Daily Reading Practice

Day 9 of 10
Grade 6 ELA | Rhetorical Appeals | Part A/Part B Format
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.3.4 - Identify rhetorical appeals in a text (ethos, logos, pathos).
IXL Skills: Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos; Analyze persuasive techniques
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Directions: Read the speech excerpt below carefully. Then answer the questions that follow. Pay attention to how the speaker uses different types of persuasive appeals: ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (logic/evidence).
Speech to the Youth Climate Summit

As someone who has spent twenty years studying climate science at NASA, I can tell you with complete certainty: the data does not lie. Our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate, and the consequences are already visible around the world.

Consider the facts: Global temperatures have risen 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. Arctic ice is melting three times faster than it was in the 1990s. Sea levels have risen eight inches in the past century, threatening coastal communities from Miami to Mumbai. These are not opinions or predictions. They are measurements, verified by scientists across six continents.

But this is not just about numbers on a chart. Think about the polar bear cub, born this spring, who will grow up in a world with 40% less sea ice than her grandmother knew. Think about the farmer in Kansas, watching his crops wither under record-breaking heat, wondering how he'll feed his family. Think about your own children and grandchildren, who will inherit whatever world we leave behind.

I know that climate change can feel overwhelming. I know it's tempting to look away, to hope someone else will solve it. But here's what gives me hope: when young people like you understand the science and feel the urgency, change happens. You have already pushed governments and corporations to act faster than they would have otherwise. Your voices matter more than you know.

The science is clear. The moral imperative is clear. The question is whether we will rise to meet this moment. I believe we will, because I believe in you.

Questions 1-2: Identifying Rhetorical Appeals
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
Which rhetorical appeal does the speaker use PRIMARILY in paragraph 1?
A
Pathos (appeal to emotion)
B
Ethos (appeal to credibility)
C
Logos (appeal to logic)
D
None of the above
Part B
Which phrase from paragraph 1 BEST demonstrates this appeal?
A
"As someone who has spent twenty years studying climate science at NASA"
B
"Our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate"
C
"The data does not lie"
D
"The consequences are already visible"
Practice this skill on IXL: Identify appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos
Questions 3-4: Analyzing Persuasive Techniques
This question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Part A
What is the PRIMARY effect of the speaker's use of pathos in paragraph 3?
A
It establishes the speaker as an expert on the topic.
B
It presents statistical evidence to prove the argument.
C
It explains the scientific process behind climate research.
D
It makes the issue personal and relatable, motivating the audience to care.
Part B
Which sentence from paragraph 3 BEST creates an emotional connection with the audience?
A
"But this is not just about numbers on a chart."
B
"These are not opinions or predictions."
C
"Think about your own children and grandchildren, who will inherit whatever world we leave behind."
D
"They are measurements, verified by scientists across six continents."
Practice this skill on IXL: Analyze persuasive techniques
FAST Success Kit | Grade 6 Daily Reading Practice | Day 9
FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.6.R.3.4 | Lexile: 990L-1030L
Practice questions mirror Florida FAST assessment Part A/Part B format
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Answer Key (Teacher Reference)

Question 1 Part A: B - Ethos (appeal to credibility)
The speaker establishes expertise by mentioning their credentials at NASA.
Question 1 Part B: A - "As someone who has spent twenty years studying climate science at NASA"
This directly establishes the speaker's credibility through experience and institutional authority.
Question 2 Part A: D - It makes the issue personal and relatable, motivating the audience to care.
The emotional images of the polar bear and farmer create empathy and personal connection.
Question 2 Part B: C - "Think about your own children and grandchildren, who will inherit whatever world we leave behind."
This directly connects the audience's personal lives and loved ones to the issue.