READING & WRITING · Command of Evidence (Quantitative)
Researchers at Midland University surveyed 200 high-school students about weekly extracurricular involvement and cumulative GPA. The table below shows the average weekly hours spent and the corresponding average GPA for four activity categories.
| Activity | Hours/Week | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Sports | 5 | 3.4 |
| Music | 4 | 3.2 |
| Art | 3 | 3.0 |
| Debate | 2 | 3.1 |
The data show that students involved in have an average GPA of , which is than the average GPA of students involved in .
READING & WRITING · Transitions
The following text is adapted from a 2020 study on urban ecology by the Smithsonian Institution.
Concrete surfaces absorb and retain heat from sunlight, creating "urban heat islands" that elevate temperatures in cities by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit compared to rural areas. This phenomenon disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods, which often lack shade-providing trees. regulations now mandate the inclusion of green spaces in new developments.
READING & WRITING · Form, Structure, and Sense
The river, silvered by moonlight, ancient secrets to the stones, and the wind curled around the birches, urging them to sway in quiet reverence.
READING & WRITING · Command of Evidence (Quantitative)
The following table lists the average temperatures (in degrees Celsius) recorded in City A and City B over a week:
| Day | City A | City B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 22 |
| 2 | 21 | 23 |
| 3 | 22 | 24 |
| 4 | 21 | 23 |
| 5 | 20 | 22 |
| 6 | 22 | 24 |
| 7 | 21 | 23 |
City B was consistently hotter than City A throughout the week.
READING & WRITING · Transitions
A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Science examined the projected impact of rising temperatures on coastal flood risks. The researchers used climate models to simulate sea-level rise scenarios under different greenhouse gas emission pathways. Their findings indicate that a 2 degrees Celsius increase could raise sea levels by up to 0.5 meters, potentially displacing thousands of residents. the study also recommends that coastal municipalities invest in resilient infrastructure to mitigate future risks.
READING & WRITING · Rhetorical Synthesis
A recent study by Dr. Maya Patel at the Oceanic Research Institute examined coral reef health across the Pacific. The researchers measured sea surface temperatures, recorded bleaching incidence, and evaluated current mitigation efforts. Their data show a 30% rise in bleaching events since 1990, a strong correlation between a 1.2 degrees Celsius temperature increase and bleaching, and a model predicting 40% reef loss by 2050 if trends continue.
READING & WRITING · Command of Evidence (Quantitative)
The following table lists the average temperatures (in degrees Celsius) recorded in City A and City B over a week:
| Day | City A | City B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | 22 |
| 2 | 21 | 23 |
| 3 | 22 | 24 |
| 4 | 21 | 23 |
| 5 | 20 | 22 |
| 6 | 22 | 24 |
| 7 | 21 | 23 |
City B was consistently hotter than City A throughout the week.
READING & WRITING · Command of Evidence (Quantitative)
The following table shows the mean resting heart rate (bpm) measured in participants after consuming various caffeine doses in a controlled experiment.
| Caffeine (mg) | Mean Resting HR (bpm) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 70 |
| 50 | 73 |
| 100 | 78 |
| 150 | 82 |
| 200 | 87 |
The study suggests that higher caffeine intake is associated with higher resting heart rates.
MATH · Equivalent expressions
READING & WRITING · Central Ideas and Details
The rapid expansion of cities has turned many urban neighborhoods into so-called heat islands. In these areas, the abundance of dark asphalt, concrete, and limited vegetation traps solar radiation, raising surface temperatures by up to 12 degrees Celsius (22 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to surrounding countryside. Residents report higher indoor temperatures, increased energy use for cooling, and a greater risk of heat-related illnesses. Scientists recommend planting trees, installing green roofs, and using lighter-colored materials to mitigate the effect.
MATH · One-variable data
| City | Average temperature (degrees Celsius) |
|---|---|
| San Diego | 18.5 |
| Dallas | 20.3 |
| New Orleans | 21.2 |
| Miami | 24.7 |
| Houston | 26.1 |
MATH · One-variable data
| Value | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 10 | 2 |
| 12 | 1 |
| 14 | 3 |
| 16 | 4 |
| 18 | 2 |