PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz: Inferences
20 questions · exam conditions
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InferencesQuestion 1 of 20

A student tested whether listening to instrumental music helps with reading comprehension. On days the student listened to music, quiz scores averaged 86%, compared with 82% on silent days. But music days tended to occur on weekends when the student slept more, and the quizzes taken on music days were slightly shorter. When the student compared only quizzes of similar length taken on weekdays, the score difference nearly vanished. The evidence most strongly suggests that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

the higher scores on music days may be explained by other factors, not music itself
instrumental music always improves comprehension because it increases quiz scores in this student
sleeping more causes quizzes to become shorter, which is why weekend scores were higher
silent study is harmful because it produced lower average scores than music did overall
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PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz

PSAT Reading and Writing Quiz: Inferences

Practice Inferences in PSAT Reading and Writing with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Inferences, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for PSAT Reading and Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

A student tested whether listening to instrumental music helps with reading comprehension. On days the student listened to music, quiz scores averaged 86%, compared with 82% on silent days. But music days tended to occur on weekends when the student slept more, and the quizzes taken on music days were slightly shorter. When the student compared only quizzes of similar length taken on weekdays, the score difference nearly vanished. The evidence most strongly suggests that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the higher scores on music days may be explained by other factors, not music itself (correct answer)
  2. instrumental music always improves comprehension because it increases quiz scores in this student
  3. sleeping more causes quizzes to become shorter, which is why weekend scores were higher
  4. silent study is harmful because it produced lower average scores than music did overall
Explanation: The passage uses an evidence-conclusion structure, refining music's effect on scores through comparisons. Music days averaged 86% vs. 82% silent, but were weekends with more sleep and shorter quizzes; similar weekday quizzes erased difference. This traces confounds explaining the gap. Choice A logically infers this, dismissing music as sole cause. Choice B overgeneralizes music's universal benefit, C reverses on sleep and length, and D deems silence harmful without support. Match conditions to isolate variables—apparent effects often stem from unadjusted factors.

Question 2

In a study of two identical greenhouses, researchers watered both sets of tomato plants equally and kept temperature constant. Greenhouse A received full-spectrum light for 12 hours daily, while Greenhouse B received the same intensity but with blue wavelengths reduced. After six weeks, plants in A were 18% taller on average, but fruit yield (total mass) was nearly the same in both greenhouses. Leaf analyses showed higher chlorophyll concentration in A, while soil nutrient levels remained similar. These results most strongly support the idea that the altered light in B  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. reduced plant height without substantially changing total fruit production (correct answer)
  2. increased fruit yield by boosting chlorophyll concentration in the leaves
  3. caused soil nutrients to decline, limiting growth and yield equally
  4. made watering less effective, which explains the lower chlorophyll levels
Explanation: The passage establishes a cause-effect pattern where altered light conditions in Greenhouse B influence plant growth metrics without affecting overall yield. It provides evidence that plants in Greenhouse A, with full-spectrum light, were 18% taller and had higher chlorophyll, yet fruit yield was nearly identical in both, with similar soil nutrients and equal watering and temperature. This suggests the reduced blue light in B impacted height and chlorophyll but not total production. Thus, the correct answer logically concludes that the altered light reduced height without substantially changing fruit production, as the evidence shows equivalent yields despite growth differences. Choice B incorrectly assumes increased yield from chlorophyll, but yields were the same; choice C misattributes nutrient decline, which the passage says remained similar; and choice D reverses the evidence by claiming watering was less effective, unsupported by the equal conditions. In inference questions, distinguish between correlated factors like chlorophyll and height versus the unchanged outcome of yield to avoid overlinking variables.

Question 3

A public library tested two reminder methods for overdue books. For one month, half of patrons received email reminders and half received text-message reminders; patrons were assigned randomly. The text group returned books a median of 2 days sooner, but the text group also had a slightly higher rate of patrons who opted out of reminders entirely (6% vs. 3%). The library's late-fee policy stayed the same, and reminder wording was identical across methods. The best-supported conclusion is that text reminders  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. were more effective at speeding returns, though they prompted more opt-outs (correct answer)
  2. caused patrons to keep books longer because they felt pressured to return them
  3. worked better only because late fees increased during the month of the test
  4. should replace all library communication because they always reduce opt-outs
Explanation: The passage establishes a comparison where reminder method affects return speed and opt-outs. Evidence shows texts led to returns 2 days sooner but 6% opt-outs versus 3% for emails, with identical wording, fees, and random assignment. This suggests texts were faster despite more opt-outs. The correct answer logically infers texts were more effective at speeding returns though prompting more opt-outs, balancing the metrics. Choice B claims texts caused longer keeps, contradicting the faster returns; choice C assumes fee increases, unsupported; and choice D overgeneralizes to replace all communication. Inferences should weigh trade-offs like speed versus opt-outs without dismissing one side.

Question 4

A researcher examined two sets of handwritten letters from the same author: personal letters to friends and formal letters to government officials. The personal letters averaged 12 spelling corrections per 1,000 words, while the formal letters averaged 3 per 1,000 words. The formal letters also contained longer sentences and more specialized vocabulary. Because the author wrote both sets within the same year, changes in education are unlikely to explain the difference. It can most reasonably be inferred that the author  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. edited more carefully when writing in formal contexts than in personal ones (correct answer)
  2. had poorer spelling in formal letters because the vocabulary was specialized
  3. wrote personal letters earlier in life, before learning to spell correctly
  4. could not revise formal letters, which is why they contain fewer corrections
Explanation: The passage builds a pattern where context influences editing in writing. Evidence shows fewer corrections in formal letters (3 per 1,000) versus personal (12), with longer sentences and vocabulary in formal, same year ruling out education changes. This suggests more careful editing in formal contexts. The correct answer follows by inferring greater care in formal writing, logically from the correction disparity. Choice B reverses by claiming poorer spelling in formal; choice C assumes earlier personal letters, but same year; and choice D misstates revision, as fewer corrections imply more editing. Eliminate choices that contradict timelines or patterns in the evidence.

Question 5

A tech support team tracked the effect of a new troubleshooting script on call length. After adopting the script, average call length dropped from 11 minutes to 9 minutes. During the same month, the team also added two experienced agents and began routing simpler issues to phone support instead of chat. Customer satisfaction stayed roughly the same. Given these overlapping changes, the most supported conclusion is that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the new script may have contributed to shorter calls, but other changes could also explain the drop (correct answer)
  2. customer satisfaction stayed the same because the new script made agents less friendly
  3. adding experienced agents necessarily increases call length by encouraging more detailed explanations
  4. routing simpler issues to phone support proves that chat support is always less effective
Explanation: The passage establishes a problem-solution framework with overlapping interventions, assessing a script's impact on call length amid other changes. It notes a drop from 11 to 9 minutes post-script, but concurrent agent additions, issue routing shifts, and stable satisfaction. This evidence highlights multiple factors, making isolated attribution uncertain. Choice A is the logical inference, acknowledging potential script contribution but noting confounds. Choice B assumes the script harmed friendliness without evidence, C overgeneralizes experienced agents as increasing length, and D misinterprets routing as proving chat inferiority. When multiple changes coincide, inferences often conclude effects are multifaceted—avoid attributing outcomes to one element without isolation.

Question 6

A historian compares two coastal towns that relied on cod fishing in the 1800s. Town M diversified into shipbuilding and small manufacturing by 1870, while Town N remained almost entirely dependent on fishing through 1900. When cod catches declined sharply in the 1890s, Town M's population fell by 3%, but Town N's fell by 17%. Both towns had similar access to ports and trade routes, and neither experienced major storms during that decade. These facts most strongly suggest that Town M's earlier diversification  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. helped buffer the town against economic shocks from declining cod catches (correct answer)
  2. caused cod catches to decline earlier in Town M than in Town N
  3. proved that fishing-based economies always collapse when catches fluctuate
  4. was irrelevant because both towns had similar access to ports and trade routes
Explanation: The passage uses a comparison structure to show how economic diversification mitigates impacts from industry decline. Evidence highlights Town M's shift to shipbuilding by 1870, resulting in only a 3% population drop during 1890s cod declines, versus Town N's 17% drop with fishing dependence, under similar access and no storms. This builds to demonstrate diversification's protective effect. The correct answer follows by concluding that M's diversification buffered against economic shocks, logically extending the population stability contrast. Choice B reverses causation, claiming diversification caused cod declines; choice C overgeneralizes to all fishing economies collapsing, but evidence is specific; and choice D dismisses diversification despite the differing outcomes. Watch for overgeneralizations in inferences—evidence from specific cases doesn't prove universal truths.

Question 7

A researcher studied how quickly ice melts on different surfaces. An ice cube on a metal tray melted faster than an identical cube on a wooden board. But the metal tray had been stored in a warm cabinet, while the wooden board was at room temperature, and the metal tray was also thinner. In a repeat test where both surfaces were kept at the same starting temperature, the ice still melted faster on metal. This evidence best supports the conclusion that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. metal likely transfers heat to the ice more effectively than wood does, speeding melting (correct answer)
  2. ice melts faster only because metal trays are always warmer than wooden boards at the start
  3. tray thickness is the sole reason melting differed, since thinner objects always melt ice faster
  4. wood prevents melting entirely if it is kept at room temperature for long enough
Explanation: The passage establishes a cause-effect structure, isolating material's role in melting via controls. Initially, metal melted faster but was warmer and thinner; same-temperature repeat still favored metal. This refines from confounded to controlled, supporting metal's heat transfer. Choice A follows as the necessary conclusion, tying material to speed. Choice B attributes solely to starting warmth despite control, C overgeneralizes thickness as sole reason, and D claims wood prevents melting without evidence. Controls clarify causes—correct inferences rely on them to dismiss confounds.

Question 8

A town tested whether adding a third recycling pickup each month would increase recycling. During the three-month trial, the average weight of recyclables collected rose by 8%. But the town also mailed new sorting guides to all households at the start of the trial, and contamination (nonrecyclables in bins) fell by 12%. Household population and weather patterns were typical for the season. Because two changes occurred at once, the evidence best supports the conclusion that the recycling increase  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. could have resulted from either the extra pickup or the new guides, or both (correct answer)
  2. was caused only by the extra pickup because contamination decreased
  3. proves sorting guides reduce recycling because people become confused by them
  4. must be a measurement error since population and weather were typical
Explanation: The passage uses problem-solution with confounders for recycling increase. Evidence shows 8% more recyclables and 12% less contamination during trial with extra pickup and new guides, typical population and weather. This suggests either or both caused it. The correct answer logically concludes possible influence from either or both, acknowledging simultaneity. Choice B attributes only to pickup, ignoring guides; choice C claims guides reduce recycling; and choice D assumes error without basis. When changes coincide, inferences should note ambiguity rather than sole causation.

Question 9

A historian examined letters from a coastal town across three decades. In the 1890s, writers often described fishing as reliable and mentioned buying new boats. In the 1910s, letters increasingly referenced storms that damaged docks and noted that young adults were leaving for inland factory jobs. By the 1920s, fewer letters mentioned fishing at all, and town records show a sharp decline in registered fishing vessels. Together, these observations suggest that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the town's economy likely shifted away from fishing as storms increased and residents sought other work (correct answer)
  2. storms were the only reason the town's fishing industry declined over the three decades
  3. factory jobs inland became less desirable, causing residents to stop writing letters about fishing
  4. the decline in letters about fishing proves that fishing had never been important to the town
Explanation: The passage uses a pattern-prediction structure, tracking shifts in letters and records to infer economic changes over decades. It describes 1890s letters praising fishing reliability and boat purchases, 1910s mentions of storms and youth leaving for factories, and 1920s decline in fishing references alongside fewer vessels. This evidence builds a timeline of declining fishing amid storms and alternatives, suggesting an economic shift. Choice A follows as the logical conclusion, connecting storms, departures, and decline. Choice B assumes storms were the only cause without excluding other factors, C reverses causation on factory jobs, and D contradicts early evidence of fishing's importance. In historical inferences, link patterns across time—watch for overgeneralizations that ignore multifaceted evidence.

Question 10

A teacher noticed that students who sat near the front of the classroom earned higher grades. To test whether seating location mattered, the teacher randomly assigned seats for a unit and kept the assignments for three weeks. During that period, the grade gap between front and back rows nearly disappeared, although a few students still performed consistently well regardless of where they sat. The best-supported inference is that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the original grade pattern likely reflected student self-selection rather than a strong effect of seat location (correct answer)
  2. sitting in the front row always causes higher grades, but random assignment hid the effect
  3. students who perform well do so only because they sit near the front of the classroom
  4. random seat assignments reduce learning because they prevent students from choosing preferred seats
Explanation: The passage uses an evidence-conclusion structure, testing seating's causal role via randomization. Initially, front seats correlated with higher grades; random assignment nearly erased the gap, with some consistent performers. This refines from correlation to causation test, suggesting self-selection drove patterns. Choice A is the necessary inference, highlighting selection over location. Choice B assumes front always causes gains despite contradiction, C overstates location's necessity, and D claims randomization reduces learning without evidence. In correlation vs. causation questions, randomization reveals true effects—avoid mistaking associations for causes.

Question 11

A school district piloted two bus routes to reduce late arrivals. Route X was shorter in distance but had more stops; Route Y was longer but had fewer stops. Over four weeks, Route X buses arrived late 18% of days, while Route Y buses arrived late 10% of days. However, Route X served a neighborhood with frequent road construction during weeks 2 and 3, and on days without construction, both routes had similar on-time rates. The results most reasonably imply that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. having more stops necessarily causes buses to arrive late more often than longer routes do
  2. road construction likely contributed to Route X's higher lateness rate during the pilot (correct answer)
  3. Route Y is always the better route because it was late on fewer days overall
  4. the district should increase the number of stops on Route Y to match Route X's schedule
Explanation: The passage presents a pattern-prediction framework, evaluating bus routes' lateness while accounting for external disruptions. It compares Route X's 18% lateness (shorter but more stops) to Route Y's 10% (longer but fewer stops), but notes Route X's construction in weeks 2-3, with similar on-time rates sans construction. This traces how construction inflated X's rate, suggesting it's not inherently worse. Choice B is the necessary conclusion, linking construction to the disparity. Choice A overgeneralizes stops as always causing lateness without isolated evidence, C claims Y is always better ignoring construction's role, and D suggests adding stops to Y without support. In questions with temporary factors, isolate their impact—correct answers often highlight how they explain apparent patterns.

Question 12

A historian examined shipping records from a port city over ten years. In years when the city imposed higher docking fees, the number of ships that entered the port declined, but the average cargo per ship increased. Total cargo handled by the port changed little across the decade, even in high-fee years. From this evidence, it can most reasonably be inferred that  .

Which conclusion is best supported by the text?

  1. higher fees may have discouraged smaller shipments while larger ships continued to use the port (correct answer)
  2. higher docking fees caused ships to carry more cargo by increasing ocean currents
  3. the port's total cargo stayed constant because fees have no effect on shipping decisions
  4. the city raised fees only after predicting that cargo per ship would increase
Explanation: The passage establishes an economic pattern where higher fees led to fewer but larger ships, suggesting selective deterrence based on shipment size. The evidence shows that when fees increased, ship numbers declined but cargo per ship increased, with total cargo remaining stable. This pattern indicates that higher fees likely discouraged smaller, less profitable shipments while larger ships (which could spread the fee cost over more cargo) continued operating. Choice B proposes an illogical mechanism where fees affect ocean currents. Choice C contradicts the evidence of changed shipping patterns. Choice D reverses causation, suggesting prediction rather than response to fees. In economic scenarios, when price increases lead to fewer but larger transactions with stable total volume, the logical inference is that smaller participants were priced out while larger ones adapted.

Question 13

A community garden tested whether compost improved plant growth. Beds with compost produced larger lettuce heads on average than beds without compost. However, the compost beds were also planted one week earlier, and gardeners reported watering them more consistently because those beds were closer to the hose. When the garden compared only beds planted on the same day and watered on the same schedule, compost beds still produced slightly larger heads. These observations most strongly suggest that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. compost likely contributes to increased lettuce growth, though planting time and watering also played roles (correct answer)
  2. watering consistency does not affect lettuce growth because compost beds were larger in both comparisons
  3. planting earlier causes compost to form naturally in soil, explaining the larger lettuce heads
  4. compost guarantees larger lettuce heads in every garden bed regardless of other growing conditions
Explanation: The passage sets up a cause-effect reasoning, refining compost's impact on growth through comparisons. Compost beds grew larger lettuce, but were planted earlier and watered more; same-day, same-water beds still slightly favored compost. This traces from confounded to partial controls, supporting compost's role amid others. Choice A logically infers this, acknowledging multiple factors. Choice B dismisses watering despite its influence, C assumes planting causes compost, and D guarantees universal gains without evidence. Progressive controls strengthen inferences—avoid absolutes not fully supported.

Question 14

A wildlife biologist set up camera traps in two forest areas to estimate deer activity. Area 1 had more photos of deer than Area 2, but Area 1 also had twice as many cameras and was monitored for three extra nights due to a battery failure in Area 2. When the biologist compared photos per camera per night, the two areas were nearly identical. The best-supported inference is that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. initial photo totals overstated the difference because effort differed between the two areas (correct answer)
  2. Area 1 has a larger deer population because it produced more deer photos overall
  3. battery failures cause deer to avoid cameras, reducing deer photos in Area 2
  4. camera traps are useless for studying deer because the areas had identical normalized results
Explanation: The passage sets up an evidence-conclusion structure, normalizing data to refine initial photo comparisons of deer activity. It reports more deer photos in Area 1, but with more cameras and monitoring nights due to Area 2's battery issue; normalization showed near-identical rates. This traces from raw to adjusted data, revealing overstated differences. Choice A logically concludes this, emphasizing effort's role in initial totals. Choice B ignores normalization by claiming larger population, C speculates avoidance without evidence, and D dismisses cameras despite useful adjusted results. In data adjustment questions, focus on refined metrics—correct inferences highlight how they correct initial misimpressions.

Question 15

A linguist analyzed recordings of a community's speech across age groups. Older speakers used a particular vowel pronunciation in 78% of instances, middle-aged speakers used it in 52%, and younger speakers used it in 19%. The linguist also found that younger speakers used the pronunciation more often when speaking with grandparents than with friends. These patterns most reasonably indicate that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the vowel pronunciation is likely declining over generations, though it remains in some family contexts (correct answer)
  2. younger speakers cannot produce the vowel pronunciation because they rarely use it with friends
  3. grandparents cause younger speakers to change their pronunciation permanently after each conversation
  4. middle-aged speakers will soon stop using the pronunciation entirely because younger speakers rarely use it
Explanation: The passage sets up a pattern-prediction framework across generations, linking age to vowel use with contextual variations. Older speakers used it 78%, middle-aged 52%, younger 19%, but younger increased with grandparents vs. friends. This traces declining use yet persistence in family, suggesting generational shift. Choice A follows as the logical conclusion, indicating decline with some retention. Choice B assumes inability without evidence, C overstates temporary changes as permanent, and D predicts total stop without support. In usage patterns, consider contexts—avoid absolute claims not backed by trends.

Question 16

A town compared accident rates before and after installing a new traffic light at a busy intersection. In the year after installation, reported accidents decreased by 15%. However, the town also lowered the speed limit on the surrounding road network and ran a safety campaign emphasizing seatbelt use. Notably, accidents at nearby intersections without new lights also decreased, though by a smaller amount. From the evidence, it is most reasonable to infer that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the accident decrease likely reflects both the new light and broader safety measures in the area (correct answer)
  2. the new traffic light alone caused all accident reductions in town, including at other intersections
  3. seatbelt campaigns reduce accidents directly by preventing collisions from occurring
  4. lowering the speed limit increases accidents because drivers pay less attention on slower roads
Explanation: The passage presents a pattern-prediction framework with concurrent safety measures, assessing a light's impact on accidents. Accidents fell 15% post-light, but with speed limits and campaign; nearby intersections also declined less. This suggests broader measures contributed. Choice A is the logical inference, noting combined effects. Choice B overattributes to the light universally, C misreads campaigns as preventing collisions, and D assumes lower speeds increase accidents. When area-wide changes occur, avoid isolating local effects—correct conclusions integrate the broader context.

Question 17

In a greenhouse experiment, tomato plants were grown under either blue-heavy LED light or red-heavy LED light. The blue-heavy group produced shorter plants with thicker stems, while the red-heavy group produced taller plants with thinner stems. Fruit yield, however, differed little between the groups, and temperature and watering were kept identical. A student concludes that red-heavy light is "better" for tomatoes because it makes plants taller. The evidence in the experiment most strongly suggests that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. plant height alone is not sufficient to claim one light type is better for tomato production (correct answer)
  2. red-heavy light increases fruit yield because it increases plant height in tomatoes
  3. blue-heavy light reduces yield because it produces shorter plants with thicker stems
  4. temperature differences must have caused the stem-thickness differences between groups
Explanation: The passage establishes a cause-effect structure by comparing light types' impacts on tomato traits, but it challenges a simplistic conclusion about superiority. It reports blue-heavy light yielding shorter, thicker-stemmed plants and red-heavy producing taller, thinner ones, with similar fruit yields under identical temperature and watering. This evidence shows height differences without yield advantages, undermining height as a sole metric for 'better' production. Choice A follows as the logical inference, emphasizing that height isn't enough to claim superiority given yield parity. Choice B assumes height directly increases yield without support, C reverses to claim blue reduces yield despite evidence against it, and D speculates on temperature causing stem differences without basis. Remember, inferences must stick to provided outcomes—avoid equating one trait like height with overall success unless evidence links them.

Question 18

An energy analyst compared monthly heating use in two similar apartment buildings. Building C installed smart thermostats in every unit; Building D did not. During the first winter after installation, Building C used 11% less heating energy than its own average over the previous three winters, while Building D used 4% less than its own previous-winter average. The analyst also notes that the winter was slightly warmer than usual, affecting both buildings equally. These facts suggest that smart thermostats  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. were associated with additional heating-energy reductions beyond what warmer weather alone explains (correct answer)
  2. caused the winter to be warmer, leading to lower heating use in both buildings
  3. had no effect because both buildings used less heating energy than average
  4. increased heating use in Building C, since smart devices require electricity to run
Explanation: The passage establishes cause-effect where thermostats add savings beyond weather. Evidence shows Building C's 11% less heating versus prior, D's 4% less, warmer winter affecting both. This suggests thermostats provided extra reduction. The correct answer infers association with additional reductions beyond weather, from the differential. Choice B claims thermostats caused warmer winter; choice C dismisses effect despite gap; and choice D assumes increased use. Subtract baseline effects like weather to isolate interventions in comparisons.

Question 19

A startup compared productivity before and after switching to a four-day workweek. Output per employee increased 7% in the first month after the switch, and sick days decreased. But the company also eliminated two recurring meetings, and a major project deadline occurred during that month, prompting employees to focus on fewer tasks. In months two and three, output returned close to pre-switch levels. The information best supports the inference that  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the initial productivity boost may have been temporary and influenced by other concurrent changes (correct answer)
  2. a four-day workweek always increases productivity because it reduces sick days in every workplace
  3. eliminating meetings causes sick days to decrease because employees feel less stressed immediately
  4. the project deadline occurred because the four-day workweek made scheduling more difficult
Explanation: The passage uses a problem-solution structure, evaluating a workweek change amid other factors and time. Output rose 7% initially with fewer sick days, but meetings were cut and a deadline focused tasks; later months reverted. This evidence suggests temporary boost from combined changes. Choice A is the logical inference, noting transience and confounds. Choice B overgeneralizes universal gains, C assumes meetings cause sick days directly, and D reverses on deadlines. Track changes over time—initial effects may fade, so avoid extrapolating without longitudinal data.

Question 20

A teacher compared two ways of giving feedback on essays. In Period 1, students received written comments only; in Period 2, students received written comments plus a 3-minute audio summary. On the next essay, Period 2 students improved their organization scores by 0.6 points on a 5-point rubric, while Period 1 students improved by 0.2 points. However, Period 2 also had a slightly smaller class size and turned in drafts earlier on average. The most reasonable inference is that the audio summaries  .

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. may have contributed to greater improvement, though other differences could also matter (correct answer)
  2. were the only possible cause of improvement because written comments were identical
  3. reduced organization skills, which is why Period 2 had higher organization scores
  4. made students submit drafts earlier, which directly increased rubric scores in all areas
Explanation: The passage compares feedback methods with potential confounders for improvement. Evidence shows Period 2's 0.6-point organization gain versus 1's 0.2, but also smaller class and earlier drafts in 2. This suggests audio may contribute, with other factors possible. The correct answer follows by inferring possible contribution from audio, acknowledging differences, from the score gap. Choice B claims sole cause, ignoring confounders; choice C assumes reduced skills; and choice D attributes to earlier drafts directly. Account for all variables in inferences to temper conclusions.