tip #13 Synthesis questions: Identify both passages' claims, determine relationship, predict, eliminate easy wrong choices, then confirm & match

.

.Pre-reading strategies

1. Identify the Claims in Both Passages
   • Underline the main argument in each text.
   • Note tone (optimistic, skeptical, neutral) and key terms.
2. Determine the Relationship Between Passages
   • Agree/Support: Text 2 reinforces Text 1.
   • Contradict/Challenge: Text 2 disputes Text 1.
   • Elaborate/Clarify: Text 2 adds nuance to Text 1.
3. Predict the Answer
   • Based on the relationship, ask: How would Author 2 react to Author 1’s claim?
   • Example: If Text 2 challenges Text 1, expect a critical response.
4. Eliminate Wrong Answers
   • Untrue to either passage: Misrepresents a claim.
   • Irrelevant: Doesn’t address the relationship.
   • Opposite relationship: Says "support" when passages contradict.
5. Match to the Predicted Response
   • The correct answer will align with the tone and content of Text 2’s stance.

Model Passages & Questions
Passage Pair 1: Climate Change Policies

Text 1
Some economists argue that carbon taxes are the most efficient way to reduce emissions. By putting a price on pollution, businesses and consumers are incentivized to adopt cleaner technologies without heavy-handed regulations. Recent studies show carbon taxes have successfully lowered emissions in countries like Sweden and Canada.

Text 2
Critics of carbon taxes point out that they disproportionately burden low-income households, which spend a higher percentage of income on energy. Without direct rebates or subsidies, such policies risk worsening inequality. A 2023 study found that carbon taxes in France sparked protests due to rising fuel costs for rural populations.*

Question:
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to Text 1’s claim about carbon taxes’ efficiency?
A) They'd agree, since Text 1 cites evidence from Sweden and Canada. 
B) They'd argue that efficiency alone ignores the social costs highlighted in Text 2. 
C) They'd dismiss Text 1’s studies as outdated compared to 2023 data. 
D) They'd propose stricter regulations as a better alternative. 

Answer at the end

Passage Pair 2: AI in Education

Text 1
AI-powered tutoring systems can personalize learning by adapting to students’ pace and needs. Proponents highlight cases where AI tutors improved test scores in math and science, particularly for struggling students. Such tools, they argue, could close achievement gaps at scale.

Text 2
While AI tutors show promise, overreliance on them may reduce human interaction, which is critical for developing creativity and collaboration skills. A 2022 survey found that students using AI tutors reported feeling isolated and missing teacher feedback. Experts caution that AI should supplement, not replace, classroom interactions.

Question:
Based on the texts, what would the author of Text 1 most likely say about the “isolation” concern raised in Text 2?
A) It is exaggerated because AI tutors are optional. 
B) It is valid but outweighed by the benefits of personalized learning
C) It is irrelevant to AI’s role in closing achievement gaps. 
D) It proves AI tutors should be banned. 

Answer at the end

Post-Task Assessments & Reflections

1. Self-Check Questions
   • Did I correctly identify both authors’ main claims?
   • Did I accurately label their relationship (agree/contradict/elaborate)?
   • Did I eliminate answers that misrepresented either passage?
2. Common Pitfalls
   • Tone misreading: Assuming "neutral" language means agreement.
   • Overgeneralizing: Ignoring nuanced differences (e.g., "AI helps but has downsides").
   • Straying from evidence: Selecting answers that introduce outside ideas.
3. Reflection
   • Practice annotating passages quickly:
     • Text 1: "Carbon taxes = efficient (evidence: Sweden/Canada)."
     • Text 2: "But they hurt low-income households (evidence: France protests)."
   • Focus on direct textual links—don’t infer unsupported opinions.

Want to practice harder variations? For example:

• "Which statement would both authors agree on?"
• "How would Author 1 rebut Author 2’s conclusion?

Answer Key

Passage Pair 1
​Correct Answer: B (Text 2 challenges Text 1’s focus on efficiency by emphasizing equity.)
A) They would agree, since Text 1 cites evidence from Sweden and Canada. [Ignores Text 2’s criticism.]
B) They would argue that efficiency alone ignores the social costs highlighted in Text 2. [Matches Text 2’s critique.]
C) They would dismiss Text 1’s studies as outdated compared to 2023 data. [Misrepresents Text 2’s focus.]
D) They would propose stricter regulations as a better alternative. [Introduces an idea not in Text 2.]

Passage Pair 2
Correct Answer: B (Text 1 would likely acknowledge the concern but emphasize their core argument: AI’s benefits.)
A) It is exaggerated because AI tutors are optional. [Not addressed in Text 1.]
B) It is valid but outweighed by the benefits of personalized learning. [Aligns with Text 1’s prioritization of gains.]
C) It is irrelevant to AI’s role in closing achievement gaps. [Contradicts Text 1’s student-centric focus.]
D) It proves AI tutors should be banned. [Extreme and unsupported.]