Apply Reading Standards to Literary Nonfiction Practice Test

W.7.9.b (analyzing how an author unfolds analysis and refines a key term): Students read a narrative nonfiction article about migration. The author first defines “migration” as “moving from one place to another,” then later refines it: “In this story, migration means moving because you must, not because you want to,” and finally contrasts “forced migration” with “voluntary migration” using two short real-life examples.

Amir’s analysis: “The author keeps using the word migration. The article is about people moving. It is sad and serious.”

Which feedback best helps Amir improve to meet the standard?

W.7.9.b (distinguishing claims from evidence): Students read a memoir excerpt in which the author argues that joining an after-school robotics club “changed how I saw failure.” The author writes, “I used to quit when my code didn’t work,” and later includes, “After three weeks of debugging, our robot finally followed the line for 10 seconds,” plus a coach’s comment: “Mistakes are data.”

Riley writes: “The claim is that the robot followed the line for 10 seconds. The evidence is that the author says failure is important. The author’s argument is that coding is fun.”

What is the main problem with Riley’s analysis?