Argumentative Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. A candy company publishes a study saying sugar improves memory. Why should a reader question this source?
A) The study was published too recently to be accurate.
B) The company profits from selling sugar, so the study may be biased.
C) Memory studies are always unreliable.
D) Only doctors can publish studies about food.
A candy company earns money by selling sugar, so it has a financial reason to publish positive results about sugar. This conflict of interest means the study may be biased and should be checked against independent research.
2. Which source is MOST credible for an argument about the benefits of exercise?
A) A post from a fitness influencer with no medical training.
B) A comment from a classmate who runs every day.
C) A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
D) An advertisement from a sneaker company.
The CDC is a government health agency staffed by scientists who review large amounts of research before publishing. Its reports are peer-reviewed and unbiased, making them far more credible than personal blogs or social media posts.
3. Read: 'According to a 2023 national survey of 10,000 teachers, 82% support daily physical education.' What makes this evidence strong?
A) It mentions the year, which means it is automatically correct.
B) It surveys teachers, who always agree with each other.
C) It includes a large sample size, a specific percentage, and identifies the survey.
D) It uses a round number that is easy to remember.
This evidence is strong because it names the survey, uses a large sample of 10,000 teachers, and gives a precise percentage (82%). Together these details let readers verify the claim and trust that it represents a broad group.
4. A student only reads articles that agree with their claim and ignores opposing research. This is an example of:
A) Strong research skills.
B) Confirmation bias — only seeking information that supports your view.
C) Using primary sources correctly.
D) Effective counterargument strategy.
Confirmation bias happens when someone only looks for evidence that supports what they already believe and ignores anything that disagrees. This weakens an argument because it leaves out important opposing facts.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. A source is biased when it has a reason to present information in a one-sided way.
A biased source has a personal, financial, or political motive to show only one side of an issue. Recognizing bias helps readers judge whether the evidence is trustworthy.
2. A credible source provides accurate, well-researched information that can be trusted.
Credible sources are written by knowledgeable authors, backed by research, and published by respected organizations. Using credible sources shows readers that the writer's claims rest on solid ground.
3. Government agencies and universities are generally considered more reliable than personal blogs.
Government agencies and universities follow strict research standards and peer review, while personal blogs often lack oversight. That process makes their information more reliable.
4. Before using a source, a writer should check who wrote it, when it was published, and whether the author has a conflict of interest.
A conflict of interest means the author might benefit from presenting information a certain way. Checking for this helps a writer avoid using evidence that could be slanted.
5. An argument built on unreliable sources will fall apart when readers check the facts.
If readers look up the sources and find errors or questionable origins, they will stop trusting the argument entirely. That is why using unreliable sources undermines even a well-structured essay.