Write Paragraphs With Claim and Evidence Practice Test

Read the student essay excerpt below and answer the question.

Scenario: A school district is debating whether to replace most printed textbooks with digital ones. The district estimates it could save $120,000 over five years on replacement costs, but a parent group cites studies linking heavy screen time to sleep problems. A pilot program found that 54% of students preferred digital for searching terms quickly, while 46% preferred print for focusing.

Student essay paragraph:

Digital textbooks are becoming common, and students use devices for many parts of school already. The district estimates it could save $120,000 over five years on replacement costs. In the pilot program, 54% of students preferred digital because they could search terms quickly, while 46% preferred print because it helped them focus. Some teachers liked being able to assign hyperlinks and videos, and others said students got distracted by notifications. Parents also worry about screen time and sleep.

Question: Which sentence would most effectively introduce the claim of this paragraph?

Read the student essay excerpt below and answer the question.

Scenario: A city is considering converting one traffic lane downtown into a protected bike lane. A transportation department memo estimates the change would reduce car capacity on that street by 12% during rush hour but could increase bike commuting by 20–30% based on similar projects. A local business association worries about reduced parking and delivery access.

Student essay:

Downtown streets should prioritize the safest and most space-efficient ways to move people, not just the loudest ones. Protected bike lanes reduce crashes by separating cyclists from cars, and they make biking feel possible for people who are not “hardcore” riders. When a street is designed only for drivers, everyone else is treated like an afterthought.

The transportation department estimates car capacity would drop by 12% at rush hour, and similar projects increased bike commuting by 20–30%. Businesses worry about parking and deliveries. Some cities schedule deliveries in the morning and reserve curb space for loading zones. Other places add bike racks and wayfinding signs to encourage shoppers to stop. The memo also mentions that emergency vehicle access can be maintained with flexible barriers.

Even if drivers face a few extra minutes, the city gains a safer, healthier downtown.

Question: Which revision of the bolded sentence would best establish a clear claim for this paragraph?