Article/Speech Quiz

Which statement best describes the difference in scope between the two writers’ arguments?

• Osborne’s argument relies on scrupulous reasoning while Hall’s sometimes uses murky logic.

• Osborne is seeking only general agreement while Hall has a specific goal of persuading his audience.

• Osborne brings in expert testimony but Hall relies on his own expertise.

• Osborne’s argument is focused on the particular and Hall’s takes a broader view.

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One way the reader can tell that the audience for George Osborne’s speech was the British Parliament’s House of Commons is that most of the speech centered on —

• sugary drinks

• childhood obesity

• the national budget

• the educational system

In “Budget 2016: George Osborne’s Speech,” what is the most likely way that Osborne’s audience shaped his arguments?

• Osborne stressed the income advantage of his levy because he thought members of Parliament would favor it.

• Osborne made sure that he did not bog his audience down with too many boring details.

• Osborne included more statistics and research data than he might have put in a speech to a general audience of adults.

• Osborne stressed improving the health of children so his fellow members of Parliament would not think he was motivated only by finances.

What does the question form of Chris Hall’s article title—“Will the Sugar Tax Stop Childhood Obesity?”—suggest about the contents of the article?

• The title is unambiguous evidence that the author is against a sugar tax.

• It suggests that the author is opening up a debate for readers to consider.

• It suggests the author intends to make a counterargument against the sugar tax.

• The title calls for readers to ask themselves what the article will be about.

Reread paragraph 4 of “Will the Sugar Tax Stop Childhood Obesity?” In it, Chris Hall concedes a main point of George Osborne’s speech. What effect might this concession to Osborne have on Hall’s overall argument?

• Readers who hold the opposing opinion will be more likely to change their minds.

• Readers will likely be reminded of the essential issue being argued.

• Readers will assume the author agrees with the overall argument in the speech.

• Readers will recognize that the author is giving fair consideration to the points made in the speech.

Which sentence from Chris Hall’s article suggests that George Osborne’s main argument is flawed because it is not supported by sufficient evidence from which to draw his conclusion?

• It’s only in the last ten years or so that sugar has been demonized for our increasing waistlines.

• Our consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has risen in recent decades. . . .

• Now, placing a tax on sugary drinks does indicate that the Government is realizing the extent of the obesity crisis and starting to do something about it.

• Milkshakes, flavored waters and off-the-shelf cold coffees can contain nearly as much sugar, if not more, than your average can of soda. . . .

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Select two arguments in “Will the Sugar Tax Stop Childhood Obesity?” that are counterarguments to claims George Osborne makes in his speech to the House of Commons.

• The new tax on sugary drinks will be split into two bands that are determined by the amount of sugar in the drinks.

• The tax is unlikely to cause the price of sugary drinks to rise so much that consumers will stop buying them.

• Placing a tax on sugary drinks suggests that the government realizes the extent of the obesity crisis.

• It is crucially important that we encourage our children to remain active.

• Only 10% of the 445 extra calories people consume are from sugar.