3.3 Science and social science passages

Achievable Praxis Core: Reading (5713)

3. Organization and text structure

Science and social science passages

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Science passages

Science passages often follow a recognizable pattern. Not every passage includes every part listed below, but spotting the parts that are present helps you understand what the passage is doing and answer questions more efficiently.

Old idea: Many science passages start with an earlier explanation or belief as a “hook” to introduce the topic.
Transition to the new idea. This may be framed as a hypothesis, a question, or a problem that needs solving.
Discussion of other hypotheses or experiments and their shortcomings.
The scientists’ hypothesis for the new experiment.
A description of how the experiment was designed.
The outcome of the experiment and what the scientists have learned from it (or what remains unclear).
A suggested direction for future research. (Science passages rarely claim that a question is definitively settled.)

Social science passages

Social science passages are similar to science passages, but experiments are often replaced by studies (for example, surveys, observational research, or analyses of existing data). These passages typically present a claim, explain how the researchers investigated it, and then discuss the results. They may also include a literature review, which summarizes and analyzes other work that has already been done in the field.

Common questions about social science passages include:

What is the main idea of the passage?
What supporting evidence is there for the passage’s claim?
Which detail from the passage would (or would not) support the study’s hypothesis?
What criticisms have been made of the study and/or its results?
What limitations are there to the study described in the passage?

Here’s an example:

This passage is from “Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry,” by Francis Ankyiah.

The rising prevalence of mobile devices has transformed consumer behaviors and created new opportunities for audience engagement through mobile marketing in the art world. However, there has been limited research on implementing effective mobile strategies for art professionals. This study aimed to systematically review mobile techniques over the past five years based on academic literature and industry reports. It analyzed key mobile marketing campaigns from prominent art institutions focusing on approaches like apps, augmented reality, and location-based services. The literature revealed several important findings about mobile marketing effectiveness. According to Pew Research Center data from 2019, 81% of Americans now own smartphones frequently used for internet access, demonstrating widespread mobile access. Studies of apps found those displaying artist portfolios and enabling ticket purchases had high audience engagement. Augmented reality apps providing interactive experiences attracted more first-time museum visitors than non-users. Location services increased nearby gallery foot traffic up to 35% by capitalizing on proximity. Case studies indicate mobile strategies can significantly boost participation when integrated across digital and physical channels through profiles, ticketing, content, and location promotion to spur visits. As a result, mobile technologies may help arts institutions connect with broader demographics in novel ways. However, usability and data privacy must be addressed. The review concluded that mobile techniques are highly impactful for boosting audience involvement, working best as an omni-channel approach across platforms and interactivity. Adopting established mobile marketing best practices is essential for arts professionals and organizations to thrive in today’s digital landscape and engage wider audiences.

What is the organizational structure of the passage?

a. The passage discusses a study that looked at how prominent art institutions use mobile marketing to display artists’ portfolios, mentioned findings about location services, and suggests that arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices.
b. The passage defines mobile marketing, examines its impact on the art world, and calls for additional funding to help artists who are struggling to adapt to the new media landscape.
c. The passage begins by pointing out a lack of research on mobile marketing in the art world, and cites data from the Pew Research Center study about smartphone use, and concludes with a call to improve internet access for artists.
d. The passage reviews data about how artists use mobile marketing to sell their work, cites a Pew Research Center study, and provides reasons why the study is wrong.
e. The passage defines mobile marketing, lists statistics that support that definition, and concludes that mobile marketing will engage a wider audience.

(spoiler)

Answer: a. The passage discusses a study that looked at how prominent art institutions use mobile marketing to display artists’ portfolios, mentions findings about location services, and suggests that arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices is correct because it identifies the three main components of the passage.

b. The passage defines mobile marketing, examines its impact on the art world, and calls for additional funding to help artists who are struggling to adapt to the new media landscape is incorrect because the passage does not define mobile marketing or call for additional funding for artists.

c. The passage begins by pointing out a lack of research on mobile marketing in the art world, and cites data from the Pew Research Center about smartphone use, and concludes with a call to improve internet access for artists is incorrect because the passage does not conclude with a call to improve internet services for artists. Instead, it recommends that “arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices.”

d. The passage reviews data about how artists use mobile marketing to sell their work, cites a Pew Research Center study, and provides reasons why the study is wrong is incorrect because the passage does not try to disprove the Pew study.

e. The passage defines mobile marketing, lists statistics that support that definition, and concludes that mobile marketing will engage a wider audience is incorrect because the passage is not about mobile marketing in general, but rather about its use in the art world.

Science passages

Often follow a pattern: old idea → new idea/hypothesis → experiments → results → future research
Key elements:
- Introduction of previous beliefs or explanations
- Presentation of new hypothesis or problem
- Discussion of experiments, outcomes, and remaining questions

Social science passages

Similar structure to science passages, but focus on studies (surveys, observational research, data analysis)
Common features:
- Presentation of main claim or hypothesis
- Description of research methods and results
- Literature review summarizing prior work
- Discussion of evidence, criticisms, and study limitations

Common social science passage questions

Identify main idea or claim
Recognize supporting evidence for claims
Determine which details support or contradict the hypothesis
Understand criticisms and limitations of the study

Example passage structure (Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry)

Describes a study reviewing mobile marketing in art institutions
Presents findings on effectiveness of apps, augmented reality, and location services
Concludes with recommendation for adopting mobile marketing best practices in the arts

Science and social science passages

Science passages

Old idea: Many science passages start with an earlier explanation or belief as a “hook” to introduce the topic.
Transition to the new idea. This may be framed as a hypothesis, a question, or a problem that needs solving.
Discussion of other hypotheses or experiments and their shortcomings.
The scientists’ hypothesis for the new experiment.
A description of how the experiment was designed.
The outcome of the experiment and what the scientists have learned from it (or what remains unclear).
A suggested direction for future research. (Science passages rarely claim that a question is definitively settled.)

Social science passages

Common questions about social science passages include:

What is the main idea of the passage?
What supporting evidence is there for the passage’s claim?
Which detail from the passage would (or would not) support the study’s hypothesis?
What criticisms have been made of the study and/or its results?
What limitations are there to the study described in the passage?

Here’s an example:

This passage is from “Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry,” by Francis Ankyiah.

What is the organizational structure of the passage?

a. The passage discusses a study that looked at how prominent art institutions use mobile marketing to display artists’ portfolios, mentioned findings about location services, and suggests that arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices.
b. The passage defines mobile marketing, examines its impact on the art world, and calls for additional funding to help artists who are struggling to adapt to the new media landscape.
c. The passage begins by pointing out a lack of research on mobile marketing in the art world, and cites data from the Pew Research Center study about smartphone use, and concludes with a call to improve internet access for artists.
d. The passage reviews data about how artists use mobile marketing to sell their work, cites a Pew Research Center study, and provides reasons why the study is wrong.
e. The passage defines mobile marketing, lists statistics that support that definition, and concludes that mobile marketing will engage a wider audience.

(spoiler)

Achievable Praxis Core: Reading (5713)

3. Organization and text structure

Science and social science passages

5 min read

Font

Discuss

Feedback

Science passages

Old idea: Many science passages start with an earlier explanation or belief as a “hook” to introduce the topic.
Transition to the new idea. This may be framed as a hypothesis, a question, or a problem that needs solving.
Discussion of other hypotheses or experiments and their shortcomings.
The scientists’ hypothesis for the new experiment.
A description of how the experiment was designed.
The outcome of the experiment and what the scientists have learned from it (or what remains unclear).
A suggested direction for future research. (Science passages rarely claim that a question is definitively settled.)

Social science passages

Common questions about social science passages include:

What is the main idea of the passage?
What supporting evidence is there for the passage’s claim?
Which detail from the passage would (or would not) support the study’s hypothesis?
What criticisms have been made of the study and/or its results?
What limitations are there to the study described in the passage?

Here’s an example:

This passage is from “Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry,” by Francis Ankyiah.

What is the organizational structure of the passage?

a. The passage discusses a study that looked at how prominent art institutions use mobile marketing to display artists’ portfolios, mentioned findings about location services, and suggests that arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices.
b. The passage defines mobile marketing, examines its impact on the art world, and calls for additional funding to help artists who are struggling to adapt to the new media landscape.
c. The passage begins by pointing out a lack of research on mobile marketing in the art world, and cites data from the Pew Research Center study about smartphone use, and concludes with a call to improve internet access for artists.
d. The passage reviews data about how artists use mobile marketing to sell their work, cites a Pew Research Center study, and provides reasons why the study is wrong.
e. The passage defines mobile marketing, lists statistics that support that definition, and concludes that mobile marketing will engage a wider audience.

(spoiler)

Science passages

Often follow a pattern: old idea → new idea/hypothesis → experiments → results → future research
Key elements:
- Introduction of previous beliefs or explanations
- Presentation of new hypothesis or problem
- Discussion of experiments, outcomes, and remaining questions

Social science passages

Similar structure to science passages, but focus on studies (surveys, observational research, data analysis)
Common features:
- Presentation of main claim or hypothesis
- Description of research methods and results
- Literature review summarizing prior work
- Discussion of evidence, criticisms, and study limitations

Common social science passage questions

Identify main idea or claim
Recognize supporting evidence for claims
Determine which details support or contradict the hypothesis
Understand criticisms and limitations of the study

Example passage structure (Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry)

Describes a study reviewing mobile marketing in art institutions
Presents findings on effectiveness of apps, augmented reality, and location services
Concludes with recommendation for adopting mobile marketing best practices in the arts

Science and social science passages

Science passages

Old idea: Many science passages start with an earlier explanation or belief as a “hook” to introduce the topic.
Transition to the new idea. This may be framed as a hypothesis, a question, or a problem that needs solving.
Discussion of other hypotheses or experiments and their shortcomings.
The scientists’ hypothesis for the new experiment.
A description of how the experiment was designed.
The outcome of the experiment and what the scientists have learned from it (or what remains unclear).
A suggested direction for future research. (Science passages rarely claim that a question is definitively settled.)

Social science passages

Common questions about social science passages include:

What is the main idea of the passage?
What supporting evidence is there for the passage’s claim?
Which detail from the passage would (or would not) support the study’s hypothesis?
What criticisms have been made of the study and/or its results?
What limitations are there to the study described in the passage?

Here’s an example:

This passage is from “Mobile Marketing in the Art Industry,” by Francis Ankyiah.

What is the organizational structure of the passage?

a. The passage discusses a study that looked at how prominent art institutions use mobile marketing to display artists’ portfolios, mentioned findings about location services, and suggests that arts professionals and organizations adopt mobile marketing best practices.
b. The passage defines mobile marketing, examines its impact on the art world, and calls for additional funding to help artists who are struggling to adapt to the new media landscape.
c. The passage begins by pointing out a lack of research on mobile marketing in the art world, and cites data from the Pew Research Center study about smartphone use, and concludes with a call to improve internet access for artists.
d. The passage reviews data about how artists use mobile marketing to sell their work, cites a Pew Research Center study, and provides reasons why the study is wrong.
e. The passage defines mobile marketing, lists statistics that support that definition, and concludes that mobile marketing will engage a wider audience.

(spoiler)