Question 166·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
In commercial aviation, standardized preflight checklists were adopted after early accidents were traced to simple oversights. Today, even veteran pilots read them aloud item by item; the point is not to instruct experts but to prevent predictable lapses when routine and distraction collide.
Text 2
In our hospital's operating rooms, a brief surgical safety checklist requires the team to pause to confirm the patient's identity, the procedure, allergies, and instrument counts. Some surgeons initially resisted, but the checklist created a shared moment of attention that caught small omissions; even seasoned clinicians acknowledged that the pause helped them avoid assumptions. Since its adoption, our unit has seen fewer complications.
Based on the texts, both authors would most likely agree with which statement?
For cross-text agreement questions, first quickly note the main point of each passage in a few words (for example, "pilots + checklists prevent lapses" and "surgeons + checklist reduces complications"). Then look for the overlap—what idea is clearly true in both texts. Go to the answer choices and immediately eliminate any option that is contradicted by either text or that mentions purposes or effects (like blame, replacing training, helping only beginners) that never appear. Prioritize choices that are general enough to fit both passages but still tightly match the specific evidence given.
Hints
Compare who is using the checklists
Look at how each text describes the people using the checklists. Are they beginners, or are they experienced professionals? How does that affect which options can be true for both texts?
Focus on the results of using checklists
In each text, what happens when the checklist is used? Look for words or phrases that describe changes in mistakes, lapses, or complications.
Eliminate choices that contradict either text
For each answer choice, ask: "Is this clearly supported by both Text 1 and Text 2?" If it contradicts even one of the texts, you can cross it out.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the question is asking
The question asks what both authors would most likely agree with. That means you must find an idea that is clearly supported by both Text 1 and Text 2, not just one of them.
Identify the main point of Text 1
Text 1 explains that preflight checklists were created after accidents caused by simple oversights. It says that even veteran pilots still read the checklists aloud. The key line is: "the point is not to instruct experts but to prevent predictable lapses when routine and distraction collide." This shows that:
- The pilots are experts, not beginners.
- The checklist helps prevent mistakes ("predictable lapses"), especially in a situation where routine might make people careless or distracted.
- Flying a commercial plane is a high-stakes situation: mistakes can be deadly.
Identify the main point of Text 2
Text 2 describes a surgical safety checklist in operating rooms. The team pauses to confirm the patient, procedure, allergies, and instruments. Important details:
- Some surgeons resisted at first, but the checklist "created a shared moment of attention that caught small omissions."
- "Even seasoned clinicians acknowledged that the pause helped them avoid assumptions."
- "Since its adoption, our unit has seen fewer complications."
This tells us that:
- The checklist is used by experienced professionals ("seasoned clinicians").
- It helps catch small mistakes ("small omissions") and prevents wrong assumptions.
- The outcome improves: there are fewer complications, which again is critical in a high-stakes environment (surgery).
Find the idea that both texts share
Now compare the two texts:
- Both involve experienced professionals (veteran pilots, seasoned clinicians).
- Both settings are high-stakes and complex (flying airplanes, performing surgery).
- In both, the checklists help catch small oversights and prevent problems (accidents/complications).
So the shared idea is that checklists help experts avoid mistakes and improve safety in serious, complex tasks.
Match that shared idea to the answer choices
Check each option against both texts:
- A) "most valuable for beginners": Both texts focus on experts (veteran pilots, seasoned clinicians), so this is the opposite of what the texts say.
- B) "primarily used to assign blame": Neither text mentions blame or punishment. They focus on preventing mistakes, not blaming people.
- D) "should replace training": Both groups are already well-trained experts; the checklists are an extra safety tool, not a substitute for training.
- C) "can reduce errors in high-stakes, complex tasks": This matches the evidence: in aviation, checklists prevent "predictable lapses" after accidents; in surgery, they catch omissions and lead to "fewer complications."
The correct answer is C) Checklists can reduce errors in high-stakes, complex tasks.