All questions
Question 1
A school district tested "quiet start" mornings to reduce student stress. For one semester, three middle schools began the day with ten minutes of silent reading or journaling. Three similar schools kept their usual schedule. The district's research team compared attendance records and nurse visits. At the quiet-start schools, average tardies dropped from 14 per day to 9 per day. Nurse visits for headaches and stomachaches fell by 18% compared with the previous semester. In interviews, several teachers said the first period felt "less chaotic," but the report stresses that teacher opinions were not the main evidence. The team also noted limits. One quiet-start school already had a strong advisory program, and another had recently changed bus routes, which could have influenced tardies.
Which piece of evidence from the passage most directly supports the claim that quiet-start mornings improved students' physical well-being?
- "Several teachers said the first period felt 'less chaotic.'"
- "Nurse visits for headaches and stomachaches fell by 18% compared with the previous semester." (correct answer)
- "Average tardies dropped from 14 per day to 9 per day."
- "One quiet-start school already had a strong advisory program."
Explanation: Physical well-being points to the body, and the drop in nurse visits for headaches and stomachaches is direct evidence that fewer students felt physically unwell, so Choice B is correct. Choice A is a teacher opinion, which the report says was not the main evidence, Choice C is about tardiness (attendance, not health), and Choice D describes a limitation of the study rather than a health result.
Question 2
A community garden group wanted to know whether compost made from food scraps could improve soil faster than store-bought fertilizer. They divided a vacant lot into twelve equal plots, and in six of them volunteers mixed in compost made from cafeteria scraps collected for eight weeks. In the other six, they applied a standard fertilizer, following the package directions, and after ten weeks the group measured soil organic matter and recorded harvest weights from the same crop, bush beans. Organic matter increased by 1.4 percentage points in the compost plots and by 0.5 points in the fertilizer plots, and the compost plots produced an average of 2.8 kilograms of beans per plot, compared with 2.1 kilograms in the fertilizer plots. The group noted that compost took more labor to collect and turn, but it cut the amount of trash sent to the landfill.
Which evidence most directly supports the conclusion that compost improved both soil quality and crop yield more than fertilizer did?
- The group noted that compost required more labor to collect and to turn during the study.
- The volunteers divided a single vacant lot into twelve equal growing plots.
- Organic matter rose 1.4 points with compost versus 0.5 with fertilizer, and compost plots gave 2.8 kilograms of beans versus 2.1. (correct answer)
- Using compost reduced the amount of food trash that was sent to the landfill.
Explanation: The conclusion has two parts, better soil and higher yield, so the strongest evidence shows both, compared directly. Choice C pairs the soil result (1.4 versus 0.5 points) with the harvest result (2.8 versus 2.1 kilograms), covering both parts, so it is correct. Choice A is a drawback, Choice B just describes the setup, and Choice D is an unrelated benefit, so none proves the soil-and-yield comparison.
Question 3
Scientists studying honeybees tested whether different landscapes changed how far bees had to fly for food. They placed identical hives in two areas. Farmfield had large single-crop fields around it, while Meadowridge had mixed wildflowers and small gardens. Each hive had a small tag reader that recorded when marked bees left and returned. Over five weeks, bees in Farmfield averaged 48 minutes per foraging trip, while bees in Meadowridge averaged 31 minutes. The researchers also studied the pollen collected at the hive entrances, and the Meadowridge samples held a wider variety of plant species. The authors wrote that shorter trips can leave bees with more energy for brood care, but they did not directly measure hive health.
Each answer choice below pairs two pieces of evidence. Which pair best supports the idea that Meadowridge offered food sources that were both closer and more varied for the bees?
- Bees in Farmfield averaged 48 minutes per trip, and shorter trips can leave more energy for brood care.
- Bees in Meadowridge averaged 31 minutes per trip, and Meadowridge pollen held a wider variety of plant species. (correct answer)
- The hives were identical in both areas, and each hive had a small tag reader to track the bees.
- The authors did not directly measure hive health, and Farmfield had large single-crop fields.
Explanation: The idea has two parts: closer food (shorter trips) and more varied food (more plant species). Choice B pairs the shorter Meadowridge trips (31 minutes) with the wider variety of pollen, so it supports both parts and is correct. Choice A uses the Farmfield time and an unmeasured guess, Choice C only describes the setup, and Choice D mixes a study limitation with a Farmfield detail, so none supports the Meadowridge inference.
Question 4
Read the informational passage and answer the question.
Many coastal cities are experimenting with “living shorelines,” which use natural materials—like oyster reefs and marsh grasses—to reduce erosion. A marine science center monitored two similar bays for four years. In Bay A, workers placed bags of recycled shells and planted cordgrass along 600 meters of shoreline. In Bay B, the city built a concrete seawall. The center measured shoreline change after storms and recorded wildlife. After two major hurricanes, Bay A lost an average of 12 centimeters of shoreline, while Bay B lost 28 centimeters despite the seawall. Researchers also counted juvenile fish in shallow water: Bay A averaged 35 fish per net sample, compared with 18 in Bay B. The report notes that living shorelines take longer to install and require ongoing checks for invasive plants, but it concludes they can provide protection while supporting habitats.
Question: Which evidence is strongest for the claim that the living shoreline both reduced erosion and supported wildlife compared with the seawall?
- The report notes that Bay A’s living shoreline took longer to install than Bay B’s seawall and still requires ongoing checks for the invasive plants that can crowd out the cordgrass.
- In Bay A, workers placed bags of recycled shells and planted cordgrass along 600 meters of shoreline, while the city built a concrete seawall along a similar stretch of Bay B.
- After two hurricanes, Bay A lost 12 centimeters of shoreline while Bay B lost 28, and Bay A averaged 35 juvenile fish per net sample compared with 18 in Bay B. (correct answer)
- Many coastal cities are now experimenting with living shorelines that use natural materials such as oyster reefs and marsh grasses instead of concrete to reduce shoreline erosion.
Explanation: The claim has two parts: the living shoreline reduced erosion AND supported wildlife, better than the seawall. The strongest evidence must directly compare both bays on both outcomes. The choice reporting that Bay A lost only 12 centimeters versus Bay B’s 28, and averaged 35 fish per sample versus 18, does exactly that—it gives measured, side-by-side data for erosion and for wildlife, so it fully backs the claim.
The choice about installation taking longer and needing checks for invasive plants describes drawbacks of the living shoreline, not evidence that it worked better, so it fails the claim entirely. The choice describing the recycled shells, cordgrass, and seawall tells you how each shoreline was built but reports no results, so it cannot show which one performed better. The choice about cities experimenting with natural materials is general background with no comparison and no data, so it supports neither part of the claim. Only the choice with paired measurements proves both halves of the claim, making it the strongest evidence.
Question 5
In 2016, the city of Riverton replaced several downtown parking spaces with "parklets," small wooden platforms holding benches and planters. According to a report from the Riverton Planning Office, the pilot project turned 18 parking spaces into 6 parklets. Each one was built with removable sections so they could be taken out for street repairs. The report notes that nearby businesses first worried about losing customers who drove. So the city tracked foot traffic for three months before and after installation. Average pedestrian counts on the two busiest blocks rose from 1,200 people per day to 1,380. The report also includes a survey of 214 visitors. About 62 percent said they stayed longer because there was a comfortable place to sit. About 41 percent said they were more likely to enter a shop after using a parklet. However, the report adds a caution. The results may not apply to every neighborhood, because the pilot area already had frequent bus service and wide sidewalks.
Which quote from the passage best shows that the city used real data, not just opinions, to judge whether parklets affected downtown activity?
- The report cautions that its findings may not apply to every neighborhood with different local conditions.
- Nearby businesses first worried that they would lose the customers who drove downtown to shop.
- The city measured how many people walked past for three months before and after installation. (correct answer)
- Each parklet was a wooden platform built with removable sections that hold benches and planters.
Explanation: Real data means facts the city actually counted or measured, not people's feelings or guesses. Counting how many people walked past over three months, both before and after the parklets went in, gives the city hard numbers to compare, so this choice is correct. The choice about the report's warning describes a limit on the findings, not the measurement itself. The choice about businesses worrying reports an opinion, which is the opposite of measured data. The choice describing the platforms and their removable sections is just a physical definition of a parklet and involves no data about downtown activity at all.
Question 6
During World War II, the U.S. government encouraged citizens to plant "victory gardens" to add to the food supply. A 1943 pamphlet from the Office of War Information told families to grow vegetables that were "easy to can or store," such as beans and carrots. The pamphlet also explained that commercial farms were shipping more food overseas. On top of that, metal and fuel were being rationed, which made long-distance transportation harder. By 1944, newspapers reported that victory gardens produced millions of pounds of produce nationwide, though the exact totals varied by region. Historians note that the gardens also boosted morale. They gave people a way to feel part of the war effort even if they were not in the military.
Which quote from the passage best supports the inference that victory gardens were promoted partly to reduce pressure on the wartime food distribution system?
- "Historians note that the gardens also served as a morale booster for people at home."
- "A 1943 pamphlet instructed families to grow vegetables that were 'easy to can or store.'"
- "Newspapers reported that victory gardens produced millions of pounds of produce nationwide."
- "Commercial farms were shipping more food overseas, and metal and fuel were being rationed." (correct answer)
Explanation: The inference is about easing strain on food distribution, and the quote about farms shipping food overseas while fuel and metal were rationed explains why moving food was harder, so home gardens helped fill the gap. Choice D is that quote, so it is correct. Choice A points to morale, not distribution, Choice B is about which crops to grow, and Choice C reports the output totals, none of which addresses the pressure on the distribution system.
Question 7
In the late 1800s, engineer Emily Roebling helped build the Brooklyn Bridge. Her husband, Washington Roebling, had fallen seriously ill. Letters from the period show that she studied engineering textbooks. She also met often with the bridge's chief assistant engineer. One newspaper article said she traveled to the work site "nearly every day." She carried messages between Washington and the workers. She was never officially named chief engineer. Even so, she explained technical details to doubtful officials. The meetings covered cable tension and tower design. Years later, a plaque credited her with "faithful and efficient aid" as the bridge was finished.
Which quote most strongly supports the inference that Emily Roebling earned technical respect because she understood engineering details, not just because she delivered messages?
- "One newspaper article said she traveled to the work site 'nearly every day,'" showing how often she appeared on site.
- "A plaque credited her with 'faithful and efficient aid' as the bridge was finished," honoring her overall contribution.
- "She explained technical details to doubtful officials," during meetings that covered cable tension and tower design. (correct answer)
- "She carried messages between Washington and the workers," moving information back and forth across the project.
Explanation: The best answer shows Emily doing engineering work herself: explaining technical points about cable tension and tower design to officials who doubted her. That is proof of understanding, not just effort, so it directly supports the idea that she earned respect for her expertise. The quote about visiting the site nearly every day shows dedication and how often she was present, but it says nothing about her engineering knowledge. The plaque quote is a broad, general tribute to her help; it praises her aid without pointing to any specific technical skill. The quote about carrying messages describes exactly the message-delivery role the question tells you to look beyond, so it cannot show technical respect. Only explaining technical content to skeptical officials matches what the question asks.
Question 8
Read the informational passage and answer the question.
A journalist wrote about how libraries have expanded beyond lending books. In one county, the main library now checks out Wi‑Fi hotspots for two-week periods, and the waiting list is often longer than it is for popular novels. The library also offers free workshops on résumé writing and basic coding, taught by volunteers from a nearby community college. The article includes an interview with a librarian who says, “People come in asking for help applying for jobs as often as they ask for the latest best-seller.” The journalist notes that the library’s budget has not grown much, so staff members track program attendance carefully to decide which services to keep. Last year, the hotspot program had 1,140 checkouts, and the job-help workshops averaged 28 attendees per session.
Question (Identify Best Support): What is the strongest textual evidence that the library is meeting community needs that go beyond reading for pleasure?
- The library’s modest budget has stayed roughly the same size for several years running.
- The waiting list for the hotspots is often longer than the list for the county’s popular novels.
- The hotspot program had 1,140 checkouts last year, and the job-help workshops averaged 28 attendees. (correct answer)
- Local libraries have expanded their overall mission far beyond the simple lending of printed books.
Explanation: The strongest evidence gives concrete proof that people are actually using the library's non-reading services. The 1,140 hotspot checkouts and the average of 28 workshop attendees are real usage numbers, showing that community members turned to the library for internet access and job help—needs that go beyond reading for pleasure.
The choice about the budget staying the same explains why staff track attendance, but it says nothing about whether community needs are being met. The choice about the waiting list being longer than for popular novels shows there is demand, but a waiting list is not proof that people actually received and used the service. The choice about libraries expanding their mission is only a broad topic statement; it names the general idea but offers no specific evidence that this particular library is meeting these needs. Only the usage numbers prove actual use, which is what the question asks you to support.
Question 9
In 2022, a museum redesigned its dinosaur hall. The goal was to reflect how scientists revise ideas when new evidence appears. The old exhibit presented one large predator as a solitary hunter. The new exhibit includes a wall labeled "What We Know Now." It explains that recent fossil trackways show several individuals moving in the same direction at the same time. The museum also added a short video of a paleontologist. In it, she describes how she compared the spacing of footprints to estimate the animals' speed. To help visitors see uncertainty, some signs now use phrases like "evidence suggests" and "scientists debate." This happens especially when the signs describe behavior rather than bones. The curator wrote that the goal was to show science as "a process of testing and revising." It is not a set of unchanging facts.
Which quote most strongly supports the inference that the redesigned hall emphasizes scientific uncertainty and change over time?
- "The museum also added a short video of a paleontologist describing how she estimated the animals' speed."
- "The old exhibit presented one large predator as a solitary hunter, unlike the current display."
- "Some signs now use phrases like 'evidence suggests' and 'scientists debate.'" (correct answer)
- "Recent fossil trackways show several individuals moving in the same direction at once."
Explanation: The quote about signs using phrases like "evidence suggests" and "scientists debate" directly shows that the hall presents conclusions as tentative and open to change — exactly the emphasis on uncertainty the question asks about. The quote about the video describing how a scientist estimated speed reports one research method, but it states a finished measurement without signaling doubt. The quote about the old exhibit's solitary hunter describes a past display that was replaced, so it shows a change happened but does not point to ongoing uncertainty in the new hall. The quote about fossil trackways gives a specific new fact the museum now presents as settled, so it demonstrates knowledge rather than uncertainty. Only the quote about hedging phrases actually shows the hall treating ideas as things scientists are still testing and revising.
Question 10
A technology club built a small weather station to compare temperature readings around their town. They placed one sensor in a shaded park. Another went on the sunny roof of the library. A third sat near a busy intersection with lots of pavement. Over two weeks in July, the intersection sensor recorded the highest afternoon temperatures on 11 of 14 days. The club's advisor explained that dark pavement absorbs sunlight and releases heat slowly, especially after sunset. Students also noticed that the park sensor cooled faster in the evening. In their final presentation, they warned that one thermometer reading for a whole town can mislead, because local surfaces and shade can change the temperature.
Which piece of evidence from the passage best explains why pavement contributes to higher local temperatures?
- "They placed one sensor in a shaded park, one on the sunny roof of the library, and one near a busy intersection."
- "The intersection sensor recorded the highest afternoon temperatures on 11 of 14 days."
- "Dark pavement absorbs sunlight and releases heat slowly, especially after sunset." (correct answer)
- "Students also noticed that the park sensor cooled faster in the evening."
Explanation: The question asks for the evidence that best explains why pavement raises local temperatures, and Choice C gives the mechanism: dark pavement absorbs sunlight and releases the heat slowly, so it is correct. Choice A only describes where sensors were placed, Choice B shows that the pavement site was hotter without saying why, and Choice D describes the park, which supports the pattern indirectly but does not explain the pavement's role.