English Language Arts: Academic Discussion (TEKS.ELA.9-12.1.D) Practice Test

Student A: I think the green light symbolizes Gatsby's hope, but it's more about distance than desire. Student B: I disagree; the light is a simple motif reminding us of money and status. Student C: Maybe both—hope attached to status—since Daisy represents an elite world. Student D: The setting matters too. The light is across the water, so geography enforces separation. Student A: Yes, and Fitzgerald's diction turns the light into something almost sacred, then unreachable. Student B: But if it's unreachable, why does Gatsby keep reaching? He believes in action. Student C: That tension shows the American Dream's paradox: striving that never quite arrives. Student D: Notice how Nick's narration frames it as a "minute" thing with huge meaning. Student A: The last page blends time and space—the light becomes past and future at once. Student C: So the symbol evolves: hope, class barrier, and narrative commentary on longing.

Student 1: Our hypothesis predicts compost tea increases tomato yield compared to tap water. Student 2: But we changed two variables: soil mix and liquid. That breaks control principles. Student 3: We can salvage it by treating soil as a blocking factor in analysis. Student 4: Still, our sample size—three plants per group—seems too small for variability. Student 1: Agreed. Next trial, we'll randomize plants by starting height and increase replicates. Student 2: Also, measure sunlight hours; the north bed shaded after noon last week. Student 3: For yield, let's track mass per plant and days to first ripe fruit. Student 4: And preregister procedures so we're not tempted to cherry-pick outcomes. Student 1: What about a placebo effect from our attention? We watered compost plants more. Student 2: Good catch. Let's implement identical handling, with timers and labeled logs. Student 3: Then conclusions will rest on method, not enthusiasm.