Log in
Sign up for FREE
arrow_back
Library

"Leaving Main Street' Progress Monitor

star
star
star
star
star
Last updated over 1 year ago
10 questions
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Required
1
Read the passage "Leaving Main Street" and annotate it using Kami. Then, demonstrate your understanding by completing this progress monitor.
Question 1
1.

Question 2
2.

Question 3
3.

Question 4
4.

Question 5
5.

Question 6
6.

Question 7
7.

Question 8
8.

Question 9
9.

Draggable itemarrow_right_altCorresponding Item
arrow_right_alt
arrow_right_alt
arrow_right_alt
arrow_right_alt
Question 10
10.

Draggable itemarrow_right_altCorresponding Item
arrow_right_alt
arrow_right_alt
arrow_right_alt
Why is "Leaving Main Street" considered an argumentative text?
This passage explains the positive and negative effects of modern space exploration.
This passage relates a story with a theme showing the importance of space exploration.
This passage states and defends a particular position on pursuing space exploration.
This passage is a tribute to the space exploration program and the people involved.
A "claim" is the author's supported point of view or position on a topic. What is the author's overall claim in "Leaving Main Street"?
Money would be better spent on ending poverty and hunger instead of space exploration.
People explore space because we are born to wonder about and pursue the unknown.
The cost of space exploration is outweighed by the benefits it provides the United States.
Space exploration programs like the US's NASA inspire competition and innovation.
How did the author of "Leaving Main Street" develop the argument in this passage? Put the following statements in the correct order from first to last by dragging the 1st event to the top, the 2nd event below it, the 3rd event . . . etc.
Shifted to the particular pro-space exploration claim that the author wanted to support and provided four reasons to support the claim of it being "in our genes."
Described a successful modern space exploration mission and what we learned from it.
Identified a reason why the mission was nearly prevented and tied it into a common financial argument used against space exploration.
Concluded with a definition of what it means to be human and a need to maintain those qualities, especially if other life forms exist in the universe.
Refuted the negative argument by listing positive financial reasons for space exploration.
Which quotation is most significant in highlighting that the author of "Leaving Main Street" is shifting the direction of the passage to start the main claim?
"At a cost of six-tenths of a percent of the federal budget, it’s well worth the price."
"But these are not the real reasons for continuing the space program . . ."
"He goes on to say that Americans need the prospect of exploring space."
"If we stop exploring space, soon society will have forgotten what it’s like to be human."
What four supporting reasons does the author of "Leaving Main Street" use to build the argument for his/her claim?
high financial cost --> threats to defund --> prominent naysayers --> end poverty & hunger
adds national prestige --> helps economy --> creates jobs --> improves national security
strive to be best --> feed natural curiosity --> note achievements --> inspire new tech/ideas
not ball of ice --> molten core --> tectonic plates & volcanoes --> may support life
According to the context of paragraph 4 in "Leaving Main Street," what is the meaning of the term "naysayers"?
people who are optimistic about a particular topic
people who are critical about or against something
people who have never experienced a situation
people who really like horses and say "neigh" a lot
According to the context of paragraph 10 in "Leaving Main Street," what is the meaning of the term "commemorate"?
to ignore
to develop
to neglect
to celebrate
A "counterclaim" is used by an author to bring up an opposing (opposite) point of view and then demonstrate how it is wrong. Which of the following is a counterclaim mentioned by the author of "Leaving Main Street"?
" . . . the United States has more important things to spend its money on, such as ending
hunger and poverty."
"It’s human to wonder about things we can’t see, to look for what’s over the horizon."
" . . . humans have always created monuments to commemorate their great achievements, so that the next generation will remember who they are."
"Griffin makes the point that people go to space for reasons that are not necessarily logical."
Match the persuasive techniques used in "Leaving Main Street" to the quotations that demonstrate them. Use the provided definitions to assist you.
“When we contemplate committing large sums of money to a project, we tend to dismiss reasons that are emotional or value-driven,” Michael Griffin (of Air & Space Magazine) says.
"Hook"- an interesting start to a passage to gain the reader's attention
"At a cost of six-tenths of a percent (0.6%) of the federal budget, it’s well worth the price."
"Appeal to Authority/Quoted Words"-the use of experts and their statements to add weight or evidence to the author's claim or refute a counterclaim
"Humans have always created monuments to commemorate our great achievements . . .we want to be remembered . . ."
"Appeal to Reason/Numbers & Statistics"- the use of facts and statistical data to add weight or evidence to the author's claim or refute a counterclaim
"In July, 2015, the world watched in awe as close-up photographs
of Pluto streamed back to Earth from three billion miles away."
"Appeal to Emotion"- the use of positive/negative connotations and/or examples that persuade a reader to feel a certain way
Match the persuasive techniques used in "Leaving Main Street" to the quotations that demonstrate them. Use the provided definitions to assist you.
"Humans will not tolerate boundaries; their dream is to explore what’s beyond."
"Bandwagon Technique"- a bias towards a particular claim because "everyone is doing it"
"Everyone remembers being a kid and wanting to see what’s 'over there'."
"Rhetorical Question"- a question that creates a dramatic effect or makes a point, instead of needing an answer
"And how can we be so narrow-minded as to think we’re the only ones out there?"
"Absolute Language"-a statement that may be exaggerated or seem to forbid doubt or questions, and admit of no exceptions (all or none)