PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz: Evidence In Text

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Evidence In Text, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for PSAT Reading and Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

Question 1

1. Schools that added AP courses saw higher average AP exam scores, especially among students already earning top grades.
2. College enrollment rose most in schools where AP enrollment broadened across cliques and demographics, and surveys showed stronger perceived "college-for-all" norms. (correct answer)
3. From 2016–2020, states that subsidized community college tuition experienced higher enrollment than states that did not.
4. Students who took more AP classes were more likely to enroll in college, even after controlling for prior test scores.

Explanation: Sociologist Erin Wallace claims that in U.S. public high schools from 2005–2015, expanding Advanced Placement (AP) access increased college enrollment primarily by shifting peer norms toward widespread college expectations, with strongest effects when AP participation spans social groups. To support this claim, evidence would need to link broadened AP enrollment across demographics to higher college-going rates and explicit norm changes. Choice B directly supports Wallace's claim by showing college enrollment rose most in schools with AP broadening across cliques, accompanied by stronger 'college-for-all' norms, matching the mechanism and timeframe. This emphasizes norm shifts over mere participation increases. Choice A focuses on exam scores among top students, not enrollment or norms, while Choice C discusses tuition subsidies unrelated to AP. Choice D correlates AP classes with enrollment but doesn't address norm changes or social breadth. In sociological evidence, verify support by ensuring findings address the claimed mechanism, like peer norms, rather than just correlations.

Question 2

1. A catalog shows pamphlet print runs increased in 1641, but most titles were religious sermons without political content.
2. Court records indicate that arrests for seditious speech rose in 1642, concentrated in neighborhoods with many printers.
3. A diary sample shows readers of multiple pamphlet factions reported moderating their views after comparing opposing arguments in 1641. (correct answer)
4. Parish registers show higher voter turnout in 1642 in districts where pamphlet stalls were common.

Explanation: Historian Daniel Ibarra claims that the spread of printed political pamphlets in London from 1640 to 1642 increased political polarization by exposing readers to increasingly one-sided arguments within factions, leading to more extreme positions, rather than by boosting overall participation. To undermine this theory, evidence would need to show that pamphlet exposure led to moderation of views or increased participation without polarization, directly contradicting the one-sided extremism mechanism. Choice C strongly undermines Ibarra's theory by indicating that readers who engaged with multiple pamphlet factions moderated their views after comparing arguments, suggesting pamphlets reduced rather than increased polarization. This directly challenges the claim of escalating extremism through uniform content. Choice A notes increased print runs but specifies non-political content, which doesn't address political pamphlets' effects, while Choice B shows arrests for seditious speech, potentially supporting polarization without disproving it. Choice D highlights higher voter turnout, which aligns with increased participation but doesn't negate the polarization claim. When evaluating evidence that undermines a historical argument, look for findings that invert the predicted outcome, like moderation instead of extremism, rather than merely related trends.

Question 3

1. Customs ledgers show trade tonnage doubled from 1610 to 1630 while naval payrolls stayed stable and desertion rates fell. (correct answer)
2. Court records describe pirates using new coastal hideouts, but they rarely mention the prior military service of captured crews.
3. A 1650 sermon blames piracy on moral decline and luxury imports, without referencing recent wars or discharged soldiers.
4. Ship manifests list more high-value cargoes, but the number of reported pirate attacks remains unchanged in the eastern Mediterranean.

Explanation: The historian claims that the 1610-1630 piracy rise was driven mainly by demobilized sailors after a conflict ended, not by increased trade volume. To challenge this, we'd need evidence showing either that demobilized sailors weren't the main cause or that increased trade was the main cause. Choice A directly challenges the claim by showing trade doubled while naval forces stayed stable with low desertion—this suggests increased trade targets drove piracy, not an influx of unemployed sailors. Choice B mentions new hideouts but doesn't address the cause of increased piracy. Choice C discusses moral explanations from 1650, outside the relevant timeframe. Choice D shows unchanged piracy in a different region (eastern Mediterranean), not the western Mediterranean in question. To challenge a causal claim about what drove an increase, look for evidence supporting an alternative cause or contradicting the proposed cause.

Question 4

1. "I washed my hands until they were raw, hoping the water could make me someone new."
2. "The river carried their names the way the elders did—passed along, repeated, and kept from disappearing." (correct answer)
3. "He feared the lake because it was deep, not because it meant anything beyond its coldness."
4. "Rain fell on her alone, and she took it as a private blessing that no one else could understand."

Explanation: The scholar argues that Morrison's water imagery symbolizes communal memory rather than personal purification, emphasized in collective settings like rivers and public baths. To support this, we'd need a quotation showing water connected to shared, collective memory. Choice B perfectly supports this: 'The river carried their names the way the elders did—passed along, repeated, and kept from disappearing' explicitly links water (river) to communal memory preservation across generations. Choice A shows water as personal transformation ('make me someone new'), supporting individual purification instead. Choice C denies symbolic meaning entirely ('not because it meant anything'). Choice D describes water as a private, individual experience. In literary analysis questions, match the symbolic interpretation to textual evidence that explicitly demonstrates that meaning in the claimed context.

Question 5

1. Large, insulated dwellings with repaired floors show multiple rebuild phases, alongside year-round plant remains from different seasons. (correct answer)
2. Fish bones dominate the faunal assemblage, especially species that migrate nearshore during late summer months.
3. A cluster of net weights and hooks appears near the shoreline, with little evidence of long-distance trade goods.
4. Charcoal analysis indicates repeated use of local driftwood, consistent with short stays by groups with limited fuel access.

Explanation: The archaeologist hypothesizes this was a seasonal fishing camp based on small hearths and limited storage, not a permanent settlement. To undermine this, we'd need evidence of year-round occupation or permanent structures. Choice A strongly undermines the hypothesis by showing large, insulated dwellings with repaired floors (indicating permanent structures), multiple rebuild phases (suggesting long-term occupation), and year-round plant remains from different seasons (proving continuous occupation). Choice B supports the fishing camp idea with seasonal fish remains. Choice C shows fishing equipment, consistent with either interpretation. Choice D's driftwood use and limited fuel access actually supports temporary occupation. Archaeological evidence of permanent structures and year-round occupation directly contradicts claims of seasonal use.

Question 6

1. Students who reread passages report higher confidence in knowing words than students who take daily quizzes.
2. On a delayed recall test, quizzed students outperform rereaders only when they also receive extra sleep education.
3. Quizzed and rereading groups show equal delayed recall, but rereaders show faster recognition of the same words. (correct answer)
4. Quizzed students outperform rereaders on delayed recall even when both groups spend the same total study time.

Explanation: Mehta's claim is that retrieval practice (quizzing) improves retention more than rereading specifically because it strengthens recall pathways rather than familiarity. To challenge this, we'd need evidence showing either that quizzing doesn't produce better recall, or that the benefit isn't due to strengthened recall pathways. Choice C directly challenges the claim by showing that quizzed and rereading groups have equal delayed recall (contradicting the superiority of quizzing for retention), while rereaders show faster recognition (suggesting they may have stronger familiarity pathways, contradicting Mehta's mechanism). Choice D would actually support Mehta's claim by showing quizzing's superiority. Choice A addresses confidence, not actual performance. When evaluating challenges to mechanistic claims, look for evidence that either disproves the outcome (equal performance) or contradicts the proposed mechanism (familiarity vs. recall pathways).

Question 7

1. Company leisure clubs expanded most rapidly after 1920, while fraternal lodge membership had already stabilized by 1910. (correct answer)
2. In cities with many factories, newspapers printed more advertisements for recreational events than in smaller towns.
3. Lodge meeting minutes from 1890–1910 repeatedly cite rising initiation fees as the primary reason members resigned.
4. A 1905 survey shows most lodge members also joined employer clubs, reporting they valued having two social circles.

Explanation: Armand's theory claims that employer-sponsored leisure clubs drove declining lodge membership between 1890-1910 by offering similar benefits with lower costs. To undermine this theory, we'd need evidence showing either that the timing doesn't match (clubs didn't expand when lodges declined) or that a different factor caused the decline. Choice A directly undermines the theory by showing that company leisure clubs expanded most rapidly after 1920, which is after the 1890-1910 period when lodge membership supposedly declined due to these clubs—if the clubs weren't prevalent during the decline, they couldn't have caused it. Choice C actually supports a competing explanation (rising fees) but doesn't directly contradict Armand's theory since both factors could contribute. Choice D shows coexistence of both memberships, which doesn't necessarily undermine the claim about declining lodge membership. In historical causation questions, pay close attention to chronology—causes must precede their supposed effects.

Question 8

1. Neighborhoods with more street trees report lower electricity bills, though tree canopy varies widely block to block.
2. Median plantings of native flowers show higher midday leaf transpiration rates and larger temperature drops than equally shaded gravel medians. (correct answer)
3. A survey finds drivers prefer flowering medians to concrete barriers, citing aesthetics and perceived calmness.
4. In small rural towns, roadside wildflower strips increase insect abundance but show no measurable change in pavement temperature.

Explanation: The researcher claims that diverse native flowering species in road medians reduce summer temperatures specifically through evapotranspiration (water release from plants), not shading, with strongest effects at midday. To support this, we'd need evidence showing that flowering medians produce measurable evapotranspiration and temperature reduction during peak heat hours. Choice B directly supports this by showing native flower medians have higher transpiration rates and larger temperature drops than equally shaded gravel medians—this isolates the evapotranspiration effect from shading since both have equal shade. Choice A addresses street trees (not median flowers) and doesn't isolate evapotranspiration from shading effects. Choice C only addresses driver preferences, not temperature mechanisms. Choice D shows no temperature change in rural towns, which actually contradicts the hypothesis. When evaluating support for a specific mechanism claim, look for evidence that isolates that mechanism from other possible causes.

Question 9

1. After catch shares begin, average dockside fish prices rise, and total fishing effort declines in the same months.
2. After catch shares begin, reported rule violations fall most in villages with the highest rates of inter-household visits. (correct answer)
3. In a neighboring region without catch shares, fish biomass increases following a three-year period of cooler ocean temperatures.
4. After catch shares begin, large commercial vessels reduce trips more than small boats, despite identical quota rules.

Explanation: Okoye contends that catch shares reduce overfishing mainly through increased peer monitoring (fishers observing and sanctioning each other), not through market price changes. To support this, we'd need evidence showing that peer monitoring mechanisms are active and effective after catch shares begin. Choice B directly supports this by showing that rule violations fall most in villages with the highest rates of inter-household visits—this suggests that communities with more social interaction (enabling peer monitoring) see the greatest compliance improvements. Choice A mentions price changes, which Okoye explicitly argues are not the main mechanism. Choice D addresses vessel size differences but doesn't connect to peer monitoring. Choice C is about a different region without catch shares, making it irrelevant to testing Okoye's claim. When evaluating support for social mechanism claims, look for evidence that the proposed social process (peer monitoring) correlates with the desired outcome (reduced violations).

Question 10

1. Across elections, youth turnout correlates with higher overall turnout, but party vote shares remain stable.
2. Exit polls show 18–24-year-olds prefer major parties at the same rate as older voters in high-turnout elections. (correct answer)
3. Small parties gain vote share in elections with more televised debates, regardless of youth turnout levels.
4. In a majoritarian electoral system, higher youth turnout is associated with increased support for third-party candidates.

Explanation: Iqbal claims that in proportional-representation elections, higher youth turnout increases small party vote share because young voters prefer niche platforms. To undermine this claim, we'd need evidence showing that young voters don't actually prefer small parties more than older voters when they turn out. Choice B directly undermines the claim by showing that 18-24-year-olds prefer major parties at the same rate as older voters in high-turnout elections—this contradicts the core assumption that young voters are more willing to support niche platforms. Choice A shows stable party shares but doesn't specifically address youth preferences. Choice C identifies a different factor affecting small parties. Choice D actually supports a version of Iqbal's claim but in a different electoral system. When evaluating claims about demographic voting patterns, direct evidence about that demographic's actual preferences most effectively confirms or undermines the argument.

Question 11

1. After ITQs, satellite monitoring detected fewer illegal fishing trips, coinciding with a large increase in enforcement budgets.
2. After ITQs, income variance among quota holders fell sharply, and the season's catch became more evenly distributed across weeks without added enforcement. (correct answer)
3. From 2011–2020, fish stocks rebounded in regions that adopted marine protected areas instead of quota systems.
4. Towns with more seafood-processing plants had higher employment growth, regardless of whether they adopted ITQs.

Explanation: Economist Helena Sørensen argues that from 1995–2010 in coastal fishing towns, individual transferable quotas (ITQs) reduced overfishing mainly by stabilizing fishers' income expectations, thereby decreasing the 'race to fish' incentive, with the key mechanism being reduced earnings volatility rather than enforcement or biological changes. To support this argument, evidence would need to show stabilized income or fishing patterns post-ITQ without reliance on enforcement increases. Choice B directly supports Sørensen's argument by indicating reduced income variance and more even catch distribution after ITQs, explicitly without added enforcement, aligning with the income stabilization mechanism. This isolates volatility reduction as the driver in the specified timeframe and setting. Choice A attributes fewer illegal trips to enforcement budgets, undermining the non-enforcement claim, while Choice C discusses alternative protected areas, not ITQs. Choice D links employment to processing plants irrespective of ITQs, missing the overfishing reduction focus. For economic hypotheses emphasizing specific mechanisms, seek evidence that rules out alternatives like enforcement while confirming the proposed cause, such as income stability.

Question 12

1. After compulsory voting begins, surveys show higher reported pride in democracy, especially among frequent voters.
2. Turnout rises most among prior nonvoters who receive procedural reminders, while measures of political interest remain unchanged. (correct answer)
3. In local elections without compulsory rules, turnout increases following a charismatic candidate's campaign focused on national identity.
4. Compulsory voting correlates with more invalid ballots, but the study does not identify which voters cast them.

Explanation: The political scientist claims compulsory voting increases turnout by reducing informational barriers (through reminders and procedures) rather than increasing civic enthusiasm. To support this, we'd need evidence showing turnout rises through procedural help while enthusiasm stays unchanged. Choice B directly supports this by showing turnout rises most among prior nonvoters who receive procedural reminders while political interest remains unchanged—this isolates the informational mechanism from enthusiasm. Choice A shows increased pride, suggesting enthusiasm changes. Choice C describes voluntary turnout increases from enthusiasm-building campaigns, not compulsory voting. Choice D mentions invalid ballots but doesn't identify the mechanism for increased turnout. Evidence that shows behavioral change without attitude change supports procedural rather than motivational explanations.

Question 13

1. Children who read longer stories in the second language learn more words overall, regardless of how practice is scheduled.
2. Students using spaced recall quizzes remember more words after two weeks than peers with equal study time but massed review. (correct answer)
3. Older students ages 14–16 show similar vocabulary gains from spaced and massed practice when tested the next day.
4. Teachers report that retrieval quizzes increase classroom engagement, though they also reduce time for group discussion.

Explanation: The psychologist claims that for ages 6-8, second language vocabulary learning improves specifically through spaced retrieval practice (repeated recall over days), not just more exposure time. To support this, we'd need evidence showing spaced retrieval outperforms equal-time massed practice for retention. Choice B directly supports this by showing students using spaced recall quizzes remember more words after two weeks than peers with equal study time but massed review—this isolates the spacing effect from total time. Choice A addresses total exposure through longer stories, not the spacing of practice. Choice C contradicts the claim by showing no difference, though for older students (14-16) not the target age group. Choice D addresses engagement, not learning outcomes. When evaluating educational interventions, pay attention to whether studies control for total time and measure the specific outcome of interest.

Question 14

1. "I ardently desired the acquisition of knowledge; yet I was forever barred from human fellowship by my form." (correct answer)
2. "The pleasant sunshine and the pure air of day restored me to some degree of tranquility and hope."
3. "I ought to be thy Adam; but I am rather the fallen angel, whom thou drivest from joy for no misdeed."
4. "I collected bones from charnel-houses; and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame."

Explanation: Literary scholar Priya Nandakumar argues that in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the creature's eloquence critiques Enlightenment ideas by showing that education refines moral reasoning but fails to overcome social exclusion, linking verbal sophistication to greater awareness of rejection rather than acceptance. To illustrate this claim, a quotation would need to connect the creature's pursuit of knowledge or eloquence directly to persistent exclusion despite intellectual growth. Quotation A effectively illustrates Nandakumar's claim by having the creature express a desire for knowledge while noting permanent barring due to physical form, highlighting how education heightens awareness of unbridgeable social rejection. This ties eloquence to refined but futile longing for inclusion. Quotation B describes nature's restorative effect without referencing eloquence or education, while Quotation C invokes rejection but frames it biblically without emphasizing educational refinement. Quotation D is spoken by Victor, not the creature, and focuses on creation rather than the creature's experience. In literary evidence questions, select quotations that precisely match the scholar's interpretive mechanism, such as linking education to awareness of exclusion, to distinguish from broader themes.

Question 15

1. Most hearths contain ash from locally gathered shrubs, indicating residents used nearby fuel sources for cooking.
2. Storage rooms show repeated replastering and rodent-proofing, suggesting long-term maintenance across many years.
3. Pottery assemblages include many imported vessel types, but their use-wear patterns were not analyzed.
4. Storerooms contain many small, standardized sealings and few large bins, consistent with frequent packing and redistribution. (correct answer)

Explanation: Salas argues the settlement was a seasonal trade outpost rather than year-round village because storage facilities were designed for short-term, high-volume goods turnover. To support this interpretation, we'd need evidence showing storage patterns consistent with frequent movement of trade goods rather than long-term residential storage. Choice D provides exactly this evidence: many small, standardized sealings (suggesting frequent packaging of goods) and few large bins (inconsistent with long-term bulk storage) directly support the interpretation of short-term, high-volume turnover typical of trade outposts. Choice B actually contradicts Salas by showing long-term maintenance suggesting year-round occupation. Choice A addresses fuel sources, not storage patterns. Choice C mentions imported vessels but doesn't analyze storage facilities or turnover patterns. In archaeological interpretation questions, ensure the evidence directly addresses the specific material pattern (storage design) that forms the basis of the argument.

Question 16

1. "Psychologist Raul Bennett explains that engaging stories can shift attention away from traffic frustrations, triggering a mild relaxation response."
2. "A recent survey of long-distance commuters found that those who listened to narrative podcasts reported lower stress levels than those who drove in silence." (correct answer)
3. "Survey participants represented a range of occupations, from nurses to software engineers."
4. "The most popular podcast genres among respondents were true crime and historical drama."

Explanation: When you encounter a question asking which sentence "supports" an explanation, you're being tested on your ability to distinguish between evidence and the claim itself. You need to find the sentence that provides factual backing for the expert's theory. Bennett's explanation claims that engaging stories shift attention away from traffic frustrations, creating a relaxation response. The sentence that supports this theory is choice B: "A recent survey of long-distance commuters found that those who listened to narrative podcasts reported lower stress levels than those who drove in silence." This provides concrete evidence that podcasts do indeed reduce stress levels in commuters, which backs up Bennett's explanation of how this mechanism works. Choice A is Bennett's explanation itself, not support for it. When a question asks what supports an explanation, the explanation can't support itself—you need independent evidence. Choice C about survey participants' occupations is irrelevant demographic information that doesn't address stress levels or podcast effectiveness. Choice D about popular podcast genres tells us what people prefer to listen to but provides no information about stress reduction or the psychological effects Bennett describes. The key distinction here is between the theory (Bennett's explanation of the attention-shifting mechanism) and the evidence (survey data showing lower stress levels). Remember: when questions ask what "supports" a claim or explanation, look for factual evidence or data that demonstrates the claim is true, not restatements of the claim itself.

Question 17

1. "Urban planner Sofia Duarte argues that pocket parks—tiny green spaces tucked between buildings—can significantly improve neighborhood air quality."
2. "After installing three such parks in a high-traffic district, researchers recorded a 15 percent reduction in airborne particulates within a two-block radius." (correct answer)
3. "The parks feature native shrubs, permeable walkways, and shaded seating areas designed for maximum community accessibility."
4. "Residents quickly adopted the spaces for lunchtime breaks and weekend picnics, praising their convenient downtown locations."

Explanation: When you encounter questions asking for evidence to support a claim, you need to distinguish between the claim itself and the proof that backs it up. Evidence questions test whether you can identify concrete data, measurements, or observations that validate an argument. Sofia Duarte's claim is that pocket parks improve air quality. To support this claim, you need actual evidence—not just a restatement of her argument, but measurable proof. Choice B provides exactly that: "After installing three such parks in a high-traffic district, researchers recorded a 15 percent reduction in airborne particulates within a two-block radius." This sentence offers specific, quantifiable data showing that air quality actually improved after the parks were installed. Choice A simply restates Duarte's original argument without providing any supporting evidence—it's the claim, not the proof. Choice C describes the parks' physical features (shrubs, walkways, seating), but these design elements don't demonstrate environmental benefits. Choice D focuses on how residents use the parks for recreation, which shows social benefits but says nothing about air quality improvements. The key distinction here is between correlation and evidence. While park features and community usage are related to pocket parks, only the measured reduction in airborne particulates directly supports the specific environmental claim being made. Remember: Evidence questions require you to find concrete data, statistics, or observations that prove a point. Look for numbers, measurements, or documented results rather than descriptions, opinions, or restatements of the original claim.

Question 18

1. "When filmmaker Aria Patel released her documentary online for free, industry analysts warned that the move would hurt ticket sales for future theatrical screenings."
2. "Surprisingly, advance sales jumped 30 percent after the online debut, suggesting that free access served as effective promotion." (correct answer)
3. "The documentary explores coral-reef conservation efforts across five continents, featuring underwater cinematography and expert interviews."
4. "Patel crowdfunded production costs through small donations from environmental groups and conservation organizations worldwide."

Explanation: When you encounter a question asking which sentence "best supports" a specific idea, you're being tested on your ability to identify textual evidence. You need to find the sentence that directly demonstrates or proves the claim, not just mentions the topic. The question asks for evidence that free online release can boost theater attendance. Answer choice B provides exactly this evidence: "Surprisingly, advance sales jumped 30 percent after the online debut, suggesting that free access served as effective promotion." This sentence contains concrete data (30 percent increase) that directly contradicts the expectation of decreased sales and supports the counterintuitive idea that free access actually helps ticket sales. Choice A presents the opposite viewpoint—it describes analysts' warnings that free release would "hurt ticket sales." While this sets up the contrast, it doesn't support the idea that free release boosts attendance; it argues against it. Choice C discusses the documentary's content about coral reefs and cinematography, which is completely irrelevant to the relationship between free online access and theater attendance. Choice D explains how production was funded through crowdfunding, but this has no connection to how release strategy affects ticket sales. Remember that "best supports" questions require you to find direct evidence, not context or opposing views. Look for sentences containing specific outcomes, data, or results that prove the stated claim. The word "surprisingly" in choice B is also a helpful signal—it often introduces evidence that contradicts expectations and supports a new conclusion.

Question 19

1. "In a controlled lab setting, botanists exposed tomato plants to recordings of caterpillar chewing sounds for extended periods."
2. "Within hours, the plants produced elevated levels of defensive chemicals, even though no insects were present on their leaves." (correct answer)
3. "The research facility maintained constant humidity and temperature conditions throughout the multi-week experimental period."
4. "Previous studies had shown similar responses when plants experienced actual insect attacks under natural outdoor conditions."

Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify textual evidence that directly supports a specific claim. When you see "best evidence" questions, look for the answer choice that most directly proves the point being asked about. The question asks which portion shows that tomato plants responded "specifically to the audio stimulus." This means you need evidence that rules out other possible causes for the plants' defensive response and confirms it was the sound recordings that triggered the reaction. Choice B provides this evidence perfectly: "Within hours, the plants produced elevated levels of defensive chemicals, even though no insects were present on their leaves." The phrase "even though no insects were present" is crucial—it eliminates the most obvious alternative explanation for why plants would produce defensive chemicals. Since there were no actual insects physically attacking the plants, the defensive response must have been triggered by the audio recordings alone. Choice A only describes the experimental setup (exposing plants to recordings) but doesn't show that the plants actually responded. Choice C gives irrelevant details about laboratory conditions that don't address whether plants responded to sound. Choice D mentions previous studies with real insect attacks, which actually suggests an alternative cause rather than proving the audio stimulus was responsible. The key strategy for evidence questions is to look for text that directly eliminates alternative explanations or provides concrete proof of the claim. Watch for qualifying phrases like "even though," "despite," or "although"—these often signal important evidence by ruling out competing factors.

Question 20

1. "Kim's team used mass spectrometry to confirm the chemical signature of cacao compounds in the ceramic fragments."
2. "The finding suggests that ancient seafarers transported chocolate ingredients hundreds of miles north of the crop's known growing region."
3. "Local legends speak of traders who exchanged shells for exotic foods from distant lands across the ocean."
4. "Archaeologist Daniel Kim excavated a coastal settlement where he discovered pottery shards bearing traces of cacao residue." (correct answer)

Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify textual evidence that directly supports a claim about ancient trade practices. When looking for evidence in reading passages, you need to distinguish between statements that directly demonstrate something versus those that merely suggest, analyze, or provide background context. Choice D provides the clearest evidence because it presents the concrete archaeological discovery: pottery shards with cacao residue found at a coastal settlement. This physical evidence directly demonstrates that cacao was present in a location where it wouldn't naturally grow, which inherently proves long-distance transport occurred. The evidence speaks for itself without requiring interpretation. Choice A is incorrect because it describes the scientific method used to analyze the pottery, not the evidence of transport itself. While mass spectrometry confirms what was found, it doesn't establish the significance of the location or distance traveled. Choice B is wrong because it presents the archaeologist's interpretation or conclusion about the evidence rather than the evidence itself. The phrase "suggests that" indicates this is an inference drawn from the data, not the direct evidence. Choice C is incorrect because local legends constitute oral tradition rather than concrete archaeological evidence. Legends may support the findings but aren't reliable historical evidence on their own. Remember: when questions ask for "evidence" or "support," look for concrete facts, data, or observations rather than conclusions, interpretations, or background information. The strongest evidence usually consists of specific, measurable findings that directly relate to the claim being made.