T2.1.3 Arguments, letters and other non-fiction forms Quiz: KS3 English, Unit 2

The 20 questions

1. What is the main purpose of an argument text?

   • To list the facts about a topic without giving the writer's own opinion at all
   • To present a reasoned case for a view and persuade the reader to accept it
   • To describe the appearance of a place using imagery and sensory detail only
   • To tell a made-up story about a character who faces a difficult moral choice

2. What is a formal letter?

   • A letter written in slang to a close friend, with abbreviations and emoticons throughout
   • A letter sent by text message that includes a list of emojis to show the mood
   • A letter written in polite, structured language, with the writer's address and the recipient's address
   • A shopping list written in a notebook and read aloud to a family member at home

3. Which feature is typical of a persuasive article?

   • A set of numbered instructions for building a model with materials from a kit
   • A diagram of the internal structure of a plant, with labels and captions added
   • A list of definitions in alphabetical order, with no statements of opinion at all
   • A headline, a strong opening, and a clear point of view supported by evidence

4. What is a rhetorical device used in arguments?

   • A list of the sources used by a writer when preparing a school project
   • A machine used to print leaflets in large quantities for a public campaign
   • A technique such as a rhetorical question, a list of three or repetition used to persuade
   • A type of stamp used to show that a letter has been posted by a formal office

5. What is a leaflet used for?

   • To give information or persuade readers quickly, using headings, images and short text
   • To provide a full, detailed novel with many chapters and characters for long reading
   • To record the minutes of a meeting for future reference by the members present
   • To hold a long argument spread over many pages with footnotes and references

6. In a formal letter, where is the writer's address normally placed?

   • On the back of the envelope only, and never inside the letter itself
   • At the bottom of the last page, after the signature in small print
   • In the centre of the first paragraph, between two commas in the sentence
   • At the top right of the letter, above the date

7. Which sign-off is most suitable for a formal letter to a named person?

   • Cheers mate, see you soon, with a smiley face at the end
   • LOL xx, written in capital letters on the final line
   • Bye, and don't forget to reply, followed by a single full stop
   • Yours sincerely, followed by the writer's full name

8. A student writes an argument for longer lunch breaks. Which opening is most effective?

   • Lunch is a meal that many people eat at different times, depending on the day of the week
   • Every student deserves time to eat and rest, and a longer lunch would improve learning
   • There are sandwiches and crisps available in the canteen, which some students like a lot
   • The school has a canteen, a hall and a library, and each of them has its own opening times

9. Which evidence best supports an argument that a park should be protected?

   • A personal story from a relative about a holiday in a different country entirely
   • A quotation from a famous poem that mentions a park in a different country
   • A list of the park's bench colours and the paint used on the gates each year
   • Figures showing how many local families use it weekly for exercise and play

10. A leaflet about a charity uses bold headings and a short slogan. What is its likely purpose?

    • To list the names of every member of the charity's board of directors
    • To grab attention quickly and encourage readers to donate or get involved
    • To provide a long technical report about the charity's accounts and finances
    • To explain the full legal history of the charity in several hundred pages

11. Which is an effective way to end an argument?

    • Repeating the first sentence word for word without any further comment or reason
    • Ending abruptly with a question that the reader cannot possibly answer at all
    • Introducing an entirely new topic that has no connection to the argument's thesis
    • Summarising the main points and making a clear call to action for the reader

12. Why might a writer use a formal register in a letter to a council?

    • Because the council is an official body, and a formal tone shows respect and seriousness
    • Because formal letters cannot include any information about the writer's concern
    • Because councils only read letters written in verse, so the formal tone is required
    • Because a formal letter is always shorter, so the council can read it more quickly

13. What is a 'fallacy' in an argument?

    • A correct fact that is repeated many times in an essay to strengthen its impact
    • A statement of the writer's personal feelings, which is always banned in arguments
    • A flaw in reasoning that makes an argument invalid or unfair to the opposing view
    • A quotation from an expert that is printed in a larger font to attract the reader

14. What is an 'ad hominem' attack?

    • Using a quotation from an expert to support a point in an essay about science
    • Addressing the reader directly with a personal question in the introduction
    • Attacking the person making an argument rather than the argument itself
    • Describing a person's appearance in detail to make them seem more interesting

15. Which statement best describes the purpose of a letter to the editor?

    • To ask the newspaper to publish a full novel in a series of weekly instalments
    • To tell the editor about a private family matter that has nothing to do with the paper
    • To provide a timetable of local events, listed by date, for the newspaper's calendar
    • To express a view on an issue to a newspaper's readers, usually in a concise form

16. What is a memo?

    • A long book of memoirs written by a famous person about their life and career
    • A short internal message within an organisation, giving information or instructions
    • A recording of a speech made at a public meeting for the local archive
    • A formal invitation to a wedding or a celebration sent by post in an envelope

17. A writer wants to show the balance of an argument. Which choice is most appropriate?

    • Ignoring the opposing view entirely so the reader focuses only on the writer's case
    • Acknowledging the opposing view fairly before explaining why the writer's view is stronger
    • Describing the opposing view as stupid so the reader rejects it at once
    • Using only quotations from the opposing side so that the reader is convinced by them

18. Which feature is typical of a newspaper report?

    • A character list, stage directions and a set of spoken lines for performance
    • A poem with a regular rhyme scheme and a chorus repeated in every stanza
    • A headline, an opening sentence that gives the key facts, and a balance of quotes
    • A recipe with a list of ingredients and numbered steps for the cook to follow

19. Why do formal letters often use paragraphs with a clear purpose?

    • To make the letter longer so it looks more impressive when it is printed
    • To make the request or argument clear, so the reader can act on it quickly
    • To hide the main request in the middle of several unrelated paragraphs of text
    • To allow the writer to change the purpose of the letter halfway through the text

20. What is a 'call to action' in a persuasive text?

    • A list of all the actions that the writer carried out during the campaign last year
    • A direct invitation for the reader to do something, such as sign a petition or donate
    • A bell rung at the start of a speech to attract the attention of the audience
    • A stage direction telling the actor to shout the final line loudly to the crowd

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