16Hit1600
Craft and StructureMediumA control comparison for a claimed effect

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 A report finds that a town's air quality improved by 30 percent in the two years after a low-emission zone was introduced. Text 2 A second analysis notes that over the same two years, air quality improved by about 25 percent in comparable towns that had no such zone, as older, dirtier vehicles were gradually replaced.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

  1. A. Text 2 suggests that much of the improvement reported in Text 1 may have happened without the zone.Correct
  2. B. Text 2 shows that the zone made the town's air quality worse.
  3. C. Text 2 confirms that the zone caused the entire improvement.
  4. D. Text 2 argues that the zone should be extended to other towns.

Answer: A. Text 2 suggests that much of the improvement reported in Text 1 may have happened without the zone.

If towns without a zone improved 25 percent, the zone can be credited with only the extra few points, not the whole 30.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Text 2 shows that the zone made the town's air quality worse.
Text 2 reports improvement everywhere, not a decline.
C. Text 2 confirms that the zone caused the entire improvement.
Text 2 points away from crediting the zone with the whole improvement.
D. Text 2 argues that the zone should be extended to other towns.
Text 2 makes no recommendation.

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