Take this Quiz: AP Lang — synthesis and source use | Zestly

Question 1

Source A (invented): A 2022 report states that urban tree canopy cover in the city of Oakhaven has decreased by 15 percent over the last decade. Source B (invented): A 2022 urban planning editorial argues that the reduction in Oakhaven's tree canopy is a direct result of city council negligence. Both sources agree on the fact of the canopy reduction. What is the specific point of disagreement between these two sources?

Accepted Answer

Whether the decrease in tree canopy is caused by specific political actions.

Answer

Whether urban planning policies have any impact on environmental health.

Answer

Whether the 15 percent figure provided in the report is statistically accurate.

Answer

Whether the tree canopy in Oakhaven has actually decreased in size.

Question 2

Source A (invented): A study of high school students in a rural district found that starting school at 9:00 AM improved test scores by 5 percent. Source B (invented): A study of university students in a metropolitan area found that starting classes at 9:00 AM had no significant effect on academic performance. Why can both of these findings be true simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

The developmental needs and schedules of high schoolers and university students differ.

Answer

One study is clearly biased towards early start times for younger children.

Answer

The studies measured different types of academic performance that are unrelated.

Answer

The studies were conducted in different years, making the data incomparable.

Question 3

A writer is arguing that the town library should be funded to run digital-skills classes. All three sources below are invented. Source A: a survey taken this year of library users, 60 per cent of whom say they have no computer at home. Source B: a government paper from 2004 on how households were then getting online. Source C: the library's own record of attendance at its classes last term. Which source should the writer leave out, and why?

Accepted Answer

Source B, because how households got online in 2004 tells you almost nothing about what they need now.

Answer

Source C, because a library's record of its own classes is not independent evidence.

Answer

Source A, because sixty per cent is not a large enough majority to be worth citing.

Answer

Source A, because a survey of library users cannot speak for the town as a whole.

Question 4

Source A (invented): 'While some studies suggest that screen time reduces sleep duration, the correlation is often weak and depends heavily on the type of content consumed.' Which of the following sentences correctly represents this source?

Answer

Screen time is definitively proven to be the primary cause of sleep deprivation in modern society.

Answer

The type of content consumed on screens has no impact on the quality of sleep for users.

Answer

Studies have shown that screen time has absolutely no effect on the sleep duration of individuals.

Answer

Research indicates that the relationship between screen time and sleep is nuanced and contingent on content type.

Question 5

Source A (invented): A report by the 'Association of Commuter Vehicle Manufacturers' argues that personal car ownership is the most efficient way to reduce travel time in urban centres. What is the most accurate assessment of this source's usefulness?

Answer

It should be used as the primary evidence to support the claim that public transport is inefficient.

Answer

It is completely useless because it is written by a commercial entity.

Answer

It provides a specific perspective but should be balanced with data from independent urban planners.

Answer

It is the most reliable source because it is written by experts in the vehicle industry.