Essay practice

The Language Arts essay: read two texts, then explain which argument is better supported. On test day you have 45 minutes.

The essay lesson · How the essay works

Choose a topicShould Marlow replace parking on Elm Street with a protected bike lane?Should Pine Valley schools require every student to take a personal finance course? With the courseShould Ashford pay for a new arena for its minor league hockey team with public money? With the course

Two writers disagree. Read both, then write an essay that explains which argument is better supported. Use evidence from both texts.

Text 1: Dana Whitfield, City transportation planner

The Elm Street trial worked

Last spring Marlow ran a one-year trial on Elm Street. We removed 38 parking spaces on one side and put in a bike lane separated from traffic by a curb.

The city's own counters show bike trips on Elm Street rose from about 210 a day to 540 a day. Crashes that injured someone on the street fell from 9 in the year before the trial to 5 during it.

Shop owners worried about losing customers. Sales tax records for the Elm Street businesses rose 4% during the trial year, while sales across the whole city rose 1%. People who arrive by bike stop more often, even if they spend a little less each visit.

The trial is over and the numbers are in. The council should make the lane permanent.

Text 2: Ray Costa, Owner of Costa Hardware on Elm Street

Bring our parking back

Everyone knows that customers drive. Nobody carries a bag of potting soil home on a bicycle.

Since the bike lane went in, I have heard from many owners on Elm Street that business is slower. My regulars tell me they cannot find a space, so they shop at the big stores out by the highway instead.

If the city makes this lane permanent, what comes next? Will they take away parking on every street in town? A few people on bikes should not decide how the rest of us get around.

The council should listen to the people who keep Elm Street open and put the parking back.

0 words

Your essay

Two more topics, every lesson and the timed tests come with the course. See the course