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Craft and StructureMediumAn association explained away

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 A large study finds that people who drink coffee live slightly longer, on average, than people who do not. Text 2 A second study, using the same data, finds that the coffee drinkers were also much less likely to smoke, and that once smoking was taken into account the difference in lifespan nearly vanished.

Which choice best describes the relationship between the texts?

  1. A. Text 2 offers an explanation for Text 1's finding that does not involve coffee itself.Correct
  2. B. Text 2 shows that coffee shortens life.
  3. C. Text 2 confirms that coffee lengthens life.
  4. D. Text 2 studied tea rather than coffee.

Answer: A. Text 2 offers an explanation for Text 1's finding that does not involve coffee itself.

The longevity gap tracks smoking, not coffee; when smoking is accounted for, the gap nearly disappears.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Text 2 shows that coffee shortens life.
Text 2 finds almost no difference either way.
C. Text 2 confirms that coffee lengthens life.
Text 2 undercuts the coffee explanation.
D. Text 2 studied tea rather than coffee.
Both texts concern coffee drinkers.

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