Question

read this excerpt of a speech that javier is writing about the topic of a longer school day.
i don’t think we should have a longer school day.
children already spend 7 hours in school. ____ if parents and teachers want students to do better in school, they should make smaller classes and pay teachers more money instead of extending the school day.
which best addresses the counterclaim that “students should have a longer school day” and belongs in the blank space in javier’s speech?
○ the school day now lasts from early in the morning to late in the afternoon, which is long enough for children to have to sit in school.
○ with a longer school day, students would not get a chance for free play, which studies prove helps students develop the creative thinking skills they need.
○ i’ve heard that some countries have longer school days and not as much homework, which seems to suit those students well.
○ i have a really long school day because i go to after-school programs until my dad comes to pick me up after he finishes his workday.

Explanation:

To address the counterclaim that "students should have a longer school day", we need a statement that argues against it. The option "With a longer school day, students would not get a chance for free play, which studies prove helps students develop the creative thinking skills they need" provides a reason (lack of free play and hindered creative thinking development) to oppose a longer school day, directly countering the claim. Other options either support a longer day (like the one about some countries having longer days) or are personal anecdotes not addressing the counterclaim.

Answer:

The option: "With a longer school day, students would not get a chance for free play, which studies prove helps students develop the creative thinking skills they need"