate homework.
Answer: B
17. What should an introduction usually do?
A Present the topic and lead towards the writer's position
B Give every piece of evidence
C Introduce an unrelated topic
D Repeat the conclusion word for word
Answer 17
A Present the topic and lead towards the writer's position
B Give every piece of evidence
C Introduce an unrelated topic
D Repeat the conclusion word for word
Answer: A
18. What makes an argument convincing?
A Strong language only
B A clear point supported by relevant evidence and explanation
C Long sentences
D Repeating the claim many times
Answer 18
A Strong language only
B A clear point supported by relevant evidence and explanation
C Long sentences
D Repeating the claim many times
Answer: B
19. Which sentence contains a clear argument?
A Many teenagers use social media.
B Social media is everywhere.
C Schools should teach digital literacy because students need to evaluate online information critically.
D Digital literacy is a topic.
Answer 19
A Many teenagers use social media.
B Social media is everywhere.
C Schools should teach digital literacy because students need to evaluate online information critically.
D Digital literacy is a topic.
Answer: C
20. Which structure is most suitable for a full argumentative essay?
A Introduction → arguments → counterargument/rebuttal → conclusion
B Conclusion → introduction → random examples
C Arguments → introduction → conclusion → new topic
D Introduction → conclusion → evidence → title
Answer 20
A Introduction → arguments → counterargument/rebuttal → conclusion
B Conclusion → introduction → random examples
C Arguments → introduction → conclusion → new topic
D Introduction → conclusion → evidence → title
Answer: A
Bonus: 8-minute Writing Challenge
Write one body paragraph for:
“Social media does more harm than good for teenagers.”
Include: a topic sentence • one clear argument • evidence/example • explanation • a counterargument or rebuttal.
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
6 VWO • Essay Challenge
Claim • Evidence • Counterargument • Rebuttal
