For cross-text connection questions, first pinpoint the key claim or prediction in Text 1 that you must evaluate. Then read Text 2 specifically as evidence about that claim: note any data, averages, or conclusions that relate to it. Ask yourself, “Does Text 2’s information make Text 1’s claim seem supported, too high, too low, or off-topic?” Finally, eliminate answer choices that contradict clear statements in Text 2 or introduce ideas (like effects or causes) that the text never mentions, and choose the option that most accurately captures how Text 2 would react to Text 1’s claim.
Hints
- Hint 1
Locate what needs to be evaluated
First, focus on the specific prediction made in Text 1. What exactly do the Brookwell officials say will happen to bus ridership in the first year?
- Hint 2
Use Text 2 as evidence about similar situations
Look at what the consulting firm found in the 50 cities it studied. What was the typical first-year change in ridership after introducing real-time bus-tracking technology?
- Hint 3
Compare the numbers and think about tone
Compare Brookwell’s predicted change in ridership with the average change reported in Text 2. Does Brookwell’s prediction seem small, typical, or unusually high compared to the data?
- Hint 4
Eliminate choices that contradict Text 2
Check each answer choice against what Text 2 actually says. Cross out any option that says the apps reduce ridership or that they usually cause large gains if that is not supported by the text.
Step-by-step
- Step 1
Identify the key claim in Text 1
In Text 1, Brookwell officials predict that when the new real-time bus-tracking app is launched, overall bus ridership will increase by about 20 percent within the first year. That 20% first-year increase is the specific claim we need to evaluate.
- Step 2
Determine what Text 2 says about typical results
Text 2 describes a study of 50 North American cities that introduced similar bus-tracking technology. The findings:
- On average, ridership rose just 5 percent during the first year.
- Only a handful of cities had increases above 15%.
- The largest gains happened when the app rollout was combined with better route coverage or reduced fares.
So, for the app alone, typical first-year gains are much smaller than 20%.
- Step 3
Compare Brookwell’s prediction to the data in Text 2
Now compare the 20% predicted increase in Text 1 with the results in Text 2:
- Typical increase according to Text 2: about 5% in the first year.
- Brookwell’s prediction: 20% in the first year.
A 20% increase is four times the average 5% gain and even higher than what most cities saw. That means, using the consulting firm’s data, the Brookwell officials’ prediction looks unusually high relative to past results.
- Step 4
Match this evaluation to the best answer choice
The consulting firm’s report would likely say that Brookwell’s prediction expects much more ridership growth than similar technology usually produces, so it is not well supported by the data and is too hopeful.
This matches choice C) It is overly optimistic because similar technology usually produces much smaller first-year ridership gains.