Conduct Research and Generate Questions
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7th Grade Writing › Conduct Research and Generate Questions
Yuki researches: “What adaptations help desert plants survive with little water?” She uses 4 sources (botany textbook section, a university extension page, a science magazine article, and a documentary transcript). She takes notes on waxy cuticles, stomata opening at night (CAM photosynthesis), deep vs. shallow roots, and water storage tissues. However, in her final draft she mostly describes the history of deserts and lists famous deserts without explaining plant adaptations.
Which evaluation best describes Yuki’s research project?
Her final draft is strong because listing deserts proves plants can live there.
Her question is too narrow to be answered with multiple sources.
Her sources are irrelevant because any source about deserts cannot help answer a plant question.
Her question is focused and her notes are relevant, but her final answer does not directly address the question using the research evidence.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'What adaptations help desert plants survive with little water?'—not too broad 'What about plants?', not vague 'Why deserts exist?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Yuki had a focused question about desert plant water adaptations, used 4 relevant sources, took detailed notes on specific adaptations (waxy cuticles, CAM photosynthesis, root systems, water storage), but then failed in execution. Answer B is correct—her question was focused and notes were relevant, but her final answer describing desert history and listing famous deserts completely fails to address the question using her research evidence about plant adaptations. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because her sources were relevant (about desert plants), listing deserts doesn't prove anything about adaptations, and her question was appropriately focused not too narrow. This demonstrates that good research requires not just gathering information but synthesizing it to directly answer the research question.
Carlos is doing a short research project on technology use. He wants to study how social media affects teens. He writes two possible research questions.
Question 1: “How does daily social media use relate to sleep duration in 7th graders at my school?”
Question 2: “Is social media ruining society?”
Which statement best compares the two questions for a short research project that requires evidence and multiple sources?
Question 2 is better because it is more dramatic and easier to argue about.
Question 2 is better because it has a yes/no answer.
Both questions are equally focused because they mention social media.
Question 1 is better because it is specific, measurable, and can be answered using research and data.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How does social media relate to sleep in 7th graders at my school?'—not too broad 'Is social media ruining society?', not vague 'Why are things?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Carlos compares two possible research questions for his technology project requiring evidence and multiple sources. Answer B is correct—Question 1 is better because it's specific (daily social media use), measurable (sleep duration), bounded (7th graders at his school), and answerable through research/data collection. Question 2 fails because 'Is social media ruining society?' is too broad, subjective, and impossible to answer definitively with evidence—it invites opinion rather than research. Options A, C, and D incorrectly value drama, equal focus, or yes/no structure over research feasibility. Effective research questions must be specific enough to investigate systematically while avoiding unanswerable philosophical debates.
Sofia is researching: “How did the Great Migration affect Northern cities between 1916 and 1930?” She uses 5 sources (a history textbook chapter, a Library of Congress collection, a museum exhibit page, a scholarly article excerpt, and census data summaries). She organizes notes into categories: jobs/industry, housing, culture, and politics. Her final response explains changes in labor supply, overcrowded housing and segregation patterns, growth of Black newspapers/music, and shifts in voting blocs.
Which follow-up question best shows a related, focused direction for further research that emerges from her findings?
What caused all migration in human history?
What happened in World War II?
How did overcrowded housing during the Great Migration contribute to specific Northern cities creating or enforcing residential segregation policies from 1916–1930?
Was the Great Migration good or bad?
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How did Great Migration affect Northern cities 1916-1930?'—not too broad 'What caused all migration?', not vague 'Was it good or bad?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: 'How did housing lead to segregation policies?'—showing inquiry deepening). Sofia researched Great Migration's effects using 5 sources, organized findings into categories (jobs, housing, culture, politics), and discovered overcrowded housing led to segregation patterns. Question B is correct because it directly builds on her housing findings, drilling deeper into how overcrowding contributed to specific segregation policies in specific years—a focused, researchable extension. Questions A, C, and D fail because they're too broad ('all migration in history'), vague opinion ('good or bad?'), or unrelated (WWII). Quality follow-up questions emerge from specific findings in initial research, maintaining focus while deepening investigation into discovered patterns or connections.
Maya is doing a 1-week research project for 7th grade science. Her initial question is: “What adaptations help desert animals conserve water?” She uses 4 sources (a library book on desert ecosystems, a National Park Service article, a museum website, and a peer-reviewed journal summary). She takes notes comparing adaptations (kidney function, nocturnal behavior, waxy skin, burrowing) and writes a paragraph answering the question with evidence.
After finishing, she writes these possible follow-up questions:
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“How does the kangaroo rat’s kidney structure reduce water loss compared with other rodents?”
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“Are deserts the coolest biomes?”
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“How do rising temperatures change the times of day desert animals are active?”
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“Why are animals interesting?”
Which set best represents related, focused, researchable new questions that emerge from Maya’s research?
Questions 2 and 4, because they are broad and allow many opinions.
Questions 1 and 3, because they build directly on desert water-saving adaptations and can be researched.
Questions 2 and 3, because they both mention deserts and will be easy to answer quickly.
Questions 1 and 4, because one is specific and the other is open-ended.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'What adaptations help desert animals conserve water?'—not too broad 'What about animals?', not vague 'Why are things?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: 'How does kangaroo rat kidney work?', 'How do temperatures affect activity?'—showing inquiry deepening). Maya researched desert animal water-saving adaptations using 4 sources, took notes on specific adaptations (kidney function, nocturnal behavior, waxy skin, burrowing), and wrote an evidence-based answer. Questions 1 and 3 are correct because they build directly on her research findings—Question 1 drills deeper into kidney adaptations she discovered, Question 3 extends to how climate change affects behavioral adaptations she studied. Questions 2 and 4 fail because they're unfocused opinion questions ('coolest biomes?', 'Why interesting?') unrelated to specific adaptations. Effective follow-up questions emerge from research findings, remain focused on researchable aspects, and deepen understanding through specific inquiry rather than vague wonderings.
Jamal must choose one research question for a 2-week social studies project about school schedules. He will need to find 3–5 sources and write an evidence-based answer.
Which question is the most focused and researchable?
How do later middle school start times affect students’ sleep duration and attendance rates in U.S. districts that changed start times since 2010?
Why do schools do things the way they do?
What is the best school schedule for all students everywhere?
Should everyone agree that later school start times are better?
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How do later start times affect sleep and attendance in specific districts?'—not too broad 'Why do schools do things?', not vague 'What's best for everyone?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Jamal needs a focused, researchable question for his 2-week project requiring 3-5 sources and evidence-based answer. Question C is correct because it's specific (later middle school start times), measurable (sleep duration, attendance rates), bounded (U.S. districts since 2010), and researchable with available data. Questions A, B, and D fail because they're too vague ('Why do schools do things?'), opinion-based ('Should everyone agree?'), or impossibly broad ('best for all students everywhere'). Strong research questions specify what, who, when, where aspects making them answerable through evidence rather than speculation or opinion.
Amir is researching: “How do extreme weather events affect local infrastructure?” After reading 3 articles about hurricanes, he writes these new questions:
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“How did Hurricane Sandy affect subway service restoration timelines in New York City compared with earlier major storms?”
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“What is the best pizza place in New York City?”
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“How do flood-resistant road designs (like permeable pavement) change repair costs after heavy rainfall in coastal towns?”
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“Why are storms scary?”
Which choice best identifies the two new questions that are most related and researchable extensions of Amir’s topic?
Questions 3 and 4
Questions 1 and 2
Questions 2 and 4
Questions 1 and 3
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How do extreme weather events affect local infrastructure?'—not too broad 'What about weather?', not vague 'Why storms scary?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: 'How did Sandy affect subway restoration?', 'How do flood-resistant roads change costs?'—showing inquiry deepening). Amir researched extreme weather's infrastructure effects, focusing on hurricanes through 3 articles. Answer A is correct—Questions 1 and 3 are the best extensions because Question 1 investigates specific infrastructure impact (subway restoration after Hurricane Sandy) and Question 3 explores infrastructure solutions (flood-resistant road designs and repair costs), both directly related to his topic. Questions 2 and 4 fail because they're completely unrelated (pizza places) or unfocused/subjective ('Why storms scary?'). Effective follow-up questions maintain topical focus while exploring specific aspects discovered during initial research, advancing from general understanding to detailed investigation of particular cases or solutions.
Chen starts a research project with the question: “What are inventions?” He reads one short website and then writes a report mostly describing his favorite inventions (phones, video games, cars). He does not cite evidence and never explains what counts as an invention or how inventions affect society.
What is the main problem with Chen’s research question and process?
There is no problem, because any question can be answered with one website.
The question is too broad to guide research, and the process uses too few sources with little analysis.
The question is too specific, so it prevents Chen from finding any sources.
The process is strong because personal examples are the best evidence for research projects.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How did inventions change society?'—not too broad 'What are inventions?', not vague 'Why things?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Chen's research fails because his question 'What are inventions?' is too broad and vague to guide focused research, leading to superficial treatment. Answer A is correct—the overly broad question combined with minimal research (one website) and no analysis produces a report listing personal favorites without evidence or exploration of invention's nature/impact. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because the question isn't too specific (it's too broad), personal examples aren't best evidence (need researched evidence), and one website is insufficient for research projects. Effective research questions must be focused enough to guide investigation while broad enough to require multiple sources and analysis.
Yuki is researching renewable energy for a 7th-grade science project. She wants a question that will allow multiple avenues of exploration (technology, cost, environment) while staying focused.
Which question better guides a short research project?
How did installing solar panels on public schools in one U.S. district affect electricity costs and carbon emissions over the first three years after installation?
Is solar power the best energy source?
What is energy and why do people need it?
Why is the sun important?
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How did Great Migration affect Northern cities?'—not too broad 'What about animals?', not vague 'Why are things?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: 'What were economic impacts?', 'How did communities form?'—showing inquiry deepening). Yuki needs a renewable energy question that's focused yet allows multiple exploration avenues. Answer B is correct because it's highly specific (solar panels on public schools in one district, measuring electricity costs and carbon emissions over three years) while still allowing exploration of technology aspects (how panels work), cost analysis (savings data), and environmental impacts (emission reductions). The other questions fail the focused research test: A is too broad and basic ('What is energy?'), C seeks subjective judgment ('Is solar best?') rather than evidence, and D is vague about the sun's importance without connecting to renewable energy specifically. Teachers should model how strong questions balance specificity (one district, three years) with multiple research angles (costs AND emissions), allowing students to find diverse sources while maintaining focus. This question structure helps students avoid getting overwhelmed by too-broad topics or trapped by too-narrow ones.
Jamal wants to research recycling at school. His initial question is: “What are the effects of our school’s recycling program?” He reads one short blog post, skims a poster from a recycling company, and then writes a paragraph mostly about pollution in the ocean. He does not collect any information about his own school’s program. What is the biggest problem with Jamal’s research project?
His question is unanswerable because all recycling information is secret.
His research is effective because any information about pollution answers the question about his school.
His question is focused enough, but he should add more opinions from classmates to make it stronger.
His question is too broad and his research does not stay focused on evidence about his school’s recycling program.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'What are effects of our school's recycling program?'—not too broad 'What about environment?', not vague 'Why recycle?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Jamal's research project fails because his question about school's recycling program is too broad AND he doesn't stay focused—reads one blog post, skims poster, then writes about ocean pollution without collecting any information about his school's actual program. Choice B correctly identifies both problems: question too broad and research doesn't stay focused on evidence about school's recycling program. Choice A incorrectly suggests adding opinions would help, Choice C falsely claims recycling information is secret, Choice D wrongly states any pollution information answers his specific school question. Effective research requires focused questions guiding source selection, maintaining topic focus throughout investigation, and answering original question with relevant evidence.
Yuki is researching how music streaming has changed the way artists earn money. She finds 5 sources and takes notes, but her final paragraph only says: “Streaming is popular and people like it.” She does not use evidence about earnings, payments per stream, or revenue sources. Which evaluation of Yuki’s project is most accurate?
Her research needs improvement because her answer does not address her initial question with evidence from her sources.
Her question is not researchable because money topics can only be answered by guessing.
Her project is complete because using 5 sources automatically guarantees a good answer.
Her research is strong because a general opinion about popularity answers a question about earnings.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.7—conduct short research projects answering question, generating additional related focused questions for exploration. Research projects require: FOCUSED INITIAL QUESTION (specific and researchable: 'How has streaming changed artist earnings?'—not too broad 'What about music?', not vague 'Is streaming good?'), RESEARCH PROCESS (multiple relevant sources, reading/analyzing, note-taking, synthesizing), ANSWERING QUESTION (using research evidence, citing sources, addressing question directly), GENERATING NEW QUESTIONS emerging from research (related focused questions drilling deeper or branching: showing inquiry deepening). Yuki researched how music streaming changed artist earnings, found 5 sources and took notes, but final paragraph only states 'Streaming is popular and people like it'—completely fails to address initial question about earnings with evidence. Choice B correctly identifies the problem: her answer doesn't address initial question with evidence from sources. Choice A wrongly suggests general popularity opinion answers earnings question, Choice C falsely claims 5 sources guarantee good answer, Choice D incorrectly states money topics aren't researchable. Effective research requires not just collecting sources but synthesizing evidence to directly answer the initial question—Yuki collected information but failed to use it appropriately.