Grade 8 Argument & Media worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- A fact can be checked. An opinion is a belief.
- Ethos appeals to credibility, pathos to emotions and logos to logic and facts.
- Watch for weak reasoning and check who made a message and whether the source is reliable.
Example: What does pathos mean in a persuasive text? Ethos is credibility. Logos is logic. Pathos is the one about feelings. Answer: Appealing to the audience’s emotions
Question 1
An ad says “9 out of 10 dentists recommend brand X,” but doesn't say how many dentists were asked. What is the problem?
- The sample size is not shared, so the claim may mislead.
- Dentists cannot recommend products.
- Brand X must be bad.
- The ad uses numbers.
The sample size is not shared, so the claim may mislead.
Hint: A claim about a group needs details, such as how many were surveyed and who they were.
Question 2
What does logos mean in a persuasive text?
- Appealing to emotions
- Appealing to the writer's fame
- Appealing to fear
- Appealing to logic, reasons and facts
Appealing to logic, reasons and facts
Hint: Logos uses evidence and clear reasoning.
Question 3
Which question best helps you judge the purpose of a media message?
- How many colours does it use?
- Is it popular?
- Who made this, and why?
- How long is it?
Who made this, and why?
Hint: Knowing the creator and their reason helps you spot persuasion or bias.
Question 4
What does ethos mean in a persuasive text?
- Appealing to logic and facts
- Appealing to the writer's credibility or character
- Appealing to emotions
- Appealing to humour
Appealing to the writer's credibility or character
Hint: Ethos is about trust: “Listen to me because I am an expert.”
Question 5
What does pathos mean in a persuasive text?
- Appealing to the writer's age
- Appealing to logic and statistics
- Appealing to the writer's credibility
- Appealing to the audience's emotions
Appealing to the audience's emotions
Hint: Pathos is about feelings, such as a sad story to move readers.
Question 6
Which source is usually most reliable for the number of students in a school district?
- A meme
- An anonymous comment online
- The district's official report
- A friend's text message
The district's official report
Hint: Official reports from the organization responsible are usually the most accurate for facts like these.
Question 7
“Everybody is buying this phone, so it must be the best.” What is the flaw?
- It is a fair comparison
- It uses facts
- Bandwagon: popularity doesn't prove quality
- It cites an expert
Bandwagon: popularity doesn't prove quality
Hint: Many people doing something doesn't make it good.
Question 8
Which sentence is an opinion?
- Some pizzas have cheese.
- Pizza is often baked in an oven.
- Pizza was served at noon.
- Pizza is the best lunch.
Pizza is the best lunch.
Hint: “Best” is a judgment. People can disagree, so it is an opinion.
Question 9
What is a claim in an argument?
- A list of sources
- A statement the writer wants you to accept
- The title of the article
- A fact nobody disagrees with
A statement the writer wants you to accept
Hint: A claim is the main point an author argues for. Evidence supports it.
Question 10
A fact can be…
- checked and proven true or false
- only a person's opinion
- something you like
- always about the future
checked and proven true or false
Hint: A fact can be verified. An opinion is a belief or judgment.
Answer key
- 1. The sample size is not shared, so the claim may mislead.
- 2. Appealing to logic, reasons and facts
- 3. Who made this, and why?
- 4. Appealing to the writer's credibility or character
- 5. Appealing to the audience's emotions
- 6. The district's official report
- 7. Bandwagon: popularity doesn't prove quality
- 8. Pizza is the best lunch.
- 9. A statement the writer wants you to accept
- 10. checked and proven true or false
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.