E3 | 1.17 "Is the American Dream Still Possible?" Reading Quiz

What is the main claim of David Wallechinsky’s article, "Is the American Dream Still Possible?"

• The American Dream is alive and well for anyone who works hard enough.

• The American Dream has become increasingly difficult to attain due to economic hardships.

• The American Dream has always been a myth rather than a reality.

• The American Dream is only possible for those in the upper class.

Which of the following statements best describes the kind of support Wallechinsky provides for his thesis in “Is the American Dream Still Possible?”

• Providing rebuttals to counterarguments that refute his claims

• Citing specific examples of real middle-class people

• Comparing U.S. household earnings statistics at different income levels

• Using quotations from authoritative, expert sources

How does Wallechinsky structure his argument to make it more persuasive?

• He presents a counterclaim at the beginning and then refutes it throughout the text.

• He starts with statistical evidence before transitioning into personal narratives.

• He begins with a strong emotional appeal and then supports it with expert testimony.

• He uses rhetorical questions throughout the article to engage the reader.

What rhetorical strategy does Wallechinsky most frequently employ to support his argument?

• Appeal to ethos by using expert opinions

• Appeal to pathos by including personal anecdotes

• Appeal to logos through the use of historical references

• Appeal to authority by citing government officials

Which of the following details from the excerpt best supports the author’s claim that the American Dream is becoming more difficult to achieve?

• "By international standards, they live a life of prosperity."

• "Most say they are in reasonably good health and have a satisfying religious or spiritual life."

• "Half of the employed respondents say that they’ve experienced either increased health-care costs or a cut in health benefits over the last three years, and 39% have had cuts in their overtime, raises or bonuses."

• "Most describe themselves as married and having a family."

Which transition word or phrase does Wallechinsky use to introduce contrasting ideas?

• “For example”

• “On the other hand”

• “As a result”

• “In conclusion”

How does Wallechinsky address counterarguments in his article?

• He acknowledges that some Americans are still financially successful but argues that they are the exception.

• He ignores opposing viewpoints and focuses only on supporting his claim.

• He presents a variety of expert opinions that contradict his argument.

• He suggests that the American Dream is still alive but requires extreme sacrifices.

What assumption underlies Wallechinsky’s argument?

• The American Dream has never been achievable.

• Economic hardship primarily affects the lower class, due to a lack of education.

• The American Dream is becoming harder to maintain for many Americans.

• Hard work and post-secondary education guarantees financial success.

Based on the evidence presented in paragraph 5, what logical fallacy is present, and what is its effect on the way the text is read and understood?

• Slippery slope – he suggests that the economy will continue to decline indefinitely regardless of interventions.

• Straw man – he misrepresents the opposing argument by oversimplifying the struggles of Americans.

• Hasty generalization – he applies specific anecdotes that are to be a representation of the entire middle class.

• No fallacies – his argument is entirely logically sound.

What is the purpose of the final section, “What Can You Do?” in Wallechinsky’s article?

• To suggest that individuals have no control over economic hardships by earning a college degree.

• To motivate readers to take political action and vote for policies that support the everyday issues that have the biggest impact.

• To argue that the American Dream is still alive and attainable to only those who work hard.

• To provide financial advice on how to achieve economic success.