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The Block: CASE 16

The free trial was not free forever

Subscriptions and consumer terms

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1: STORY

What happened?

A game subscription begins with a free trial, then a charge appears. The student remembers the word free more clearly than the renewal line. Duda asks a narrower question than whether the entire offer was free: what period had no charge, what happened afterward, and what action could prevent another charge? The answer depends on reading the terms as a timeline.

The practice signup screen pairs seven free days with a later price of $9.99 per month until cancellation. Lupa highlights the duration, the amount, the repeating interval, and the stopping condition. Each detail changes a decision. Missing the monthly repetition can obscure the ongoing commitment.

The calendar and charge record place the start on September 1 and the $9.99 charge on September 8. Those dates fit the seven-day transition described in the screen. A matching timeline does not prove what this student saw or understood. The packet supports a comparison of terms and events, not a complete account of the signup experience.

Pauta turns to the cancellation page. It describes stopping the next monthly charge by canceling before the next billing date. It says nothing here about refunding the charge already posted. Voz separates those two requests, checks the account's next billing date, and keeps a confirmation if cancellation is chosen. A reminder alone does not cancel a subscription.

2: EVIDENCE

Open the receipts.

These are NPW practice documents. Real-world sources are credited separately below.

SOURCE A — Signup screen

NPW practice document. “7 days free. Then $9.99/month until canceled.”

What it establishes: Establishes renewal term if accurately shown at signup.

Question while reading: What date does paid service begin?

SOURCE B — Calendar + charge

NPW practice record. Trial started Sept. 1; card charge $9.99 on Sept. 8.

What it establishes: Shows timing of conversion and charge.

Question while reading: Does the timeline match the disclosed term?

SOURCE C — Cancellation page

NPW practice document. “Cancel before next billing date to avoid the next monthly charge.”

What it establishes: Establishes cancellation timing going forward.

Question while reading: What question remains about refunds for an already-posted charge?

Source A provides the trial length, later monthly amount, and continuing-renewal condition, assuming that wording was accurately displayed at signup. Source B supplies a start and charge date consistent with those terms: September 1 to September 8. This agreement supports the timeline, but cannot establish what the student actually saw or authorized.

Source C explains how to avoid a future charge: cancel before the next billing date. It does not provide the exact account-specific next date, cancellation confirmation, or a refund policy. The three sources therefore answer different questions about an offer, an event, and a future action; none alone settles every part of a billing dispute.

3: PRACTICE

Try your read.

Which question remains unanswered by the cancellation page?
Check the reasoning

Source C addresses future billing. It does not state a refund rule for money already charged.

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4: TASK

Highlight the words that should affect a decision.

Highlight the words that should affect a decision. Include one clear claim or question, at least two source references, one statement of uncertainty/scope, the person or office with relevant authority, and one realistic next step.

Compare with a worked response

I would highlight seven days, then, $9.99 per month, until canceled, and before the next billing date because they define the free period, recurring cost, and deadline (Source A; Source C). The September 1 start and September 8 charge match a seven-day trial timeline (Source B). This does not prove the exact screen the student saw or whether a refund is available. The account's cancellation controls govern the next-step procedure; the service's billing support can clarify the posted charge and refund terms. I would check the next billing date, decide whether to cancel, save confirmation, and ask about refunds separately.

Before you close the case

  • What is one thing the strongest source establishes?
  • What can it not establish?
  • Who can decide or clarify the issue?
  • What changed between your first read and your read now?

One step further

How would you evaluate a storage app offering one free month if the cancellation screen says access continues until the paid period ends?

Behind the Case: educator notes

45–55 min core, 80–100 min full

Teaching moves

  • Have students use four colors for duration, price, repetition, and action deadline, explaining why each affects a decision.
  • Draw a timeline with separate spaces for the posted charge, the next billing date, cancellation, and a possible refund request.
  • Ask pairs to identify an unsupported inference, such as assuming a matching charge proves understanding, then rewrite it with an appropriate limit.

Supports and response choices

  • Preview the three most important terms with examples.
  • Allow oral, typed, handwritten, or visual-map response when format is not the learning goal.
  • Keep the original source excerpt beside a plain-language annotation.
  • Keep formal English institutional terms visible beside translated explanation.
  • Advanced extension: compare the practice document with a real current local source.
CriterionBeginningDevelopingStrongAdvanced
Accuracy & scopeRepeats claim.Mostly accurate; scope incomplete.Accurate and properly scoped.Accurate, scoped, and explicit about uncertainty.
EvidenceLittle or unrelated.Relevant source, sometimes overstated.Explains what sources establish.Compares sources and limits.
AuthorityNames actor without role.Plausible authority.Explains who decides and why.Maps proposal, approval, implementation, review.
CommunicationVague or audience-mismatched.Main point understandable.Clear, specific, audience-aware.Clear, accessible, precise, well-qualified.