Identifying Omitted Information and Selective Reporting
Learn to spot omitted information and selective reporting across different texts. Practice evaluating how leaving out key facts can alter an argument.
Questions
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MultiChoice
Text A argues that a new dam will generate massive clean electricity. Text B points out the dam will flood three historical towns. What did Text A omit?
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MultiChoice
Text 1 states a new medicine cured 90% of symptoms in trials. Text 2 reveals the study omitted reporting that 40% of patients experienced severe side effects. Why is Text 2 critical?
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MultiChoice
An article advocating for a fast-food chain highlights low prices. A competing article highlights high calorie content and poor worker wages. What is the impact of selective reporting here?
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MultiChoice
Text A boasts that a city added 5,000 new jobs this year. Text B reveals that 8,000 jobs were lost during the same period. What essential context did Text A omit?
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MultiChoice
Why do authors sometimes omit relevant counterevidence in argumentative writing?
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MultiChoice
Text 1 claims a new transit line is a success because rider satisfaction is 95%. Text 2 notes rider total dropped by 50%. What missing piece of information clarifies the conflict?
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MultiChoice
Text A praises a school for buying tablets for every student. Text B points out the school cut its music and sports programs to afford them. How does Text B change the narrative?
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MultiChoice
What is cherry-picking in the context of analyzing conflicting texts?
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MultiChoice
Text 1 reports that a factory reduced air emissions by 20%. Text 2 highlights that water pollution from the same factory doubled. What did Text 1 omit?
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MultiChoice
How can a reader detect selective reporting when comparing two texts on a controversial topic?
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MultiChoice
Text A argues that mandatory school uniforms improve attendance. Text B shows attendance remained unchanged when controlling for weather and flu season. What omission made Text A's claim suspect?
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MultiChoice
Why is synthesizing information from multiple texts necessary to combat selective reporting?