Writing Standards: Writing Opinion Pieces with Reasons and Information (CCSS.W.4.1)

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Common Core 4th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Writing Opinion Pieces with Reasons and Information (CCSS.W.4.1)

Questions 1 - 10
1

I believe our school should have longer recess. When kids move their bodies, they come back ready to learn. For instance, running and playing help our hearts pump faster and our brains focus better in class. In addition, fresh air and sunlight can improve our mood, so we are kinder teammates during group work. Longer recess also gives us time to include everyone in games, instead of stopping right when it gets fun. Plus, the big slide is my favorite. With a few extra minutes, we can cool down, drink water, and return to lessons prepared.

Which reason best supports the author's opinion?

More exercise helps students focus better when they return to class.

The big slide is my favorite part of the playground.

Recess is cool and awesome.

The cafeteria brownies taste better after recess.

Explanation

The opinion is that longer recess helps learning. Exercise improving focus directly supports that purpose. The other options are personal, too general, or off-topic.

2

Pets should not be kept in our classrooms. To start, some students have allergies, and fur or feathers can make it hard for them to breathe. In addition, taking care of animals costs money for food and cages, and teachers already buy many supplies. Pets can also be distracting; for instance, a hamster running on a wheel might make us stare instead of read. I know animals are cute, but that is not a strong reason to keep them at school. We need to keep everyone safe and focused during learning time.

Which sentence would be the best way to end the paragraph?

Dogs are adorable and funny.

Maybe we could allow only fish on Fridays.

For these reasons, our school should not allow pets in classrooms.

This is my favorite topic to write about.

Explanation

A conclusion should restate the writer's opinion and link to the reasons. Choice C does this clearly. The others are off-topic, add a new idea, or are just personal comments.

3

Our school day should start later in the morning. Many kids go to bed late because of homework or activities, and they come to school feeling tired. When students get enough sleep, their brains remember lessons better and they make fewer mistakes on quizzes. In addition, a later start gives families more time to eat breakfast, which helps energy. I also like staying up late to play video games, but that is just my opinion and not a strong reason. Starting later would help us learn more and feel healthier.

Which reason best supports the author's opinion?

Pajamas are comfortable and cozy.

Students who get more sleep remember lessons better and make fewer mistakes.

Video games are more fun at night.

My cousin's school starts later and it is cool.

Explanation

The opinion is that school should start later to improve learning. The sleep-and-memory reason directly supports that. The other choices are personal, off-topic, or not strong evidence.

4

Our cafeteria should partner with students to grow a school garden. For instance, we could plant tomatoes and lettuce to use in salads, so lunches would be fresher and taste better. In addition, gardening teaches science skills like observing weather and measuring plant growth, and it shows teamwork and patience. We could invite classes to take turns watering and weeding. I admit a garden might take work, and it won't make our school famous by itself, but the benefits for health and learning are worth it.

Which sentence would be the best way to end the paragraph?

Gardens have worms, which are kind of weird.

Maybe we can buy a greenhouse next summer.

I like vegetables a lot.

A school garden would help us eat better and learn, so we should start one this year.

Explanation

A strong conclusion restates the opinion and connects to the reasons. Choice D sums up the benefits and calls for action. The others are off-topic, add a new idea, or are too general.

5

Students should have longer recess at our school. When we run, jump, and play, our bodies get exercise that keeps us healthy, and moving outside helps our brains relax. For instance, after ten more minutes of recess, kids would come back ready to focus in math. In addition, fresh air can reduce stress. Some people say there's not enough time, but a short break can actually save time because students finish work faster when they feel calm. Also, the playground is fun. In conclusion, longer recess would make our school day better.

Which reason best supports the author's opinion that recess should be longer?

Exercise and fresh air help students return to class focused and less stressed.

The playground has colorful slides.

Recess is my favorite part of the day.

Teachers need to chat with each other.

Explanation

Choice A clearly explains how longer recess improves health and focus, directly supporting the opinion. The other choices are personal, off-topic, or weak details that do not show a strong benefit.

6

Pets should be allowed in classrooms. A small, low-allergy pet, like a fish or a turtle, can teach responsibility because students take turns feeding and cleaning. For instance, we could make a simple schedule so everyone practices caring for a living thing. In addition, watching an animal can connect to science lessons about habitats and behavior. Some people worry about messes, but a tank or cage keeps the area tidy. Also, animals are cute, which makes school feel fun. To wrap up,

Which sentence would be the best way to end the paragraph?

My cousin has a dog at home.

Fish tanks can be heavy to carry.

Allowing a small class pet would help us learn and be responsible.

I like turtles because they have shells.

Explanation

Choice C restates the opinion and ties back to the strong reasons (learning and responsibility). The other choices are off-topic, add weak or irrelevant details, or are just personal preferences.

7

Our school should start later in the morning. Many students wake up before the sun and feel sleepy in first period. In order to learn well, our brains need enough rest. For instance, when I get eight or nine hours of sleep, I can remember directions and solve problems faster. A slightly later start would also make bus stops safer because it would be brighter outside. Some people say starting later would push sports back, but we could adjust practice times. Overall, a later start would help students do their best.

Which reason best supports the author's opinion?

Later start times are trendy in some places.

Students would have more time to play video games at night.

School buses look cool at sunrise.

Enough sleep helps students focus and remember, so they learn better.

Explanation

Choice D clearly shows how more sleep improves learning, directly supporting the opinion. The other choices are off-topic, weak, or unrelated to learning.

8

Our school should build a small community garden behind the library. First, growing vegetables would give us hands-on science practice with soil, weather, and plant life cycles. In addition, we could donate extra produce to the cafeteria or a local food pantry. For instance, classes could take turns watering and measuring plant growth each week. Some people worry a garden would be expensive, but families could bring seeds and we could reuse containers. Also, it would look nice by the playground. To finish,

Which sentence would be the best way to end the paragraph?

Gardens have dirt and worms.

Starting a garden would help students learn while helping our school and neighbors.

My favorite vegetable is carrots.

We should get more field trips.

Explanation

Choice B restates the opinion and sums up the main reasons (learning and helping others). The other options are off-topic, personal, or too weak to conclude the paragraph.

9

Students should have a longer recess each day. First, when we move our bodies, our brains wake up, so we return to class ready to focus. For instance, after running laps, I do better on math. In addition, fresh air helps us feel calm and kinder to each other. Longer recess would also give us more time to trade stickers, which is fun. Plus, if we play more, I might grow taller, I think. In conclusion, adding a few more minutes outside could improve learning and behavior.

Which reason best supports the author's opinion that students should have a longer recess?

We could trade stickers with friends during recess.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, helping students focus better in class.

Recess is fun and I like it a lot.

The playground slide is shiny and new.

Explanation

Choice B clearly explains how movement helps students focus, which directly supports the opinion about longer recess improving learning. The other choices are off-topic or too weak.

10

I believe our class should have a small pet, like a fish or hamster. To begin, caring for a pet teaches responsibility because we would follow a feeding and cleaning schedule. For instance, students could take turns and sign up for jobs. In addition, animals can lower stress; petting a calm animal can help worried students breathe easier. My cousin has a lizard, and it looks cool, which is another reason. Some people have allergies, but we can choose a low-allergy pet.

Which sentence would be the best way to end the paragraph?

Last summer, my camp had a lake with canoes.

We should also paint our classroom walls bright green.

Do you like animals?

So a class pet would make our room calmer and teach us to care for living things.

Explanation

Choice D restates the opinion and sums up the main reasons (calmer room and responsibility), making it a strong concluding statement. The other options are off-topic or not a conclusion.

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