In comparing two related passages, which criterion is most important?

In comparing two related passages, which criterion is most important?

• A. The length of each passage.
• B. The publication dates.
• C. The authors’ nationalities.
• D. Whether the passages present similar/contrasting claims and the supporting evidence.

Answer: (D)

When you compare two related passages, focus on how their claims relate and what evidence backs them. The important idea is to see whether the passages argue similar points or opposing ones, and to assess the quality and relevance of the evidence each uses to support its conclusions. This helps you understand how firmly the passages agree or disagree and where the strengths or gaps in each argument lie. To get this clearly, identify the main claim of each passage, note the reasons given, and look at the kinds of evidence used—data, examples, expert testimony, statistics, etc. Then ask whether the evidence in one passage corroborates or challenges the other, or whether there are nuances that shift the meaning when considered together. Length, publication dates, or authors’ nationalities don’t determine how the arguments relate. Length doesn’t measure persuasiveness, dates are about context, and nationality is generally unrelated to the logical relationship between claims and evidence. The focus should stay on how the ideas line up and what the supporting evidence shows across the passages.

When you compare two related passages, focus on how their claims relate and what evidence backs them. The important idea is to see whether the passages argue similar points or opposing ones, and to assess the quality and relevance of the evidence each uses to support its conclusions. This helps you understand how firmly the passages agree or disagree and where the strengths or gaps in each argument lie.

To get this clearly, identify the main claim of each passage, note the reasons given, and look at the kinds of evidence used—data, examples, expert testimony, statistics, etc. Then ask whether the evidence in one passage corroborates or challenges the other, or whether there are nuances that shift the meaning when considered together.

Length, publication dates, or authors’ nationalities don’t determine how the arguments relate. Length doesn’t measure persuasiveness, dates are about context, and nationality is generally unrelated to the logical relationship between claims and evidence. The focus should stay on how the ideas line up and what the supporting evidence shows across the passages.