Question

directions: read the following passage. then choose the best answer to questions 18 through 21. many people think that dangerous team sports such as football and soccer are the best way for children to stay fit and to gain important team - building skills. of course, it is true that children need physical exercise and opportunities to interact with others. however, dance is a better way to address these needs. children who are involved in dance build tremendous strength, endurance, and flexibility in a calm and collaborative environment. in addition, they build their cognitive skills when they are memorizing choreography and team - building skills when they are performing in recitals. 18. the words of course at the beginning of sentence 2 introduce a. a statement of agreement with an opposing argument. b. a statement of disagreement with an opposing argument. c. the assumption on which the author’s argument is based. d. the evidence that the author uses to refute an opposing argument. 19. which of the following statements about the passage is true? a. the author’s evidence is relevant to the claim, but not sufficient. b. the author’s evidence is relevant to the claim and sufficient. c. the author’s evidence is not relevant to the claim or sufficient. d. the author’s evidence is relevant to the claim, but the sources are not credible. 20. which of the following signal words or phrase in the passage indicates contrast? a. however b. in addition c. of course d. when 21. which of the following is a hidden assumption that the author makes about dance? a. it is active. b. it is not dangerous. c. it does not require strength. d. it requires children to work together.

Explanation:

Question 18

The phrase "of course" in the second sentence agrees with the idea that children need physical exercise and interaction (from the opposing argument about team sports) before the author introduces dance as a better option. So it's a statement of agreement with the opposing argument's valid point.

The author's evidence (dance builds strength, endurance, flexibility, cognitive skills, team - building skills) is relevant to the claim that dance is a better way for children to stay fit and gain team - building skills. But the evidence might not be sufficient as it could be argued that more types of evidence (like comparative studies with team sports) could be added. Option B is wrong as the evidence isn't fully sufficient. Option C is wrong as the evidence is relevant. Option D is wrong as there's no mention of non - credible sources.

• "however" is a common signal word for contrast. It's used to show that despite the previous idea about team sports, dance is a better option.
• "in addition" is for adding information, "of course" is for agreement, and "when" is a time - related word. So "however" indicates contrast.

Answer:

A. a statement of agreement with an opposing argument.

Question 19