Question 109·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, philanthropists funded the construction of many public library buildings. These gifts often came with a condition: towns had to promise to support the new libraries with public money. Where city governments established tax-supported operating budgets, branches multiplied and services reached neighborhoods beyond the main reading rooms.
Text 2
Around the same time, librarians reported that children’s rooms and traveling collections drew steady crowds. As demand grew, city councils began setting aside regular funds for staff and materials, converting occasional donations into dependable services. This steady municipal support enabled libraries to extend their reach and hours.
Based on the texts, the authors would most likely agree with which statement?
For cross-text agreement questions, first summarize each text in 1–2 simple notes (who/what is discussed, and what main cause or opinion is given). Then ask: What idea is clearly shared by both? Go to the choices and eliminate any that: (1) are supported by only one text, (2) add extreme words like "only" or "fully" that the texts do not justify, or (3) contradict specific details. Select the answer that cleanly matches the common cause or viewpoint expressed in both passages, without adding new assumptions.
Hints
Look for cause-and-effect in Text 1
In Text 1, find the sentence starting with "Where city governments..." and ask: What specific action by city governments led to branches multiplying and services reaching more neighborhoods?
Look for cause-and-effect in Text 2
In Text 2, focus on the sentences about city councils setting aside money. What change in funding is described, and what did that change allow libraries to do?
Connect the two texts before checking choices
Think about what both texts say about how libraries grew or extended their reach. Then eliminate any choice that talks only about donations, adds new limits (like "only" in certain places), or changes the timing of events.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what Text 1 says about funding and growth
Focus on the middle and last sentences of Text 1:
- Philanthropists funded the construction of many buildings.
- Their gifts often required towns to promise to support the new libraries with public money.
- It then says, "Where city governments established tax-supported operating budgets, branches multiplied and services reached neighborhoods beyond the main reading rooms."
So in Text 1, when city governments created tax-supported operating budgets (ongoing public funding), library branches multiplied and services spread further.
Understand what Text 2 says about funding and growth
Look at the second half of Text 2:
- It describes growing demand: children’s rooms and traveling collections drew steady crowds.
- In response, "city councils began setting aside regular funds for staff and materials".
- It says this converted occasional donations into dependable services.
- Finally: "This steady municipal support enabled libraries to extend their reach and hours."
So in Text 2, when city councils provided regular funds (steady government support), libraries were able to extend their reach and hours.
Find the idea both texts share
Now connect the two texts:
- Text 1: When there were tax-supported operating budgets, branches and services expanded.
- Text 2: When there was steady municipal support and regular funds, libraries extended their reach and hours.
In both texts, the key cause of expansion is ongoing, reliable public (local government) funding, not one-time gifts. Keep this shared cause in mind as you check the choices.
Match the shared idea to the answer choices
Now test each option against both texts:
- (B) says donations alone fully covered everything, but both texts show donations were not enough by themselves.
- (C) says expansion happened only in large cities, which neither text says.
- (D) claims children’s programs began only after branches were everywhere; Text 2 just says this happened around the same time, not after full expansion.
Only choice (A) correctly reflects that both texts emphasize that stable, ongoing local funding was crucial for public libraries to expand, so (A) Stable local funding was essential for public libraries to expand is the correct answer.