Question 1·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Many students believe that adding an extra hour of late‐night studying will boost their grades, but research suggests the opposite. Studies have repeatedly shown that when learners get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, they recall new information far more accurately the next day. Neuroscientists argue that during deep sleep the brain consolidates memories, turning fresh facts into lasting knowledge.
Text 2
In a recent survey of 1,000 high-school students, those who reported sleeping fewer than six hours per night scored, on average, ten percentage points lower on end-of-term exams than their well-rested peers. The researchers conclude that adequate nightly sleep is a key, and sometimes overlooked, factor in academic success, even more influential than total time spent studying.
Question
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
For cross-text questions asking what both authors would agree on, first summarize each text’s main point in a short phrase (for example, “sleep helps memory” or “sleep affects grades”). Then look for the overlap—the broad idea that clearly appears in both summaries. Go to the answer choices and quickly eliminate any option that: (1) mentions topics, policies, or details not found in either text, or (2) is supported by only one text. Among the remaining options, choose the one that most directly states the shared claim, without adding extra assumptions or specific solutions that the passages don’t discuss.
Hints
Focus on Text 1’s main claim
In Text 1, what does the author say research shows about what happens when students get at least eight hours of sleep compared with staying up late to study?
Connect Text 2’s data to its conclusion
Text 2 gives average exam scores for students with less than six hours of sleep versus well-rested students. What overall conclusion do the researchers draw from this comparison?
Look for the overlap
Ask yourself: What big idea do both texts support? Then eliminate any answer choice that brings in a new topic that only one text (or neither text) mentions.
Check for unsupported details
Be wary of answer choices that mention specific policies or actions (like changing school schedules or homework loads) that the texts never actually discuss.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the main point of Text 1
Text 1 contrasts late-night studying with getting enough sleep. It says that research shows the opposite of what many students believe: instead of helping, extra late-night studying is worse than getting at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. It explains that during deep sleep the brain "consolidates" memories, helping turn new facts into lasting knowledge. So the key idea is that sleep strengthens learning and memory.
Understand the main point of Text 2
Text 2 reports a survey of high-school students. Those who slept fewer than six hours scored, on average, ten percentage points lower on exams than well-rested students. The researchers conclude that adequate nightly sleep is a key factor in academic success, even more important than total study time. So again, the central idea is a strong link between sleep and better grades.
Find the idea shared by both texts
Both texts connect how much sleep students get with how well they do in school. Text 1 connects sleep to better memory of new information. Text 2 connects sleep to higher exam scores and calls it a key factor in success. The shared point is not about homework, caffeine, or school start times; it is about the importance of sufficient sleep for doing well academically.
Match the shared idea to the answer choices
Look for the option that directly states that shared idea. Choice A (less homework), B (caffeine before studying), and C (later school start times) introduce new topics not discussed in either text. Choice D states that getting enough sleep improves students’ academic performance, which is exactly the conclusion both texts support. Therefore, the correct answer is D) Getting enough sleep improves students’ academic performance.