Main Point Drill Pack

Question 1

Critics call the new library a waste of money, but library visits are up 40 percent and every seat is full by noon. A building the public actually uses is the opposite of a waste.

The main point of the argument is that

1. A. critics are always wrong
2. B. the new library is not a waste of money
3. C. library visits are up 40 percent
4. D. libraries should be bigger
5. E. the public likes new buildings

Answer: ______

Question 2

The team practiced twice as hard this season, hired a new coach, and still finished last. Clearly, effort alone does not win games.

Which of the following is the main conclusion?

1. A. The team should fire the coach.
2. B. Practice is useless.
3. C. Effort alone does not win games.
4. D. The team finished last.
5. E. The new coach was a mistake.

Answer: ______

Question 3

Some say social media connects us, but the average user spends three hours a day scrolling alone. We are more "connected" and lonelier than ever. The platforms are not bringing us together.

The main point is that

1. A. people spend too much time on their phones
2. B. loneliness is increasing
3. C. social media platforms are not bringing us together
4. D. scrolling is addictive
5. E. we should delete social media

Answer: ______

Question 4

Some people argue that small towns should not build public transit systems, since ridership is always low at first. But every successful system started small. The question is not whether a town needs transit now, but whether it will need it in twenty years.

Which of the following is the main point of the argument?

1. A. Public transit systems are always successful in the long run.
2. B. Ridership on new transit systems is always low at first.
3. C. Small towns should not build public transit systems.
4. D. Small towns should judge transit by future need, not current ridership.
5. E. Every town will need public transit in twenty years.

Answer: ______

Question 5

Studying in short sessions across several days beats cramming the night before, and reviewing old material beats re-reading notes. Students who want better grades should therefore space out their studying and test themselves on past topics.

The main point of the argument is that

1. A. cramming never works for any student
2. B. re-reading notes is a waste of time
3. C. students should space their studying and self-test on old material
4. D. short study sessions are the only effective method
5. E. grades depend entirely on study technique

Answer: ______

Question 6

People say they want honest politicians, then punish candidates who admit mistakes. Until voters reward honesty instead of punishing it, campaigns will keep hiding flaws. So the dishonesty voters complain about is partly their own doing.

The main conclusion of the argument is that

1. A. politicians are never honest
2. B. voters share the blame for political dishonesty
3. C. candidates should never admit mistakes
4. D. honesty is impossible in politics
5. E. voters do not actually want honest politicians

Answer: ______

Question 7

Online reviews can be faked, cherry-picked, or written by competitors. A restaurant's rating therefore tells you more about its marketing than its food. The only reliable review is your own first visit.

The main point is that

1. A. online reviews are always fake
2. B. marketing matters more than food quality
3. C. you should trust your own experience over online ratings
4. D. competitors write most negative reviews
5. E. restaurants should not allow online reviews

Answer: ______

Question 8

The new tax is supposed to fund road repairs, but the bill lets the money be spent on anything. Without a lock on the funds, drivers will pay more and the potholes will stay. Voters should reject the tax.

The main conclusion is that

1. A. the roads need repairs
2. B. politicians cannot be trusted
3. C. voters should reject the tax
4. D. potholes are dangerous
5. E. taxes are always bad

Answer: ______

Question 9

College is expensive, but the data is clear: graduates earn far more over a lifetime than non-graduates. The debt is real, yet the payoff is bigger. For most students, college remains worth the cost.

The main point of the argument is that

1. A. college debt is not a real problem
2. B. non-graduates earn very little
3. C. for most students, college is worth the cost
4. D. every student should attend college
5. E. college should be free

Answer: ______

Question 10

The park is dirty, the benches are broken, and the fountain has not worked in a year. The city should fix the park.

The main point of the argument is that

1. A. the park is dirty
2. B. the benches are broken
3. C. the fountain does not work
4. D. the city should fix the park
5. E. parks are important

Answer: ______