Write an argument that answers the other side
Grade 7 Reading Worksheet
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
Sundays at the Library (argument draft)
[1] The Riverbend Public Library is open six days a week, but its doors are locked every Sunday. [2] The library should open on Sunday afternoons from one o'clock to five. [3] Many families spend weekdays at work and school, so Sunday is often the day they are free together.
[4] A survey at the front desk found that sixty-two visitors asked whether Sunday hours were coming. [5] The library also owns a quiet study room that sits empty on Sundays, even though students have tests every Monday. [6] Opening that room would give students a calm place to prepare, which could improve their work for the week.
[7] Other libraries in nearby towns already offer Sunday hours, and their staff report steady crowds. [8] Those crowds suggest that Riverbend families would use the extra time just as well. [9] For these reasons, the Riverbend Public Library should add Sunday afternoon hours.
Kira wants to add a sentence after [8] that states a view from the other side fairly. Which sentence should the writer add?
- People who want the library closed on Sundays simply do not like reading, learning, or books.
- Of course, some readers will not agree with this idea about adding Sunday hours to the schedule.
- Some readers may feel that Sundays should stay quiet for library workers, and that concern is fair.
- Some readers may feel that Sunday hours would help families spend more time together at the library.
A reader says, 'Sunday hours would cost the library too much money.' Luz must write the answer that comes next. Which sentence answers that worry?
- Readers who worry about money have not noticed how much families need the library on weekends.
- The library should open on Sunday afternoons so that families can visit together on their day off.
- However, the building and study room are already paid for, so Sunday hours would add just a few staff hours.
- That is true, so the library should probably stay closed on Sundays, just as it does now.
A reader says, 'Sunday visitors would be too few to matter.' Milo wants the answer to open by turning back against that view. Which sentence does that?
- For example, sixty-two visitors have already asked about Sunday hours, which shows real interest from families.
- However, sixty-two visitors have already asked about Sunday hours, which shows real interest from families.
- In conclusion, sixty-two visitors have already asked about Sunday hours, which shows real interest from families.
- Also, sixty-two visitors have already asked about Sunday hours, which shows real interest from families.
A Place to Ride (argument draft)
[1] Riverside Park has a playground, two ball courts, and a duck pond, but nowhere smooth for scooters or skateboards. [2] The town should build a small scooter and skate area on the unused corner of the park. [3] Right now, riders practice in the parking lot, where cars back out without checking for kids.
[4] A fenced practice area would keep riders away from moving cars and give them room to learn tricks safely. [5] The unused corner is a flat slab of old concrete at the far edge of the park, beyond the pond. [6] Using the slab saves money and leaves the park's shady areas just as they are.
[7] A scooter club at the middle school has grown to thirty members this year, and each member needs a place to ride. [8] A growing club shows that many families would use the new area every week. [9] A small scooter and skate area would make Riverside Park safer and more useful for the whole town.
Noah plans a sentence after [8] that states a view from the other side fairly. Which sentence should the writer add to the scooter draft?
- Some residents may feel that a fenced area would keep riders much safer from cars in the parking lot.
- Residents who dislike the plan just want kids to stay inside and out of the way for the whole day.
- Naturally, some people will disagree with this plan for the park, and they will say so at meetings.
- Some residents may worry that a skate area would bring noise and crowds, and that worry is understandable.
A reader says, 'The noise of wheels on concrete would bother neighbors.' Pia must write the answer. Which sentence answers that worry?
- Neighbors who complain about noise have forgotten what it was like to be young and full of energy.
- However, the slab sits at the far edge of the park, so the noise would fade before reaching homes.
- That is true, so the town should probably leave the corner empty instead of building anything.
- A scooter and skate area would make Riverside Park safer and more useful for the whole town.
A reader says, 'A club of thirty members is too small to need a whole area.' Ren wants the answer to open by turning back against that view. Which sentence does that?
- Also, thirty members is a lot for one parking lot, and the club is still growing.
- In conclusion, thirty members is a lot for one parking lot, and the club is still growing.
- However, thirty members is a lot for one parking lot, and the club is still growing.
- For example, thirty members is a lot for one parking lot, and the club is still growing.
A Salad Bar for Lunch (argument draft)
[1] At Orchard Hills Middle School, lunch choices change daily, but fresh vegetables are rarely among them. [2] The cafeteria should add a salad bar to the lunch line. [3] In a recent cafeteria survey, more than half of the students said they wished for more fresh vegetables at lunch.
[4] Since students are asking for them, a salad bar would meet a demand that already exists. [5] A salad bar also lets students choose their own toppings, so picky eaters are less likely to leave a full tray untouched. [6] That means less food goes into the trash, which saves the school money.
[7] A nearby school added a salad bar two years ago, and its cafeteria manager says the vegetables are gone by the end of lunch. [8] If the same thing happened here, the salad bar would be just as popular. [9] A salad bar would give students healthy choices they have asked for and waste less food.
Tala wants to add a sentence after [8] that states a view from the other side fairly. Which sentence should the writer add to the salad bar draft?
- Some students may feel that fresh vegetables would make lunch seem healthier and more colorful.
- Some students may feel salad bars are for people who already like vegetables, and that is fair.
- Of course, some students will not agree with this idea for lunch, and that is their choice.
- Students who skip vegetables simply refuse to take care of their own health and energy.
A reader says, 'A salad bar would cost more than the cafeteria can afford.' Zee must write the answer. Which sentence answers that worry?
- People who worry about cost have not thought about what students really want to eat.
- The cafeteria should add a salad bar so that students can choose vegetables each day.
- However, less food in the trash means less food to buy, so part of the cost comes back.
- That may be true, so the cafeteria should probably keep its current lunch line for now.
A reader says, 'Students would ignore a salad bar and keep buying pizza.' Ari wants the answer to open by turning back against that view. Which sentence does that?
- For example, the survey shows that more than half of the students asked for fresh vegetables at lunch.
- In conclusion, the survey shows that more than half of the students asked for fresh vegetables at lunch.
- Also, the survey shows that more than half of the students asked for fresh vegetables at lunch.
- However, the survey shows that more than half of the students asked for fresh vegetables at lunch.
A Swap Day for Gear (argument draft)
[1] Every year, students at Maple Grove Middle School outgrow cleats, jackets, and backpacks long before the items wear out. [2] The school should hold a gear swap day each fall where students trade outgrown items for free. [3] Gently used gear is often tossed out, even though it still works well for someone a little smaller or younger.
[4] A swap day would give those items a second owner and keep them out of the trash. [5] Many families spend a lot at the start of each season, so free swaps would help them save money. [6] A swap day also gives the school a way to teach students about reusing instead of buying new.
[7] At a swap day last spring, the neighboring school's students traded more than two hundred items in one afternoon. [8] That number shows that students are ready to share gear when the school makes it easy. [9] A yearly gear swap day would save families money and reduce waste at Maple Grove.
Bo plans a sentence after [8] that states a view from the other side fairly. Which sentence should the writer add to the gear swap draft?
- Some families may worry that swapped items could be worn out or unclean, and that is reasonable.
- Some families may feel that a swap day would help them save money at the start of each season.
- Families who worry about used gear simply want to spend more money on brand new things.
- Of course, some people will have different ideas about this plan, and they may say so at meetings.