The author supports this statement by pointing out that the response area) number of students in the two districts may be (response area) different.
Numbers Don’t Lie--Or Do They?
1
When companies want to market products, they often use numbers in their campaigns. Statements that include numbers tend to sound like "cold, hard facts," while those that do not are more likely to be viewed as opinions or unproven claims. Consider the following two statements about a new brand of toothpaste: 1) We think you’ll agree the minty taste is great. 2) Three out of every four people surveyed said they enjoyed the fresh minty taste. The second seems more compelling, probably because there is a popular notion that “numbers don’t lie.”
2
Yet statistics—information presented in number form—are notorious for telling some of the biggest falsehoods and half-truths of all. Depending on how statistics are presented, they can cause people to reach incorrect conclusions and develop mistaken ideas about an issue. Advertisers can use them to convince consumers to seek out products that may be unnecessary or ineffective. Politicians can use them to make government programs seem more successful than they really are. Doubtful that numbers can be so deceptive? A look at a few claims shows that numbers—and statements based on them—aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.
Claim #1: “The Evergreen school district has basketball fever! Data shows there are twice as many basketball players here than in South Pines.”
3
Evergreen students must love hitting the courts, much more so than the students of South Pines, right? While this is a reasonable conclusion to make after reading the claim, it may be totally wrong. Ignoring the size of populations is one way that people can use statistics to mislead. The claim above doesn’t seem all that impressive if the Evergreen school district has 5,000 students and the South Pines district only has 500. A district with many more students would logically have more student athletes, including basketball players. Further, if the Evergreen district has 10 times the number of students but only twice as many players, basketball would actually be more popular among the students of South Pines.
Claim #2: “Our basketball DVD now available in stores will help players improve their game. Local athlete Cindy Penny scored 100 percent more baskets in an all-star match after just one hour of practicing our revolutionary shooting technique.”
4
What’s the secret revealed in the DVD? Perhaps it’s a new way of planting your feet or holding your arms when you take a shot. Or, quite possibly, there’s really nothing novel revealed in the video. If that’s true, how could someone score so many more baskets after just a single hour of training? The truth lies in the numbers that were used to arrive at the "100 percent more" figure, which means twice as many. Cindy Penny may have scored just one basket a game before she practiced the “revolutionary technique.” To score 100 percent more baskets during that all-star match, she only had to sink two shots. The claim is technically truthful, but it uses extraordinary-sounding percentages that are based on comparatively unimpressive numbers.
Claim #3: “More people are coming out to cheer on student athletes in 2013. Compared to 2012, attendance at weekly basketball games is up a whopping 30%!”
5
Events that took place between 2012 and 2013 might easily explain this seemingly drastic increase in school spirit. A new community arena that holds more fans might have opened in 2013, for example. It’s possible that the old gymnasium just couldn’t pack in as many spectators. In this case, the claim isn’t an outright falsehood, but it does conveniently omit facts that could easily explain the change in attendance. A company might use a somewhat similar technique to paint an overly positive picture to potential investors. Comparing profits during a year in which sales were especially weak to the most recent year’s profits could make it appear as though the company is experiencing tremendous growth. In reality, though, sales may only be up slightly—or not at all—compared to a typical year.
6
With a little know-how, people can avoid being swindled by statistics. Always look at the context in which numbers are being used and consider whether important information is being left out. Claims might not actually be as remarkable as they seem at first glance. Consider the purpose of statistics. Are they being used to convince people to buy something, do something, or think a certain way? If so, view them with a healthy dose of skepticism. They might not be telling the whole truth.
Read this sentence from paragraph 3.
While this is a reasonable conclusion to make after reading the claim, it may be totally wrong.
Drag the set of words that best completes the sentence.
The author supports this statement by pointing out that the response area) in the two districts may be (response area).
responses
number of students
interest in basketball
student ability
number of basketball players
similar
different
11 answers
Numbers Don’t Lie--Or Do They?
1
When companies want to market products, they often use numbers in their campaigns. Statements that include numbers tend to sound like "cold, hard facts," while those that do not are more likely to be viewed as opinions or unproven claims. Consider the following two statements about a new brand of toothpaste: 1) We think you’ll agree the minty taste is great. 2) Three out of every four people surveyed said they enjoyed the fresh minty taste. The second seems more compelling, probably because there is a popular notion that “numbers don’t lie.”
2
Yet statistics—information presented in number form—are notorious for telling some of the biggest falsehoods and half-truths of all. Depending on how statistics are presented, they can cause people to reach incorrect conclusions and develop mistaken ideas about an issue. Advertisers can use them to convince consumers to seek out products that may be unnecessary or ineffective. Politicians can use them to make government programs seem more successful than they really are. Doubtful that numbers can be so deceptive? A look at a few claims shows that numbers—and statements based on them—aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.
Claim #1: “The Evergreen school district has basketball fever! Data shows there are twice as many basketball players here than in South Pines.”
3
Evergreen students must love hitting the courts, much more so than the students of South Pines, right? While this is a reasonable conclusion to make after reading the claim, it may be totally wrong. Ignoring the size of populations is one way that people can use statistics to mislead. The claim above doesn’t seem all that impressive if the Evergreen school district has 5,000 students and the South Pines district only has 500. A district with many more students would logically have more student athletes, including basketball players. Further, if the Evergreen district has 10 times the number of students but only twice as many players, basketball would actually be more popular among the students of South Pines.
Claim #2: “Our basketball DVD now available in stores will help players improve their game. Local athlete Cindy Penny scored 100 percent more baskets in an all-star match after just one hour of practicing our revolutionary shooting technique.”
4
What’s the secret revealed in the DVD? Perhaps it’s a new way of planting your feet or holding your arms when you take a shot. Or, quite possibly, there’s really nothing novel revealed in the video. If that’s true, how could someone score so many more baskets after just a single hour of training? The truth lies in the numbers that were used to arrive at the "100 percent more" figure, which means twice as many. Cindy Penny may have scored just one basket a game before she practiced the “revolutionary technique.” To score 100 percent more baskets during that all-star match, she only had to sink two shots. The claim is technically truthful, but it uses extraordinary-sounding percentages that are based on comparatively unimpressive numbers.
Claim #3: “More people are coming out to cheer on student athletes in 2013. Compared to 2012, attendance at weekly basketball games is up a whopping 30%!”
5
Events that took place between 2012 and 2013 might easily explain this seemingly drastic increase in school spirit. A new community arena that holds more fans might have opened in 2013, for example. It’s possible that the old gymnasium just couldn’t pack in as many spectators. In this case, the claim isn’t an outright falsehood, but it does conveniently omit facts that could easily explain the change in attendance. A company might use a somewhat similar technique to paint an overly positive picture to potential investors. Comparing profits during a year in which sales were especially weak to the most recent year’s profits could make it appear as though the company is experiencing tremendous growth. In reality, though, sales may only be up slightly—or not at all—compared to a typical year.
6
With a little know-how, people can avoid being swindled by statistics. Always look at the context in which numbers are being used and consider whether important information is being left out. Claims might not actually be as remarkable as they seem at first glance. Consider the purpose of statistics. Are they being used to convince people to buy something, do something, or think a certain way? If so, view them with a healthy dose of skepticism. They might not be telling the whole truth.
Inline Dropdown Question
Choose the set of words from each drop-down menu that best completes the sentence.
The inference that some statistics may be more misleading when (Query 1)
numbers are compared is supported by the ideas in (Query 2)
1 responses
smaller
similar
unrelated
larger
2 responses
paragraph 1
paragraph 4
paragraph 6
paragraph 8
1
When companies want to market products, they often use numbers in their campaigns. Statements that include numbers tend to sound like "cold, hard facts," while those that do not are more likely to be viewed as opinions or unproven claims. Consider the following two statements about a new brand of toothpaste: 1) We think you’ll agree the minty taste is great. 2) Three out of every four people surveyed said they enjoyed the fresh minty taste. The second seems more compelling, probably because there is a popular notion that “numbers don’t lie.”
2
Yet statistics—information presented in number form—are notorious for telling some of the biggest falsehoods and half-truths of all. Depending on how statistics are presented, they can cause people to reach incorrect conclusions and develop mistaken ideas about an issue. Advertisers can use them to convince consumers to seek out products that may be unnecessary or ineffective. Politicians can use them to make government programs seem more successful than they really are. Doubtful that numbers can be so deceptive? A look at a few claims shows that numbers—and statements based on them—aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.
Claim #1: “The Evergreen school district has basketball fever! Data shows there are twice as many basketball players here than in South Pines.”
3
Evergreen students must love hitting the courts, much more so than the students of South Pines, right? While this is a reasonable conclusion to make after reading the claim, it may be totally wrong. Ignoring the size of populations is one way that people can use statistics to mislead. The claim above doesn’t seem all that impressive if the Evergreen school district has 5,000 students and the South Pines district only has 500. A district with many more students would logically have more student athletes, including basketball players. Further, if the Evergreen district has 10 times the number of students but only twice as many players, basketball would actually be more popular among the students of South Pines.
Claim #2: “Our basketball DVD now available in stores will help players improve their game. Local athlete Cindy Penny scored 100 percent more baskets in an all-star match after just one hour of practicing our revolutionary shooting technique.”
4
What’s the secret revealed in the DVD? Perhaps it’s a new way of planting your feet or holding your arms when you take a shot. Or, quite possibly, there’s really nothing novel revealed in the video. If that’s true, how could someone score so many more baskets after just a single hour of training? The truth lies in the numbers that were used to arrive at the "100 percent more" figure, which means twice as many. Cindy Penny may have scored just one basket a game before she practiced the “revolutionary technique.” To score 100 percent more baskets during that all-star match, she only had to sink two shots. The claim is technically truthful, but it uses extraordinary-sounding percentages that are based on comparatively unimpressive numbers.
Claim #3: “More people are coming out to cheer on student athletes in 2013. Compared to 2012, attendance at weekly basketball games is up a whopping 30%!”
5
Events that took place between 2012 and 2013 might easily explain this seemingly drastic increase in school spirit. A new community arena that holds more fans might have opened in 2013, for example. It’s possible that the old gymnasium just couldn’t pack in as many spectators. In this case, the claim isn’t an outright falsehood, but it does conveniently omit facts that could easily explain the change in attendance. A company might use a somewhat similar technique to paint an overly positive picture to potential investors. Comparing profits during a year in which sales were especially weak to the most recent year’s profits could make it appear as though the company is experiencing tremendous growth. In reality, though, sales may only be up slightly—or not at all—compared to a typical year.
6
With a little know-how, people can avoid being swindled by statistics. Always look at the context in which numbers are being used and consider whether important information is being left out. Claims might not actually be as remarkable as they seem at first glance. Consider the purpose of statistics. Are they being used to convince people to buy something, do something, or think a certain way? If so, view them with a healthy dose of skepticism. They might not be telling the whole truth.
Inline Dropdown Question
Choose the set of words from each drop-down menu that best completes the sentence.
The inference that some statistics may be more misleading when (Query 1)
numbers are compared is supported by the ideas in (Query 2)
1 responses
smaller
similar
unrelated
larger
2 responses
paragraph 1
paragraph 4
paragraph 6
paragraph 8
The inference that some statistics may be more misleading when (Query 1) larger numbers are compared is supported by the ideas in (Query 2) paragraph 4.
Traditional and Rooftop Gardens
1
One might think of a typical garden as set in a plot of land, surrounded by plenty of sunny green space. However, the locations of modern gardens have expanded to include porches, balconies, and even rooftops. City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening. Although traditional and rooftop gardens offer similar benefits, they differ in many respects.
2
Traditional gardens are usually dug in the ground, but there is no soil on the tops of roofs. Rooftop gardeners have to be creative and careful when designing their gardens. One simple solution is to put plants in containers. Pots, milk crates, and wooden boxes work well, but they are also limiting. Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows. Over the years, people have tried putting layers of soil down on rooftops. The weight of the soil and the poor drainage led to leaky and unstable apartment ceilings. Today, gardeners know that waterproofing and supporting a roof, as well as designing a drainage system, can solve these problems.
3
Other differences between rooftop and traditional gardening are sun and wind. Both of these tend to be more extreme on rooftop gardens. After a good rain, rooftop gardens dry out quickly. The solution to this is mulching and watering. Trying to prevent the wind from blowing plants and soil is a little trickier. Other than building structures around their gardens, gardeners can do little to solve this problem.
4
Rooftop gardeners are faced with many challenges; however, they do have some advantages over traditional gardeners. In traditional gardens, gardeners have to contend with pests such as deer and rabbits. Rooftop gardens are safe from these pests. Another advantage to rooftop gardening is a longer growing season. In the spring, rooftops are drier than the ground and have warmer temperatures. This allows city gardeners to start gardening a few weeks earlier than gardeners in surrounding areas.
5
Individuals are not the only urban dwellers who realize the gains from going green. City planners have jumped on the bandwagon as well. In recent years, several cities have begun promoting the installation of “green roofs,” which are roofs with plants on them to help promote energy efficiency. Rooftop gardens can keep buildings cooler, save energy, extend the useful life of the roof, and add beauty and useable space.
6
Chicago is one of the cities taking advantage of the benefits of green roofs. In 2001, a green roof was installed on Chicago’s City Hall. The project contributed to $5,000 in annual energy cost savings. It also improved air quality and reduced stormwater runoff. Today, Chicago has over 400 green roof projects in various stages of development.
7
People living in cities, suburbs, and rural areas recognize their own unique struggles with maintaining healthy and productive gardens. Although problems and solutions vary depending upon where a garden is, people everywhere reap benefits and enjoyment from their gardens!
Multiple Choice Question
Which is an advantage of rooftop gardens over traditional gardens?
A.
better drainage
B.
fewer pests
C.
more soil in which plants can spread out
D.
cooler growing season
1
One might think of a typical garden as set in a plot of land, surrounded by plenty of sunny green space. However, the locations of modern gardens have expanded to include porches, balconies, and even rooftops. City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening. Although traditional and rooftop gardens offer similar benefits, they differ in many respects.
2
Traditional gardens are usually dug in the ground, but there is no soil on the tops of roofs. Rooftop gardeners have to be creative and careful when designing their gardens. One simple solution is to put plants in containers. Pots, milk crates, and wooden boxes work well, but they are also limiting. Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows. Over the years, people have tried putting layers of soil down on rooftops. The weight of the soil and the poor drainage led to leaky and unstable apartment ceilings. Today, gardeners know that waterproofing and supporting a roof, as well as designing a drainage system, can solve these problems.
3
Other differences between rooftop and traditional gardening are sun and wind. Both of these tend to be more extreme on rooftop gardens. After a good rain, rooftop gardens dry out quickly. The solution to this is mulching and watering. Trying to prevent the wind from blowing plants and soil is a little trickier. Other than building structures around their gardens, gardeners can do little to solve this problem.
4
Rooftop gardeners are faced with many challenges; however, they do have some advantages over traditional gardeners. In traditional gardens, gardeners have to contend with pests such as deer and rabbits. Rooftop gardens are safe from these pests. Another advantage to rooftop gardening is a longer growing season. In the spring, rooftops are drier than the ground and have warmer temperatures. This allows city gardeners to start gardening a few weeks earlier than gardeners in surrounding areas.
5
Individuals are not the only urban dwellers who realize the gains from going green. City planners have jumped on the bandwagon as well. In recent years, several cities have begun promoting the installation of “green roofs,” which are roofs with plants on them to help promote energy efficiency. Rooftop gardens can keep buildings cooler, save energy, extend the useful life of the roof, and add beauty and useable space.
6
Chicago is one of the cities taking advantage of the benefits of green roofs. In 2001, a green roof was installed on Chicago’s City Hall. The project contributed to $5,000 in annual energy cost savings. It also improved air quality and reduced stormwater runoff. Today, Chicago has over 400 green roof projects in various stages of development.
7
People living in cities, suburbs, and rural areas recognize their own unique struggles with maintaining healthy and productive gardens. Although problems and solutions vary depending upon where a garden is, people everywhere reap benefits and enjoyment from their gardens!
Multiple Choice Question
Which is an advantage of rooftop gardens over traditional gardens?
A.
better drainage
B.
fewer pests
C.
more soil in which plants can spread out
D.
cooler growing season
The correct answer is:
B. fewer pests
Rooftop gardens are safe from pests such as deer and rabbits, which are common challenges faced by traditional gardeners.
Traditional and Rooftop Gardens
1
One might think of a typical garden as set in a plot of land, surrounded by plenty of sunny green space. However, the locations of modern gardens have expanded to include porches, balconies, and even rooftops. City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening. Although traditional and rooftop gardens offer similar benefits, they differ in many respects.
2
Traditional gardens are usually dug in the ground, but there is no soil on the tops of roofs. Rooftop gardeners have to be creative and careful when designing their gardens. One simple solution is to put plants in containers. Pots, milk crates, and wooden boxes work well, but they are also limiting. Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows. Over the years, people have tried putting layers of soil down on rooftops. The weight of the soil and the poor drainage led to leaky and unstable apartment ceilings. Today, gardeners know that waterproofing and supporting a roof, as well as designing a drainage system, can solve these problems.
3
Other differences between rooftop and traditional gardening are sun and wind. Both of these tend to be more extreme on rooftop gardens. After a good rain, rooftop gardens dry out quickly. The solution to this is mulching and watering. Trying to prevent the wind from blowing plants and soil is a little trickier. Other than building structures around their gardens, gardeners can do little to solve this problem.
4
Rooftop gardeners are faced with many challenges; however, they do have some advantages over traditional gardeners. In traditional gardens, gardeners have to contend with pests such as deer and rabbits. Rooftop gardens are safe from these pests. Another advantage to rooftop gardening is a longer growing season. In the spring, rooftops are drier than the ground and have warmer temperatures. This allows city gardeners to start gardening a few weeks earlier than gardeners in surrounding areas.
5
Individuals are not the only urban dwellers who realize the gains from going green. City planners have jumped on the bandwagon as well. In recent years, several cities have begun promoting the installation of “green roofs,” which are roofs with plants on them to help promote energy efficiency. Rooftop gardens can keep buildings cooler, save energy, extend the useful life of the roof, and add beauty and useable space.
6
Chicago is one of the cities taking advantage of the benefits of green roofs. In 2001, a green roof was installed on Chicago’s City Hall. The project contributed to $5,000 in annual energy cost savings. It also improved air quality and reduced stormwater runoff. Today, Chicago has over 400 green roof projects in various stages of development.
7
People living in cities, suburbs, and rural areas recognize their own unique struggles with maintaining healthy and productive gardens. Although problems and solutions vary depending upon where a garden is, people everywhere reap benefits and enjoyment from their gardens!
Multiple Choice Question
Which sentence from the text shows a drawback to all types of rooftop gardens?
A.
City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening.
B.
Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows.
C.
After a good rain, rooftop gardens tend to dry out quickly.
D.
In the spring, rooftops are dryer than the ground and have warmer temperatures.
1
One might think of a typical garden as set in a plot of land, surrounded by plenty of sunny green space. However, the locations of modern gardens have expanded to include porches, balconies, and even rooftops. City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening. Although traditional and rooftop gardens offer similar benefits, they differ in many respects.
2
Traditional gardens are usually dug in the ground, but there is no soil on the tops of roofs. Rooftop gardeners have to be creative and careful when designing their gardens. One simple solution is to put plants in containers. Pots, milk crates, and wooden boxes work well, but they are also limiting. Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows. Over the years, people have tried putting layers of soil down on rooftops. The weight of the soil and the poor drainage led to leaky and unstable apartment ceilings. Today, gardeners know that waterproofing and supporting a roof, as well as designing a drainage system, can solve these problems.
3
Other differences between rooftop and traditional gardening are sun and wind. Both of these tend to be more extreme on rooftop gardens. After a good rain, rooftop gardens dry out quickly. The solution to this is mulching and watering. Trying to prevent the wind from blowing plants and soil is a little trickier. Other than building structures around their gardens, gardeners can do little to solve this problem.
4
Rooftop gardeners are faced with many challenges; however, they do have some advantages over traditional gardeners. In traditional gardens, gardeners have to contend with pests such as deer and rabbits. Rooftop gardens are safe from these pests. Another advantage to rooftop gardening is a longer growing season. In the spring, rooftops are drier than the ground and have warmer temperatures. This allows city gardeners to start gardening a few weeks earlier than gardeners in surrounding areas.
5
Individuals are not the only urban dwellers who realize the gains from going green. City planners have jumped on the bandwagon as well. In recent years, several cities have begun promoting the installation of “green roofs,” which are roofs with plants on them to help promote energy efficiency. Rooftop gardens can keep buildings cooler, save energy, extend the useful life of the roof, and add beauty and useable space.
6
Chicago is one of the cities taking advantage of the benefits of green roofs. In 2001, a green roof was installed on Chicago’s City Hall. The project contributed to $5,000 in annual energy cost savings. It also improved air quality and reduced stormwater runoff. Today, Chicago has over 400 green roof projects in various stages of development.
7
People living in cities, suburbs, and rural areas recognize their own unique struggles with maintaining healthy and productive gardens. Although problems and solutions vary depending upon where a garden is, people everywhere reap benefits and enjoyment from their gardens!
Multiple Choice Question
Which sentence from the text shows a drawback to all types of rooftop gardens?
A.
City dwellers do not allow their lack of green space to deter them from gardening.
B.
Some plants need more space to spread out than what a container allows.
C.
After a good rain, rooftop gardens tend to dry out quickly.
D.
In the spring, rooftops are dryer than the ground and have warmer temperatures.
The correct answer is:
C. After a good rain, rooftop gardens tend to dry out quickly.
This sentence highlights a drawback of rooftop gardens, indicating a challenge that such gardens face compared to traditional gardens.
Multiple Choice Question
What is the correct meaning of the underlined portion of the sentence below?
Though the dog's life had been difficult, he was like a ray of sunlight in the Strauss family.
A.
The dog's coat is probably a light color.
B.
The dog is most likely a golden retriever.
C.
The dog is probably a high jumper and a fast runner.
D.
The dog is most likely very good–natured and happy.
What is the correct meaning of the underlined portion of the sentence below?
Though the dog's life had been difficult, he was like a ray of sunlight in the Strauss family.
A.
The dog's coat is probably a light color.
B.
The dog is most likely a golden retriever.
C.
The dog is probably a high jumper and a fast runner.
D.
The dog is most likely very good–natured and happy.
The correct answer is:
D. The dog is most likely very good-natured and happy.
The phrase "like a ray of sunlight" suggests that the dog brings joy, warmth, and positivity to the Strauss family despite having a difficult life.
Multiple Choice Question
Below is an excerpt from an informational essay that a student wrote.
Based on a recent study, school lunches have been shown to be an important factor for students in schools. Students that eat a healthy lunch perform better on high stakes tests and are reportedly healthier and happier. Furthermore, good nutrition is important for children in the developmental process. So really, it's pretty obvious how important it is to make school lunches number one!
Which of the following is the best way to revise the underlined sentence for appropriate language while maintaining the same meaning?
A.
Really, it is pretty obvious how badly we need to do something with lunches.
B.
In conclusion, it is important that schools prioritize nutrition in order to maximize the benefits to children.
C.
We need to do something, because obviously we need better lunches badly.
D.
Students perform better at a statistically significant level when they are provided with something to eat.
Below is an excerpt from an informational essay that a student wrote.
Based on a recent study, school lunches have been shown to be an important factor for students in schools. Students that eat a healthy lunch perform better on high stakes tests and are reportedly healthier and happier. Furthermore, good nutrition is important for children in the developmental process. So really, it's pretty obvious how important it is to make school lunches number one!
Which of the following is the best way to revise the underlined sentence for appropriate language while maintaining the same meaning?
A.
Really, it is pretty obvious how badly we need to do something with lunches.
B.
In conclusion, it is important that schools prioritize nutrition in order to maximize the benefits to children.
C.
We need to do something, because obviously we need better lunches badly.
D.
Students perform better at a statistically significant level when they are provided with something to eat.
The best way to revise the underlined sentence for appropriate language while maintaining the same meaning is:
B. In conclusion, it is important that schools prioritize nutrition in order to maximize the benefits to children.
This option conveys the same message with a more formal and appropriate tone, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing nutrition in school lunches.