Question

directions: read the passage. then, answer the questions that follow.
1 because of budget cuts, many schools are reducing instruction in visual arts, music,
theater, and dance. i believe this is a short - sighted move that will result in students who
lack valuable knowledge and skills and who do not perform up to their potential in core
subject areas.
2 many researchers have shown that arts education helps the educational process as well
as individual characteristics such as self - esteem, motivation, and creativity. additionally
students involved in the arts have lower drop - out rates and better attendance. judith
burton, a researcher at columbia university, has found that students studying math,
science, and language benefit from thinking and creative abilities typical of arts learning.
some in our community argue that keeping arts instruction will mean an increase in
taxes. this is true, but individual families in the district would notice only a few cents per
month in increased taxes. certainly, we do not want to limit our students potential by
depriving them of all that arts education offers.
3 as you can see, arts instruction is important for many reasons. join me in encouraging
our school district to continue providing arts instruction at all levels.

1. reread paragraph 1. what is the authors claim?
2. who is most likely the intended audience? why do you think so?
3. list two examples of evidence the writer provides to support her claim.
4. what counterargument does the writer include?
5. what is the writers call to action?

Explanation:

1. In paragraph 1, the author's claim is about the negative impact of budget - cut - related reduction in arts education.
2. The intended audience is likely school district administrators. The author is trying to persuade them to continue arts instruction.
3. Evidence examples: Research showing arts education helps educational process (e.g., self - esteem etc.), Judith Burton's finding about students in arts and core subjects.
4. Counter - argument: Some community members say keeping arts means more taxes.
5. Call to action: Encourage the school district to continue providing arts instruction at all levels.

Answer:

1. The author claims that reducing instruction in visual arts, music, theater, and dance due to budget cuts is a short - sighted move that results in students lacking valuable knowledge and skills and not performing up to potential in core subjects.
2. The intended audience is school district administrators. The author is asking them to continue providing arts instruction (e.g., “Join me in encouraging our school district...”).
3. - Many researchers' findings that arts education helps the educational process (self - esteem, motivation, creativity etc.). - Judith Burton's finding that students in arts have better performance in math, science, language (due to thinking and creative abilities from arts learning).
4. Some community members argue that keeping arts instruction will mean an increase in taxes.
5. The writer's call to action is to encourage the school district to continue providing arts instruction at all levels.