STAT Interpreting Informative Texts 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newspaper article quotes a study: 'Researchers found that city dwellers are 20% more likely to develop anxiety disorders.' Without additional context, a cautious reader would first ask:
- Which city has the highest anxiety rate
- 20% more likely than whom, and how was the comparison group defined (Correct answer)
- Whether anxiety disorders are increasing globally
- What percentage of the researchers live in cities
Correct answer: 20% more likely than whom, and how was the comparison group defined
Relative risk statements (X% more likely) are only meaningful when the baseline comparison group is clearly identified.
Question 2: A passage contains this transition: 'Conversely, rural hospitals reported the opposite trend.' The word 'conversely' signals:
- Agreement with the previous point
- A contradictory or contrasting relationship to the preceding idea (Correct answer)
- An example that illustrates the prior claim
- A concession that weakens the argument
Correct answer: A contradictory or contrasting relationship to the preceding idea
Conversely introduces information that stands in contrast to what was just stated.
Question 3: An informational text includes a sidebar titled 'Key Terms.' The primary function of such a sidebar is to:
- Provide additional arguments not found in the main text
- Define specialized vocabulary to support reader comprehension (Correct answer)
- List sources cited in the main text
- Summarize the author's main conclusion
Correct answer: Define specialized vocabulary to support reader comprehension
Key Terms sidebars exist to give readers quick access to definitions of technical or unfamiliar words used in the text.
Question 4: A climate report states: 'Model projections suggest temperatures could rise between 1.5°C and 4°C by 2100.' The range given (1.5°C to 4°C) reflects:
- Errors in the temperature-measuring instruments
- Uncertainty arising from different assumptions and scenarios in the models (Correct answer)
- The difference between summer and winter temperatures
- The range of temperatures already observed since 1900
Correct answer: Uncertainty arising from different assumptions and scenarios in the models
Climate model ranges represent scenario uncertainty—different emissions pathways and model parameters produce a spread of possible outcomes.
Question 5: A text states: 'Per capita income in Region X is $45,000.' A student is comparing this to Region Y's total income of $9 billion. To make a valid comparison of individual wealth, the student should:
- Multiply Region X's per capita income by the national population
- Find Region Y's per capita income by dividing by its population (Correct answer)
- Subtract Region X's figure from Region Y's figure
- Convert both figures to the same currency
Correct answer: Find Region Y's per capita income by dividing by its population
Per capita income (per person) must be compared to another per capita figure; dividing Region Y's total income by its population makes the figures comparable.
Question 6: An author describes a study as 'double-blind.' In an informational context, this term most accurately means:
- Neither the researchers nor the participants knew who received the treatment (Correct answer)
- The study was conducted in two separate phases
- Two independent labs replicated the results
- The participants were visually impaired
Correct answer: Neither the researchers nor the participants knew who received the treatment
Double-blind means both participants and researchers administering the study are unaware of group assignments, reducing bias.
Question 7: A passage ends with: 'Future research is needed to determine whether these findings hold across different demographic groups.' This concluding sentence primarily serves to:
- Undermine the reliability of all the data presented
- Acknowledge a limitation and identify a direction for further study (Correct answer)
- Contradict the main argument of the text
- Provide a call to action for policymakers
Correct answer: Acknowledge a limitation and identify a direction for further study
Acknowledging the boundaries of current findings and pointing to future research is a standard way authors signal honest limitations.
STAT Interpreting Informative Texts 4
A newspaper article quotes a study: 'Researchers found that city dwellers are 20% more likely to develop anxiety disorders.' Without additional context, a cautious reader would first ask: