EOC Practice: Informational 2024

Why does the author write in paragraph 2 that the “subjects first tackled the exercise”?

• to show that the task took physical strength

• to indicate that the task required great effort

• to imply that the participants were student athletes

• to suggest that the participants competed with one another

How does paragraph 2 help to develop the ideas presented in Passage 1?

• It introduces the concept of overlearning a skill.

• It explains what motivated the scientists to study overlearning.

• It compares the study results with previous research on overlearning.

• It gives a concrete example from the study of learning and overlearning.

Which phrase from paragraph 2 provides the best support for the answer to Part A (paragraph 2 helps develop the ideas introduced in paragraph 1 by giving a concrete example of overlearning)?

• . . . move a cursor on a screen by manipulating a robotic arm. . . .

• As they did so, the researchers measured the participants’ energy expenditure . . .

• . . . how much oxygen they inhaled and how much carbon dioxide they breathed out. . . .

• By the end of the learning process, the amount of effort they expended to carry out the task had declined . . .

Which word is closest in meaning to infusing as it is used in paragraph 5?

• accomplishing

• filling

• sharing

• producing

Select two ways that paragraph 6 contributes to the ideas the author develops in Passage 1.

• It highlights the shortcomings of Ahmed’s research.

• It provides an analysis of the data that Ahmed gathered in her study.

• It describes additional research that supports Ahmed’s conclusions.

• It summarizes the kinds of research that are being done in this field.

• It offers evidence that Ahmed’s research has practical applications.

Which statement best expresses a central idea of Passage 2?

• Failure in one area can motivate people to seek improvement of skills in another area.

• Training and practice may be the crucial factors in attaining mastery of a skill regardless of the level of natural ability.

• Modern research on how to dramatically improve performance levels focuses on the influence of both environmental effects and heredity.

• Sports and athletics are areas where simple dedication to practice will not ensure mastery.

Select two types of evidence that the author mainly uses to support the central idea identified in Part A (Training and practice may be the crucial factors in attaining mastery of a skill 

regardless of the level of natural ability.)

• performance data from individuals

• anecdotes from one individual

• historical data on family lineage

• newspaper accounts about world-record holders

• statements from researchers

What does the author mean in paragraph 11 when she writes that Malcolm Gladwell “takes a much more nuanced position”?

• Gladwell refuses to take a stance on the talent versus practice debate.

• Gladwell believes that it is not possible to consider the benefits of practice while excluding the notion of talent.

• Gladwell would have advised Zach Hambrick to continue to practice until he reached expert proficiency.

• Gladwell believes that talent alone is enough to achieve success.

Select two excerpts from paragraph 11 that, when considered together, best support the answer to Part A. (What does the author mean in paragraph 11 when she writes that Malcolm Gladwell “takes a much more nuanced position”?)

• ... with enough training — an average of ten thousand hours, ...

• ... you can reach them, ...

• ... practice isn’t sufficient.

• ... I’ll never be a grandmaster, ...

• ... natural ability requires a huge investment of time in order to be made manifest.

Which is the best objective summary of Passage 2?

• Although a personal experience suggested natural ability was more important than training, Zach Hambrick continued to believe otherwise. Later, a scientific study proved training was the key to success.

• At the same time that Gregor Mendel studied inherited characteristics, Francis Galton proposed the idea that genius runs in families. This idea has been discredited by modern research.

• Success in athletic endeavors depends primarily on a person’s physical characteristics, so solely possessing the determination to excel is not enough. Practice can improve a person’s performance, but a person with talent will always perform better than an untalented person who frequently practices.

• Research has found that training is the key element in skill difference, regardless of natural talent. However, some researchers still feel strongly that training alone is not enough to reach the highest skill levels.