Read the following essay and answer the questions below.

Standardized tests are a common and popular way to evaluate the academic achievements of students, teachers, and school
districts. They are used in many areas, such as in the army, civil service, medicine, and so on, but primarily standardized
tests are associated with academic performance. Many arguments in favor of the usage of these tests have been put
forward, as well as a number against, since this method of monitoring and evaluating academic success has both benefits
and drawbacks.
Standardized tests are most widely used in the field of education to assess the academic performance of students. Two
commonly known types of standardized tests in the USA are the SAT and the ACT. The SAT evaluates skills in
vocabulary and mathematics, while the ACT has more to do with a broader range of knowledge and includes additional
subjects, such as science. Among the other most known tests are the PSAT, National Achievement Tests, and SAT II
examinations.
One of the main purposes of testing is to set a standard: a performance baseline of progress for all parties involved in the
educational process—students, teachers, and school districts, and to hold them accountable for achieving it. The idea is to
detect areas where students usually fail, or fall behind and promote improvement, not punish them (Strong 24). Besides,
tests help remove bias some teachers may exhibit towards students and make the evaluation process more objective. This
is usually achieved by using special automatic machines that score exams. Also, due to the usage of these methods, the
potential of human error is decreased, or even eliminated.
On the other hand, the exploitation of the system of standardized testing is linked to a number of issues. Thus, many feel
that tests do not provide accurate evaluations of a student’s knowledge and learning capabilities, particularly due to the
fact that in order to pass a test, a simple memorization is preferred to critical thinking and higher learning (Strong
254). Critics of standardized testing often claim it contributes to the rise of academic dishonesty, as the pursuit of
knowledge actually becomes a pursuit of higher test scores. Besides, the emotional state of students may be destabilized
due to test-taking. The environment, fostering constant competition and even rivalry may create excessive stress and test-
anxiety. A person who gets a low test score may become discouraged from pursuing further academic success. Perhaps
one of the most serious drawbacks of using standardized testing is connected to discrimination. Holding all schools and
students to the same national standards may infringe on the rights of students with disabilities, lower socio-economic
statuses, those who learn English as a second language, students of different nationalities, and so on.
One can see that standardized testing is a universal method of evaluating those skills to which tests are targeted, which
reduces or even excludes bias, partiality, or the potential of human error. Standardized tests are meant to set a high
standard and promote objectivity. However, this method is not perfect and involves a number of issues. The most critical
among them are the preference accorded to memorization over critical and analytic thinking; the encouragement of
academic dishonesty; infringing on students’ emotional state, and even some elements of discrimination. Evaluating both
sides of the argument allows for improvements to be made, while still encouraging students to strive for the highest
academic achievement.
Reference
Strong, Malena. The Truth About Standardized Tests. New York: Big Tree Publishers, 2004. Print.
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1. Which of the following is the overall claim of the given essay?

a. A person who gets a low test score may become discouraged from pursuing further academic success
b. Standardized tests are mostly widely used in the field of education to assess the academic performance of the
students
c. Two commonly known types of standardized tests in the USA are the SAT and the ACT
d. Many arguments in favor of the usage of standardized tests have been put forward, as well as a number again….
 2. Many arguments in favor of the usage of standardized tests have been put forward, as well as a number against,
since this method of monitoring and evaluating academic success Which of the following information does not
support the claim?
a. Test help see the bias of teachers towards student
b. Tests do not provide accurate evaluations of a student’s knowledge and capabilities
c. A person who gets a low test score may become discouraged from pursuing further academic success
d. Taking tests in tied with discrimination

3. What is the overall conclusion of the essay? Answer

a. This method of standardized tests set a high standard and promote objectivity
b. Standardized tests are the universal method of evaluating skills and knowledge of students
c. The standardized tests initiate biases
d. Improvements must be made in the distribution of standardized tests to encourage students to strive for the highest
academic achievement

4. Which of the following statements is incorrect according to the essay?

a. Most of the time, standardized tests encourage critical thinking and higher learning
b. Automatic machines designed for checking standardized tests help make them more objective
c. The emotional state of students may be destabilized due to test-taking
d. The idea of standardized tests encourage critical thinking and higher learning

5. What is the stand of the author in this argument?

a. He/she supports the distribution of standardized tests.
b. He/she is against the distribution of standardized tests.
c. He/she weighs in on both advantages and disadvantage of standardized tests so the position is not clear.
d. He/she supports the distribution of standardized tests.
In which element does the following questions fall?

6. Is the author's claim objective?

7. From what perspective did the author write the text?
8. Is the information arranged according to the content, by the author's argument or by the needs of the
audience?
9. Which of the references elicits further discussion?
10. Where is the text found?
11. Does the text mean to persuade?
12. Are the sources credible?
13. Which of the evidence carries the more weight?
14. How is the information arranged in the text?
15. What can you infer from the writer's choice of words?

Topic and Position Proof/Evidence Purpose/Context Resourches

Organization Audience Style

Proof/Evidence
Read the following essay and answer the questions below.
Video games are perhaps the most popular and widespread form of entertainment at present. Companies that develop
video games earn billions of dollars and constantly invest into research aimed to make virtual reality look like reality.
Their products become more and more sophisticated, and they attract a wide audience. However, despite all the joy that
video games can bring to children and teenagers, who are the main target audiences of game developing companies,
actively engaging in video games at such a young age can produce adverse effects.
The harm video games cause can be evaluated by several criteria, and the most obvious among them is the negative
effects they can have on physical health. Though the proponents of video gaming claim first-person shooters and real-time
strategies sharpen reflexes, increase concentration, and muscle coordination, in reality, teenagers who spend an ample
amount of time playing games experience effects that are not so beneficial.
There is a possibility of the loss of sight. Spending hours on a computer or in front of a TV is one of the main causes of
blurred vision among youth. In addition, sacrificing healthy physical activities in favor of video gaming may become a
risk factor for obesity. Gamers often do not want to interrupt their playing for meals. They eat right in front of the
monitor, and their rations often consist of products that can be easily cooked or eaten immediately, such as crisps,
chocolate bars, crackers, or other fast foods. All this definitely does not contribute to the proper and healthy development
of a young, growing body.
Mental health can also be affected by engaging in video games at a young age. This suggests addiction and inappropriate
behavior. It is a well-known fact that many gamers (especially fans of online games) suffer from addiction, which is no
less serious than narcomania or alcoholism. For instance, in August 2005, a report surfaced about the death of a 28-year-
old southern Korean gamer who had spent 50 hours playing a real-time strategy game (BBC). For another significant
example, one needs to look no further than July 2012, when a Taiwanese teenager fatally collapsed after a 40-hour game
session (Crawley). Cases like these are quite numerous and happen all around the world. They make additional arguments
to the negative evaluation of video games as an activity which brings harm to young people.
In its turn, inappropriate behavior can be caused by violence in video games. According to research, children and
teenagers who play violent video games tend to be more aggressive. They confront their teachers and peers more often
and display a decline in academic achievements. Such psychological deviations also do not implicate video games as a
constructive and useful occupation for young people (Crane).
Individuals who spend excessive hours playing video games may lack the capability to distinguish between reality from
fantasies. Video games often offer simplified and conditional models of environments, relationships, friendships, and
rivalries. Gamers use these models to learn to interact with the world around them, and they often lack skills that would be
developed by real life experience instead of the simulation (Crane). Therefore, it can be implied that another negative
effect caused by video games is the inability of social adaptation on the part of the gamer.
It can be concluded that video games are a form of entertainment which is not suitable for children and teenagers. This
assessment is based on a number of negative consequences that excessive video gaming causes. Young people who spend
an inexplicable sum of hours playing video games are observed to be prone to sight loss and obesity. In addition, they tend
to be more aggressive than their peers who do not play video games, and they experience difficulties with social
adaptation. Also, video games can lead to addictions that are no less serious than alcoholism or narcomania, as evidenced
in recent media stories reporting on deaths among inveterate video gamers. This collection of facts contributes to the
negative evaluation of video games as an unwholesome activity for children and teenagers.
References
Crawley, Dan. “Taiwanese Gamer Dies after 40-hour Diablo III Session.” VentureBeat. 18 July, 2012. Web log post. 26
December, 2012.
“S Korean Dies after Games Session.” BBC News. BBC, 10 August 2005. Web. 15 October, 2012.
Crane, Wendy. “Aggression Caused by Video Game Play.” Wack News. AARC, 10 September, 2013. Web. 16 October,
2012.
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16. Which of the following is the overall claim of the given essay?
a. Video games are perhaps the most popular and widespread form of entertainment at present
b. Despite all the joy that video games can bring to children and teenagers, who are the main target audiences of
game development companies...
c. Young people who spend an inexplicable sum of hours playing video games are observed to be prone to sight
loss and obesity.
d. Video games can lead to addictions that are no less serious than alcoholism or narcomania, as evidence in
recent media stories reporting…

17. Which of the following information does not support the claim?
a. Video games can cause inappropriate behavior
b. Video games have the tendency to initiate addiction
c. Video games use their characters in the games as models for their own life.
d. Video games can cause the blurring of lines between reality and fantasy.

18. What is the overall conclusion of the essay? Answer

a. Video games, while beneficial in some cases, should be played moderately
b. Video games is not suitable for children and teenagers
c. Ultimately, video games are proven to be psychologically harmful to users.
d. Video games can lead to addictions.

19. Which of the following statements is incorrect according to the essay?

a. Playing video games for abnormal frequency may cause health damages
b. Video games increase concentration and muscle coordination.
c. There is a significant decline in academic performance for video game players.
d. Video games help players improve social skills and reflexes

20. Which of the following is correct according to the essay? Answer

a. Video games cause the gamers to have the ability to socially adapt.
b. Video games offer simplified and conditional models of environments and people.
c. Video games are plausible careers for young people, depending on moderation of use.
d. One of the longest duration of a person playing video games is for 15 days.