NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the following two passages. Passage 1: A study published in the 'Journal of Urban Ecology' found that community gardens in densely populated areas led to a 15% increase in local bird and pollinator populations over a five-year period. The gardens provide crucial resources like nectar, seeds, and nesting materials that are otherwise scarce in urban environments. Passage 2: An article in 'Community Health Monthly' highlights the social benefits of urban gardening. It describes how these shared spaces foster neighborhood connections, reduce stress, and provide access to fresh produce for residents. The article profiles a community garden in Chicago where residents reported a stronger sense of community and improved mental well-being. A student is writing a response about the impact of urban community gardens. Which statement best synthesizes information from BOTH passages?
- Community gardens are primarily a social project designed to improve neighborhood relationships and mental health.
- The main purpose of urban gardens is to provide habitats for birds and pollinators, boosting local biodiversity.
- Urban community gardens offer multifaceted benefits, enhancing local ecosystems by supporting wildlife while also strengthening social bonds and improving resident well-being. (Correct answer)
- The most significant impact of community gardens is providing fresh, healthy food in urban areas.
Correct answer: Urban community gardens offer multifaceted benefits, enhancing local ecosystems by supporting wildlife while also strengthening social bonds and improving resident well-being.
The correct answer accurately combines the central ideas from both texts. Passage 1 focuses on the ecological benefits (wildlife, biodiversity), while Passage 2 focuses on the social and health benefits (community, well-being). This choice is the only one that integrates both of these distinct points into a single, comprehensive statement.
Question 2: A student is writing a response arguing that the main character, David, is profoundly lonely. The passage describes David spending his evenings meticulously building ship models, never receiving visitors, and watching neighboring families through his window with a 'wistful gaze.' Which piece of textual evidence provides the MOST powerful and specific support for the student's claim?
- David spent his evenings meticulously building ship models.
- David was a character who never received visitors at his home.
- David often watched the neighboring families through his window with a 'wistful gaze.' (Correct answer)
- David lived by himself in a small house on the edge of town.
Correct answer: David often watched the neighboring families through his window with a 'wistful gaze.'
While all options relate to David being alone, the phrase 'wistful gaze' is the most powerful evidence of loneliness. It doesn't just state a fact (he is alone); it reveals his emotional state, showing he yearns for the connection he sees in others. This goes beyond simple solitude and points directly to the feeling of loneliness.
Question 3: A student is writing an evidence-based response and needs to integrate the following quote from a historical text: 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time.' Which of the following sentences most effectively integrates this quote into the student's writing?
- There is a quote in the book. 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time.'
- The author emphasizes the sheer scale of the event, describing how 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time.' (Correct answer)
- The Dust Bowl was a major event. 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time.'
- The passage says, 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time,' which is an important fact.
Correct answer: The author emphasizes the sheer scale of the event, describing how 'The Dust Bowl exodus was the largest migration in American history within a short period of time.'
This option seamlessly weaves the quote into the student's own sentence. It uses a strong lead-in ('The author emphasizes the sheer scale of the event, describing how...') that provides context for the quote, making the writing flow smoothly and showing a clear connection between the student's idea and the evidence.
Question 4: Read the following student response to a passage about the American Revolution: 'The passage explains that the American Revolution had several causes. First, the colonists were unhappy about taxes, such as the Stamp Act and the Tea Act. They felt it was unfair to be taxed without having representation in the British Parliament. Then, events like the Boston Massacre increased tensions. Finally, the colonists formed the Continental Congress and decided to declare independence.' Which statement below best evaluates this student's response?
- It is a strong analysis because it correctly identifies the key events mentioned in the passage.
- It is a weak analysis because it fails to mention the role of key figures like George Washington.
- It is an effective argument because it persuades the reader that the colonists were right to be upset.
- It is primarily a summary because it recounts the events from the passage in chronological order without offering any new interpretation or analysis. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It is primarily a summary because it recounts the events from the passage in chronological order without offering any new interpretation or analysis.
The student's response retells the facts and events from the passage in the order they likely appeared. This is a summary. An analysis would go a step further by explaining the significance of these events, how they connected to each other in a deeper way, or what underlying principles they revealed.
Question 5: Read the following excerpt from an editorial about a proposed highway expansion: 'While the so-called 'progress' promised by this massive highway project might shave a few minutes off commute times, it comes at an unacceptable cost. This concrete monstrosity will bulldoze through the Elmwood Nature Preserve, a beloved local park, and poison our air with increased emissions. Only those with a vested interest in construction contracts could ignore the devastating environmental impact.' What is the primary logical fallacy used by the author in the final sentence?
- Ad Hominem (Correct answer)
- Slippery Slope
- Hasty Generalization
- Straw Man
Correct answer: Ad Hominem
The author commits an Ad Hominem fallacy by attacking the character or motives of people who might support the project ('Only those with a vested interest in construction contracts') instead of addressing the merits of their arguments (e.g., potential economic benefits or traffic reduction).
Question 6: A student is writing an evidence-based response to an article about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The student makes the claim: 'The author has a clear bias, viewing the advancement of AI with excessive optimism and downplaying its potential risks.' Which of the following pieces of evidence from the article would most strongly support this claim?
- A statistic showing that AI-driven industries have grown by 30% in the last two years.
- A description of how AI algorithms are being used to help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately.
- The author's repeated use of words like 'utopian,' 'flawless,' and 'miraculous' to describe AI, while dismissing concerns about job displacement as 'minor hurdles.' (Correct answer)
- An interview with a leading AI researcher who explains the technology's complex programming.
Correct answer: The author's repeated use of words like 'utopian,' 'flawless,' and 'miraculous' to describe AI, while dismissing concerns about job displacement as 'minor hurdles.'
This choice provides the best evidence for the author's *bias*. The use of emotionally loaded, highly positive words ('utopian,' 'flawless') and the dismissive language for negative consequences ('minor hurdles') clearly demonstrate an unbalanced and overly optimistic perspective, which is the core of the student's claim.
NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses Questions and Answers
Read the following two passages.
Passage 1: A study published in the 'Journal of Urban Ecology' found that community gardens in densely populated areas led to a 15% increase in local bird and pollinator populations over a five-year period.
The gardens provide crucial resources like nectar, seeds, and nesting materials that are otherwise scarce in urban environments.
Passage 2: An article in 'Community Health Monthly' highlights the social benefits of urban gardening.
It describes how these shared spaces foster neighborhood connections, reduce stress, and provide access to fresh produce for residents.
The article profiles a community garden in Chicago where residents reported a stronger sense of community and improved mental well-being.
A student is writing a response about the impact of urban community gardens.
Which statement best synthesizes information from BOTH passages?
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Sources & references
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- nj.gov — Exam format, eligibility, score release, time limit, test dates · verified Oct 2026