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41 multiple-choice questions and 9 flashcards on Reading Informational Text: Argument and Analysis, about 27% of the 7th Reading: Literature & Informational bank. Every one carries a written rationale.
Reading Informational Text: Argument and Analysis is one of 5 chapters in CoStudy's 7th Reading: Literature & Informational bank, and it holds 41 of the bank's 150 multiple-choice questions — roughly 27% of the total. That proportion is not arbitrary: chapters follow the certifying body's published exam outline, and the number of questions in each is set by that domain's published weight, so the share of your practice time this chapter takes matches the share of the real exam it accounts for.
Studying by chapter is worth doing once you have a diagnostic score. A single overall percentage tells you whether you are close; it does not tell you which domain is dragging. Working a weak chapter in isolation, and re-testing it in isolation, is the fastest way to move a score that has stalled — and it is why the mock exams in CoStudy report by domain rather than as one number.
10 questions drawn from this chapter, with the full rationale shown — the controlling principle behind the right answer, and why each wrong option tempts and fails.
Which organizational strategy places events in the order they happened?
Answer: C — Chronological order
Chronological order = time order, from first to last. (A) shows similarities/differences; (B) shows what leads to what; (D) names a problem and proposes answers.
A reader analyzing an author's argument should check:
Answer: D — Whether the evidence is sufficient, relevant, and accurate
D) Three pillars of evaluating evidence. A/B/C) Skim only — incomplete analysis.
The author writes: 'Opponents claim longer school days harm student health; however, studies show extended learning time improves outcomes.' What technique is used?
Answer: C — Acknowledging and refuting a counterargument
The author states the opposing view ('opponents claim...') and then refutes it with evidence ('studies show...'). (A) anecdote is a personal story; (B) appeals to emotion; (D) circular reasoning restates the claim as proof.
'The students argued that the new lunch menu was unhealthy because the chips contained too much sodium and the desserts had excessive sugar.' What is the role of the second part of the sentence?
Answer: D — It provides supporting evidence and reasoning
D) Specific examples (sodium, sugar) support the claim about the menu being unhealthy. A) The first half is the claim. C) No opposing view. B) Stays on topic.
'Some say recycling is too expensive. However, the long-term savings from reduced landfill costs outweigh the initial investment.' What rhetorical move is the author making?
Answer: A — Acknowledging and refuting a counterargument
A) 'Some say...However' acknowledges then refutes opposition. B) No expert is cited. C) No anecdote. D) No definition given.
'In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. The next year, the Montgomery Bus Boycott ended. Then, in 1957, the Civil Rights Act was passed.' What text structure is this?
Answer: A — Chronological order
A) Dates in time sequence (1955 → 1956 → 1957) indicate chronological order. B) No comparison is drawn. C) No solution is named. D) Events, not features, are listed.
'Both pumas and jaguars are large cats, but pumas are found mostly in the Americas while jaguars dominate Central and South American rainforests.' Which text structure is used?
Answer: A — Compare-contrast
A) The sentence compares similarities and contrasts differences. B) No causal chain. C) No time sequence. D) No problem or solution.
What is foreshadowing?
Answer: D — Hints or clues about events that will happen later in the story
Foreshadowing plants subtle clues that hint at future plot developments, creating anticipation. (A) is allusion; (C) theme is rarely stated directly; (B) is setting description.
An author includes a vivid description of a thunderstorm just before a character makes a frightening decision. This technique is called:
Answer: C — Pathetic fallacy (using weather to reflect mood)
Using weather to mirror a character's emotional state or coming events is called pathetic fallacy (a form of mood-setting). (A) flashback goes back in time; (B) foreshadowing hints at future events more directly; (D) exposition introduces characters/setting.
Irony in literature refers to:
Answer: C — A discrepancy between what is expected and what actually occurs, or between what is said and what is meant
Irony creates contrast between expectation and reality (situational), between what is said and meant (verbal), or between what a character knows vs. what the reader knows (dramatic). (A) alliteration; (B) simile/metaphor; (D) allusion.
4 cards from the 9 in this chapter.
What is 'textual evidence' useful for?
Supporting your claims/interpretations with proof from the text.
What is 'central idea' of an informational text?
The main point — what the text is mostly about.
How do you analyze a quote?
Cite the quote → explain what it means in context → explain how it supports your point.
What's the difference between 'explicit' and 'implicit' meaning?
Explicit = directly stated. Implicit = implied; needs inference.
These are a sample. The full Reading Informational Text: Argument and Analysis chapter runs 50 items with per-chapter progress tracking, on the web and in the iOS app.
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