Command of Evidence Textual Flashcards

A student claims that a passage supports the idea that regular exercise improves academic performance. Which quotation would provide the strongest evidence?

Answer: 'Students who participated in daily 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions showed a 17% improvement in standardized test scores compared to sedentary peers.'

Specific data showing a 17% test score improvement directly supports the claim that exercise improves academic performance.

Read this passage: 'Many historians credit the introduction of the stirrup to Europe as a key factor in the development of feudalism. By allowing heavily armored knights to fight effectively on horseback, the stirrup made cavalry dominant in warfare. Lords who could equip knights gained military superiority, which was then reflected in the political and economic structures of medieval society.' A student wants to argue that military technology shaped social organization. Which evidence from the passage best supports this?

Answer: 'Lords who could equip knights gained military superiority, which was then reflected in the political and economic structures of medieval society'

This sentence directly connects military advantage (equipping knights) to political and economic structures — exactly the claim that military technology shaped social organization.

A student argues: 'The narrator of this story feels out of place in the new school.' The story includes these sentences: (1) 'She memorized every face in the cafeteria but ate alone.' (2) 'She answered questions correctly but watched to see if anyone noticed.' (3) 'Her old school had been smaller, warmer.' (4) 'She counted the days on her phone calendar.' Which sentence provides the strongest evidence?

Answer: Sentence 1

Memorizing faces but eating alone most directly and specifically shows social isolation — being physically present but excluded from belonging.

A passage about renewable energy includes these four sentences: (1) 'Solar energy costs have fallen 89% over the past decade.' (2) 'Wind power generated 10% of U.S. electricity in 2022.' (3) 'Fossil fuel companies have lobbied against renewable subsidies.' (4) 'Battery storage technology has improved significantly in recent years.' A student claims: 'Renewable energy is becoming increasingly economically competitive.' Which sentence best supports this claim?

Answer: Sentence 1

An 89% cost reduction over a decade is the most direct evidence that solar (and by extension renewable) energy is becoming economically competitive.

Read this passage: 'The novel's protagonist, James, often describes natural settings in elaborate detail when he is anxious, and uses clipped, minimal description when he is confident. When he enters the courtroom for his verdict, the author writes: The wood of the bench was smooth, almost warm.' A student argues: 'James is confident when he enters the courtroom.' Does this textual evidence support, contradict, or neither clearly support nor contradict this argument?

Answer: The evidence contradicts the argument, because elaborate sensory detail in the established pattern suggests anxiety, not confidence

The passage establishes a pattern: elaborate detail = anxiety. James's sensory description of the bench follows the elaborate-detail pattern, suggesting anxiety, not confidence.

A student is writing an essay arguing that the character Mrs. Chen respects hard work above all other virtues. The story includes these moments: (1) She praises her son's C+ earned through effort over his sister's A earned with little study. (2) She donates to charity every month. (3) She stays late at work even when no supervisor is present. (4) She tells her neighbor that 'a good reputation is earned, not given.' Which provides the best evidence for the student's argument?

Answer: Moment 1

Praising effort-earned mediocrity over easy excellence directly demonstrates that Mrs. Chen values hard work above outcomes or natural talent.

A passage reads: 'Between 1950 and 2000, the average American home size increased from 983 square feet to 2,266 square feet, while average household size decreased from 3.67 to 2.62 people.' A student argues: 'Americans' expectations for personal living space have grown dramatically.' Which aspect of this evidence most directly supports the claim?

Answer: Home size more than doubled while the number of people per home decreased

More space per person (bigger homes + fewer people) directly measures growing expectations for personal living space — each person now commands far more square footage.

A student claims that in a passage, the author uses the word 'merely' strategically to minimize the opposing argument. The passage reads: 'Critics of the policy argue it would reduce emissions by 3%. While this is not insignificant, it represents merely a fraction of the reductions scientists say are necessary to avert catastrophic warming.' How does 'merely' function as textual evidence for the student's interpretation?

Answer: 'Merely' functions as a qualifier that diminishes the 3% figure by implying it is inadequate relative to what is needed

'Merely' is a minimizing qualifier — it doesn't deny the 3% is real, but frames it as insufficient compared to scientists' required reductions.