Walter Alvarez is a geologist who has made a variety of claims related

to geology. He is best known for his work on the Alvarez hypothesis Support Claim Question
which suggests that a large asteroid impact caused the Cretaceous–
Paleogene extinction event. He has also claimed that geologic events,
such as ice ages, can be triggered by climatic changes caused by
large-scale impacts. Alvarez has studied the effects of such impacts on
the Earth’s geology and climate, concluding that they can have major,
1
What evidence would support Walter Alvarez’s claim?
long-lasting effects on the planet. He has also proposed that large
asteroid impacts can cause rapid sea level changes, as well as changes
in ocean chemistry. His research has implications for understanding
Earth’s history and the potential for future Earth-impacting events.

The presence of minerals not commonly found in a certain region located

A at a geological layer that coincides with the approximate date of the Creta-
ceous-Paleogene extinction.

Evidence of massive tectonic shifts that resulted in catastrophic earth-

B quakes and tsunamis around the time of the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinc-
tion.

A massive layer of volcanic rock present in a geological layer also contain-

C ing an increased density of fossils.

Evidence from an investigation into salt water environments that ocean

D chemistry has remained relatively unchanged since its original formation.

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Support Claims Exercises - 2022/2023 - Digital SAT Material 1 SCORE Test Prep & College Counseling - Author: Tyler Lynn
 A recent economic study sought to confirm the hypothesis that
people are more likely to purchase items when they perceive them as Support Claim Question
being of higher value. To test this, researchers created two groups of
participants and assigned them the task of buying a range of items.
The first group was presented with items labeled with a higher price,
while the second group was presented with items labeled with a lower
price. Results showed that the group presented with the higher price
2
Which evidence would most directly support the researchers’
items purchased significantly more items than the group presented
findings?
with the lower price items, confirming the hypothesis.

A significantly significant increase in overall sales of the items presented in

A the study a month after the study’s conclusion.

A survey of the participants in which they describe their perceived value

B of the items purchased.

A luxury goods store experiencing higher sales volumes during the holi-
C day season than a discount goods store.

The same participant purchasing two of the same item at two different
D price points at different points throughout the year.

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Support Claims Exercises - 2022/2023 - Digital SAT Material 2 SCORE Test Prep & College Counseling - Author: Tyler Lynn
 A recent engineering study conducted at a major university sought to
confirm the hypothesis that an increase in the number of sensors in a Support Claim Question
system would improve its performance. The experiment involved two
groups of robots, which were programmed to navigate an obstacle
course. One group had five sensors, while the other had ten. The
robots were placed in a simulated environment and the course was
run for 10 trials. The study anticipated that the increased number of
3
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the study’s
sensors would have a positive impact on the robots’ performance.
hypothesis?

The robots with 10 sensors in the study were also equipped with better
A circuitry and more powerful computing hardware.

The robots with 10 sensors were able to complete the course at 120% of the
B speed of the robots with 5 sensors.

The robots with 5 sensors were made with wheels that were not well suited
C for the trial course.

The robots with 5 sensors completed the course in just 30% of the time of
D the robots with 10 sensors.

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Support Claims Exercises - 2022/2023 - Digital SAT Material 3 SCORE Test Prep & College Counseling - Author: Tyler Lynn
 Journalist Joe Smith recently spoke to several people who feel that
pit bulls should be illegal. They shared stories of being attacked, or Support Claim Question
knowing someone who was attacked, by a pit bull. They said that
these dogs are too unpredictable, and that their powerful jaws and
sharp teeth make them a serious threat. One person said that the
problem is not with any specific breed, but with irresponsible owners
who don’t take the necessary steps to make sure that their dogs are
4
Which quote best supports Joe Smith’s opinion?
well-trained and not a danger to the public. Joe Smith concluded,
based on the interviews, that Pit Bulls are a dangerous breed.

“It’s important to remember that pit bulls are highly intelligent and can be
A trained to be incredible family pets.”

“I think we can all agree that it’s wrong to blame an entire breed for the
B actions of a few bad owners. A pit bull can be just as well behaved as a
poodle.”

“I’ve had a pit bull for years and he’s been nothing but loving and loyal. I
C think the problem is that people don’t give these dogs enough attention
and training.”

“Pit bulls are powerful animals with sharp teeth, and when they are not
D properly trained and cared for, they can be a serious danger to the public.”

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Support Claims Exercises - 2022/2023 - Digital SAT Material 4 SCORE Test Prep & College Counseling - Author: Tyler Lynn
 Rosalind Franklin was an accomplished scientist whose work in
the field of biology was revolutionary and highly influential. She is Support Claim Question
best known for her work on the structure of DNA, which she was
able to photograph and study in detail. She also made important
contributions to the understanding of the tobacco mosaic virus and
the structure of proteins. Her work in the field of biology showed that
there was a complex relationship between the structure and function
5
What evidence would most directly support Rosalind Franklin’s
of biological molecules. She also demonstrated the importance of
theories?
understanding the structure of a molecule in order to understand
its function. Her discoveries in the field of biology continue to be
influential and respected today.

Photographs of DNA that show that the shape of the molecule influences
A the way it is used by the body.

A study in which scientists were able to dissect different proteins of differ-

B ent shapes that performed similar functions.

A discovery of two molecules of the same shape that perform vastly differ-
C ent functions in food digestion.

A study showing that the public is not generally interested in the structure
D of proteins, but would rather learn about their function.

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Support Claims Exercises - 2022/2023 - Digital SAT Material 5 SCORE Test Prep & College Counseling - Author: Tyler Lynn