Practice Test 4

Read the two sources about the 1963 March on Washington.

Text A (Encyclopedia entry): The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on August 28, 1963, and drew about 250,000 participants. The entry says the event helped build public support for civil rights legislation by showing a large, peaceful crowd and by featuring Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Text B (Newspaper retrospective): A newspaper’s anniversary article states the march occurred on August 23, 1963, and estimates “closer to 100,000” attendees. It argues that the march’s biggest effect was behind the scenes: it pressured the White House through private meetings and negotiations, while the public speeches were mostly symbolic.

Which pair of statements directly contradicts each other?

Read the two sources about the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Text A (Science news brief): A science brief says Mount Pinatubo erupted in June 1991. It reports that scientists’ warnings led to large evacuations and saved many lives. The brief adds that ash and sulfur gases entered the atmosphere and contributed to a temporary global cooling effect.

Text B (Community interview): In an interview, a community leader says the “main eruption” was in May 1991 and argues that officials focused too much on global climate discussions instead of local needs. The leader claims evacuations were late for some villages and that long-term housing problems were the most important outcome.

Why is this disagreement important to evaluate when learning about the eruption?