Question

"Despite our best efforts as parents, we will always make mistakes in raising our children"?

The word despite is a transition that

Answer 1

Question 2 (Multiple Choice Worth 5 points)

(LC)

Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

Despite our best efforts as parents, we will always make mistakes in raising our children. It's inevitable. There are so many decisions to be made in any given day, week, month, or year. It's an inhuman task to make all of these decisions correctly. Who would even want to try for perfection?

We shouldn't worry too much, though, because it is precisely our mistakes that teach our children the most about life. Life is full of mistakes, obstacles, and trouble. Shielding our children from these by striving for perfection in our own parenting does them no favors.

Given this, a parent might be tempted to give up trying to make good decisions and simply let the chips fall where they may. Admittedly, that attitude is not without its benefits, but it goes too far in the other direction. Children are much more observant than we think, but often draw the wrong conclusions from what they observe. If we give up trying to make the right decisions, they might get the message that we don't care about their future.

We can take comfort in this much: we teach our children even when we're not trying to. That doesn't mean we should stop trying to do our best, to make the right decisions whenever possible. It just means that we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Either it won't matter because it's something small, or it just might build some character in our children, a commodity that will serve them well.

Answer 2

A. Contrasts <--- ?
B. Indicates a relationship
C. Elaborates
D. Indicates a sequence of time

Answer 3

@dan815 @butterflydreamer

Answer 4

hmmm... well firstly, we can automatically eliminate D because "Despite" doesn't indicate a sequence of time at all.
Despite also doesn't really elaborate on anything....
So now we're left between A and B.
I don't think the word "despite" really contrasts? I'm leaning towards that it discovers a relationship

Answer 5

Think of "despite" as meaning although/ even though ... So for example, when we say:

"although" i didn't understand the question... i still tried my best "

Can you see that it creates a relationship? Rather than contrast?

Answer 6

Ok I see. Thank you :)
Would you mind answering 2 more please?

Answer 7

btw, i'm actually not 100% with the first question.. but i knwo for certain it is between A and B.

umm, i could try i guess :)

Answer 8

Question 11 (Multiple Choice Worth 5 points)

(MC)

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Chief Joseph's Surrender Speech, October 5, 1877
by Chief Joseph

Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are—perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

What is the speaker’s main argument?

A. He will not fight anymore because his way of life is gone.
B. His community will rebuild itself.
C. His people are in disagreement about the surrender.
D. He will convince the people to listen to the young men.

Answer 9

Question 4 (Multiple Choice Worth 5 points)

(MC)

Read the passage and answer the question that follows:

Despite our best efforts as parents, we will always make mistakes in raising our children. It's inevitable. There are so many decisions to be made in any given day, week, month, or year. It's an inhuman task to make all of these decisions correctly. Who would even want to try for perfection?

We shouldn't worry too much, though, because it is precisely our mistakes that teach our children the most about life. Life is full of mistakes, obstacles, and trouble. Shielding our children from these by striving for perfection in our own parenting does them no favors.

Given this, a parent might be tempted to give up trying to make good decisions and simply let the chips fall where they may. Admittedly, that attitude is not without its benefits, but it goes too far in the other direction. Children are much more observant than we think, but often draw the wrong conclusions from what they observe. If we give up trying to make the right decisions, they might get the message that we don't care about their future.

We can take comfort in this much: we teach our children even when we're not trying to. That doesn't mean we should stop trying to do our best, to make the right decisions whenever possible. It just means that we shouldn't beat ourselves up when we make mistakes. Either it won't matter because it's something small, or it just might build some character in our children, a commodity that will serve them well.

Which of the following does the author do to strengthen his or her argument?

A. Cites reputable sources to back up important claims
B. Defends the argument's underlying assumptions
C. Avoids introducing emotional appeals
D. Addresses and refutes an opposing viewpoint

Answer 10

hmm what do you think?

Answer 11

I think the first one is maybe C
and the second one is A
I have no idea though

Answer 12

The main purpose of the Chief's speech is basically to say that he's fought for long enough and that he is tired of fighting because so many of his people have been getting killed by the white settler's .
Can you see how he talks about his struggles like how he has no blankets and children are freezing to death? This affects their way of life.

Answer 13

So A for the first one?

Answer 14

that's what i think...

Answer 15

Ok I see it now. A was the better choice

Answer 16

for the second one, you said A...
"cites reputable sources" means that it tells you where the writer got their information from... Does the article tell you where the writer got their information from?

Answer 17

Oh ok so not A

Answer 18

yep not A. :)
The writer does use emotive words like " shielding" and "striving" . Therefore C isn't correct.
So now it's between B and D.
If we read the text, can you see that the writer mentions two different points?
This means he/she shows the two opposing sides.

Answer 19

Not really. I see them sort of compare i guess? Where it says "a parent might be tempted to give up trying to make good decisions and simply let the chips fall where they may."
I wouldn't say its two opposite sides but I could say that maybe they're comparing to what other parents would feel other than just themselves.

Answer 20

Not sure if that makes any sense.. This really confuses me.

Answer 21

if they're comparing, it's kinda like they're showing different views and different sides right?
" Addresses and refutes an opposing viewpoint"
... Actually, after reading the passage again... the writer doesn't talk too much about opposing viewpoints do they?
The writer mostly talks about the fact that no matter how hard parents try to be the best parents, they're bound to make mistakes and that it's okay to make mistakes.
I think this point is mentioned by the writer at the beginning and throughout the text..

But i'm stuck between B and D. Which one do you think it is?

Answer 22

I think its probably safer to go with B

Answer 23

yeah it's safer to go with B because, the writer supports his/her idea and assumption and doesn't really refute anything.
Goood job!

Answer 24

#11 was right. (A)
but #4 wasn't B :/
It's alright though. It was only a pretest

Answer 25

ohh was #4 D then? :O

Answer 26

Im guessing so

Answer 27

haha i'm sorry xD I haven't done comprehension questions in years!

Answer 28

Good luck with your other exams though :)!

Answer 29

Its fine lol
Thanks for your help :)

Answer 30

you're welcome :) Wish i was more help but haha