LEAP - Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Writing Evidence-Based Claims Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student is writing an essay arguing that community gardens benefit urban neighborhoods. Which of the following sentences provides the strongest evidence to support this claim?
- Many people feel that community gardens make their neighborhoods more beautiful and a better place to live.
- A 2023 study published in the 'Journal of Urban Affairs' found that neighborhoods with community gardens saw a 12% reduction in crime rates over a two-year period. (Correct answer)
- Community gardens are a great way for people to get outside, exercise, and meet their neighbors.
- My cousin lives near a community garden and says it has completely changed the feeling of her street for the better.
Correct answer: A 2023 study published in the 'Journal of Urban Affairs' found that neighborhoods with community gardens saw a 12% reduction in crime rates over a two-year period.
The correct answer provides a specific, verifiable statistic from a credible source ('Journal of Urban Affairs'). This is the strongest form of evidence because it is based on data and research, rather than personal opinion, general statements, or anecdotal experience.
Question 2: Read the following claim: 'Year-round schooling is a necessary educational reform to prevent summer learning loss.' Which of the following pieces of evidence is LEAST relevant to supporting this claim?
- A report from the National Summer Learning Association indicates that students lose approximately two months of mathematical skills over the summer.
- Several school districts that have implemented year-round schooling report higher operational costs due to continuous building maintenance and utility usage. (Correct answer)
- A study of a year-round school in Raleigh, NC, showed that students from low-income families demonstrated significant gains in reading comprehension compared to their peers in traditional schools.
- Teacher testimonials from a year-round district in Colorado highlight improved continuity in instruction and stronger student-teacher relationships.
Correct answer: Several school districts that have implemented year-round schooling report higher operational costs due to continuous building maintenance and utility usage.
While information about operational costs is a valid consideration for school districts, it does not directly support or refute the claim about preventing *summer learning loss*. The other options provide data on learning loss, academic gains, and instructional continuity, all of which are directly relevant to the educational argument being made.
Question 3: A student makes the following claim: 'The protagonist in the novel was courageous.' Which of the following is the most effective way to integrate textual evidence to support this claim?
- The protagonist showed courage in many situations throughout the book, which proves the claim is true.
- For example, on page 45, the protagonist says, 'I will not be afraid.' This quote shows they are courageous.
- The protagonist's courage is most evident when they confront the antagonist, stating, 'Your reign of fear ends now,' despite being outnumbered and unarmed (p. 152). (Correct answer)
- The book describes the protagonist as brave, so therefore the claim that the protagonist was courageous is supported by the text.
Correct answer: The protagonist's courage is most evident when they confront the antagonist, stating, 'Your reign of fear ends now,' despite being outnumbered and unarmed (p. 152).
This option is the strongest because it follows the I.C.E. (Introduce, Cite, Explain) model effectively. It introduces the context (confronting the antagonist), provides a specific, impactful quote as a citation, and implicitly explains how this action demonstrates courage by highlighting the dangerous circumstances ('outnumbered and unarmed').
Question 4: Which of the following best defines an evidence-based claim?
- A statement that expresses the author's personal beliefs and feelings about a topic.
- A summary of the main points of a text without any interpretation or argument.
- An assertion about a topic that is supported by verifiable facts, data, statistics, or direct textual evidence. (Correct answer)
- A question that prompts the reader to think more deeply about the subject matter.
Correct answer: An assertion about a topic that is supported by verifiable facts, data, statistics, or direct textual evidence.
An evidence-based claim is fundamentally an argument or assertion that is provable through credible evidence. The strength of the claim rests on the quality and relevance of the supporting information, which can include research findings, textual quotes, and other forms of verifiable data.
Question 5: Scenario: A student is analyzing two articles about the impact of social media on teenagers. Article A, a parental blog post, argues that social media is harmful. Article B, a peer-reviewed study, presents data showing both positive and negative correlations. To write a strong evidence-based claim, what should the student do?
- Only use Article A because it makes a clear and strong argument.
- Synthesize evidence from both articles to form a nuanced claim, acknowledging the complexity of the issue. (Correct answer)
- Ignore both articles and use their own personal experiences with social media as the primary evidence.
- Only use Article B because scientific studies are always better than personal blog posts.
Correct answer: Synthesize evidence from both articles to form a nuanced claim, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
A sophisticated evidence-based claim often involves synthesizing information from multiple sources. Acknowledging the complexity presented in the peer-reviewed study (Article B) while potentially using the blog post (Article A) to illustrate a specific viewpoint creates a more thorough and credible argument than relying on a single perspective or personal opinion alone.
Question 6: When evaluating the credibility of evidence for a claim, which of the following is the MOST important factor to consider?
- The length of the quotation or data set.
- Whether the evidence agrees with your initial opinion.
- The author's credentials and the publication's reputation. (Correct answer)
- How recently the evidence was published.
Correct answer: The author's credentials and the publication's reputation.
The credibility of evidence is paramount. An author's expertise (credentials) and the reputation of the publication (e.g., a peer-reviewed journal vs. a personal blog) are key indicators of whether the information is reliable, well-researched, and unbiased. While recency can be important, it is secondary to the fundamental trustworthiness of the source.
LEAP - Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Writing Evidence-Based Claims Questions and Answers 1
A student is writing an essay arguing that community gardens benefit urban neighborhoods.
Which of the following sentences provides the strongest evidence to support this claim?