Which finding would weaken (or strengthen) a claim?

Question 1

A researcher claims that a new fertiliser causes tomato plants to produce more fruit. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this claim?

• A. Plants given the fertiliser produced the same amount of fruit as identical plants given only water.
• B. The fertiliser is made from recycled materials.
• C. Tomatoes are popular in many countries.
• D. Plants given the fertiliser grew slightly taller.

Question 2

Is the proposed answer correct? Scientists propose that a species of bird uses Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this proposal? → The birds eat insects during migration.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 3

A historian argues that a medieval town grew rich mainly through the wool trade. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this argument?

• A. Sheep were kept on nearby farms.
• B. Tax records show that wool made up less than 5% of the town's trade income.
• C. The town had several large churches.
• D. Wool was traded in many medieval towns.

Question 4

Is the proposed answer correct? A historian argues that a medieval town grew rich mainly through the wool trade. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this argument? → The town had several large churches.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 5

A researcher claims that playing music to cows increases the amount of milk they produce. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim?

• A. Cows can hear a wide range of sounds.
• B. Milk production varies across seasons.
• C. In a controlled study, cows that heard calm music produced more milk than similar cows that heard no music.
• D. Farmers enjoy listening to music.

Question 6

Is the proposed answer correct? Scientists propose that a species of bird uses Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this proposal? → The birds travel over 5,000 kilometres.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 7

A literary critic claims that a novelist's later books are more optimistic than her early ones. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim?

• A. She wrote her early novels in a city.
• B. Her later novels sold more copies.
• C. Her later novels are longer.
• D. In her later novels, most main characters end the story with their problems resolved, unlike in her early novels.

Question 8

Is the proposed answer correct? A literary critic claims that a novelist's later books are more optimistic than her early ones. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim? → Her later novels sold more copies.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 9

A literary critic claims that a novelist's later books are more optimistic than her early ones. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim?

• A. Her later novels sold more copies.
• B. Her later novels are longer.
• C. She wrote her early novels in a city.
• D. In her later novels, most main characters end the story with their problems resolved, unlike in her early novels.

Question 10

Is the proposed answer correct? Scientists propose that a species of bird uses Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this proposal? → The birds eat insects during migration.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 11

A school claims that its new reading programme raised pupils' reading scores. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this claim?

• A. Reading scores rose by the same amount at nearby schools that did not use the programme.
• B. Teachers received training for the programme.
• C. The programme was expensive.
• D. Pupils enjoyed the programme.

Question 12

Is the proposed answer correct? Scientists propose that a species of bird uses Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this proposal? → The birds travel over 5,000 kilometres.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 13

A literary critic claims that a novelist's later books are more optimistic than her early ones. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim?

• A. In her later novels, most main characters end the story with their problems resolved, unlike in her early novels.
• B. Her later novels sold more copies.
• C. Her later novels are longer.
• D. She wrote her early novels in a city.

Question 14

Is the proposed answer correct? A researcher claims that a new fertiliser causes tomato plants to produce more fruit. Which finding would most directly WEAKEN this claim? → The fertiliser is made from recycled materials.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct

Question 15

Scientists propose that a species of bird uses Earth's magnetic field to navigate. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this proposal?

• A. Birds became disoriented when small magnets were attached to them, but not when non-magnetic weights were attached.
• B. The birds fly mostly at night.
• C. The birds eat insects during migration.
• D. The birds travel over 5,000 kilometres.

Question 16

Is the proposed answer correct? A literary critic claims that a novelist's later books are more optimistic than her early ones. Which finding would most directly SUPPORT this claim? → In her later novels, most main characters end the story with their problems resolved, unlike in her early novels.

• A. yes, it is correct
• B. no, it is not correct