LEAP - Louisiana Educational Assessment Program Writing Evidence-Based Claims 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?

Accepted 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.

Answer

Many people feel that community gardens make their neighborhoods more beautiful and a better place to live.

Answer

Community gardens are a great way for people to get outside, exercise, and meet their neighbors.

Answer

My cousin lives near a community garden and says it has completely changed the feeling of her street for the better.

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?

Accepted Answer

Several school districts that have implemented year-round schooling report higher operational costs due to continuous building maintenance and utility usage.

Answer

A report from the National Summer Learning Association indicates that students lose approximately two months of mathematical skills over the summer.

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.

Answer

Teacher testimonials from a year-round district in Colorado highlight improved continuity in instruction and stronger student-teacher relationships.

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?

Accepted 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).

Answer

The protagonist showed courage in many situations throughout the book, which proves the claim is true.

Answer

For example, on page 45, the protagonist says, 'I will not be afraid.' This quote shows they are courageous.

Answer

The book describes the protagonist as brave, so therefore the claim that the protagonist was courageous is supported by the text.

Question 4

Which of the following best defines an evidence-based claim?

Accepted Answer

An assertion about a topic that is supported by verifiable facts, data, statistics, or direct textual evidence.

Answer

A statement that expresses the author's personal beliefs and feelings about a topic.

Answer

A summary of the main points of a text without any interpretation or argument.

Answer

A question that prompts the reader to think more deeply about the subject matter.

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?

Accepted Answer

Synthesize evidence from both articles to form a nuanced claim, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.

Answer

Only use Article A because it makes a clear and strong argument.

Answer

Ignore both articles and use their own personal experiences with social media as the primary evidence.

Answer

Only use Article B because scientific studies are always better than personal blog posts.

Question 6

When evaluating the credibility of evidence for a claim, which of the following is the MOST important factor to consider?

Accepted Answer

The author's credentials and the publication's reputation.

Answer

The length of the quotation or data set.

Answer

Whether the evidence agrees with your initial opinion.

Answer

How recently the evidence was published.