Analyzing Arguments - FAST Format Quiz

Google Form Script

To create a Google Form version of this quiz:

1. Go to script.google.com
2. Create a new project
3. Paste the code below
4. Run the createArgumentsQuiz function
5. Authorize when prompted

function createArgumentsQuiz() {
  var form = FormApp.create('Analyzing Arguments - FAST Format Quiz');
  form.setDescription('Grade 7 Reading | FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.7.R.2.3');

  // Passage 1 text
  form.addSectionHeaderItem()
    .setTitle('Passage: The Case for Year-Round School')
    .setHelpText('The traditional school calendar, with its long summer break, is an outdated relic that harms student achievement. Originally designed for an agricultural society where children were needed for farm work, this schedule no longer serves modern students. It\'s time for schools to adopt year-round calendars.\n\nResearch consistently shows that students lose significant knowledge during the extended summer break, a phenomenon researchers call "summer slide." A study by the Brookings Institution found that students lose an average of one month of learning over summer, with low-income students losing even more. Year-round schooling, with shorter, more frequent breaks throughout the year, would eliminate this learning loss.\n\nAdditionally, year-round schools use buildings more efficiently. Instead of sitting empty for three months, school facilities can serve students continuously. This allows districts to reduce class sizes without building new schools, saving taxpayer money while improving education.\n\nSome argue that year-round school would ruin summer activities like camps and family vacations. However, year-round schools still provide the same total vacation days - they\'re just distributed differently. Families would have breaks in fall, winter, and spring for travel, while summer programs could adapt to shorter sessions.\n\nFor the sake of our children\'s education and our community\'s resources, we must embrace this common-sense reform.');

  // Question 1
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('1. What is the author\'s central CLAIM in this passage?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. Summer camps and vacations are less important than education.'),
      form.createChoice('B. The traditional school calendar is outdated and schools should adopt year-round schedules.', true),
      form.createChoice('C. Low-income students suffer more from summer learning loss than other students.'),
      form.createChoice('D. School buildings sit empty and unused during summer months.')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 2
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('2. Which piece of evidence from the passage is MOST credible?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. "Originally designed for an agricultural society where children were needed for farm work"'),
      form.createChoice('B. "A study by the Brookings Institution found that students lose an average of one month of learning"', true),
      form.createChoice('C. "For the sake of our children\'s education and our community\'s resources"'),
      form.createChoice('D. "Summer programs could adapt to shorter sessions"')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 3
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('3. The phrase "common-sense reform" in the final paragraph is an example of:')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. Credible evidence from research'),
      form.createChoice('B. A counterargument to opposing views'),
      form.createChoice('C. Loaded language designed to influence readers', true),
      form.createChoice('D. A logical fallacy (false cause)')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 4
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('4. How does the author ADDRESS the counterargument about summer activities?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. By dismissing it as unimportant'),
      form.createChoice('B. By explaining that total vacation days remain the same', true),
      form.createChoice('C. By citing research that proves activities are harmful'),
      form.createChoice('D. By attacking people who enjoy summer vacations')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 5
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('5. What evidence is MISSING that would strengthen this argument?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. More emotional appeals about children\'s futures'),
      form.createChoice('B. Data from schools that have already implemented year-round calendars', true),
      form.createChoice('C. Information about the history of agriculture'),
      form.createChoice('D. Opinions from students about summer activities')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Passage 2
  form.addSectionHeaderItem()
    .setTitle('Passage: FocusMax Study Supplement (Advertisement)')
    .setHelpText('Struggling to concentrate during homework? Feeling overwhelmed by tests? You\'re not alone! Millions of students just like you need help focusing in today\'s demanding academic environment.\n\nIntroducing FocusMax - the all-natural supplement that sharpens your mind and boosts your grades! Our revolutionary formula, developed by leading scientists, contains a proprietary blend of vitamins and herbs that have been used for centuries to enhance mental performance.\n\n"Since I started taking FocusMax, I\'ve gone from a C student to straight A\'s!" - Jordan T., age 14\n\n"FocusMax changed my life. I can study for hours without getting distracted." - Taylor M., high school junior\n\nDon\'t fall behind while everyone else gets ahead! Over 500,000 students already trust FocusMax to unlock their potential. Join them today!\n\nOrder now and get 30% off with code FOCUS30. Because every student deserves to succeed!');

  // Question 6
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('6. Which logical fallacy is used in "Don\'t fall behind while everyone else gets ahead! Over 500,000 students already trust FocusMax"?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. Ad Hominem (personal attack)'),
      form.createChoice('B. False Cause'),
      form.createChoice('C. Bandwagon Appeal', true),
      form.createChoice('D. Either/Or Fallacy')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 7
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('7. The student testimonials (Jordan T. and Taylor M.) are an example of which type of weak evidence?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. Outdated information'),
      form.createChoice('B. Anecdotal evidence (personal stories instead of research)', true),
      form.createChoice('C. Expert testimony'),
      form.createChoice('D. Statistical data')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 8
  form.addMultipleChoiceItem()
    .setTitle('8. What is the author\'s PRIMARY PURPOSE in this passage?')
    .setChoices([
      form.createChoice('A. To inform readers about study techniques'),
      form.createChoice('B. To entertain readers with student stories'),
      form.createChoice('C. To persuade readers to buy a product', true),
      form.createChoice('D. To explain the science of concentration')
    ])
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 9
  form.addParagraphTextItem()
    .setTitle('9. Explain TWO ways the author\'s PURPOSE (to sell a product) affects how information is presented in this passage.')
    .setRequired(true);

  // Question 10
  form.addParagraphTextItem()
    .setTitle('10. Analyze the argument in this advertisement. Identify ONE logical fallacy and ONE example of bias or loaded language. Explain why these weaken the argument\'s credibility. (Write 3-4 sentences)')
    .setRequired(true);

  Logger.log('Form created: ' + form.getEditUrl());
  return form.getEditUrl();
}