(1) There are times when the night sky glows with bands of color.  (2) The bands may begin as cloud shapes and then spread into a great arc across the entire sky. (3) They may fall in folds like a curtain drawn across the heavens. (4) The lights usually grow brighter, then suddenly dim. (5) During this time, the sky glows with pale yellow, pink, green, violet, blue, and red. (6) These lights are called the Aurora Borealis. (7) Some people call them the Northern Lights. (8) Scientists have been watching them for hundreds of years. (9) They are not quite sure what causes them. (10) In ancient times, people were afraid of the lights. (11) They imagined that they saw fiery dragons in the sky. (12) Some even concluded that the heavens were on fire. What is the topic of the passage?

What does the “R” in the PRO process stand for?

What kind of logical fallacy is this? “Alex says schools should serve healthier lunches. But what he really means is that students should never get to enjoy tasty food again.”

Which fallacy involves making a broad claim from limited evidence?

Read each statement and identify if it is a fact or an opinion. High school students are required to complete a set number of math credits to graduate in most U.S. states.

“The local high school sends a letter to parents telling them that panic buttons have now been added to every classroom so that teachers can easily call security.” What inference can you reasonably make based on this statement?

A mean old man ate a large meal at a restaurant.  The waitress tried to provide him with excellent service, but every time she brought him a dish, he complained. First, he thought that the soup was too cold when it was hot. Then he said that his steak was dry and chewy, when it was moist and succulent. Then he complained that one of her blonde hairs was in his mashed potatoes, but the hair was actually grey like his own. The waitress remained patient and continued to try to help him until the end of the meal, when he left her a nickel for a tip.  She replied on his way out, “Thank you for the generous tip, Mister.” What is ironic about this scenario?

Why is it important to set a purpose before you read a text?

Anything can be a symbol.

What kind of bias does the author show?