Question

read the following original short story and answer the questions. the essay challenge
alex stared at the blank page, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. he knew what he wanted to say, but the words just wouldnt come out right. his assignment was to convince his classmates to join a new environmental club he was passionate about, but every attempt felt disjointed. frustrated, he decided to take a break and think about how to make his argument more persuasive.
after a few minutes, alex remembered his teachers advice: start with a strong thesis. he scribbled a sentence that clearly stated his position, then thought about the reasons why his classmates should care. he knew he needed evidence to back up his points, so he researched statistics on pollution and climate change. as he integrated these facts into his essay, he used transition phrases to ensure everything flowed logically.
alex also anticipated counterarguments, acknowledging that some students might think the club would take up too much time. he countered this by explaining how small actions could make a big impact, providing examples of successful environmental initiatives led by students. by the time he finished, his essay was clear, persuasive, and well - structured, with each part contributing to a cohesive argument.
what was alexs primary difficulty with his essay?
a. articulating his ideas clearly
b. meeting the word count requirement
c. finding a suitable topic
d. conducting research
what strategy did alex use to address potential counterarguments?
a. he used emotional appeals instead of factual evidence
b. he acknowledged and refuted the counterarguments
c. he dismissed the opposing views without consideration
d. he avoided mentioning counterarguments in his essay

Explanation:

For the first, text says he knew what to say but words didn't come right. For second, it mentions he acknowledged counter - arguments and refuted them.

Answer:

a. Articulating his ideas clearly
b. He acknowledged and refuted the counterarguments