Rise Placement Test Analysis and Use of Sources 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher finds two studies with conflicting conclusions. The best approach is to:
- Ignore the study that disagrees with the thesis
- Cite only the more recent study
- Acknowledge both studies and analyze the reasons for the discrepancy (Correct answer)
- Use whichever study has a larger sample size and discard the other
Correct answer: Acknowledge both studies and analyze the reasons for the discrepancy
Acknowledging conflicting evidence and exploring why it exists demonstrates critical thinking and strengthens academic credibility.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of in-text citations?
- To add length to the paper
- To give credit to sources and allow readers to locate them (Correct answer)
- To show the reader how many sources were consulted
- To separate your ideas from the rest of the paragraph
Correct answer: To give credit to sources and allow readers to locate them
In-text citations attribute ideas to their original authors and point readers to the full reference for verification.
Question 3: Which of the following is considered a secondary source?
- A soldier's diary from World War II
- A historian's analysis of World War II diaries (Correct answer)
- A photograph taken during World War II
- A government order issued during World War II
Correct answer: A historian's analysis of World War II diaries
Secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize primary sources — a historian's analysis is one step removed from the original material.
Question 4: A student finds a Wikipedia article on their topic. The best use of this article in research is to:
- Cite it directly as an authoritative source in the paper
- Use its references section to locate more credible primary or secondary sources (Correct answer)
- Copy information from it and reword it
- Print it and include it in the works-cited page
Correct answer: Use its references section to locate more credible primary or secondary sources
Wikipedia's reference lists can guide researchers to credible, citable sources even though Wikipedia itself is not typically acceptable as a direct citation.
Question 5: Which sentence uses evidence most effectively in an argumentative paragraph?
- Studies show that exercise is good.
- Smith (2021) found that 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise reduces anxiety symptoms by 48%, suggesting consistent movement is a significant mental-health tool. (Correct answer)
- Exercise is beneficial according to many researchers.
- It has been proven that people should exercise more.
Correct answer: Smith (2021) found that 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise reduces anxiety symptoms by 48%, suggesting consistent movement is a significant mental-health tool.
Specific data, a clear citation, and an explanatory phrase connecting the evidence to the argument make for effective integration.
Question 6: When a source uses emotionally charged language and one-sided arguments, this is a signal of:
- Strong analytical writing
- Possible bias that requires scrutiny (Correct answer)
- High academic credibility
- Effective use of pathos in peer-reviewed work
Correct answer: Possible bias that requires scrutiny
Emotionally loaded or one-sided language often indicates bias, which researchers must recognize and account for when using the source.
Question 7: What does 'quoting out of context' mean?
- Citing a source without a page number
- Using a passage in a way that misrepresents the author's original meaning (Correct answer)
- Quoting more than three lines from a single source
- Including a quote that is not relevant to your topic
Correct answer: Using a passage in a way that misrepresents the author's original meaning
Quoting out of context means selecting words that change or distort what the original author actually meant.
Rise Placement Test Analysis and Use of Sources 4
A researcher finds two studies with conflicting conclusions.
The best approach is to: