Question 74·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Neuroscientist Diego Ramirez asserts that the widespread use of social media platforms among teenagers contributes to a measurable decline in empathy. He argues that because online interactions lack the nonverbal cues present in face-to-face conversations, users become less adept at reading emotional signals and, consequently, less inclined to respond compassionately. Ramirez concludes that limiting daily screen time would be the most effective way to reverse this trend.
Text 2
Educator Simone Patel disagrees that social media inherently diminishes empathy in young people. She points to classroom projects in which students follow international aid workers’ social media feeds and then initiate local charity drives. According to Patel, such experiences show that when students engage with narratives beyond their immediate surroundings, online platforms can in fact deepen their capacity for empathy. For Patel, the key is not restricting screen time but teaching students to curate meaningful content.
Based on the texts, how would Patel most likely evaluate Ramirez’s proposed solution for addressing the decline in empathy among teenagers?
For cross-text connection questions, first summarize each author’s main claim and proposed solution in your own words, paying special attention to the final sentence of each passage. Then ask, “If Author 2 heard Author 1’s idea, would they agree, disagree, or modify it—and why?” Use that relationship to test each answer choice, quickly eliminating options that introduce new topics, motives, or extreme claims not supported by the texts. Finally, pick the choice that most closely matches Author 2’s stated priorities and wording, especially about how to solve the problem.
Hints
Clarify Ramirez’s proposed solution
Look back at the last sentence of Text 1. What does Ramirez say is the most effective way to reverse the decline in empathy?
Clarify Patel’s alternative approach
Check the final sentence of Text 2. What does Patel say is the key for helping students develop empathy when using social media?
Compare the two approaches directly
Does Patel think the main issue is how much time teens spend on social media, or how they use it? Based on that, how would she likely respond to Ramirez’s idea of limiting screen time?
Watch out for new or extreme claims
Eliminate any options that introduce topics Patel never mentions (like academic focus) or that make strong claims she doesn’t make (such as declaring face-to-face interaction irrelevant or saying teens need more screen time).
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand Ramirez’s claim and solution
In Text 1, Ramirez says that teenagers’ use of social media leads to a decline in empathy because online interactions lack nonverbal cues, making users worse at reading emotions and responding compassionately. His proposed solution is very clear in the last sentence: he concludes that limiting daily screen time is the best way to reverse this decline.
Understand Patel’s view of social media and empathy
In Text 2, Patel disagrees that social media inherently lowers empathy. Instead, she gives examples of students following aid workers’ feeds and then starting charity drives. These examples show that, in her view, social media can deepen empathy when students engage with stories beyond their immediate world.
Identify Patel’s preferred solution
Patel states her own approach in the final sentence: "For Patel, the key is not restricting screen time but teaching students to curate meaningful content." That means she thinks the important thing is how students use social media (choosing meaningful, empathy-building content), not simply how much time they spend on it.
Match Patel’s view to the answer choices
Now connect Patel’s approach to Ramirez’s solution of limiting screen time. Patel would object that focusing on reducing time ignores her main point: that educators should guide students to use social media in positive, empathy-building ways. Among the choices, only D) She would argue that limiting screen time overlooks the importance of teaching students how to use social media constructively. captures that criticism, so D is correct.