- Which sentence best supports the idea that the community's reaction to Wat-ku-ese's return was compassionate?
Answer: The women brought her food and made a place for her to rest.
When you encounter questions asking which sentence "best supports" an idea, you're looking for the most direct textual evidence that demonstrates the concept in question. Here, you need to identify compassionate behavior from the community.
Answer choice A provides the strongest evidence of compassion because it describes specific caring actions: "The women brought her food and made a place for her to rest." This sentence shows the community actively meeting Wat-ku-ese's basic needs through concrete, nurturing behaviors. The follow-up detail that "For many suns they cared for her until she became stronger" reinforces this compassionate response with sustained care over time.
Answer choice B simply states her new name, which shows recognition but doesn't demonstrate compassionate treatment. Answer choice C explains that the name stuck permanently, but again, this is about naming convention rather than caring behavior. Answer choice D describes the women calling out her name, which could indicate excitement or recognition, but doesn't necessarily prove compassion—people might call out for many reasons.
The key distinction is between actions that merely acknowledge someone's presence versus actions that actively care for their wellbeing. While naming someone and calling out to them can be friendly gestures, providing food and shelter represents genuine compassionate care.
For support questions on the SHSAT, always look for the answer choice that provides the most concrete, specific evidence of the concept being tested. Actions and behaviors typically provide stronger support than dialogue or descriptive details alone.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that immigrant groups in Lowell maintained their cultural identities while living in close proximity?
Answer: ...where each group claimed its own distinct neighborhood, like the Irish immigrants' 'New Dublin' or 'Acre,' and the French-Canadians' 'Little Canada.'
When you encounter a question asking you to find evidence for a specific idea, you need to identify which part of the passage directly demonstrates that concept. Here, you're looking for proof that immigrant groups maintained their cultural identities while living close together.
Choice D provides the clearest evidence: "where each group claimed its own distinct neighborhood, like the Irish immigrants' 'New Dublin' or 'Acre,' and the French-Canadians' 'Little Canada.'" This sentence directly shows how different ethnic groups preserved their cultural identities by creating neighborhoods with names reflecting their heritage. The specific examples of "New Dublin," "Acre," and "Little Canada" demonstrate that these communities maintained cultural connections to their homelands even while living in the same city.
Choice A simply lists the various immigrant groups but doesn't show how they maintained their identities. Choice B describes the shared hardships these groups faced—long hours, low wages, and poor conditions—but says nothing about cultural preservation. Choice C mentions that Lowell became an "ethnic melting pot," which actually suggests cultural blending rather than groups maintaining distinct identities.
The key trap here is choice C, which might seem correct because "melting pot" relates to multiple cultures. However, a melting pot typically implies cultures blending together, not maintaining separate identities. The question specifically asks about groups maintaining their cultural identities while living nearby.
Remember: when looking for textual evidence, choose the option that most directly and specifically supports the claim in the question, not just one that's generally related to the topic.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the different groups maintained distinct identities within the larger gathering?
Answer: Red Bear's people, from Kamiah, made their camp near the trail that came out of the mountains.
When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you need to find the option that provides the clearest, most direct evidence for that concept. Here, you're looking for evidence that different groups maintained "distinct identities" within the larger gathering.
Choice D is correct because it provides the most specific evidence of distinct group identity. The sentence identifies "Red Bear's people" as coming specifically "from Kamiah" and describes their unique camping location "near the trail that came out of the mountains." This clearly shows one group maintaining its separate identity (linked to their place of origin) while participating in the larger gathering.
Choice A is incorrect because it describes a general custom shared by all groups, not what makes them distinct from each other. This shows unity of tradition, not separate identities.
Choice B is wrong because while it mentions "other groups," it focuses on the collective effect of all the camps together ("encircled the entire meadow land") rather than emphasizing what makes each group distinct.
Choice C is incorrect because although it names "The People from Tee-e-lap-a-lo," the emphasis is on their proximity to Red Bear's people ("close by"), highlighting their physical closeness rather than their distinct identity.
For reading comprehension questions asking you to support a specific idea, look for the option that provides the most concrete, specific evidence rather than general statements. The correct answer will directly illustrate the concept mentioned in the question stem.
- Which sentence best illustrates the community's initial uncertainty upon seeing the approaching riders?
Answer: Were they friends or enemies? Did they bring good news or bad?
When you encounter questions about identifying textual evidence for emotions or reactions, look for sentences that directly express the feeling rather than simply describing actions or events.
The community's uncertainty is best captured in choice D: "Were they friends or enemies? Did they bring good news or bad?" These rhetorical questions explicitly reveal the mental state of the villagers—they're filled with doubt and don't know what to expect from the approaching riders. The questions directly articulate their uncertainty about whether the visitors pose a threat or bring positive news.
Choice A describes the peaceful scene before the interruption but doesn't show uncertainty—it simply sets up the moment when normalcy was disrupted. Choice B captures the children's excitement and alarm at spotting the riders, but this shows awareness and urgency rather than uncertainty about the riders' intentions. Choice C describes the elders' careful observation of the approaching figures, which shows caution and attention but not the internal questioning that demonstrates uncertainty.
The key distinction is between describing actions (running, calling, looking) versus revealing internal thoughts and doubts. While choices A, B, and C show the sequence of events and reactions, only choice D takes you inside the community's collective mind to show their specific worries and questions.
For reading comprehension questions asking you to identify evidence of emotions or mental states, look for passages that explicitly state thoughts, feelings, or internal conflicts rather than just external behaviors. Direct expressions of doubt, questioning, or conflicted thinking will typically provide the strongest evidence.
- Which detail best supports the idea that departing from Clark City would be a more significant and celebratory event?
Answer: The train stops ten minutes or so at the station in town and there are other people and excitement...
When you encounter a question asking which detail "best supports" an idea, you need to look for the most direct and compelling evidence that proves the point. Here, you're comparing two departure scenarios to determine which would be more significant and celebratory.
The correct answer is D because it directly describes the celebratory elements of leaving from the town station: "other people and excitement" creates a festive atmosphere, while the ten-minute stop allows time for meaningful goodbyes with waving "from the platform and then again from your window." This paints a picture of ceremony and celebration.
Let's examine why the other options fall short. Choice A describes the family's shopping routine, which shows preparation but doesn't indicate celebration or significance—it's just practical activity. Choice B mentions Dad's errands (haircut, bank, socializing), which again represents normal town business rather than celebratory elements specific to the departure. Choice C actually works against the idea by describing the contrast—Gotham's departure would be simple and unremarkable ("just drive down in the truck"), making it less significant.
The key distinction is between routine activities (A and B) and elements that specifically create excitement and ceremony around the departure itself. While the shopping and errands show the family would make a day of it, only D captures the actual celebratory atmosphere with crowds, excitement, and extended farewell opportunities.
Remember: when questions ask for the "best" supporting detail, look for evidence that most directly relates to the specific concept in question—here, celebration and significance rather than just preparation or contrast.
- Which sentence provides the best evidence that moving to Lowell offered women a chance for greater economic self-sufficiency?
Answer: Women found that Lowell's mills offered monthly wages for their services and provided them room and board.
When you encounter evidence-based questions, you need to find the sentence that most directly supports the specific claim being made. Here, you're looking for evidence of "greater economic self-sufficiency" - meaning women could support themselves financially.
Choice A provides the strongest evidence because it explicitly states that women received "monthly wages for their services and provided them room and board." This directly demonstrates economic self-sufficiency: the women earned regular income and had their basic needs (housing and food) covered. This is concrete evidence of financial independence.
Let's examine why the other choices fall short. Choice B mentions women were "tired of the limited opportunities offered by their domestic work," which suggests dissatisfaction with their previous economic situation but doesn't prove they achieved better economic conditions in Lowell. Choice C describes women leaving for "independent industrial city life," which hints at independence but doesn't specifically address economic self-sufficiency. Choice D does mention that women "gained economic independence," but this appears in a sentence focused on the restrictions they faced, making it less direct evidence than choice A.
The key difference is that choice A provides specific, measurable evidence (wages plus room and board), while the others either describe motivations for leaving, general lifestyle changes, or mention economic independence as a secondary point.
For evidence-based questions on the SHSAT, always look for the most specific and direct support for the claim. Abstract or general statements, even if related to the topic, are typically weaker evidence than concrete details.
- Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the social aspects of the gathering were more memorable than the labor involved?
Answer: The visiting and trading, the foot racing and horse racing... would be remembered and talked about long after they had forgotten the drudgery of digging and roasting camas...
When you encounter questions asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you need to find the option that provides the most direct and complete evidence for that claim. Here, you're looking for evidence that social activities were more memorable than the work itself.
Choice A explicitly makes this comparison with the phrase "would be remembered and talked about long after they had forgotten the drudgery of digging and roasting camas." This sentence directly contrasts what people remember (the social activities like visiting, trading, and racing) with what they forget (the actual labor). The word "drudgery" emphasizes how tedious the work was, while the detailed list of enjoyable activities shows what truly mattered to the people.
Choice B describes the gathering as a social time but doesn't compare the memorability of social aspects versus labor—it simply states the purpose without addressing what people remembered more. Choice C mentions both "work and festivities" equally without suggesting one was more memorable than the other. Choice D expresses positive feelings about friendship but makes no comparison to the work involved.
The key trap here is confusing statements that mention social aspects with statements that actually prove those aspects were more memorable. Only choice A provides the comparative language ("long after they had forgotten") that directly supports the idea in the question.
Remember: "Best supports" questions require evidence that directly proves the claim, not just evidence that relates to the topic. Look for comparative language and specific details that address exactly what the question asks.
- Which sentence best supports the claim that Lowell achieved international acclaim as a center of industry?
Answer: In time, Lowell became a model of industry, gaining global recognition for its state-of-the-art technology, innovative canal and dam system...
When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific claim, you're being tested on evidence and textual support. You need to find the sentence that most directly proves or demonstrates the stated claim.
The claim here is that Lowell achieved "international acclaim as a center of industry." To support this claim, you need evidence that explicitly mentions global or international recognition of Lowell's industrial achievements.
Choice C provides exactly this evidence: "Lowell became a model of industry, gaining global recognition for its state-of-the-art technology, innovative canal and dam system..." The phrase "gaining global recognition" directly supports the claim about international acclaim, and it specifically connects this recognition to Lowell's industrial features.
Choice A describes Lowell's transformation but mentions nothing about international recognition—it only discusses local change. Choice B includes a quote from a Scottish traveler, which might seem like international perspective, but this represents just one person's opinion, not widespread international acclaim. The traveler is simply noting what he'll remember, not indicating that Lowell has achieved global recognition. Choice D discusses the current national park but focuses on present-day tourism rather than historical international acclaim for industrial achievements.
Remember that "best supports" questions require you to find the most direct, explicit evidence for the claim. Look for key phrases that directly match the language in the question—here, "global recognition" perfectly aligns with "international acclaim." Don't be distracted by answers that seem related but don't provide the specific type of evidence requested.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that there was a practical reason for using hieratic script instead of hieroglyphs?
Answer: For everyday purposes, however, scribes used a shorthand version of the hieroglyphic script known as hieratic, which was quicker to write and more economical of space.
When you see a question asking for evidence that supports a specific idea, you need to find the sentence that directly provides reasons or explanations for that idea. Here, you're looking for practical reasons why scribes chose hieratic over hieroglyphs.
Choice C provides the clearest practical justification: "For everyday purposes, however, scribes used a shorthand version of the hieroglyphic script known as hieratic, which was quicker to write and more economical of space." This sentence directly explains two practical advantages—speed and space efficiency—that made hieratic script preferable for daily work.
Choice A tells us that not all scribes understood hieroglyphs, but this describes a limitation rather than explaining why hieratic was practically better. Choice B describes hieroglyphs as having "more than 1,000 distinct characters," which hints at complexity but doesn't explicitly state why this made hieratic more practical. Choice D explains where hieroglyphs were used (formal inscriptions, temples, funerary papyri) but doesn't provide reasons for choosing hieratic instead.
The key difference is that C explicitly uses comparative language ("quicker," "more economical") that directly contrasts the two writing systems and explains the practical benefits. The other choices provide context or describe characteristics but don't explicitly support the idea of practical advantages.
For SHSAT reading questions asking for supporting evidence, look for sentences that contain explicit reasons, explanations, or comparative language that directly relates to the concept in the question. Avoid choices that merely provide background information without making the connection clear.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the narrator feels a sense of responsibility for bridging the gap between her parents?
Answer: ...they were so different—and I was part of them both.
When you encounter questions about a character's emotional relationship to others, look for language that reveals the character's internal perspective on their role in family dynamics.
The correct answer is D because the phrase "they were so different—and I was part of them both" directly shows how the narrator sees herself as a connecting element between her parents. The dash emphasizes this realization, and "part of them both" suggests she carries qualities of each parent, making her a natural bridge between two very different people. This creates the sense of responsibility the question asks about—she understands that her presence helps unite her contrasting parents.
Choice A focuses on logistics about departure locations rather than the narrator's emotional role between her parents. Choice B simply states that her leaving is difficult for both parents, but doesn't address how she connects them or feels responsible for their relationship. Choice C expresses the narrator's discomfort about leaving, but this could stem from general affection rather than specifically feeling responsible for bridging their differences.
The key phrase "so different" establishes the gap between the parents, while "I was part of them both" positions the narrator as the element that spans that gap. This creates the emotional weight of responsibility—she's not just leaving two parents, but leaving two different people who are connected through her.
For character analysis questions, pay attention to conjunctions and connecting words like "and," "but," and "because"—they often reveal the character's understanding of relationships and their role within them.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the departure of the 'mill girls' was a result of their organized but unsuccessful activism?
Answer: When their demands went unheard, the women left Lowell, and immigrant groups replaced them in the workforce.
When you encounter questions asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you're being tested on your ability to find direct textual evidence that proves a particular claim. Here, you need to find evidence that the mill girls' departure resulted from organized but unsuccessful activism.
The correct answer is D because it directly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between failed activism and departure. The phrase "When their demands went unheard" explicitly indicates that the mill girls organized and made demands (activism), but those demands were ignored (unsuccessful). The sentence then shows the direct consequence: "the women left Lowell." This sentence alone proves that their departure was a direct result of their unsuccessful organized efforts.
Let's examine why the other choices don't work. Choice A explains economic context but says nothing about activism or organized protest. Choice B identifies one cause of worker dissatisfaction (wage cuts) but doesn't mention any organized response or activism by the workers. Choice C describes the activism itself—the protests and strikes—but doesn't connect this activism to their eventual departure or indicate whether their efforts succeeded or failed.
For "best supports" questions on the SHSAT, look for the sentence that most directly and completely proves the stated idea. Often, the correct answer will contain both the cause and effect mentioned in the question stem, connected by clear transitional language like "when" or "because."
- Which sentence best supports the inference that there was emotional tension between the narrator's parents during the father's departure?
Answer: 'I'll manage,' Mom snapped back.
When you encounter inference questions about character relationships, look for dialogue and actions that reveal underlying emotions rather than just descriptions of setting or physical details.
The question asks which sentence best supports the inference of emotional tension between the parents. Choice A, "'I'll manage,' Mom snapped back," provides the strongest evidence because it shows Mom's emotional state through both her words and how she delivered them. The verb "snapped" indicates she spoke sharply or irritably, suggesting frustration or anger. Her response to Dad's practical instruction about calling the neighbor reveals tension in their interaction—she's not just acknowledging his advice but responding defensively.
Choice B describes Dad's unusual appearance but doesn't reveal tension between the parents—he might be dressed up simply because he's traveling. Choice C focuses on the narrator's sensory memory of the cold and darkness, which sets mood but doesn't specifically indicate parental conflict. Choice D shows the narrator's emotional response to witnessing the scene, but the child's throat aching could result from general sadness about the departure rather than specifically from tension between the parents.
The key difference is that choice A captures an actual interaction between the parents where Mom's tone reveals her emotional state toward Dad, while the other choices describe external conditions or the narrator's feelings. When analyzing character relationships, prioritize dialogue and direct interactions over atmospheric details or third-party observations. Look for words that describe how something was said ("snapped," "muttered," "whispered") as these often reveal the speaker's true feelings.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the conversation with her mother brought the narrator a sense of comfort and reassurance?
Answer: Her laugh was warm and low like our kitchen, and comfortable. The house seemed natural and right again ....
When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you need to look for concrete evidence in the text that directly demonstrates that concept, not just mentions related topics.
The question asks for evidence that the conversation brought the narrator comfort and reassurance. Option D provides this evidence through specific descriptive language: "Her laugh was warm and low like our kitchen, and comfortable. The house seemed natural and right again." The words "warm," "comfortable," "natural and right again" directly convey feelings of comfort and reassurance. The simile comparing the laugh to "our kitchen" suggests familiar, homey warmth.
Option A shows the mother's surprise at being asked about her name, but doesn't indicate the narrator's emotional response or sense of comfort. Option B is simply the narrator's straightforward response explaining what she didn't know—it contains no emotional language suggesting comfort. Option C describes how the mother pronounced her full name slowly, but again provides no evidence of the narrator feeling comforted or reassured.
The key distinction is that A, B, and C are neutral dialogue that moves the conversation forward, while D contains the emotional language and imagery that actually demonstrates the narrator's feelings.
For SHSAT reading questions, remember that "support" questions require you to find specific textual evidence, not just related information. Look for descriptive language, emotional words, and imagery that directly connects to the concept being asked about rather than settling for sentences that are merely on the same topic.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the work done at the gathering was driven by a sense of urgency?
Answer: ...for the sharp night air brought warnings that WARM was going and COLD was coming.
When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you need to look for the most direct textual evidence that demonstrates that concept. Here, you're looking for urgency in the work being done.
Answer choice A provides the strongest evidence of urgency because it reveals the driving force behind all the frantic activity: "for the sharp night air brought warnings that WARM was going and COLD was coming." The word "warnings" creates a sense of impending threat, and the capitalized "WARM" and "COLD" emphasize the dramatic seasonal change approaching. This sentence explains why there's urgency—winter is coming, and they must prepare now or face dire consequences.
Answer choice B mentions preparing "for their winter food supply" but doesn't convey urgency—it simply states a purpose. Answer choice C describes the women working "hard" and trying to gather "as many bags of roots as they could," which shows effort and quantity but doesn't directly explain the urgent motivation behind this intensive work. Answer choice D describes the summer's activities but presents them as routine seasonal work without any sense of time pressure.
The key difference is that A provides the reason for urgency (impending winter), while the other choices describe activities that could suggest hard work but don't explicitly reveal the urgent motivation driving that work.
When looking for textual support on the SHSAT, choose the option that most directly demonstrates the concept in question, not just one that's related to the topic.
- Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that children's play served an educational purpose?
Answer: They learned how to live through their play.
When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you're being tested on your ability to find direct textual evidence. The key is looking for the sentence that most explicitly connects to the concept mentioned in the question stem.
The question asks about children's play serving an "educational purpose." You need to find the sentence that directly shows learning or education happening through play. Answer choice D states "They learned how to live through their play," which explicitly uses the word "learned" and directly connects play to acquiring life skills. This is the clearest textual evidence that play had educational value.
Let's examine why the other choices don't work as well. Choice A, "And the younger children played," simply establishes that children were playing but provides no evidence of educational purpose. Choice B, "They played at hunting," gives an example of what they played but doesn't explicitly state that this was educational, even though we might infer it. Choice C, "They played with the babies," is another example of play activity but again lacks any direct statement about learning or education.
While choices B and C describe activities that could reasonably be educational, they require you to make inferences rather than pointing to explicit evidence. Choice D removes all guesswork by directly stating that learning occurred through play.
For textual evidence questions on the SHSAT, always look for the most direct, explicit support rather than answers that require you to "read between the lines." The strongest evidence clearly states the connection you're looking for.
- Which sentence best supports the claim that Lowell's industrial decline was caused by its failure to modernize?
Answer: The city officially began to close down its mills in the 1920s and '30s after Lowell's outdated mills could no longer compete against the state-of-the-art cotton mills in other communities...
When you encounter a question asking for textual evidence to support a specific claim, you need to identify which sentence directly proves or demonstrates that claim with concrete details.
The claim here is that Lowell's industrial decline was caused by its failure to modernize. Choice B provides the clearest evidence: "The city officially began to close down its mills in the 1920s and '30s after Lowell's outdated mills could no longer compete against the state-of-the-art cotton mills in other communities..." This sentence establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship—the mills closed because they were "outdated" and couldn't compete with "state-of-the-art" facilities elsewhere. The contrast between "outdated" and "state-of-the-art" explicitly shows that modernization was the key issue.
Choice A describes poor working conditions but doesn't connect these conditions to modernization or explain why the mills declined. Choice C discusses the ethnic diversity that developed during Lowell's industrial period but offers no explanation for the decline itself. Choice D simply states when the last mill closed without explaining why—it gives a timeline but no causation.
The trap here is choosing sentences that seem related to industrial decline without checking whether they actually explain the specific cause mentioned in the claim. Remember, evidence questions require you to find the sentence that most directly supports the exact argument being made. Look for key words that match the claim—in this case, "outdated" and "state-of-the-art" directly address the modernization issue, while other details about working conditions or demographics are tangential.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that the narrator's sadness and loneliness persisted despite her mother's attempts to comfort her?
Answer: It tasted good, but the lonely ache in my throat was still there.
When you encounter a reading comprehension question asking for textual support, you need to identify which sentence directly demonstrates the specific idea mentioned in the question stem. Here, you're looking for evidence that the narrator's sadness continued even after her mother tried to help.
Choice A provides the clearest evidence because it explicitly shows the contrast between the mother's comfort attempt and its limited effect. The narrator acknowledges that the milk "tasted good" (showing the mother's care worked on one level), "but the lonely ache in my throat was still there" (demonstrating that the deeper emotional pain persisted). This sentence directly supports the idea that maternal comfort didn't fully resolve the narrator's sadness.
Choice B describes the house as "warm, but empty," which shows contrast but doesn't specifically connect to the mother's comfort attempts. Choice C shows the mother offering comfort by heating milk, but this represents the attempt to comfort rather than evidence that sadness persisted afterward. Choice D simply describes an activity the narrator and mother did together, with no connection to emotions or comfort.
The key word "but" in choice A signals the crucial contrast between surface comfort and underlying persistent sadness. This conjunction directly demonstrates that despite the mother's caring gesture, the emotional problem remained unresolved.
For SHSAT reading questions asking for textual support, look for sentences that contain both parts of the relationship described in the question stem. Here, you needed both the comfort attempt AND evidence of continuing sadness—only choice A provides this complete picture.
- Which phrase provides the best evidence for the narrator's perception of an emotional gap between her parents?
Answer: I feel the wall of strangeness between them
When analyzing literature, authors often use metaphorical language to convey abstract emotional concepts. This question asks you to identify which phrase best demonstrates the narrator's perception of an emotional distance between her parents.
The correct answer is C) "I feel the wall of strangeness between them." This phrase uses the powerful metaphor of a "wall" to represent emotional separation. The word "strangeness" suggests that the parents feel like strangers to each other, creating distance in their relationship. This metaphorical language directly addresses the emotional gap the question asks about.
Let's examine why the other choices don't work as well. Choice A) "But now that I am grown" simply indicates a time period and the narrator's maturity level—it doesn't describe the emotional gap itself. Choice B) "more than when I was a child" is a comparison showing that the narrator's awareness has increased over time, but it doesn't provide evidence of the gap—just that she notices it more now. Choice D) "I wondered how they would get along without me" reveals the narrator's concern about leaving, but focuses on her parents' dependence on her rather than the emotional distance between them as a couple.
When answering questions about textual evidence, look for phrases that directly illustrate the concept being asked about rather than those that provide context or related information. Metaphorical language like "wall of strangeness" often carries the strongest emotional weight and provides the most vivid evidence of abstract concepts like emotional distance.
- Which sentence best supports the idea that formal scribal education was a significant financial burden for many families?
Answer: ...for several years, during which time the student was not contributing to the family's income.
When you encounter questions asking for textual evidence to support a specific idea, you need to identify which sentence most directly demonstrates the concept in question. Here, you're looking for evidence that formal scribal education created a "significant financial burden" for families.
Choice A provides the strongest evidence because it explicitly describes a concrete financial cost: "for several years, during which time the student was not contributing to the family's income." This sentence directly explains how education created economic hardship—families not only had to provide food and drink rations but also lost potential income from their sons' labor for multiple years. This represents a double financial burden that would be especially challenging for families of modest means.
Choice B is incorrect because it simply states basic facts about when and where education occurred, without addressing any financial burden. Choice C mentions that education "was not available to all," but this could be due to various factors beyond cost, such as geographic access or social restrictions. While it hints at barriers, it doesn't specifically support the financial burden argument. Choice D discusses alternatives for poorer families but focuses more on solutions to the cost problem rather than evidence of the burden itself.
For SHSAT reading questions asking for textual support, look for the choice that most directly and specifically addresses the concept mentioned in the question stem. Avoid answers that are merely related to the topic—focus on the one that provides concrete evidence for the exact idea being discussed.
- Which sentence best explains why the success of the hunters was important to the entire community?
Answer: The meat meant plenty of food and the hides meant soft-tanned robes to give comfort through the Cold Moons.
When you encounter a question asking why something was important to an "entire community," you need to look for evidence that shows how the event benefited everyone, not just the individuals directly involved.
The correct answer is C because it explicitly explains the concrete benefits that the hunters' success provided to the whole community. The sentence breaks down exactly how the hunt results served everyone: "The meat meant plenty of food and the hides meant soft-tanned robes to give comfort through the Cold Moons." This shows the practical, community-wide impact—food for all and materials for warmth during winter.
Answer A is incorrect because it only describes the hunters showing off their trophies. While it mentions the materials they brought back, it doesn't explain why these items mattered to the community. Answer B focuses solely on the hunters' pride and reputation ("what great hunters they, themselves, were"), making it about individual glory rather than community benefit. Answer D simply states that people were happy about the success but doesn't explain the reasoning behind their joy or how it helped everyone.
The key difference is that C provides the "why"—it connects the hunting success to specific community needs (food and winter clothing), while the other options either focus on the hunters themselves or merely describe reactions without explaining the underlying reasons.
For reading comprehension questions about community impact, always look for answers that explain concrete benefits or consequences that affect the group as a whole, not just individual achievements or emotions.
