16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardApplying a principle to a specific case

Craft and Structure practice question

Text 1 A survey's headline figure means little, statistician Hana Vogel cautions, unless you know who was asked and how they were chosen. Text 2 A newspaper reports that 80% of the public opposes the new cycle lane, based on responses to a poll on the newspaper's own website.

Based on the texts, how would Vogel most likely respond to the newspaper's report?

  1. A. By pointing out that people who choose to answer a website poll are not a representative sample of the public.Correct
  2. B. By agreeing that 80% of the public opposes the lane.
  3. C. By arguing that cycle lanes are unpopular.
  4. D. By claiming the newspaper invented the figure.

Answer: A. By pointing out that people who choose to answer a website poll are not a representative sample of the public.

Vogel's caution about who was asked and how: a self-selected website poll fails it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. By agreeing that 80% of the public opposes the lane.
Vogel's principle argues against taking the figure at face value.
C. By arguing that cycle lanes are unpopular.
Not implied.
D. By claiming the newspaper invented the figure.
Not implied.

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