Question 91·Medium·Cross-Text Connections
Text 1
Many school districts are replacing printed textbooks with digital materials. Printed textbooks are environmentally harmful and should be eliminated from classrooms within the next five years. E-books are lighter to carry, cheaper to update, and reduce paper waste. Schools that cling to printed books are ignoring both educational innovation and ecological responsibility.
Text 2
While printed textbooks do contribute to paper consumption, they remain valuable learning tools. Studies show that some students retain information better when reading on paper, and printed books never suffer from battery failure or software glitches. Rather than eliminating them, schools can purchase editions printed on recycled paper and use them alongside digital resources to give students the best of both worlds.
Based on the texts, how would the author of Text 2 most likely respond to the bolded claim in Text 1?
For cross-text connection questions, first isolate the key claim or sentence the question focuses on (here, the bolded line in Text 1). Then, summarize the other author’s stance on that exact issue: do they fully agree, fully disagree, or partly agree with a different solution? Next, scan the answer choices and quickly eliminate any that (1) contradict what the second text clearly states, (2) introduce new reasons or facts not in the text, or (3) ignore the nuance of a compromise position. Always make sure the correct choice matches both the attitude (agree/disagree/mixed) and the specific details given in the second text.
Hints
Compare the authors’ overall positions
Before looking at the choices, summarize in your own words what each text believes about printed textbooks: Does each author want to eliminate them, keep them, or do something in between?
Pay attention to concessions in Text 2
Text 2 admits something negative about printed textbooks but still argues they should remain. What problem does it recognize, and what solution does it suggest?
Check for consistency with Text 2’s details
Eliminate any answer that says Text 2 would fully agree with eliminating printed textbooks, or that mentions reasons or facts that do not appear in Text 2 (for example, claims about device production or complete student preference shifts).
Look for a compromise answer
Text 2 proposes a way to address environmental concerns without removing printed textbooks entirely. Which choice describes that kind of middle-ground response?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the bolded claim in Text 1
Focus on the bolded sentence in Text 1: “Printed textbooks are environmentally harmful and should be eliminated from classrooms within the next five years.”
This tells you that the author of Text 1:
- Believes printed textbooks are bad for the environment.
- Wants them completely removed from classrooms.
- Wants this done on a fairly quick timeline (five years).
Identify Text 2’s main viewpoint on printed textbooks
Now, look at what Text 2 says about printed textbooks:
- It admits: “printed textbooks do contribute to paper consumption” (so it recognizes an environmental issue).
- It says they “remain valuable learning tools”, mentioning reading retention and reliability (no battery or software problems).
- It proposes: “Rather than eliminating them, schools can purchase editions printed on recycled paper and use them alongside digital resources.”
So Text 2:
- Acknowledges some environmental harm.
- Rejects eliminating printed textbooks.
- Suggests a compromise: use eco-friendlier printed books together with digital materials.
Decide how Text 2 would respond to Text 1’s claim
The question asks how the author of Text 2 would respond to Text 1’s claim that printed textbooks are harmful and should be eliminated.
From Step 2, we know Text 2 would likely:
- Agree that there is an environmental concern.
- Disagree with getting rid of printed textbooks entirely.
- Suggest using greener printed books plus digital resources instead of elimination.
Now we look for the answer choice that reflects both partial agreement (environmental concern) and disagreement (no elimination) with a compromise solution.
Match the reasoning to the best answer choice
Check each option against Text 2:
- It must recognize environmental issues (since Text 2 does).
- It must not support eliminating printed textbooks.
- It should mention a combined or compromise approach using both print and digital.
The only answer that does all of this and directly reflects Text 2’s proposal to use recycled paper and digital resources together is:
By acknowledging environmental concerns but proposing that schools keep printed textbooks made from sustainable materials in combination with digital resources.