Text 1Educational researcher Dr. Maria Santos conducted a comprehensive study on homework policies across multiple elementary schools. Santos discover...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Educational researcher Dr. Maria Santos conducted a comprehensive study on homework policies across multiple elementary schools. Santos discovered that schools implementing mandatory daily homework requirements consistently showed significant improvements in standardized test scores and overall academic performance. She argues that required homework ensures regular practice and reinforces classroom instruction, ultimately producing better learning outcomes for the entire student body.
Text 2
Learning specialists Dr. Chen and Dr. Rodriguez examined how elementary students actually complete mandatory homework assignments. Their research revealed that when young learners face required daily homework, many rush through assignments without genuine engagement or deep thinking. The specialists found that this hurried completion often fails to produce meaningful learning and may not accurately reflect students' true understanding of the material.
Based on the texts, how would Chen and Rodriguez (Text 2) most likely respond to the research discussed in Text 1?
Schools that require daily homework do not necessarily achieve better learning outcomes for the entire student body.
Elementary students need additional time and support to complete homework assignments effectively.
Homework policies should be tailored to individual student developmental levels and learning styles.
Teachers must provide clearer instructions and expectations for homework completion.
I'll solve this SAT Cross-Text Connections question following the systematic process.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Text 1: "Educational researcher Dr. Maria Santos conducted a comprehensive study on homework policies across multiple elementary schools." |
|
| "Santos discovered that schools implementing mandatory daily homework requirements consistently showed significant improvements in standardized test scores and overall academic performance." |
|
| "She argues that required homework ensures regular practice and reinforces classroom instruction, ultimately producing better learning outcomes for the entire student body." |
|
| Text 2: "Learning specialists Dr. Chen and Dr. Rodriguez examined how elementary students actually complete mandatory homework assignments." |
|
| "Their research revealed that when young learners face required daily homework, many rush through assignments without genuine engagement or deep thinking." |
|
| "The specialists found that this hurried completion often fails to produce meaningful learning and may not accurately reflect students' true understanding of the material." |
|
Main Point: Two research perspectives on mandatory homework present conflicting views—Santos found it improves academic performance while Chen and Rodriguez discovered the actual completion process undermines meaningful learning.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Chen and Rodriguez discovered that when students face mandatory homework, they rush through without genuine engagement, and this hurried completion fails to produce meaningful learning
- Santos found that mandatory homework leads to better test scores and academic performance, arguing it produces better learning outcomes
- Chen and Rodriguez would likely challenge Santos's conclusion by pointing out that their research shows the actual process undermines the quality of learning
- Even if test scores improve (Santos's finding), the way students complete the work suggests the learning isn't actually meaningful or deep
- So the right answer should express doubt or disagreement with Santos's conclusion that mandatory homework produces better learning outcomes, based on Chen and Rodriguez's findings about how students actually engage with the work
Schools that require daily homework do not necessarily achieve better learning outcomes for the entire student body.
✓ Correct
- This directly challenges Santos's conclusion by questioning whether better test scores actually translate to better learning outcomes
- Aligns perfectly with Chen and Rodriguez's findings that rushed, disengaged completion doesn't produce meaningful learning
Elementary students need additional time and support to complete homework assignments effectively.
✗ Incorrect
- This focuses on providing solutions (more time and support) rather than challenging Santos's conclusions
- Chen and Rodriguez's research was descriptive about what happens, not prescriptive about solutions
Homework policies should be tailored to individual student developmental levels and learning styles.
✗ Incorrect
- Again focuses on policy solutions (tailored approaches) rather than responding to Santos's research claims
- Chen and Rodriguez would more likely challenge Santos's interpretation before suggesting alternatives
Teachers must provide clearer instructions and expectations for homework completion.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the solution is better teacher instructions, missing the deeper issue Chen and Rodriguez identified
- Doesn't challenge Santos's fundamental conclusion about learning outcomes