- Which choice best shows that the passage identifies several challenges to using solar energy for the schools?
Answer: The report lists challenges like an upfront cost higher than last year's budget, roofs that may need reinforcement, solar power that drops on cloudy days and at night, and costly batteries.
The question asks which choice shows the passage naming several challenges. Choice C lists them: an upfront cost higher than last year's whole budget, roofs that may need reinforcement, solar power that drops on cloudy days and at night, and batteries that are expensive and need special rooms. Because it gathers several real obstacles, Choice C is correct. Choice A and Choice B point to benefits instead of challenges, and Choice D misreads one hopeful phrase as proof the project will surely succeed.
- Which choice best shows that school leaders generally view the pilot positively, even while noticing some drawbacks?
Answer: Tardies dropped from 112 to 67 and stress visits fell, and the principal called the pilot a promising reset the school will adjust, not abandon, even with a few drawbacks.
The best answer captures both sides the question asks about. It reports positive results—tardies dropping from 112 to 67 and fewer stress visits—and shows the leaders' upbeat tone by quoting the principal's promise to adjust, not abandon, the pilot, while still admitting drawbacks. The choice that describes the noisy hallway and the library-or-gym option only lists setup details; it says nothing about how leaders judged the pilot. The choice pairing the pilot's goal with the crowded library gives a purpose and one problem but never shows a positive view of the results. The choice about lockers and crowding does mention the principal calling it a promising reset, but it leaves out the positive data (fewer tardies and stress visits), so it does not show results and tone together the way the question asks. Only the answer that combines the drop in tardies, the fewer stress visits, and the 'adjust, not abandon' stance fully answers the question.
- Which choice best shows that the principal is cautiously supportive of the proposal?
Answer: The principal set conditions like no price increases and required sales tracking, yet she still approved a one-month trial, called the early results useful, and asked for a student survey instead of ending it.
Being cautiously supportive means the principal backs the idea while still adding care. The best answer shows both halves of that stance: she sets limits like no price increases and required tracking, but she also approves the trial, calls the early results useful, and asks for a survey instead of stopping. That balance of caution plus support is exactly what the stem asks for. The choice about clear new labels describes what the students did, not the principal, so it does not show her attitude at all. The choice claiming she is testing the idea only to prove it will fail misreads a safeguard as hostility, when the passage shows she extends the trial and calls the results useful. The choice about doubled water sales and fewer headaches overstates a few early signs as certain, complete success, ignoring that she called the headache pattern 'not proof' and asked for more data. Only one choice captures both the caution and the support together.
- Which choice best shows that the author views the no-fine policy in a positive way?
Answer: The director calls the change a "fairer approach," and the passage highlights an 18% rise in sign-ups and record story-time attendance.
An author's positive view often shows through the evidence they choose to emphasize and the words they use. Here the passage stresses gains from the policy: sign-ups rose "by 18%," story-time was "the fullest it's been in years," and the director calls the change a "fairer approach." Featuring these successes so prominently signals approval. That makes Choice C correct. Choice A points to a neutral detail about staff time, Choice B highlights a drawback rather than support, and Choice D simply describes what the policy is without showing any opinion.
- Which choice best shows that the student journalist leans slightly in favor of the phone rule?
Answer: The journalist calls the rule strict but not unreasonable, highlights the teacher concerns and the 12 percent drop in tardies, and gives more space to classroom gains than to complaints.
A writer's slight lean shows up in word choice and in what gets the most attention. The best answer points to three signals working together: the phrase "strict but not unreasonable," the spotlight on teacher concerns and the 12 percent drop in tardies, and the extra space given to classroom gains over complaints. Together these tilt the article mildly toward supporting the rule. The choice about the 8th grader who found lunch too quiet points to a single complaint, which suggests the opposite lean, not support. The choice saying the article just reports the facts describes a neutral moment, not a lean in either direction. The choice claiming the writer stays completely neutral misreads the article: quoting one happy and one unhappy student is not the same as balanced coverage, since the writer still uses approving language and devotes more room to classroom benefits. Only one answer gathers the multiple pieces of evidence that reveal mild support, so it is the best choice.
- Which choice cites several pieces of evidence, both stated and implied, that the mural project strengthened community connections?
Answer: More than 40 volunteers worked with five artists, a volunteer says she did not know her neighbors until they painted side by side, an elder says the mural makes her feel 'seen,' and people lingered on the sidewalk afterward.
The best answer gathers several details that together point to closer community ties: dozens of volunteers painting alongside five artists, a volunteer who says she finally met her neighbors, an elder who feels 'seen,' and neighbors lingering to admire the finished work. Some of this is stated and some is implied, which is exactly what the question asks for. The choice about the 60-foot wall, the native plants, and the elders' portraits only lists design features, not signs of connection between people. The choice about graffiti worries and old tags twists a small concern into a claim that the project was controversial, which the article does not support. The choice about the grant and bake sale misreads the funding: a small grant plus a bake sale actually suggests the project was low-cost, not expensive, and money does not measure community connection anyway.
- Which choice best shows that the director values fairness and opportunity while still caring about quality?
Answer: The director judged singers behind a curtain, used a scoring rubric, held feedback meetings, and cast new students while a longtime lead joined the ensemble.
The best answer pulls together several pieces of evidence at once. Judging behind a curtain, scoring with a rubric, and holding feedback meetings all point to fairness and clear standards, while the casting results—new students earning parts as a longtime lead moves to the ensemble—show that opportunity grew even as performance still mattered. That combination matches both halves of the question: fairness and opportunity plus a real care for quality.
The choice about students calling the round "cold" or calming reports how singers felt, not what the director valued, so it misses the ask. The choice that auditions were open to everyone names only one action; being open does not by itself show the director cared about quality. The choice claiming the curtain was meant to give beginners an edge over veterans twists the director's goal—the passage says the aim was to "widen the doorway," not to "lower standards" or favor anyone, and the curtain hid identity to keep judging fair, not to tilt it.
- Which choice cites several pieces of evidence that best support the claim that the program showed success but also faced practical barriers?
Answer: Success shows in the walking rate rising to 41 percent and the tardies dropping from 22 to 11 a week, while barriers show in the two routes canceled for no safe crossings and the trouble finding adults on rainy days.
The claim has two sides, so the strongest answer must pair real evidence of success with real evidence of barriers. The best choice does exactly that: the jump to 41 percent walking and the drop in tardies from 22 to 11 show success, while the two canceled routes and the struggle to find rainy-day volunteers show genuine obstacles. Another choice pairs the vests and check-in list with the background checks, but liking vests is not evidence of success and background checks are a routine requirement, not a barrier the program struggled against. A different choice cites a success number but then treats the advice to 'expand carefully' as proof the program had no problems, which contradicts the passage's clear list of limits. The last choice uses only the before-and-after walking numbers and claims the very same jump proves the barriers, but success statistics cannot demonstrate obstacles. Only one choice draws on evidence from both sides of the claim, so it is correct.
- Which choice best uses evidence from the passage to show that Johnson faced unfair barriers but still earned respect for her expertise?
Answer: It shows barriers through segregation and a restroom she had to walk farther to reach, and respect through astronauts asking her to verify the numbers and engineers relying on her calculations.
The question asks for two things at once: evidence of unfair barriers AND evidence of respect for her expertise. The best answer points to the segregated workplace and the restroom she had to walk farther to reach as the barriers, and to astronauts asking her to verify numbers and engineers building schedules around her calculations as the respect. Both parts are matched to the right kind of evidence. One choice uses her national awards as a 'barrier,' but awards are recognition, not a barrier she faced. Another names segregation as a barrier but then uses her asking questions in meetings as the proof of respect—asking questions shows persistence, not that others respected her expertise. The last choice treats people not learning her name as a barrier and awards as respect, but the delay in fame is about recognition, not an unfair barrier during her work, so it misses the barrier part of the question. Only the correct answer supports both halves of the claim with fitting evidence.
- Which choice best shows that the passage presents trade-route knowledge as based on evidence but not perfectly certain?
Answer: It cites shells from warm southern seas found in a cold inland valley and tablets listing salt, copper, and dyed cloth, but warns items passed through many hands and that phrases like strong clues and most likely show uncertainty.
The claim has two parts: the knowledge rests on evidence, yet it is not certain. Choice C shows both. It cites the out-of-place shells and the goods on the tablets as evidence, then points to the warnings about many hands and the cautious phrases like strong clues and most likely. That balance makes Choice C correct. Choice A lists only objects, Choice B overstates certainty, and Choice D wrongly says the passage treats the routes as settled.
- Which choice gives the strongest set of evidence to support the claim that the results are promising but not final?
Answer: The surface ran 10 degrees cooler and the team is encouraged by the early data, but the report also notes it costs about 18 percent more and urges study of how it lasts after two summers of heavy traffic.
A promising-but-not-final claim needs evidence of both good early results and reasons for caution. The cooler temperature and the team's encouragement show promise, while the higher cost and the call to study durability after two summers show the work is not finished. Choice C pairs both, so it is correct. Choice A gives only background, Choice B overreaches to "ready to use," and Choice D twists the details into a claim about appearance.
- Which choice best shows that the passage suggests trees and shade can reduce heat but require planning over time?
Answer: The tree-filled area was about 6 degrees cooler and the mixed area 3 degrees cooler, but the researcher warns young trees take years to grow, so shade helps yet needs planning.
The stem asks for two ideas at once: that shade reduces heat AND that it takes planning over time. The correct choice does both. It cites the measured cooling—about 6 degrees in the tree-filled area and 3 degrees in the mixed area—and it cites the warning that young trees take years to grow, showing the benefit needs long-term planning.
The sidewalk choice names a real detail but covers only heat discomfort; it never mentions that shade cools or that planting takes time, so it misses half the stem's request. The playground choice starts from a true fact but overstates it, claiming a few trees will fully cool a neighborhood in one summer—the passage says the opposite, that canopies take years. The sensor choice describes setup details the passage barely touches; the text focuses on results and planning, not equipment. Only one choice pairs the cooling evidence with the time-and-planning evidence.
- Which choice best shows that the passage points out the limits of ancient written records?
Answer: The passage notes that copied texts could spread mistakes, that few people could read so records favored rulers, and it asks what stories went unwritten.
The question asks which choice shows the passage pointing out the limits of written records. The correct choice gathers several of those limits: hand-copying let mistakes spread, only a few people could read so records mainly reflected rulers, and the exhibit ends by asking what stories were never written down. Together these details show what ancient records left out or got wrong. The choice about clay tablets and papyrus is about how well materials lasted, not about the limits of what records could tell us. The choice about the stone law code focuses on where records were displayed, which is a strength, not a limit. The choice about scribes training and copying carefully describes the effort behind records, again a strength rather than a limit. Only one choice actually points to the shortcomings of ancient writing, so it is the best answer.
- Which choice best shows that the share table is helping the school, even though it still has some limitations?
Answer: Waste fell nearly 30 percent, custodians said the bins felt lighter, and arguments grew rare after signs and volunteers, though the manager notes milk must still be tossed if it warms up.
The claim has two parts: the share table helps, and it still has limits. Choice B shows both. It cites the nearly 30 percent drop in waste, the lighter bins, and the rare arguments after signs and volunteers, and it notes the limit that milk must be tossed if it warms up. That makes Choice B correct. Choice A gives only setup facts, Choice C leans on a single quote, and Choice D misreads early confusion as proof the program is failing.
- Which choice best cites both direct statements and implied clues to support the claim that the district saw learning benefits but also faced logistical drawbacks?
Answer: Benefits appear in attendance rising to 95 percent, lateness falling 21 percent, and more focused first periods, while drawbacks include parent complaints and higher fuel costs, and the 5 to 2 vote implies benefits won out.
The claim has two parts, so the answer must show both learning benefits and logistical drawbacks. Choice B does: attendance rose, lateness fell, and first periods grew more focused, while parents complained and fuel costs rose 6 percent, and the 5 to 2 vote hints leaders felt the benefits won out. That is why Choice B is correct. Choice A gives only setup, Choice C overreads the split vote as total agreement, and Choice D looks at only one drawback.
- Which choice best shows that the district is sharing information in a balanced way rather than trying to persuade families?
Answer: The summary lists both benefits and drawbacks and asks families for feedback on open questions.
A balanced, information-seeking source presents more than one side and invites others to respond. This summary lists benefits, such as more sleep and better recovery, and drawbacks, such as costly bus changes and childcare problems. It also adds a section of open questions and promises to share all survey results, even ones that do not support the change. Choice B captures this two-sided, feedback-seeking approach. Choice A is wrong because it describes only one side, Choice C misreads the forum invitation as proof the decision is already made, and Choice D treats a single drawback as evidence that the district opposes the change.
- Which choice uses several pieces of evidence that best support the inference that the author trusts midden evidence because it reflects everyday life rather than planned messages?
Answer: The author calls middens messy but honest, explains that people did not build them to impress anyone, and contrasts them with monuments that can show what leaders wanted others to believe.
The question asks which choice gathers evidence about why the author trusts middens. The best answer points to the details that speak to honesty: middens are "messy but honest," people did not build them "to impress anyone," and they contrast with monuments that show what leaders wanted others to believe. Together these support the idea that middens reflect real everyday life rather than planned messages. The choice about broken pots, shells, and changes over time cites real details, but the number of different details is not the reason the author calls middens honest, so it misses the point. The choice about rabbit and deer bone misreads the data: those layers show change over time, not which animals people "valued the most." The choice about far-away pottery and the coastal site overreaches, treating trade evidence as proof that ancient people "traveled and traded widely," which the passage never claims. Only the answer about honesty and the monument contrast matches the author's actual reasoning about trust.
- Which choice best shows that the passage presents both benefits and challenges of the wind farm?
Answer: The passage names benefits like supplying about 40 percent of the town's electricity and cutting pollution, and challenges like the cost, road widening, and backup power.
The stem asks for the choice that shows both benefits AND challenges. The best answer names real benefits, such as supplying about 40 percent of the town's electricity and cutting pollution, alongside real challenges, such as the cost, road widening, and the need for backup power. That covers both sides, which is exactly what the passage does. One choice lists only challenges and wrongly claims no benefits are worth mentioning, but the passage clearly points to electricity and lower pollution as benefits. Another choice lists only benefits and adds that the plan is a 'smart choice,' so it ignores the challenges entirely. The last choice treats the job-training program and road widening as the town's main reasons to build; those are minor supporting details, not the balance of benefits and challenges the passage presents. Only the answer that names both sides fits the stem.
- Which choice best shows that uncontrolled variables caused the inconsistent results?
Answer: One group swapped in a thicker square from home, another group squeezed the towel though directions said not to, and the class's data were all over the place.
The question asks you to find the evidence that connects the mismatched results to changes the groups made. The best answer names two specific rule-breaks—one group used a thicker square from home, another squeezed the towel against the directions—and then notes the data were all over the place. Those two changed variables directly explain the inconsistent numbers. The choice about the shared measuring cup, tray, and the same 50 milliliters describes what stayed the SAME, so it shows fairness, not the cause of the mismatch. The choice about testing different brands and offering a redo lab lists setup and follow-up details that never explain why the numbers differed. The last choice misreads the passage: changing to a thicker square broke the fair test, so that group's numbers would be off, not the closest match to everyone else's.
- Which choice best shows that the city believes the new system will succeed in the long run?
Answer: The flyer says cleaner compost can be sold to farms to help the program pay for itself, and the director calls the change a realistic step while noting two farms already want the compost.
The question asks which choice best shows the city expects the new system to succeed over the long term. The best answer gathers several forward-looking reasons: cleaner compost can be sold to farms so the program pays for itself, the director calls the change a realistic step, and two farms are already waiting for the compost. Together these point to lasting confidence. One choice lists only the downsides—an extra container to rinse and possible smells—which are complaints, not signs of confidence. Another choice just describes how the old and new systems differ; it is background information and says nothing about the city's belief in future success. The last choice misreads the 'no fines' learning period: the city offers it to help people adjust, not because it expects the program to fail, so it twists a supportive detail into the opposite meaning.
