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cross text connections

These questions pair two passages and test whether you can compare their claims, evidence, and reasoning. Expect prompts that ask how one author would respond to the other or which idea both writers endorse.

types of questions

Normally, there are 4 archetypes of questions that are normally asked, which can be further elaborated on with some details:

  • Based on the texts, both __ authors would most likely agree with which statement?
  • Based on the texts, how would __ most likely respond to __?
  • Based on the texts, how would __ most likely characterize the conclusion presented by __0
  • Which choice best describes a difference in how the authors view ____?

Each question has a different focus, and we'll go over each one in detail.

similarities questions

These refer to where both authors "agree" with a statement Here are the suggested steps you should take:

  1. Carefully read the question to understand what it’s asking. You've probably already done this.
  2. Read each text separately and identify its main point, focus, or argument. Don’t skip the blurb if provided.
  3. Summarize each text in your own words. What is the author emphasizing? What is their overall point?
  4. Compare the two texts. Look for overlapping themes, ideas, or perspectives that both authors would agree on.
  5. Before checking the choices, try to predict what both authors might agree on based on your comparison.
  6. Now go through the answer choices and eliminate the ones that are only supported by one text or contradict either passage.

Text 1

Marie Curie is widely known for her groundbreaking work in radioactivity, which earned her two Nobel Prizes. Her discoveries of polonium and radium, along with her pioneering methods of isolating radioactive isotopes, have had a lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and physics. Though Curie also made significant contributions to medical science during World War I, her legacy remains most closely tied to her fundamental research in radioactivity.

Text 2

While many remember Marie Curie for her Nobel-winning research, less attention is paid to her practical efforts during wartime. Curie helped equip mobile X-ray units, trained female technicians, and personally drove ambulances to treat wounded soldiers on the front lines. Although her work in radioactivity is often celebrated in scientific circles, her hands-on medical work during World War I was equally vital and arguably more immediately impactful to public health at the time.

Question: Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?

  • A) Curie’s contributions to medicine during World War I surpassed her scientific work in importance.
  • B) Curie’s work in radioactivity remains the most widely recognized part of her legacy.
  • C) Curie’s Nobel Prize achievements overshadow her lesser-known failures.
  • D) Curie’s early research methods have since been deemed unreliable.
Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B) Curie’s work in radioactivity remains the most widely recognized part of her legacy.

Explanation: Both texts emphasize that while Curie did important medical work during World War I, her reputation and legacy are primarily associated with her contributions to radioactivity. This idea appears clearly in both texts, making B the best choice.

Choice Review:
A) Incorrect. Text 1 says radioactivity defines her legacy.
B) Correct. Both agree radioactivity is what she’s most known for.
C) Incorrect. No mention of personal or professional failures.
D) Incorrect. Her research methods are not criticized in either text.

response / characterization questions

These refer to where an author responds to a claim, procedure, or statement by the other author. They are slightly different, but can be bunched up into one section. Here are the suggested steps you should take:

  1. Read the question carefully. Identify which text is presenting a claim or assumption (usually Text 1), and which text is being asked to respond (usually Text 2).
  2. Read Text 1 and pinpoint the idea or assumption the question refers to (e.g., a procedure or a theory).
  3. Read Text 2 and determine the author’s main point or argument. How does this text support, challenge, or reframe the idea in Text 1?
  4. Summarize the relationship between the two texts. Is Text 2 contradicting, modifying, or explaining the idea from Text 1?
  5. Predict how the author of Text 2 would respond to the idea in Text 1, in your own words. This helps prevent being misled by wrong answer choices.
  6. Go through the answer choices and eliminate any that misrepresent either text, add unsupported claims, or shift focus away from the specific idea being addressed.

Text 1

Popular belief holds that electric vehicles (EVs), while better for the environment, cannot match gasoline-powered cars in performance. Critics point to concerns about battery limitations, charging times, and overall power output. As a result, EVs have long been viewed as a compromise—good for emissions, but lacking the excitement or speed of traditional cars.

Text 2

In recent years, performance benchmarks have begun to favor electric vehicles over their gasoline counterparts. High-end EVs like the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Rimac Nevera have posted record-breaking acceleration times, while improvements in battery technology have significantly increased range and efficiency. Moreover, the instant torque provided by electric motors often outperforms traditional engines in real-world driving scenarios. Engineers note that as battery and charging infrastructure continue to improve, the old notion that EVs sacrifice performance no longer holds up.

Question: Based on the texts, how would the authors of Text 2 most likely respond to the belief expressed in Text 1?

  • A) By arguing that electric vehicle performance still lags behind in most categories.
  • B) By pointing out that public skepticism has shifted toward cost rather than speed or power.
  • C) By presenting data and examples that contradict the idea that EVs underperform.
  • D) By recommending that performance tests be adjusted to account for electric drivetrains.
Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C) By presenting data and examples that contradict the idea that EVs underperform.

Explanation: Text 1 claims that EVs are seen as lacking in performance. Text 2 directly refutes this by citing high-performance models, real-world driving advantages, and technical improvements— all of which contradict the conventional belief stated in Text 1.

Choice Review:
A) Incorrect. Text 2 says EVs are outperforming, not lagging.
B) Incorrect. The shift in skepticism isn't discussed.
C) Correct. It directly addresses and contradicts the belief in Text 1.
D) Incorrect. There’s no suggestion to adjust testing standards.

difference questions

These refer to where authors "disagree" with a statement. Here are the suggested steps you should take:

  1. Carefully read the question. Look for key phrases like "difference in how the author of Text 1 and Text 2 view..." — this tells you you’re being asked to compare attitudes or interpretations.
  2. Read Text 1 and identify the author’s tone and viewpoint. Are they enthusiastic, critical, neutral, or optimistic about the topic?
  3. Read Text 2 and do the same: What is the author’s stance? Are they cautious, skeptical, supportive, or offering a complication to Text 1’s viewpoint?
  4. Summarize each author’s attitude in your own words. Write a quick phrase like “Text 1 = confident about benefits, Text 2 = warns of trade-offs.”
  5. Compare the two attitudes directly. Ask: Is Text 2 reinforcing, qualifying, or challenging the optimism of Text 1?
  6. Review the answer choices. Eliminate any that distort the tone, exaggerate disagreement, or refer to things that weren’t discussed in both texts.

Text 1

A 2022 study by climate scientists at the University of Exeter suggested that planting certain types of fast-growing trees could rapidly absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide and slow global warming. The researchers calculated that afforestation on degraded land could sequester up to 2.5 gigatons of COâ‚‚ annually, without displacing agricultural production. This approach, they argue, represents a scalable and cost-effective solution that complements ongoing emissions-reduction strategies.

Text 2

While the University of Exeter team’s afforestation model appears promising, some ecologists caution against viewing tree planting as a climate cure-all. They point out that many fast-growing species used in large-scale planting are non-native and may harm local biodiversity. In some regions, aggressive tree planting can also reduce water availability by increasing evapotranspiration. These researchers argue that afforestation projects must be designed carefully to avoid unintended ecological consequences.

Question: Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the afforestation strategy?

  • A) The author of Text 2 approaches the strategy with more caution, whereas the author of Text 1 highlights its environmental promise.
  • B) The author of Text 2 suggests that afforestation may be too expensive, while the author of Text 1 emphasizes its affordability.
  • C) The author of Text 2 believes tree planting will have no long-term impact, whereas the author of Text 1 sees it as the only viable option.
  • D) The author of Text 2 focuses on global food production, while the author of Text 1 focuses on forest preservation.
Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A) The author of Text 2 approaches the strategy with more caution, whereas the author of Text 1 highlights its environmental promise.

Explanation: Text 1 is optimistic about afforestation as a carbon-reduction solution, calling it "scalable" and "cost-effective." Text 2, however, expresses caution and emphasizes risks to biodiversity and water resources. This contrast in tone and focus makes A the strongest and most accurate summary of their differing perspectives.

Choice Review:
A) Correct. Reflects the cautious vs. optimistic difference in tone.
B) Incorrect. Cost concerns are not raised in Text 2.
C) Incorrect. Text 2 doesn’t claim afforestation has no impact, nor does Text 1 claim it's the only viable option.
D) Incorrect. Food production isn't mentioned in either text.

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Hard - Similarities

Text 1: In 1916, H. Dugdale Sykes disputed claims that The Two Noble Kinsmen was coauthored by William Shakespeare and John Fletcher. Sykes felt Fletcher’s contributions to the play were obvious—Fletcher had a distinct style in his other plays, so much so that lines with that style were considered sufficient evidence of Fletcher’s authorship. But for the lines not deemed to be by Fletcher, Sykes felt that their depiction of women indicated that their author was not Shakespeare but Philip Massinger.

Text 2: Scholars have accepted The Two Noble Kinsmen as coauthored by Shakespeare since the 1970s: it appears in all major one-volume editions of Shakespeare’s complete works. Though scholars disagree about who wrote what exactly, it is generally held that on the basis of style, Shakespeare wrote all of the first act and most of the last, while John Fletcher authored most of the three middle acts.

Based on the texts, both Sykes in Text 1 and the scholars in Text 2 would most likely agree with which statement?

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Easy - Differences

Text 1: Most scientists agree that the moon was likely formed after a collision between Earth and a large planet named Theia. This collision likely created a huge debris field, made up of material from both Earth and Theia. Based on models of this event, scientists believe that the moon was formed from this debris over the course of thousands of years.

Text 2: Researchers from NASA’s Ames Research Center used a computer to model how the moon could have formed. Although simulations of the moon’s formation have been done in the past, the team from NASA ran simulations that were much more detailed. They found that the formation of the moon was likely not a slow process that took many years. Instead, it’s probable that the moon’s formation happened immediately after impact, taking just a few hours.

Which choice best describes a difference in how the author of Text 1 and the author of Text 2 view the evidence for the formation of the moon?

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Easy - Responses

Text 1: Public policy researcher Anthony Fowler studied the history of elections in Australia, a country that requires citizens to vote. Fowler argues that requiring citizens to vote leads to a significant increase in voters who would otherwise not have the time or motivation to vote. Thus, election results in countries that require citizens to vote better reflect the preferences of the country as a whole.

Text 2: Governments in democratic countries function better when more people vote. However, forcing people to vote may have negative consequences. Shane P. Singh and Jason Roy studied what happens when a country requires its citizens to vote. They found that when people feel forced to vote, they tend to spend less time looking for information about their choices when voting. As a result, votes from these voters may not reflect their actual preferences.

Based on the texts, how would Singh and Roy (Text 2) most likely respond to the research discussed in Text 1?

final tip

Treat the passages as speakers in a dialogue. Identify claim, support, and tone for each before deciding whether they align, clash, or refine one another.

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Cross Text Connections Unlocked

Seeing relationships between authors sharpens every comparison.

Next Up

17: rhetorical synthesis

Blend ideas into a cohesive argument.