Refer to You Should Meet Katherine Johnson for a complete version of this text.

Question

Read this sentence from You Should Meet Katherine Johnson:

Katherine’s love of math led her to help make history for the space program, for women’s rights, and for racial equality.

Now read this sentence from “Mathematician Katherine Johnson at Work”:

Johnson became known for her training in geometry, her leadership, and her inquisitive nature; she was the only woman at the time to be pulled from the computing pool to work with engineers on other programs.

Which response most accurately represents the viewpoints of the authors?

Responses

Both authors think that Katherine deserves more credit for the success of the space program.
Both authors think that Katherine deserves more credit for the success of the space program.

Both authors agree that Katherine was a stronger leader than others in her field.
Both authors agree that Katherine was a stronger leader than others in her field.

The first author emphasizes Katherine’s contributions to the space program, while the second author feels she should be recognized as the first woman to work with engineers.
The first author emphasizes Katherine’s contributions to the space program, while the second author feels she should be recognized as the first woman to work with engineers.

The first author feels Katherine’s contributions to science and social justice are equally important, while the second author focuses on her math and leadership skills.
The first author feels Katherine’s contributions to science and social justice are equally important, while the second author focuses on her math and leadership skills.

Answer 1

The response that most accurately represents the viewpoints of the authors is:

The first author feels Katherine’s contributions to science and social justice are equally important, while the second author focuses on her math and leadership skills.

This response accurately captures the emphasis of each author's perspective—while the first author highlights Katherine's contributions to various important social issues, the second author concentrates more on her specific skills and achievements in her professional role.