16Hit1600
Expression of IdeasEasy–MediumRhetorical synthesis (using notes to acknowledge a study's limitation)

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • In 2019, one school district delayed middle school start times from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. • Researchers had students wear wrist monitors that estimate time asleep by recording movement. • Students were monitored for two weeks before the change and two weeks after. • On average, students slept 34 minutes longer per night after the change. • The study followed students at only two schools in the district.

The student wants to acknowledge a limitation of the study. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. After the district moved start times from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., students slept an average of 34 minutes longer per night.
  2. B. To measure sleep, the researchers had students wear wrist monitors that estimate time asleep by recording movement.
  3. C. The results are encouraging, but because the study followed students at only two schools, its findings may not hold true for other districts.Correct
  4. D. Because students slept 34 minutes longer per night, later start times must improve sleep for students everywhere.

Answer: C. The results are encouraging, but because the study followed students at only two schools, its findings may not hold true for other districts.

C is correct: it identifies the narrow sample (only two schools) and explains why that restricts the study's applicability, which is a limitation. A reports the study's central finding rather than a limitation. B describes the study's methodology; a student may mistake any technical detail for a weakness, but the note about monitors states how sleep was measured, not a flaw. D commits the opposite error of the task, drawing a sweeping generalization from the limited data instead of qualifying it.

Why the other answers are wrong

A. After the district moved start times from 7:50 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., students slept an average of 34 minutes longer per night.
This is the study's main finding — the 34-minute result — not a limitation of the study.
B. To measure sleep, the researchers had students wear wrist monitors that estimate time asleep by recording movement.
This is the study's methodology (how sleep was measured), not a flaw; a technical detail isn't automatically a weakness.
D. Because students slept 34 minutes longer per night, later start times must improve sleep for students everywhere.
This does the opposite of the task: it generalizes the result to "students everywhere" instead of noting what limits the study's reach.

More Expression of Ideas questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.