ECA Practice: Comprehension and Analysis of Nonfiction and Informational Test

Lose Weight Fast and Easy by Tracy Wilson (1) Are you trying to lose weight, but have little will power? Our new super diet pill is just what you’ve been waiting for. Researchers from around the world have declared this fast-acting, appetite suppressant as a modern medical miracle for Americans who struggle with weight loss.

Do you need to lose 30, 50, or even 75 pounds? (2) The fat burning action of our new diet pill enables even those who need to shed lots of weight to drop pounds without strenuous exercise or ridiculous food restrictions. Weight loss begins to occur so quickly that even skeptics are amazed! Try this new weight loss pill today and start losing weight tomorrow!!

Where does logic of this advertisement fall short? A) It assumes the reader wants to lose weight. B) There are no researchers from around the world that would test diet pills. C) By saying “Do you need to lose…” it assumes the reader does in fact need to lose weight. D) This self-proclaimed diet pill doesn’t require “ridiculous food restrictions,” yet it suppresses appetite, which is little more than food restrictions.

#1 Explanation Interested readers do want to lose weight (why else would you read it?), and MAY clinically NEED to lose weight; however, the faulty logic is in the advertising itself as a self-proclaimed diet pill that doesn’t require “ridiculous food restrictions,” yet it suppresses appetite, which is little more than food restrictions.

Which of these BEST identifies the text elements used in this text? A) heading and italics print B) caption and capitalization C) caption and bold faced print D) capitalization and bold faced print

#2 Explanation The correct answer is “caption and bold faced print”. This answer recognizes the author’s use of the bold faced caption: Do you need to lose 30, 50, or even 75 pounds?

One persuasive technique used in this advertisement is A) facts B) research C) patriotism D) loaded words

#3 Explanation Example of words and phrases that have strong emotional appeal are miraculous, super diet pill, modern miracle, and fat burning action. There are no facts. It mentions researchers but gives no actual research done. There is nothing to suggest patriotism.

Lose Weight Fast and Easy What is the impact of the heading on the meaning of this passage? A) The heading indicates the passage will contain opinions. B) The heading indicates the passage be authored by an expert. C) The heading indicates the passage will be factual in content. D) The heading indicates the passage will be short and reflective.

#4 Explanation The heading indicates the passage will contain opinions. Headings are a type of text element used to guide meaning; ‘fast’ and ‘easy’ are relative terms – who’s to really say what ‘fast’ and ‘easy’ really mean…it’s opinion.

Which statement best describes the argument presented in the advertisement? A) Two sides of an issue are presented. B) Celebrity endorsements are used for promotion. C) No evidence is presented to support the argument. D) Credible research is presented to support the ad’s claim.

#5 Explanation No support is given to support the claims made concerning the diet pill. While researchers are mentioned, they do not provide any of the research concerning the product to back their claim.