Should Students Be Allowed to Use AI Tools for Schoolwork?
Lexile: 1020 | Grade: 8
Passage
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools like chatbots and writing assistants become more common, schools are debating whether students should be allowed to use them for assignments. Some teachers worry that AI will encourage laziness or cheating. However, with proper guidelines, AI tools can be valuable educational resources that help students learn more deeply and prepare for the future.
AI tools can offer students real-time feedback, help them organize ideas, and even explain difficult concepts. For example, a student struggling with an essay might use an AI tool to brainstorm or get grammar suggestions—much like a digital tutor. When used responsibly, these tools don’t replace thinking; they enhance it.
Critics argue that AI tools make it too easy for students to copy answers without doing the work themselves. This is a valid concern, but the problem is not the tool—it’s how it’s used. Calculators were once controversial in classrooms, yet today they’re standard for learning math. The key is to teach students when and how to use AI ethically.
Banning AI completely may leave students unprepared for the modern world, where AI is already shaping careers in writing, science, medicine, and business. Instead of avoiding it, schools should help students understand how to work with it wisely. Learning how to collaborate with smart tools is part of becoming a smart thinker.
In conclusion, AI is not a shortcut—it’s a new kind of skill. Schools have an opportunity to teach digital responsibility while giving students access to powerful learning tools. Rather than fear the future, we should teach students to face it with curiosity and control.
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Questions
Q1: What is the author's main claim in this passage?
- A. AI should be banned in all schools.
- B. Students should avoid using AI tools unless absolutely necessary.
- C. AI tools can support learning when used responsibly and ethically.
- D. Teachers should rely on AI instead of traditional methods.
Q2: Which analogy does the author use to support their point about AI use in school?
- A. Comparing AI tools to books in a library
- B. Comparing AI to group projects
- C. Comparing AI tools to calculators, which were once controversial but are now common
- D. Comparing AI to teachers being replaced by robots
Q3: What is the author’s response to the concern that AI makes cheating easier?
- A. AI should be banned from all student use.
- B. Students should be punished for using AI under any condition.
- C. The issue is not the tool, but how it's used—so ethical instruction is key.
- D. Teachers should ignore student use of AI altogether.
Q4: What abstract idea is suggested in the final paragraph?
- A. Learning tools have no place in modern education.
- B. Using technology should be avoided to preserve traditional thinking.
- C. Adapting to new tools is part of growing as a learner and citizen in a changing world.
- D. AI is dangerous and should be feared.
Q5: What is the author’s tone throughout the passage?
- A. Fearful and urgent
- B. Curious and forward-thinking
- C. Dismissive and sarcastic
- D. Uncertain and confused
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Answers & Reasoning
Q1: What is the author's main claim in this passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The author argues that with proper guidance, AI tools can improve learning and prepare students for the future.
Q2: Which analogy does the author use to support their point about AI use in school?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The author compares AI to calculators to show that new technology can be accepted over time when used correctly.
Q3: What is the author’s response to the concern that AI makes cheating easier?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The author acknowledges the concern but argues the focus should be on teaching responsible use rather than banning the tool.
Q4: What abstract idea is suggested in the final paragraph?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The conclusion emphasizes that learning how to use AI responsibly is part of preparing for the future, highlighting adaptability and growth.
Q5: What is the author’s tone throughout the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The author expresses openness to new tools, encourages critical thinking, and supports curiosity and responsibility in education.
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