NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a research simulation task, a student finds two sources with different publication dates on the same topic. How should the student evaluate which source to prioritize?
- Always use the older source because it was written first
- Consider which source is more current AND more credible based on author expertise and publication type (Correct answer)
- Flip a coin since both sources are equally valid
- Use the longer source because it contains more information
Correct answer: Consider which source is more current AND more credible based on author expertise and publication type
Evaluating sources requires considering both recency and credibility; a more recent, credible source is generally more reliable for factual claims.
Question 2: What does it mean to 'synthesize' multiple sources in a written response?
- To summarize each source separately in its own paragraph
- To combine ideas from multiple sources to develop and support a unified argument or explanation (Correct answer)
- To quote every sentence from each source provided
- To rank the sources from most to least important
Correct answer: To combine ideas from multiple sources to develop and support a unified argument or explanation
Synthesis means weaving information from multiple sources together to build a cohesive argument, not merely summarizing each source in isolation.
Question 3: A student writes: 'Source A says exercise is good. Source B says exercise is good too.' This demonstrates which writing weakness?
- Excessive use of evidence
- Lack of synthesis—the student lists sources instead of connecting them to an analysis (Correct answer)
- Overuse of quotation marks
- Incorrect paragraph structure
Correct answer: Lack of synthesis—the student lists sources instead of connecting them to an analysis
Simply stating that two sources agree is not synthesis; the student must explain what that agreement means and connect it to the central argument.
Question 4: Which sentence BEST demonstrates an effective use of a statistic as evidence?
- Statistics show that things are getting worse.
- A lot of data proves my point is correct.
- The CDC reports that 42% of American adults are obese, demonstrating that public health interventions targeting diet and activity are urgently needed. (Correct answer)
- Some numbers from a study support the idea.
Correct answer: The CDC reports that 42% of American adults are obese, demonstrating that public health interventions targeting diet and activity are urgently needed.
An effective statistic names the source, provides a precise number, and explains what that number means in relation to the argument.
Question 5: In the NJSLA scoring rubric, 'development' primarily refers to:
- How many paragraphs the essay contains
- The extent to which ideas are elaborated, supported with evidence, and analyzed in depth (Correct answer)
- Whether the student uses a five-paragraph format
- The number of different sources cited in the response
Correct answer: The extent to which ideas are elaborated, supported with evidence, and analyzed in depth
Development scores reflect the depth of elaboration and analysis—how thoroughly the student supports and explains their ideas with evidence.
Question 6: When revising a draft, a student notices a body paragraph that does not connect back to the thesis. The BEST fix is to:
- Delete the entire paragraph
- Add a topic sentence that explicitly links the paragraph's evidence to the thesis (Correct answer)
- Move the paragraph to the introduction
- Add more quotes to the paragraph
Correct answer: Add a topic sentence that explicitly links the paragraph's evidence to the thesis
Adding or revising a topic sentence that ties the paragraph's content back to the central thesis restores unity and coherence to the essay.
Question 7: A student is writing about a poem for the NJSLA. Which type of evidence is MOST appropriate to cite?
- A personal memory the poem reminded the student of
- Specific lines or words from the poem that support the student's interpretation (Correct answer)
- A summary of what the poet's life was like
- A comparison to a movie the student has seen
Correct answer: Specific lines or words from the poem that support the student's interpretation
Literary analysis of a poem must be grounded in textual evidence—specific words, lines, and literary devices from the poem itself.
NJSLA Evidence-Based Written Responses 5
On a research simulation task, a student finds two sources with different publication dates on the same topic.
How should the student evaluate which source to prioritize?