Unit 4- What are the reasons?

Task 1
Determine which of the following passages contain arguments. For any that do, identify
the argument’s conclusion.

a. President Reagan was a great communicator because he had the knack of talking
effectively to the people. Không phải argument vì => chỉ paraphrase
b. Mandatory school uniforms are a good idea because they keep students’ mind focus on
their schoolwork rather than on what the kid sitting next to them is wearing.
c. Computers will never be able to converse intelligently through speech. A simple example
proves this. The sentences “How do you recognize speech?” and “How do you wreck a
nice beach?” have different meanings, but they sound similar enough that a computer
could not distinguish between the two.
d. Fears that chemicals in teething rings and soft plastic toys may cause cancer may be
justified. Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a report
confirming that low amounts of DEHP, known to cause liver cancer in lab animals, may
be absorbed from certain infant products. => support k thực sự relate nên đây k phải
argument. Đúng form

Task 2
Read the following passages and locate the issue, reasons and conclusion.
1. Employers are now so concerned to remove any distraction that might reduce the
productivity of their work force that they are trying to ban office romances. It is hard
to imagine a more ill-conceived proposal. It will make employees resent their bosses
and make being at work even more unpleasant. It seems quite likely that such a ban
will lower the productivity of the workforce. Fewer people finding partners at work
could even have an undesirable effect on marriage and birth rates.

Issue: Should we ban office romances?

Conclusion: We shouldn’t try to ban office romances

Reasons: resent their bosses / lower the productivity/marriage and birth rates

2. .In high school, men’s basketball and men’s football usually dominate the Friday-
night schedule. Should it be that way? These games are significant to the high school
experience, but not at the cost of the other sports in the school. Just because it has
been a tradition does not mean that the format has to remain that way. It is easier for
most parents and other fans to make it out to the game on Friday nights. Therefore, it
is easier for them to come see the men’s basketball or men’s football games. What
about the girls’ basketball team or the swim team? Their games should not always be
 stuck on weekday afternoons and evenings. Their families often are not able to make
it out to see them because most parents are working during the afternoons. The
students who play these “secondary” sports are not getting a fair share of the
spotlight; the schedule should change to accommodate these other sports.

Issue: Should men’s basketball and men’s football dominate the Friday-night schedule

Conclusion: The schedule should change to accommodate these other sports.

Reasons:

- Just because it has been a tradition does not mean that the format has to remain that
way
- Their families often are not able to make it out to see other teams
- The students who play these “secondary” sports are not getting a fair share of the
spotlight