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Craft and StructureHardMain purpose of a text that reframes a debate

Craft and Structure practice question

Arguments about whether children should learn cursive usually pit tradition against practicality. Both sides miss what the research actually measures: not cursive versus print, but writing by hand versus typing. On that comparison, handwriting of any kind helps children remember letters better. Whether the letters join up appears not to matter.

What is the main purpose of the text?

  1. A. To argue that the usual debate is about the wrong distinction.Correct
  2. B. To defend the teaching of cursive on grounds of tradition.
  3. C. To argue that typing is better for learning than handwriting.
  4. D. To explain how children learn to join up their letters.

Answer: A. To argue that the usual debate is about the wrong distinction.

The text says both sides 'miss what the research actually measures' and replaces cursive-versus-print with handwriting-versus-typing.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. To defend the teaching of cursive on grounds of tradition.
The text sets tradition aside as beside the point.
C. To argue that typing is better for learning than handwriting.
The text says handwriting helps more than typing.
D. To explain how children learn to join up their letters.
Joined-up writing is mentioned only to say it doesn't matter.

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