Bluebook SAT Test Command of Evidence Textual 3

Question 1

A student claims: 'The author believes that standardized testing fails to measure true student potential.' Which evidence from a passage would best support this claim?

Accepted Answer

'Research shows that test scores correlate more strongly with family income than with students' actual cognitive abilities, suggesting the tests measure socioeconomic advantage more than innate potential.'

Answer

'Standardized tests are administered to millions of students across the country each year.'

Answer

'Test scores strongly predict college GPA and are widely used in admissions decisions.'

Answer

'Many schools invest significant resources in test preparation programs each year.'

Question 2

Read this passage: 'In 1854, physician John Snow mapped cholera cases in London and found they clustered around a specific water pump. Removing the pump handle ended the outbreak. His work established that cholera spread through contaminated water, overturning the prevailing miasma theory that disease spread through bad air.' A student argues: 'Snow's work fundamentally changed the scientific understanding of how disease spreads.' Which evidence from the passage best supports this?

Accepted Answer

'overturning the prevailing miasma theory that disease spread through bad air'

Answer

'In 1854, physician John Snow mapped cholera cases in London'

Answer

'found they clustered around a specific water pump'

Answer

'Removing the pump handle ended the outbreak'

Question 3

A student reads a story where a character named Dara always gives her lunch to classmates who forgot theirs, volunteers at a local shelter, and anonymously donates her allowance to her school's supply fund. The student claims: 'Dara is motivated by compassion rather than recognition.' Which detail from the story provides the strongest evidence?

Accepted Answer

Anonymously donating her allowance to the school fund

Answer

Giving her lunch to classmates who forgot theirs

Answer

Volunteering at a local shelter

Answer

Doing all three activities consistently throughout the school year

Question 4

A passage about ocean acidification states: 'The ocean absorbs approximately 30% of human CO2 emissions. When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, lowering the ocean's pH. Since industrialization began, ocean pH has fallen from 8.2 to 8.1 — a 26% increase in acidity. This threatens shellfish and coral by dissolving the calcium carbonate structures of their shells and skeletons.' A student claims: 'Ocean acidification poses a specific, measurable threat to marine organisms.' Which evidence best supports this?

Accepted Answer

'This threatens shellfish and coral by dissolving the calcium carbonate structures of their shells and skeletons.'

Answer

'The ocean absorbs approximately 30% of human CO2 emissions.'

Answer

'When CO2 dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, lowering the ocean's pH.'

Answer

'ocean pH has fallen from 8.2 to 8.1 — a 26% increase in acidity'

Question 5

A student wants to find textual evidence that an author is using irony. The passage reads: 'The self-proclaimed champion of the working class arrived at the fundraiser in a $12,000 suit, stepped out of a rented limousine, and greeted the $500-per-plate dinner guests warmly.' What makes this passage function as evidence of irony?

Accepted Answer

The contrast between the 'champion of the working class' identity and the luxurious details creates ironic distance

Answer

The high price of the dinner plates shows the event is exclusive

Answer

The author uses specific dollar amounts to criticize the character directly

Answer

The warm greeting shows the character is genuinely friendly despite wealth

Question 6

A passage about the printing press states: 'Before Gutenberg, a single Bible might take a monk three years to copy by hand. Within decades of the press's introduction, Venice alone had over 150 printing shops, and books that once cost a year's wages could be purchased for a few days' pay.' A student argues: 'The printing press dramatically increased access to written material.' Which part of the passage provides the most specific, quantifiable evidence?

Accepted Answer

'books that once cost a year's wages could be purchased for a few days' pay'

Answer

'Before Gutenberg, a single Bible might take a monk three years to copy by hand'

Answer

'Within decades of the press's introduction'

Answer

'Venice alone had over 150 printing shops'

Question 7

A student reads this claim from a passage: 'While the new curriculum has been praised by administrators, teachers in the classroom have a different view.' The passage then quotes three teachers who each describe the curriculum as overwhelming and poorly sequenced. What is the purpose of the teacher quotes as evidence?

Accepted Answer

To provide specific, firsthand evidence that supports the claim of a disconnect between administrative praise and classroom experience

Answer

To prove that administrators are wrong and teachers are right about the curriculum

Answer

To suggest that teachers need better training to implement the new curriculum

Answer

To show that the curriculum was poorly designed by the people who created it

Question 8

Read this: 'The mayor argued that the new stadium would create 2,000 permanent jobs and generate $80 million annually for the local economy. An independent analysis commissioned by the city council found that comparable stadiums in similar cities had created an average of 340 permanent jobs and generated $12 million annually.' A student argues: 'The mayor's economic projections are not supported by evidence.' Which aspect of the independent analysis most effectively supports this argument?

Accepted Answer

The gap between 2,000 projected jobs and 340 actual average jobs, and between $80M and $12M actual revenue

Answer

The fact that the analysis was commissioned by the city council, not the mayor

Answer

The analysis examined comparable stadiums in similar cities rather than just one example

Answer

The word 'independent' signals that the analysis is more trustworthy than the mayor's projection