Identify Supporting Evidence
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AP English Language and Composition › Identify Supporting Evidence
In a 7-sentence essay about workplace meetings, the author argues that most recurring meetings persist out of habit rather than necessity. The author cites an internal audit at a mid-size software firm showing that 62% of weekly recurring meetings had no written agenda and that canceling just two standing meetings freed an average of 3.5 hours per employee each month. The author also mentions that when one team required a one-sentence purpose statement in calendar invites, the number of attendees dropped “without any drop in output,” according to the team’s quarterly goals report. The author concludes that meetings should “re-earn their place on the calendar.”
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that most recurring meetings persist out of habit rather than necessity?
The claim that recurring meetings persist out of habit rather than necessity.
The author’s idea that employees dislike meetings in general.
The conclusion that meetings should “re-earn their place on the calendar.”
The internal audit finding that 62% of weekly recurring meetings had no written agenda.
Explanation
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that most recurring meetings persist out of habit rather than necessity. The correct answer (B) provides concrete evidence: an internal audit finding that 62% of weekly recurring meetings had no written agenda. This statistic directly supports the "habit rather than necessity" claim, as meetings without agendas suggest they lack clear purpose or necessity. Option A is a conclusion rather than evidence, option C is the claim itself, and option D introduces an idea not directly stated in the passage about employees disliking meetings. The additional evidence about freed hours and reduced attendees without output loss also supports the claim, but the agenda statistic most directly demonstrates meetings continuing without clear necessity.
In a 6-sentence newsletter to residents about water conservation, the author claims that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use. The author cites the city utility’s estimate that replacing old showerheads with 1.5-gallon-per-minute models saves about 2,900 gallons per person annually. The author adds that in the pilot rebate program, 3,200 households participated and the utility measured a 6% drop in average monthly consumption among those addresses compared with the prior year. The author then explains that “multiplying modest savings across thousands of homes creates real capacity,” and urges readers to apply for the next rebate round.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use?
The author’s claim that small changes can significantly reduce citywide water use.
The utility’s estimate of annual gallons saved per person by switching to a low-flow showerhead.
The call for readers to apply for the next rebate round.
The explanation that multiplying modest savings across many homes creates real capacity.
Explanation
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that small household changes can significantly reduce citywide water use. The correct answer (C) provides specific quantitative evidence: the utility's estimate that low-flow showerheads save about 2,900 gallons per person annually. This concrete measurement directly demonstrates how a small change (replacing a showerhead) can create significant water savings when multiplied across a population. Option A explains the multiplication concept but isn't evidence itself, option B is a call to action rather than evidence, and option D is the claim being supported, not evidence for it. The pilot program data showing 6% reduction also serves as evidence, but option C provides the most direct measurement of water savings from a specific small change.
In a 7-sentence opinion piece about smartphone use, the author claims that banning phones in classrooms can improve students’ focus. The author cites a study from a neighboring district in which teachers reported a 31% decrease in “off-task redirections” after a phone-locking policy began, and the district’s quarterly discipline referrals for “digital disruption” fell from 112 to 67. The author also notes that one teacher now finishes discussions “without the glow under desks,” but concedes that enforcement can be uneven. The piece concludes that schools should pair bans with clear routines rather than relying on individual teachers to negotiate phone rules.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that banning phones in classrooms can improve students’ focus?
The study reporting a 31% decrease in off-task redirections after the phone-locking policy began.
The recommendation that schools pair bans with clear routines.
The claim that phone bans improve focus.
The concession that enforcement can be uneven.
Explanation
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that banning phones in classrooms can improve students' focus. The correct answer (B) provides concrete, measurable evidence: a study showing teachers reported a 31% decrease in "off-task redirections" after implementing a phone-locking policy. This statistic directly demonstrates improved focus, as fewer off-task redirections indicate students are staying on task more consistently. Option A is a concession that acknowledges limitations rather than providing supporting evidence, option C is a recommendation based on the evidence, and option D is the claim itself. The additional data about discipline referrals falling from 112 to 67 also supports the claim, but the off-task reduction most directly measures improved focus.
In a 7-sentence op-ed about library budgets, the author argues that cutting weekend hours harms working families. The author references circulation logs showing that 43% of children’s checkouts at the central branch occur on Saturdays and Sundays. The author also describes a scene from last spring: a father in a reflective vest arriving with two kids at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, “ten minutes before the doors locked,” because his weekday shifts run until 6. The author then notes that after a previous reduction in weekend hours, the branch’s after-school program waitlist grew, and concludes that “a library closed when people are free is a library closed in practice.”
The author supports the claim primarily by providing evidence that cutting weekend hours harms working families through
a discussion of how libraries should be funded in general.
the claim that cutting weekend hours harms working families.
circulation data showing a large share of children’s checkouts happen on weekends.
the maxim that “a library closed when people are free is a library closed in practice.”
Explanation
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for how cutting weekend hours harms working families. The correct answer (B) provides quantitative evidence: circulation data showing 43% of children's checkouts occur on weekends. This statistic directly demonstrates that working families rely heavily on weekend library access, supporting the claim that reducing these hours would harm them. Option A is a concluding maxim rather than evidence, option C discusses general funding which doesn't specifically support the weekend hours claim, and option D is the claim itself, not evidence. The anecdote about the father arriving just before closing also supports the claim, but the circulation data provides the most concrete, measurable evidence. Look for data that directly connects the proposed change (cutting weekend hours) to its impact on the affected group (working families).
In a 7-sentence commentary on food waste, the author claims that confusing date labels cause people to throw away safe food. The author quotes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidance that “best if used by” dates refer to quality, not safety, and notes that many foods remain safe after the printed date if stored properly. The author then describes a local survey of 500 shoppers in which 58% said they discard yogurt the day after the “best by” date regardless of smell or appearance. The author adds an anecdote about a roommate who emptied the fridge every Friday because “the dates are basically expiration,” and concludes that standardized labeling would reduce waste.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that confusing date labels cause people to throw away safe food?
The conclusion that standardized labeling would reduce waste.
The author’s claim that confusing labels cause waste.
The survey result that 58% of shoppers discard yogurt immediately after the “best by” date regardless of sensory cues.
The explanation that some foods remain safe after the printed date if stored properly.
Explanation
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that confusing date labels cause people to throw away safe food. The correct answer (B) provides concrete evidence: a survey showing 58% of shoppers discard yogurt immediately after the "best by" date regardless of sensory cues like smell or appearance. This statistic directly demonstrates how date label confusion leads to discarding potentially safe food, as people ignore other indicators of food safety. Option A is a conclusion rather than evidence, option C is the claim itself, and option D explains food safety principles but doesn't provide evidence of actual waste behavior. The roommate anecdote also supports the claim, but the survey data provides quantifiable evidence of widespread wasteful behavior due to label confusion.
In a 6-sentence profile of a community college program, the author claims that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners. The author cites state labor data showing that graduates of a 12-week phlebotomy certificate earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion than they did the year before enrolling. The author also includes the story of a single parent who moved from retail to a clinic job within four months and notes that the program’s tuition is covered for residents earning under 200% of the poverty line. The profile ends by arguing that “speed matters when rent is due.”
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners?
State labor data showing phlebotomy certificate graduates earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion.
The claim that certificate courses raise earnings quickly.
The detail that the program’s tuition is covered for certain residents.
The statement that “speed matters when rent is due.”
Explanation
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that short-term certificate courses can raise earnings quickly for adult learners. The correct answer (C) provides specific, quantitative evidence: state labor data showing phlebotomy certificate graduates earned a median of $4.10 more per hour one year after completion. This concrete wage increase data directly demonstrates both the "raise earnings" and "quickly" aspects of the claim, as the increase occurred within one year of a 12-week program. Option A is a concluding statement rather than evidence, option B provides context about affordability but not earnings impact, and option D is the claim itself. When evaluating evidence for economic claims, look for specific data about measurable outcomes like wages or employment rates.
In a 6-sentence column about local journalism, the author claims that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage. The author points to a neighboring town where a new subscriber-funded newsroom published a database of restaurant inspections and, over the next year, the county health department reported a 17% increase in on-time compliance after repeated public reporting on late filings. The author also notes that the newsroom issued three corrections in a year “with transparent editor’s notes,” contrasting it with a rumor-heavy social media group that rarely retracts posts. The column ends by urging readers to treat reliable reporting as a public utility.
The author supports the claim primarily by providing evidence that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage through
the claim that subscriptions support accurate coverage.
the idea that social media groups can spread rumors.
the example of the subscriber-funded newsroom publishing inspection data and issuing transparent corrections.
the author’s urging readers to treat reliable reporting as a public utility.
Explanation
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that paying for news subscriptions supports more accurate community coverage. The correct answer (B) provides a concrete example: a subscriber-funded newsroom that published inspection data and issued transparent corrections, leading to a 17% increase in health department compliance after repeated public reporting. This example directly demonstrates how subscription funding enabled accurate, impactful journalism with accountability through corrections. Option A is the author's concluding urging rather than evidence, option C is the claim itself, and option D mentions social media rumors but doesn't directly connect to subscription support. When identifying evidence, look for specific examples that show the causal relationship between the proposed solution (subscriptions) and the desired outcome (accurate coverage).
In a 6-sentence article about urban trees, the author claims that street trees measurably reduce summer heat on city blocks. The author cites a university field study that compared two similar streets and found that at 3 p.m. on clear July days, the tree-lined block averaged 7°F cooler at sidewalk level than the block with sparse canopy. The author also notes that residents on the cooler block reported lower air-conditioning use, and the author references satellite imagery showing higher surface temperatures over large parking lots. The article ends by urging the city to prioritize canopy in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that street trees measurably reduce summer heat on city blocks?
The author’s general point that cities should be more livable in summer.
The recommendation that the city prioritize canopy in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods.
The university field study reporting a 7°F cooler average on the tree-lined block at 3 p.m.
The observation that large parking lots appear hotter in satellite imagery.
Explanation
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that street trees measurably reduce summer heat on city blocks. The correct answer (A) provides specific, quantitative evidence: a university field study showing the tree-lined block averaged 7°F cooler at 3 p.m. than a similar block with sparse canopy. This controlled comparison with a concrete temperature measurement directly demonstrates the measurable cooling effect of street trees. Option B is a recommendation based on the evidence rather than evidence itself, option C is a general point about livability, and option D mentions parking lots, which doesn't directly support the claim about street trees on city blocks. When identifying evidence, look for specific measurements or data that directly demonstrate the claimed effect.
In a 6-sentence magazine column about sleep and school start times, the author claims that later start times improve student attendance. The author cites a district report showing that after the high school start time moved from 7:20 to 8:30, average first-period absences dropped from 14.8% to 9.1% over the same semester-length window. The author also includes an anecdote from a junior who says she stopped missing the bus once she could “sleep past 6,” and the author notes that teachers reported fewer tardy slips. The column concludes by arguing that “policy should follow biology.”
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that later start times improve student attendance?
The district report comparing first-period absence rates before and after the start-time change.
The author’s claim that later start times improve student attendance.
The author’s concluding assertion that “policy should follow biology.”
The general idea that teenagers are biologically inclined to sleep later.
Explanation
This question requires identifying supporting evidence for the claim that later start times improve student attendance. The correct answer (A) provides specific, measurable evidence: a district report showing first-period absences dropped from 14.8% to 9.1% after the start time changed from 7:20 to 8:30. This quantitative data directly demonstrates improved attendance through reduced absence rates. Option B is the author's concluding assertion rather than evidence, option C is a general biological principle that doesn't specifically address attendance, and option D is the claim itself, not evidence for it. When evaluating evidence, prioritize concrete data that directly measures the outcome being claimed—in this case, attendance statistics that show clear improvement.
In a 7-sentence editorial about public transit funding, the author argues that a city’s “free-fare pilot” did not meaningfully reduce traffic congestion. The author notes that during the three-month pilot, downtown vehicle counts recorded by the city’s loop sensors fell by only 1.2% compared with the same months the previous year, while ridership rose 18%. The author adds that parking garage revenue stayed “nearly flat” (down 0.4%) and quotes a delivery company manager who says, “Our drivers still lose the same 20 minutes on Main Street every morning.” The author then concedes that the program helped low-income riders but insists congestion requires changing driving behavior, not only lowering transit costs.
Which of the following does the author use as evidence for the claim that the free-fare pilot did not meaningfully reduce traffic congestion?
The author’s concession that the program helped low-income riders.
The statement that congestion requires changing driving behavior, not only lowering transit costs.
The claim that the pilot “did not meaningfully reduce traffic congestion.”
The city loop-sensor counts showing downtown vehicle traffic fell only 1.2% during the pilot compared with the previous year.
Explanation
This question asks you to identify supporting evidence for the claim that a free-fare pilot did not meaningfully reduce traffic congestion. The correct answer (C) provides concrete, quantitative evidence: city loop-sensor data showing downtown vehicle traffic fell by only 1.2% during the pilot compared to the previous year. This small percentage directly supports the claim that congestion was not meaningfully reduced, as a 1.2% decrease is minimal. Option A discusses helping low-income riders, which is unrelated to traffic congestion, while option B is a general statement about solutions rather than evidence about the pilot's effectiveness. Option D is the claim itself, not evidence supporting it. When identifying evidence, look for specific data, statistics, or concrete examples that directly measure or demonstrate the claim being made.