Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
The finding (written for this example)
“The test proves that this plant food makes every plant grow taller.”Which words go too far?In one test, 20 bean plants given a new plant food grew about 2 cm taller, on average, than 20 plants without it.
- From weakest to strongest, scientists use: is consistent with, suggests, supports, shows, proves. One small test almost never proves anything.
- “Proves” is too strong for 40 bean plants in one test.
- “Every plant” is also too strong. The test used beans, and the result was an average: some plants given the food may have grown less than some without it.
- A careful version: “In this test, the bean plants given the plant food grew a little taller, on average.”
Answer: “Proves” and “every plant”
Example 2
The finding (written for this example)
Which statement stays inside the evidence? (a) All New Yorkers want more weekend buses. (b) Most of the riders surveyed wanted more frequent weekend buses. (c) The survey proves the city must add buses.A survey of 100 bus riders in the Bronx found that most of them wanted more frequent buses on weekends.
- Say the finding plainly: most of 100 surveyed riders in the Bronx wanted more weekend buses.
- (a) says “all” and “New Yorkers”: far more people than were asked, and “all” where the survey found “most.”
- (c) says “proves” and “must”: a survey can show what people want, not what the city must do.
- (b) uses the careful words “most” and “surveyed.”
Answer: (b)
Where this is taught: Science Practices, part 5: Reasoning from data · Look Again Quiz 5: Reasoning from Data
In your Kaplan book: Unit 4, Chapter 1, Lesson 3: Reason with Scientific Information · Map of the Terrain, topic 5: Reasoning from data
The drill
Ten questions
How many:
Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Then tap your answer; a few questions ask you to choose words from a drop-down instead, the way the GED test does. Press Check my answers at the bottom.Read what is in the box first, if there is one. Circle your answer; where there are brackets, circle the choice that fits. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.