- In a 6-sentence column about local journalism, the author claims that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage. The author points to a neighboring town where a new subscriber-funded newsroom published a database of restaurant inspections and, over the next year, the county health department reported a 17% increase in on-time compliance after repeated public reporting on late filings. The author also notes that the newsroom issued three corrections in a year "with transparent editor's notes," contrasting it with a rumor-heavy social media group that rarely retracts posts. The column ends by urging readers to treat reliable reporting as a public utility.
The author supports the claim primarily by providing evidence that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage through
Answer: the example of the subscriber-funded newsroom publishing inspection data and issuing transparent corrections.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage. The correct answer (B) provides a concrete example: a subscriber-funded newsroom that published inspection data and issued transparent corrections, leading to a 17% increase in health department compliance after repeated public reporting. This example directly demonstrates how subscription funding enabled accurate, impactful journalism with accountability through corrections. Option A is the author's concluding urging rather than evidence, option C is the claim itself, and option D mentions social media rumors but doesn't directly connect to subscription support. When identifying evidence, look for specific examples that show the causal relationship between the proposed solution (subscriptions) and the desired outcome (accurate coverage).
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A community college dean argues that providing transit passes is an effective retention strategy. She cites the college's 2024 pilot: 600 students with demonstrated financial need received unlimited bus passes, and their semester-to-semester retention rate was 78%, compared with 69% for a matched group of similar students who did not receive passes. The dean also notes that the pass recipients logged fewer absences in the first month of classes, and that advisors reported fewer "transportation crisis" appointments. She acknowledges that retention is influenced by many factors, but argues the comparison group was matched on GPA, credits earned, and income bracket. "If students can't get to class," she writes, "tutoring and motivation speeches won't matter."
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that providing transit passes improves student retention?
Answer: The pilot results showing 78% retention for pass recipients versus 69% for a matched group without passes.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the dean's claim that providing transit passes is an effective retention strategy. The correct answer, the pilot results showing 78% retention for pass recipients versus 69% for a matched group without passes, functions as evidence by presenting comparative retention rates from a controlled pilot program. This data directly links transit access to higher retention, quantifying the improvement. The matching of groups on key variables strengthens the evidence's validity. In contrast, the acknowledgment that retention is influenced by many factors is a caveat but does not provide supporting data. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A rural journalist argues that small-town newspapers still provide unique civic value even in the age of social media. She notes that in the last year her paper published 46 articles based on open-records requests, including a series that revealed the county ambulance service had response times exceeding its contract by an average of six minutes. After the series ran, the county commission voted to add a new overnight crew and posted monthly response-time data online. The journalist also points out that the paper's court docket summaries are often the only consistent public record of minor cases, since the county website is updated irregularly. She concedes that Facebook groups spread information faster, but argues that speed is not the same as verification.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that small-town newspapers provide unique civic value?
Answer: The example that the paper's open-records series exposed ambulance response-time problems and prompted the county to add an overnight crew and publish monthly data.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the journalist's claim that small-town newspapers provide unique civic value. The correct answer, the example that the paper's open-records series exposed ambulance response-time problems and prompted the county to add an overnight crew and publish monthly data, functions as evidence by illustrating a tangible outcome where journalism led to public improvements. This case shows the newspaper's role in accountability and change, highlighting its civic impact. The specific actions taken by the county demonstrate the value beyond mere information sharing. In contrast, the detail that the county website is updated irregularly describes a gap but does not show the newspaper's unique contribution. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
In a district memo about student sleep, a high school principal claims that later start times can improve academic performance. She cites the district's pilot program: two schools shifted from 7:25 to 8:30 a.m., and their average first-period failure rate fell from 11% to 6% over one semester. She adds that tardies in those schools dropped by 22%, while three comparable schools that did not change start times saw tardies remain essentially flat. The principal also references a state health department survey in which 58% of teens reported getting fewer than seven hours of sleep on school nights. "If we keep scheduling learning at the hour students are least alert," she concludes, "we should not be surprised when they underperform."
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that later start times can improve academic performance?
Answer: The pilot program data showing first-period failure rates fell from 11% to 6% after the start time moved to 8:30 a.m.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the principal's claim that later start times can improve academic performance. The correct answer, the pilot program data showing first-period failure rates fell from 11% to 6% after the start time moved to 8:30 a.m., functions as evidence by offering measurable outcomes from a real-world trial that connect delayed starts to reduced failures. This data provides a direct before-and-after comparison, illustrating how the change positively affected student performance metrics. Furthermore, the inclusion of tardy reductions in the pilot schools strengthens the evidence by linking better attendance to academic gains. In contrast, the state health department survey reporting 58% of teens sleep fewer than seven hours is background information on sleep deprivation but does not directly tie to performance improvements. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage (about 175 words):
People talk about grocery deserts as if they're only about distance, but a weekly produce market can change eating habits even without a new supermarket. Our neighborhood association started a Saturday stand in the library parking lot with two farmers and one corner-store owner who agreed to sell discounted fruit cups. After three months, the local elementary school's nurse reported a noticeable shift: fewer students were coming in with complaints of stomachaches tied to skipping breakfast, and more lunchboxes contained fruit that wasn't canned.
The corner-store owner, Mr. Patel, kept receipts and showed me that his sales of bananas and apples nearly tripled on weekends when the market ran. He also said customers who bought produce at the stand started asking for whole-grain bread inside the store—an item he had stopped stocking because it "never moved." None of this solves every nutrition problem, and no one is claiming kale is a cure-all. Still, when you make fresh food visible and routine, people don't just buy it once; they build it into their week.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that a weekly produce market can change eating habits even without a new supermarket?
Answer: Mr. Patel's receipt records showing that banana and apple sales nearly tripled on weekends when the market ran.
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that a weekly produce market can change eating habits even without a new supermarket. The correct answer (B) provides specific sales data from Mr. Patel showing that banana and apple sales nearly tripled on weekends when the market ran. This quantitative evidence directly demonstrates changed purchasing behavior, which reflects changed eating habits. Choice A is a concession that weakens rather than supports the claim, choice C explains a mechanism but doesn't provide evidence, and choice D gives contextual details without showing behavior change. When evaluating evidence, look for concrete data that shows actual changes in behavior or outcomes related to the claim.
- Read the following embedded passage (about 200 words):
At my high school, teachers keep debating whether banning phones during class is "old-fashioned." But phone-free classrooms measurably improve learning, even for students who swear they can multitask. In the fall, our history department tried a simple experiment: three sections used locking pouches for six weeks, and three sections kept phones on silent in backpacks. All students took the same weekly quizzes. Average scores in the phone-free sections rose from 78 to 85, while the phone-allowed sections stayed essentially flat, moving from 79 to 80. More telling, the number of missing assignments in phone-free sections dropped by a third.
I watched the change happen in my own row. Without the constant buzz of notifications, students asked more clarifying questions—questions they previously typed into group chats while the teacher was still talking. A few students complained at first, but by week four, even they admitted that class "felt shorter." Critics say the improvement is just novelty, yet the teachers repeated the policy after winter break and saw the same pattern. If the goal is to teach, not to compete with a glowing rectangle, the data already points to the better tool.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that phone-free classrooms measurably improve learning?
Answer: The department's results showing quiz averages rising in phone-free sections while remaining nearly unchanged in phone-allowed sections.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that phone-free classrooms measurably improve learning. The correct answer (B) presents quantitative data from a controlled experiment: quiz averages rose from 78 to 85 in phone-free sections while remaining nearly unchanged (79 to 80) in phone-allowed sections. This comparative data directly demonstrates measurable improvement in learning outcomes when phones are removed. Choice C mentions student perceptions but doesn't measure learning, choice A expresses an opinion rather than evidence, and choice D discusses student beliefs about multitasking without providing evidence of learning outcomes. To identify strong supporting evidence, prioritize concrete measurements and controlled comparisons over anecdotal observations or opinions.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A workplace newsletter argues that short, meeting-free blocks increase productivity more than adding new project-management software. The author references an internal experiment at a mid-size tech company: for four weeks, two departments instituted a daily 90-minute "no meeting" window, and both teams reported a 31% increase in tasks completed per sprint, as measured by their existing ticketing system. During the same period, a third department rolled out a new software tool but kept its meeting schedule; its tasks completed rose only 5% while employees reported spending "more time updating dashboards." The author admits self-reported satisfaction can be biased, but notes that the ticket counts were verified by managers. He concludes that "time is the first tool," and that software should serve time, not consume it.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that meeting-free blocks increase productivity more than adding new project-management software?
Answer: The internal experiment showing a 31% increase in tasks completed with a 90-minute no-meeting window versus a 5% increase after rolling out new software without changing meetings.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the newsletter's claim that meeting-free blocks increase productivity more than adding new project-management software. The correct answer, the internal experiment showing a 31% increase in tasks completed with a 90-minute no-meeting window versus a 5% increase after rolling out new software without changing meetings, functions as evidence by offering a controlled comparison of productivity gains. This data directly contrasts the two approaches, highlighting the superior impact of time management over software. The use of ticketing system metrics adds objectivity to the evidence. In contrast, the comment that employees spent 'more time updating dashboards' is a qualitative observation but lacks the comparative quantification. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
In an op-ed about municipal water, an engineer claims that fixing leaks is a cheaper "new water source" than drilling additional wells. She cites the city's annual audit estimating that 19% of treated water is lost through leaks before it reaches customers. She also includes a cost comparison from the public works department: repairing the worst leak clusters would cost $2.1 million and recover an estimated 1.4 million gallons per day, while drilling and connecting a new well would cost $6.8 million for roughly 1.0 million gallons per day. The engineer notes that the city already pays to treat and pump the leaked water, meaning residents are billed for water that never arrives. "Conservation," she writes, "is not only about shorter showers; it's about stopping the invisible spill beneath our streets."
The author supports the claim primarily by using which of the following as evidence for the claim that fixing leaks is cheaper than drilling additional wells?
Answer: The cost comparison showing $2.1 million in repairs could recover 1.4 million gallons per day, while a $6.8 million well yields about 1.0 million gallons per day.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the engineer's claim that fixing leaks is cheaper than drilling additional wells. The correct answer, the cost comparison showing $2.1 million in repairs could recover 1.4 million gallons per day while a $6.8 million well yields about 1.0 million gallons per day, functions as evidence by providing a direct financial and output analysis that highlights the efficiency of leak fixes. This comparison quantifies both cost savings and greater water recovery, making a compelling case for the claim. It also draws from public works data, adding credibility to the economic argument. In contrast, the audit estimate that 19% of treated water is lost through leaks describes the problem's scale but does not compare costs. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A city council member argues that converting one downtown traffic lane into a protected bike lane will help local businesses rather than hurt them. She points to a 2023 report from a nearby city showing that, after a similar redesign, retail sales on the corridor rose 12% over two years while citywide sales rose only 4%. She also notes that the same report found the commercial vacancy rate on that street dropped from 14% to 9%. Finally, she recounts a visit to three shop owners on the redesigned street, two of whom said "more walk-in customers" arrived once sidewalk seating expanded and car speeds slowed. Critics, she adds, "assume every customer arrives by car," even though the council's own parking study recorded that the two municipal garages within three blocks averaged 38% empty on weekends.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that the bike-lane conversion will help local businesses?
Answer: The nearby city's report showing retail sales on the redesigned corridor rose 12% while citywide sales rose 4%.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the council member's claim that converting a traffic lane into a bike lane will help local businesses. The correct answer, the nearby city's report showing retail sales on the redesigned corridor rose 12% while citywide sales rose 4%, functions as evidence by providing quantitative data from a comparable situation that demonstrates economic benefits following a similar redesign. This report directly links the bike-lane change to increased sales, suggesting a causal relationship that bolsters the claim. Additionally, the comparison to citywide sales highlights the redesign's specific positive impact, making it a strong piece of empirical support. In contrast, the assertion that critics 'assume every customer arrives by car' is a counterargument rather than direct evidence of business benefits. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A columnist argues that library fines often discourage reading rather than encourage responsibility. She describes a 10-year-old who stopped checking out books after his family accumulated $18 in late fees; the child told the librarian he was "afraid of making it worse." The columnist then cites a county library system that eliminated fines in 2021 and reported a 16% increase in youth card renewals the following year. That same system also reported that the percentage of overdue items returned within 30 days stayed nearly the same (from 83% to 82%), undercutting the fear that "everything will disappear." The columnist concedes that replacing fines with reminder texts costs money, but notes that the county's annual fine revenue had been less than 1% of its operating budget.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that library fines discourage reading?
Answer: The anecdote about the 10-year-old who stopped checking out books after his family accumulated $18 in late fees.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the columnist's claim that library fines often discourage reading. The correct answer, the anecdote about the 10-year-old who stopped checking out books after his family accumulated $18 in late fees, functions as evidence by providing a specific, relatable example of how fines create fear and barriers to library use. This story illustrates the emotional and behavioral impact of fines on young readers, directly supporting the claim of discouragement. Additionally, the child's statement about being 'afraid of making it worse' humanizes the evidence, showing real-world consequences. In contrast, the statement that annual fine revenue was less than 1% of the budget addresses financial aspects but does not demonstrate discouragement of reading. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- In a 6-sentence magazine column about sleep and school start times, the author claims that later start times improve student attendance. The author cites a district report showing that after the high school start time moved from 7:20 to 8:30, average first-period absences dropped from 14.8% to 9.1% over the same semester-length window. The author also includes an anecdote from a junior who says she stopped missing the bus once she could "sleep past 6," and the author notes that teachers reported fewer tardy slips. The column concludes by arguing that "policy should follow biology."
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that later start times improve student attendance?
Answer: The district report comparing first-period absence rates before and after the start-time change.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that later start times improve student attendance. The correct answer (A) provides specific, measurable evidence: a district report showing first-period absences dropped from 14.8% to 9.1% after the start time changed from 7:20 to 8:30. This quantitative data directly demonstrates improved attendance through reduced absence rates. Option B is the author's concluding assertion rather than evidence, option C is a general biological principle that doesn't specifically address attendance, and option D is the claim itself, not evidence for it. When evaluating evidence, prioritize concrete data that directly measures the outcome being claimed—in this case, attendance statistics that show clear improvement.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A nutrition writer claims that front-of-package warning labels can reduce sugary drink consumption. She cites a 2022 study in which a supermarket chain placed black "High Sugar" icons on certain beverages; scanner data showed purchases of those drinks fell 14% over eight weeks, while purchases of unlabeled beverages in the same aisles remained steady. The writer adds that, in exit surveys, 41% of shoppers who noticed the icon said it "made me reconsider," even if they still bought the drink. She anticipates criticism that shoppers can ignore labels, but argues that the point is not perfect compliance; it is shifting habits at scale. She ends by noting that the chain did not change prices during the trial, reducing the likelihood that discounts explained the drop.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that warning labels can reduce sugary drink consumption?
Answer: The scanner-data finding that purchases of labeled high-sugar drinks fell 14% while purchases of unlabeled beverages remained steady.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the writer's claim that front-of-package warning labels can reduce sugary drink consumption. The correct answer, the scanner-data finding that purchases of labeled high-sugar drinks fell 14% while purchases of unlabeled beverages remained steady, functions as evidence by providing objective sales data that shows a decline attributable to the labels. This comparison controls for other factors, isolating the labels' effect on consumer behavior. The eight-week trial period adds reliability to the quantitative evidence. In contrast, the statement that some shoppers said the icon 'made me reconsider' is anecdotal and does not measure actual reduction in consumption. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage and answer the question.
A museum director argues that free admission days can broaden who participates in the arts. She points to attendance records from her own institution: on the first Sunday of each month, when tickets are free, the museum averages 3,200 visitors, compared with 1,900 on paid Sundays. She also reports that zip-code data collected at the door show a larger share of visitors from neighborhoods outside the downtown core on free days (44% versus 27%). The director acknowledges that the gift shop makes slightly less per visitor on free days, but notes that total shop revenue is higher because more people come through. "If we only measure value by the ticket price," she writes, "we'll keep designing culture for the people already inside the building."
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that free admission days broaden who participates in the arts?
Answer: The attendance and zip-code data showing more visitors overall and a higher share from outside the downtown core on free days.
This question tests the skill of identifying supporting evidence by asking which detail from the passage best supports the director's claim that free admission days can broaden who participates in the arts. The correct answer, the attendance and zip-code data showing more visitors overall and a higher share from outside the downtown core on free days, functions as evidence by demonstrating increased and diversified attendance through empirical metrics. This data reveals a shift in visitor demographics, directly linking free days to broader participation. The comparison between free and paid Sundays further strengthens the evidence by isolating the impact of admission costs. In contrast, the statement that gift shop revenue per visitor is slightly lower on free days addresses revenue but not broadening participation. A transferable strategy is to locate the claim in the passage and then scan for factual data or examples that directly bolster it, distinguishing them from opinions or unrelated details.
- Read the following embedded passage (about 190 words):
In my city, officials keep insisting that stricter late-night noise enforcement is "just a quality-of-life issue," as if it affects only sleep. But chronic nighttime noise is a public-health problem, and the evidence is already in our own blocks. Last summer, the community clinic on 8th Street compared intake forms from May–August and found that patients living within two blocks of the bar corridor reported stress-related symptoms—headaches, elevated blood pressure, and anxiety—at nearly twice the rate of patients from the quieter north side. The clinic's nurse practitioner told me she now asks a new question during checkups: "Can you hear bass through your walls after midnight?" The answer, she said, predicts who will return within a month.
Some bar owners argue that people should "move if they don't like it," but that ignores renters who can't break leases and seniors in rent-controlled units. When the city piloted weekend enforcement for six weeks, 311 complaints from the corridor dropped by 38%, and the clinic reported fewer repeat visits for insomnia. If we can reduce symptoms by turning down the volume, then we're not talking about preference; we're talking about prevention.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that chronic nighttime noise is a public-health problem?
Answer: The clinic's comparison showing stress-related symptoms reported at nearly twice the rate among residents near the bar corridor.
This question tests your ability to identify supporting evidence for the claim that chronic nighttime noise is a public-health problem. The correct answer (C) provides concrete data from a community clinic showing that patients near the bar corridor reported stress-related symptoms at nearly twice the rate of those from quieter areas. This statistical comparison directly supports the health problem claim by demonstrating measurable health impacts linked to noise exposure. Choice B discusses who is affected by noise but doesn't provide evidence of health problems, while choices A and D focus on how the issue is framed rather than providing evidence of actual health impacts. When identifying supporting evidence, look for specific data, statistics, or documented outcomes that directly demonstrate the claim being made.
- In a 7-sentence op-ed about library budgets, the author argues that cutting weekend hours harms working families. The author references circulation logs showing that 43% of children's checkouts at the central branch occur on Saturdays and Sundays. The author also describes a scene from last spring: a father in a reflective vest arriving with two kids at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, "ten minutes before the doors locked," because his weekday shifts run until 6. The author then notes that after a previous reduction in weekend hours, the branch's after-school program waitlist grew, and concludes that "a library closed when people are free is a library closed in practice."
The author supports the claim primarily by providing evidence that cutting weekend hours harms working families through
Answer: circulation data showing a large share of children's checkouts happen on weekends.
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for how cutting weekend hours harms working families. The correct answer (B) provides quantitative evidence: circulation data showing 43% of children's checkouts occur on weekends. This statistic directly demonstrates that working families rely heavily on weekend library access, supporting the claim that reducing these hours would harm them. Option A is a concluding maxim rather than evidence, option C discusses general funding which doesn't specifically support the weekend hours claim, and option D is the claim itself, not evidence. The anecdote about the father arriving just before closing also supports the claim, but the circulation data provides the most concrete, measurable evidence. Look for data that directly connects the proposed change (cutting weekend hours) to its impact on the affected group (working families).
- Read the following embedded passage (about 195 words):
It's fashionable to treat translation apps as a replacement for language classes, but human interpreters remain essential in medical settings. During my volunteer shift at a hospital intake desk, I watched a tablet app translate "dizziness" into a word the patient associated with "sleepiness," and the nurse nearly sent him to the wrong waiting area. Later, the hospital's patient-safety committee circulated a memo summarizing 27 incident reports from the past year in which automated translation contributed to delays, consent confusion, or medication errors. In one case, a family signed a discharge form without understanding that "take with food" had been rendered as "take after eating a lot," which mattered for a diabetic patient.
Administrators cite cost, and interpreters do cost money. But so do preventable errors: extra tests, longer stays, and legal exposure. The committee's memo noted that units with on-call interpreters filed fewer communication-related incidents than units relying primarily on apps. Technology can help with simple phrases, yet medicine is built on nuance—how pain is described, what "sometimes" means, whether a patient is hesitating. When stakes include safety and consent, approximation isn't enough.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that human interpreters remain essential in medical settings?
Answer: The patient-safety committee's memo summarizing 27 incident reports in which automated translation contributed to errors or delays.
This question tests identifying supporting evidence for the claim that human interpreters remain essential in medical settings. The correct answer (A) cites a patient-safety committee memo documenting 27 incident reports where automated translation contributed to errors or delays. This systematic documentation of safety incidents directly supports the claim by showing concrete consequences of relying on automated translation in medical contexts. Choice B makes an assertion about medical communication without providing evidence, choice C mentions cost considerations without supporting the essential nature of interpreters, and choice D concedes a point without supporting the main claim. Evidence for safety-related claims should include documented incidents or systematic data showing risks or harms.
- Read the following embedded passage (about 185 words):
Many people treat composting as a trendy hobby, but community composting can reduce landfill costs for a town. Our sanitation department began a pilot in three neighborhoods, placing sealed compost bins at parks and arranging weekly pickup. After four months, the department reported that trash tonnage from those neighborhoods fell by 11%, while yard-and-food waste collected separately rose as expected. The town's landfill contractor charges by weight, and the finance director estimated that the tonnage reduction translated to $18,700 in avoided fees over the pilot period.
The benefits weren't only financial. Residents started swapping tips about what could be composted, and a local garden club used the finished compost in a public flowerbed, which made the program visible. Critics point out that the pilot required up-front spending on bins and staff time. True—but the town already pays for trash hauling either way. The question is whether we want to pay to bury banana peels or to reuse them. The early numbers suggest the cheaper choice is also the less wasteful one.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that community composting can reduce landfill costs for a town?
Answer: The report that trash tonnage fell by 11% and the finance director's estimate of $18,700 in avoided landfill fees.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that community composting can reduce landfill costs for a town. The correct answer (B) provides two pieces of quantitative evidence: trash tonnage fell by 11% and the finance director estimated $18,700 in avoided landfill fees. This data directly demonstrates cost reduction through composting implementation. Choice A poses a rhetorical question without providing evidence, choice C describes community benefits unrelated to cost reduction, and choice D acknowledges costs without supporting the savings claim. Effective evidence for cost-reduction claims includes specific financial calculations or measurable changes that translate to savings.
- In a 6-sentence newsletter to residents about water conservation, the author claims that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use. The author cites the city utility's estimate that replacing old showerheads with 1.5-gallon-per-minute models saves about 2,900 gallons per person annually. The author adds that in the pilot rebate program, 3,200 households participated and the utility measured a 6% drop in average monthly consumption among those addresses compared with the prior year. The author then explains that "multiplying modest savings across thousands of homes creates real capacity," and urges readers to apply for the next rebate round.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use?
Answer: The utility's estimate of annual gallons saved per person by switching to a low-flow showerhead.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use. The correct answer (C) provides specific quantitative evidence: the utility's estimate that low-flow showerheads save about 2,900 gallons per person annually. This concrete measurement directly demonstrates how a small change (replacing a showerhead) can create significant water savings when multiplied across a population. Option A explains the multiplication concept but isn't evidence itself, option B is a call to action rather than evidence, and option D is the claim being supported, not evidence for it. The pilot program data showing 6% reduction also serves as evidence, but option C provides the most direct measurement of water savings from a specific small change.
- In a 7-sentence opinion piece about smartphone use, the author claims that banning phones in classrooms can improve students' focus. The author cites a study from a neighboring district in which teachers reported a 31% decrease in "off-task redirections" after a phone-locking policy began, and the district's quarterly discipline referrals for "digital disruption" fell from 112 to 67. The author also notes that one teacher now finishes discussions "without the glow under desks," but concedes that enforcement can be uneven. The piece concludes that schools should pair bans with clear routines rather than relying on individual teachers to negotiate phone rules.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that banning phones in classrooms can improve students' focus?
Answer: The study reporting a 31% decrease in off-task redirections after the phone-locking policy began.
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that banning phones in classrooms can improve students' focus. The correct answer (B) provides concrete, measurable evidence: a study showing teachers reported a 31% decrease in "off-task redirections" after implementing a phone-locking policy. This statistic directly demonstrates improved focus, as fewer off-task redirections indicate students are staying on task more consistently. Option A is a concession that acknowledges limitations rather than providing supporting evidence, option C is a recommendation based on the evidence, and option D is the claim itself. The additional data about discipline referrals falling from 112 to 67 also supports the claim, but the off-task reduction most directly measures improved focus.
- In a 6-sentence profile of a community college program, the author claims that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners. The author cites state labor data showing that graduates of a 12-week phlebotomy certificate earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion than they did the year before enrolling. The author also includes the story of a single parent who moved from retail to a clinic job within four months and notes that the program's tuition is covered for residents earning under 200% of the poverty line. The profile ends by arguing that "speed matters when rent is due."
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners?
Answer: State labor data showing phlebotomy certificate graduates earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion.
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners. The correct answer (C) provides specific, quantitative evidence: state labor data showing phlebotomy certificate graduates earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion. This concrete wage increase data directly demonstrates both the "raise earnings" and "quickly" aspects of the claim, as the increase occurred within one year of a 12-week program. Option A is a concluding statement rather than evidence, option B provides context about affordability but not earnings impact, and option D is the claim itself. When evaluating evidence for economic claims, look for specific data about measurable outcomes like wages or employment rates.
