Every summer, Texas bus riders wait in brutal heat. Our city should plant shade trees at bus stops to make transit more usable and safer. When the heat index soars, riders without shade face higher risks of dehydration and heat exhaustion, and many simply avoid the bus. The Texas State Climatologist reports that the number of extremely hot days has increased since the 1970s, which means this problem won't disappear. A UT Austin urban climatologist explains that well-placed shade can lower surface temperatures around a stop by as much as 20 degrees, keeping benches and pavement cooler. Planting trees is not just about comfort; it can change behavior. In nearby cities, adding shade has improved the waiting experience, and when waiting feels reasonable, more people choose transit. Trees also improve air quality and street appeal, creating a welcoming environment. If we want families, seniors, and students to rely on buses during Texas summers, we need shaded stops that protect riders and encourage consistent use.

Which evidence best supports the author's claim that planting shade trees at bus stops will improve transit use and comfort?

Middle schools should start later in the morning to improve learning. Teenagers' sleep cycles shift during adolescence, making it hard to fall asleep early and wake up before sunrise. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. to align with teen biology. When schools start too early, students get less sleep, which hurts focus, memory, and mood. In districts that moved the first bell later, students reported feeling more alert, but more importantly, data show real academic gains. One large, multi-district study found that when schools shifted start times from around 7:30 to after 8:30, average grades improved and tardiness dropped. Attendance also increased, suggesting that students were healthier and more ready to learn. While extracurricular schedules can be adjusted, lost sleep cannot be replaced. If our goal is to help students perform their best, later start times offer a research-supported, practical solution that benefits learning, health, and school culture.

Which piece of evidence most strengthens the author's argument that later start times improve student learning?

Texas middle schools should add water bottle refill stations to cut plastic waste and keep students hydrated. Custodians often report overflowing bins of single-use bottles after lunch. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality notes that plastic containers are a major component of campus waste audits statewide. Refill stations make it easy for students to use durable bottles throughout the day, which reduces trash and saves money over time. A Texas State University environmental scientist explains that when schools install refill stations in convenient locations, they replace a throwaway habit with a refill habit. Several districts have tracked the results: schools that add stations see cleaner hallways and fewer bottles headed to the dumpster. Hydration also supports attention and health, especially in warm weather. With clear environmental and student-wellness benefits—and simple maintenance—refill stations are a practical step Texas schools can take now to reduce waste while helping students learn in a healthier environment.

Which evidence best supports the claim that installing refill stations reduces plastic waste in Texas schools?

Schools should provide secure, visible bike racks to encourage active commuting. When students have a safe place to lock their bikes near the front entrance, biking becomes a real option instead of a risky gamble. Research on school travel shows that convenient infrastructure—like racks in well-lit areas—removes barriers for families who live close enough to ride. Health experts point out that short daily rides improve fitness, mood, and focus in class. In several communities, parent and teacher volunteers counted how students arrived before and after racks were installed. Schools that added racks and promoted safe routes saw a clear uptick in cyclists, especially on mild-weather days. Clear sightlines and regular supervision also reduce theft concerns, which many families cite as the top reason they avoid biking. With little cost and immediate benefits, bike racks are a simple change that can increase activity and reduce car-line congestion.

Which evidence most directly supports the claim that installing bike racks increases the number of students who bike to school?

Texas school districts should add shade structures to playgrounds to reduce heat risk during recess. According to the Texas state climatologist, the number of school-day afternoons with heat advisories in Central Texas has nearly doubled since the 1990s, increasing the chance that children overheat outside. Pediatric specialists in Houston report that shade can lower the temperature of playground equipment by as much as 20 to 30 degrees, which reduces skin contact burns and overall heat stress. Practical results back this up: after Northside ISD in San Antonio installed shade sails at 12 elementary campuses, nurse visits for heat-related symptoms during recess dropped by 38% in the first semester compared with the previous year. Shade structures are also relatively affordable; basic sails cost far less than resurfacing fields and typically last a decade with routine maintenance. Some argue kids need sunlight for vitamin D, but short morning recesses, PE indoors on extreme days, and regular outdoor time before sunset still provide healthy exposure without risking mid-day heat.

Which evidence best supports the author's claim that Texas schools should add shade structures to reduce heat risk?

Middle schools should start later because it improves student learning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends start times of 8:30 a.m. or later so teens can reach the 8–10 hours of sleep linked to better attention and memory. A sleep specialist explains that adolescents' body clocks shift later during puberty, making early bedtimes biologically difficult. Results from districts that moved start times show concrete benefits. In one suburban school system that shifted first bell from 7:30 to 8:45, first-period grades rose and tardies fell by about one-third during the first semester. Teachers also reported fewer students dozing and more participation in morning classes. While some worry that sports schedules and after-school jobs could be affected, careful bus routing and field-light planning helped the district maintain practices and activities without cuts. Starting later matches what science says about teen sleep and leads to better mornings in class, not just happier ones.

Which piece of evidence best supports the claim that starting school later improves student learning?

Rural Texas public libraries should extend evening hours to better serve students. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission reports that many rural households still lack reliable high-speed internet, making libraries essential for research and assignments. A community college advisor in the Panhandle says students often need quiet spaces and computer access after farm chores or late sports practices. When one Lubbock County branch piloted three extra evening hours twice a week, teen study group attendance rose by 60%, and completions of college and financial aid forms at the help desk doubled compared with the previous spring. The added hours didn't require major funding; the branch rearranged staff schedules and spent about $120 per night on utilities and security. Some residents worry about safety after dark, but improved outdoor lighting and a visible staff presence reduced loitering and kept the space orderly. Extending evening hours meets real needs and produces measurable gains for students.

Which evidence best supports the author's claim that extending evening library hours helps students in rural Texas?

Students should use a revision checklist when polishing their writing because checklists lead to clearer, more accurate drafts. In a small study across three classes, students who used a 10-item checklist reduced grammar and punctuation errors by about a quarter and earned higher clarity ratings from blind graders than those who revised without one. A writing coach explains that checklists 'externalize' goals, helping writers remember to check topic sentences, transitions, and evidence. One eighth-grader described how a checklist reminded him to trim repeated points, which helped his paragraph stay on topic. Checklists also make the revision process feel more manageable; instead of rereading aimlessly, writers tackle specific tasks step by step. Saving time is helpful, but the key is quality: fewer errors and stronger organization make arguments easier for readers to follow. If students want their ideas to stand out, a short, focused checklist can guide the final pass before submission.

Which evidence best supports the claim that using a revision checklist improves the quality of student writing?