How an author answers the other side

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

Read this first
Open on Sundays (article)
[1] The Fairview Library is closed every Sunday, and some residents say it should remain that way. [2] They argue that few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends. [3] They also say that paying the staff for another day would cost the town too much money.
[4] I believe the library should open on Sundays. [5] It is true that some families are away, but many others are free only on that day. [6] Parents who work long shifts during the week cannot bring their children after school. [7] A student with no computer at home could use a library computer to finish a report. [8] A library that stays closed on the one day many people are free serves its community poorly.
[9] The cost is a fair worry, so the town could try opening for only four hours. [10] If few people come after six months, the town can return to the old schedule. [11] A short trial costs little, and it lets Fairview learn what its own families really need. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [11].
1.
Zee studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the claim that few people would come on Sundays?
- [4] I believe the library should open on Sundays.
- [2] They argue that few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends.
- [5] It is true that some families are away, but many others are free only on that day.
- [9] The cost is a fair worry, so the town could try opening for only four hours.
2.
Ari reads sentence [9], which begins The cost is a fair worry. Which view does sentence [9] answer?
- That paying the staff for another day would cost the town too much.
- That the library should open on Sundays for the families who are free.
- That few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends.
- That libraries are no longer useful to most of the families in town.
Calculators in Math Class (article)
[1] Some teachers want calculators kept out of middle school math class altogether. [2] They say that students who lean on a calculator never learn their multiplication facts. [3] They also worry that a student will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
[4] I think students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs in math class. [5] The teachers are right that facts must be learned, so quizzes on basic facts should be done without a calculator. [6] However, a long problem with large numbers tests patience more than understanding. [7] A calculator handles the arithmetic and leaves the student free to think about what the problem is asking.
[8] The second worry is also real, which is why students should estimate an answer before they press any keys. [9] If the display shows a number far from the estimate, the student knows to look for a mistake. [10] Used this way, a calculator becomes a check on thinking rather than a replacement for thinking itself. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
3.
Esme studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the worry that students will not check their answers?
- [3] They also worry that a student will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
- [8] The second worry is also real, which is why students should estimate an answer before they press any keys.
- [5] The teachers are right that facts must be learned, so quizzes on basic facts should be done without a calculator.
- [4] I think students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs in math class.
4.
Jun reads sentence [5], which begins The teachers are right. Which view does sentence [5] answer?
- That students will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
- That students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs.
- That students who lean on a calculator never learn their multiplication facts.
- That calculators should be banned from science and art classes as well.
5.
Kira wants to know how the author answers the first worry in sentences [5] to [7]. Which choice fits?
- By agreeing that facts must be learned, then limiting calculators to long problems.
- By telling students to estimate an answer before they press any keys.
- By agreeing that calculators should stay out of math class.
- By showing that students already know their facts without any practice.
The Walking School Bus (article)
[1] Maple Hill Elementary may start a walking school bus, in which a few parents lead a line of children along a safe route each morning. [2] Some neighbors object that morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely. [3] Others say that parents have no time to walk because they must get to work.
[4] I support the plan, because it solves the very problems the neighbors name. [5] A line of children is much easier for drivers to see than one child alone. [6] The route would also use only the crossings that have a guard and a working signal. [7] Heavy traffic is a good reason to walk together, not a reason to stay home.
[8] The time worry deserves a fair answer. [9] Each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week, which takes about twenty minutes. [10] Parents who cannot take a turn could help by drawing the route map or by signing in the children when they arrive at school. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
6.
Luz studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the worry that morning traffic is too heavy?
- [5] A line of children is much easier for drivers to see than one child alone.
- [4] I support the plan, because it solves the very problems the neighbors name.
- [2] Some neighbors object that morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely.
- [9] Each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week, which takes about twenty minutes.
7.
Milo reads sentence [9], which says each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week. Which view does it answer?
- That morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely.
- That parents have no time to walk because they must get to work.
- That the school should start a walking school bus.
- That children are safer when parents drive them to school.
Paper Maps (article)
[1] Many people say that paper maps now belong in a museum, because phones can guide almost anyone almost anywhere. [2] They point out that a phone shows your own position on the screen and speaks each turn aloud. [3] A paper map, they add, cannot tell you where you are standing.
[4] I believe hikers and drivers should still carry a paper map in their packs and glove boxes. [5] A phone is wonderful on a city street, but it depends on a cellular signal and a charged battery. [6] In hills and forests, a signal can disappear without any warning. [7] A paper map never runs out of power, and it works the same way on a cold morning as on a warm afternoon.
[8] It is true that a map will not show where you are standing. [9] That is the reason to learn to read it, since matching the land to the map is a skill that builds a sense of direction. [10] A person who can read a map and use a phone is ready no matter which tool fails. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
8.
Pia studies the map. Which sentence turns the granted point about standing position into a reason for the author's side?
- [3] A paper map, they add, cannot tell you where you are standing.
- [9] That is the reason to learn to read it, since matching the land to the map is a skill that builds a sense of direction.
- [8] It is true that a map will not show where you are standing.
- [6] In hills and forests, a signal can disappear without any warning.
9.
Ren reads sentence [6], which says a signal can disappear without any warning. Which view does it answer?
- That a paper map cannot tell you where you are standing.
- That phones are too hard for most people to use.
- That hikers and drivers should still carry a paper map in their packs and in their glove boxes.
- That phones can guide almost anyone almost anywhere, so paper maps are no longer needed.
10.
Tala wants to know how the author answers the point in sentence [3] that a map cannot show where you are. Which choice fits?
- By proving that paper maps can show a person's exact position.
- By granting the point and then making it a reason to learn the skill of reading a map.
- By pointing out that a paper map does not run out of power.
- By agreeing that paper maps are no longer worth carrying.

How an author answers the other side

Answer Key - Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

Read this first
Open on Sundays (article)
[1] The Fairview Library is closed every Sunday, and some residents say it should remain that way. [2] They argue that few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends. [3] They also say that paying the staff for another day would cost the town too much money.
[4] I believe the library should open on Sundays. [5] It is true that some families are away, but many others are free only on that day. [6] Parents who work long shifts during the week cannot bring their children after school. [7] A student with no computer at home could use a library computer to finish a report. [8] A library that stays closed on the one day many people are free serves its community poorly.
[9] The cost is a fair worry, so the town could try opening for only four hours. [10] If few people come after six months, the town can return to the old schedule. [11] A short trial costs little, and it lets Fairview learn what its own families really need. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [11].
1.
Zee studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the claim that few people would come on Sundays?
- [4] I believe the library should open on Sundays.
- [2] They argue that few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends.
- [5] It is true that some families are away, but many others are free only on that day.
- [9] The cost is a fair worry, so the town could try opening for only four hours.
2.
Ari reads sentence [9], which begins The cost is a fair worry. Which view does sentence [9] answer?
- That paying the staff for another day would cost the town too much.
- That the library should open on Sundays for the families who are free.
- That few people would come, since many families travel or rest on weekends.
- That libraries are no longer useful to most of the families in town.
Calculators in Math Class (article)
[1] Some teachers want calculators kept out of middle school math class altogether. [2] They say that students who lean on a calculator never learn their multiplication facts. [3] They also worry that a student will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
[4] I think students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs in math class. [5] The teachers are right that facts must be learned, so quizzes on basic facts should be done without a calculator. [6] However, a long problem with large numbers tests patience more than understanding. [7] A calculator handles the arithmetic and leaves the student free to think about what the problem is asking.
[8] The second worry is also real, which is why students should estimate an answer before they press any keys. [9] If the display shows a number far from the estimate, the student knows to look for a mistake. [10] Used this way, a calculator becomes a check on thinking rather than a replacement for thinking itself. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
3.
Esme studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the worry that students will not check their answers?
- [3] They also worry that a student will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
- [8] The second worry is also real, which is why students should estimate an answer before they press any keys.
- [5] The teachers are right that facts must be learned, so quizzes on basic facts should be done without a calculator.
- [4] I think students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs in math class.
4.
Jun reads sentence [5], which begins The teachers are right. Which view does sentence [5] answer?
- That students will type in numbers without checking whether the answer makes sense.
- That students should use calculators, but just for the right jobs.
- That students who lean on a calculator never learn their multiplication facts.
- That calculators should be banned from science and art classes as well.
5.
Kira wants to know how the author answers the first worry in sentences [5] to [7]. Which choice fits?
- By agreeing that facts must be learned, then limiting calculators to long problems.
- By telling students to estimate an answer before they press any keys.
- By agreeing that calculators should stay out of math class.
- By showing that students already know their facts without any practice.
The Walking School Bus (article)
[1] Maple Hill Elementary may start a walking school bus, in which a few parents lead a line of children along a safe route each morning. [2] Some neighbors object that morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely. [3] Others say that parents have no time to walk because they must get to work.
[4] I support the plan, because it solves the very problems the neighbors name. [5] A line of children is much easier for drivers to see than one child alone. [6] The route would also use only the crossings that have a guard and a working signal. [7] Heavy traffic is a good reason to walk together, not a reason to stay home.
[8] The time worry deserves a fair answer. [9] Each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week, which takes about twenty minutes. [10] Parents who cannot take a turn could help by drawing the route map or by signing in the children when they arrive at school. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
6.
Luz studies the map. Which sentence is the first answer to the worry that morning traffic is too heavy?
- [5] A line of children is much easier for drivers to see than one child alone.
- [4] I support the plan, because it solves the very problems the neighbors name.
- [2] Some neighbors object that morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely.
- [9] Each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week, which takes about twenty minutes.
7.
Milo reads sentence [9], which says each parent would lead the walk just one morning a week. Which view does it answer?
- That morning traffic is too heavy for children to cross safely.
- That parents have no time to walk because they must get to work.
- That the school should start a walking school bus.
- That children are safer when parents drive them to school.
Paper Maps (article)
[1] Many people say that paper maps now belong in a museum, because phones can guide almost anyone almost anywhere. [2] They point out that a phone shows your own position on the screen and speaks each turn aloud. [3] A paper map, they add, cannot tell you where you are standing.
[4] I believe hikers and drivers should still carry a paper map in their packs and glove boxes. [5] A phone is wonderful on a city street, but it depends on a cellular signal and a charged battery. [6] In hills and forests, a signal can disappear without any warning. [7] A paper map never runs out of power, and it works the same way on a cold morning as on a warm afternoon.
[8] It is true that a map will not show where you are standing. [9] That is the reason to learn to read it, since matching the land to the map is a skill that builds a sense of direction. [10] A person who can read a map and use a phone is ready no matter which tool fails. Map: Other-views box: [1] to [3]. Author's position box: [4]. Answer box: [5] to [10].
8.
Pia studies the map. Which sentence turns the granted point about standing position into a reason for the author's side?
- [3] A paper map, they add, cannot tell you where you are standing.
- [9] That is the reason to learn to read it, since matching the land to the map is a skill that builds a sense of direction.
- [8] It is true that a map will not show where you are standing.
- [6] In hills and forests, a signal can disappear without any warning.
9.
Ren reads sentence [6], which says a signal can disappear without any warning. Which view does it answer?
- That a paper map cannot tell you where you are standing.
- That phones are too hard for most people to use.
- That hikers and drivers should still carry a paper map in their packs and in their glove boxes.
- That phones can guide almost anyone almost anywhere, so paper maps are no longer needed.
10.
Tala wants to know how the author answers the point in sentence [3] that a map cannot show where you are. Which choice fits?
- By proving that paper maps can show a person's exact position.
- By granting the point and then making it a reason to learn the skill of reading a map.
- By pointing out that a paper map does not run out of power.
- By agreeing that paper maps are no longer worth carrying.

Open on Sundays (article)

Calculators in Math Class (article)

The Walking School Bus (article)

Paper Maps (article)

Open on Sundays (article)

Calculators in Math Class (article)

The Walking School Bus (article)

Paper Maps (article)