Question 73·Easy·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
City planner Maya Ortiz notes that electric scooters have transformed short-distance travel. In 2018, only a handful of U.S. cities permitted scooter rentals, but by 2023 nearly every major metropolitan area offered them. "Commuters appreciate how quickly scooters appeared outside office buildings and train stations," Ortiz writes, citing sales data that show annual scooter purchases jumping from 100,000 units in 2018 to more than 1 million units in 2022.
Text 2
Transportation researcher Aaron Patel examined traffic sensor records from 50 cities. His report concludes that scooter trips surged during the past five years, growing at a far faster rate than bicycle or bus usage. Patel attributes the growth to smartphone apps that make locating and unlocking scooters effortless.
Question
Which statement would both authors most likely agree with?
For cross-text agreement questions, first summarize in your own words what each passage is mainly saying, especially about trends or changes. Then look for the simplest idea that both texts clearly support, and be strict about evidence: eliminate any answer that introduces a new topic, an extreme claim (like "main form" or "preventing"), or something only one author mentions. Choose the answer that reflects clear, shared ground between both texts without adding extra assumptions.
Hints
Compare the overall trends
In each text, focus on how the situation with electric scooters has changed over time. Underline any words or phrases that show change or growth.
Look for common ground between the authors
Ask yourself: what basic idea do both writers seem to agree on, even if they give different details or reasons?
Eliminate options that add new topics
Cross out any answer choices that talk about safety, government rules, or buses if those topics are not clearly supported in both texts.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the main idea of Text 1
Look at what Maya Ortiz emphasizes.
- She says scooters have "transformed short-distance travel."
- In 2018, only a few U.S. cities allowed scooter rentals, but by 2023 nearly every major metropolitan area did.
- Sales data show annual scooter purchases rising from 100,000 units in 2018 to more than 1 million in 2022. All of this shows a big increase in how available and common scooters are over time.
Identify the main idea of Text 2
Now see what Aaron Patel emphasizes.
- He finds that scooter trips "surged during the past five years."
- Their growth rate is much higher than for bicycles or buses.
- He credits smartphone apps for making scooters easy to find and use. This again focuses on strong growth in scooter use over recent years.
Find the statement both authors would agree with
Combine the main ideas: both authors describe a rapid increase in scooter availability and usage in recent years. Now check the answer choices:
- Choices A, B, and C introduce ideas about safety, government limits, or scooters replacing buses—none of which appear in both texts.
- Only choice D directly matches the shared point that scooters have grown much more common and heavily used over the past few years.
Therefore, the correct answer is: D) Electric scooters have become more widely used in recent years.