AHSGE Reading Objective II-5

1. AHSGE Reading Objective II-5 Recognize Summary Statements

2. Summaries • A summary is a shortened version of a longer work, including the main idea and the MOST important details. • An effective summary of the passage should not only contain the most relevant information from the original passage, but it should also convey the original’s underlying message or theme.

3. Read this sample passage. Ask yourself, “What Main point does the author want me to understand about the topic?” Then notice how all the important elements of the passage can be put together to create a brief summary.

4. Although many people believe that John F. Kennedy was the youngest man ever to be president of the United states, that distinction actually belongs to Theodore Roosevelt. When William McKinley was elected to a to a second term in 1900, he named Roosevelt as his vice president.

5. Soon after, McKinley was assassinated. Roosevelt then became president at the age of 42. John F. Kennedy took office in 1961at 43 years old, just slightly older than Roosevelt. While Roosevelt was younger when he became president, Kennedy still seems the most youthful U.S. president.

6. Notice the important elements in the passage you have just read.

7. Read the passages on the next few slides. Then select the best summary. We need to remember as well to celebrate the end of World War I. We need to remember the dead and the wounded, the widows and orphans, the destroyed and broken homes, farms, and businesses. We need to remember these casualties of war. We must prevent another such war from happening.

8. What is the best summary for this passage? A) Widows and orphans should remember the dead and wounded. B) War is a part of the human condition. C) Remember those who were lost or wounded in the war. D) We must prevent war in the future.

9. Answer What is the best summary for this passage? A) Widows and orphans should remember the dead and wounded. B) War is a part of the human condition. C) Remember those who were lost or wounded in the war. D) We must prevent war in the future.

10. An old male elephant was dying in the African wilderness. A group of elephants from his herd gathered around this male, trying to get him to stand up. They tried to stroke him with their trunks, raise him with their tusks, and put food in his mouth. Nothing seemed to work, so the herd left. However, a mother and her calf remained, standing with their backs to the dead elephant. The mother tried to touch the dead elephant with one foot. Then the herd returned and began circling the dead companion. After a time, they gathered tree branches and grass clumps, scattering these items on or around the body.

11. What is the best summary for the passage? A) Elephants often die alone in the wilderness. B) Some animals perform rituals to mourn their dead. C) Death is a fact of life in the African wilderness. D) The elephant population in Africa is declining because they are hunted and killed.

12. What is the best summary for the passage? A) Elephants often die alone in the wilderness. B) Some animals perform rituals to mourn their dead. C) Death is a fact of life in the African wilderness. D) The elephant population in Africa is declining because they are hunted and killed.

13. AHSGE Objective III-1 Recognize Logic and Arguments

14. Logical Arguments • When reading a piece of persuasive writing, it is important for you to be able to evaluate the strength and validity of the argument. The writer should support his or her position with solid evidence and sound reasoning. • In a well-balanced argument, the writer usually counters or answers important objections to his or her point of view in a reasonable, thoughtful way. • A weak argument lacks sufficient evidence to support the writer’s position and may also contain faulty logic or reasoning.

15. Writer’s can often fool you into believing an argument is sound by using faulty logic. Types of faulty logic include: Circular Reasoning: The writer takes the reader in a circle, stating the same thing over again in different words. It is vital that we protect the environment because saving the environment is an important responsibility. Either/Or Fallacies: The writer implies that there are only two possible reasons for explanations for something. Without new cheerleading uniforms, our cheerleading team has no chance of winning the competition. Cause/Effect Fallacies: The writer implies that one thing happens because of another thing that happened before it. Since last year, students have been required to wear uniforms and now students receive less detention.

16. Read the passage below. Note the details that strengthen and weaken the writer’s argument. Our school needs to build a new gymnasium. Without a new gym, students will be cheated out of a well-rounded education that includes sports and athletic activities. The old gymnasium is inadequate in many ways. First, for seating it has plank benches instead of individual seats, and most of the planks are cracked and warped. These planks are hard to sit on for a long time, and many people are having back problems. The old gym also doesn’t hold enough fans. While some people oppose building a new gym because of the expense, they should also consider that a new, larger gymnasium could be used for assemblies, dances, and other activities that benefit all students. *The writer’s position is clear. *This statement is an example of either/or fallacy. *This statement is an example of a cause/effect fallacy. *This statement is not supported by facts.

17. Read the passage below.Stop Traffic Congestion We should pass laws to get cars and trucks off our city streets. Without cars and trucks clogging our city streets, the general health of the local economy and of many of our citizens could be improved. First, underused and vacant parking lots could be converted into commercial space, which, according to the mayor, would provide more business opportunities in some sections of the city and could help lower unemployment in those areas. Parking lots could also be turned into living space, which would help end homelessness. In addition, more people would have to rely on public transportation, dramatically reducing the local consumption of gasoline. With increased dependence on public transportation, buses and trains will start running on schedule. Finally, and most importantly, with fewer vehicles on the street emitting harmful gas fumes, the air quality in our city has a greater chance of improving. According to recent EPA studies, better air quality results in fewer cases of chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, and acute bronchitis in children. It is true that people would have less freedom to drive wherever they wanted and spending for public transportation would have to be increased; however, I believe the guaranteed benefit of better air quality is too important for any of us to ignore.

18. Now answer the questions on what you’ve just read. • Which of the following idea from the passage is an example of faulty logic? A. With less traffic, the health of the local economy and citizens might improve. B. Buses and trains will run on schedule with more use. C. With fewer vehicles emitting fumes, the air quality may improve. D. The guaranteed benefit of better air quality is too important to ignore.

19. Which idea from the passage is not supported by evidence? A. Underused and vacant parking lots could become commercial space. B. Converting parking lots to commercial space would provide more business opportunities in the city. C. Additional commercial space could help lower unemployment in some areas of the city. D. Turning parking lots into living space would help end homelessness.

20. Answers: • Which of the following idea form the passage is an example of faulty logic? A. With less traffic, the health of the local economy and citizens might improve. B. Buses and trains will run on schedule with more use. C. With fewer vehicles emitting fumes, the air quality may improve. D. The guaranteed benefit of better air quality is too important to ignore. • Which idea from the passage is not supported by evidence? A. Underused and vacant parking lots could become commercial space. B. Converting parking lots to commercial space would provide more business opportunities in the city. C. Additional commercial space could help lower unemployment in some areas of the city. D. Turning parking lots into living space would help end homelessness.