Gather Information and Assess Credibility
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7th Grade ELA › Gather Information and Assess Credibility
Chen is comparing two sources for a report on earthquakes:
Source A: A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) page explaining earthquake magnitude and intensity, updated 2022.
Source B: A 2008 forum post where users argue about whether earthquakes are caused by "secret machines," with no evidence or expert names.
Which statement best compares the credibility of the two sources?
Source B is more credible because it is older, and older sources are always more accurate
Source B is more credible because it includes many different opinions, which makes it balanced
Both are equally credible because they are both online and both discuss earthquakes
Source A is more credible because it is from a government science agency and is updated recently, while Source B lacks evidence and expert authorship
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Chen compares a U.S. Geological Survey page (government science agency, updated 2022) with a forum post about conspiracy theories (no evidence or experts, 2008). Source A demonstrates high credibility through government scientific authority (USGS is the official earthquake monitoring agency), recent updates (2022), and factual scientific content about earthquake measurement. Source B fails every credibility test: forum posts lack expert authorship, conspiracy theories about "secret machines" lack evidence, outdated information (2008), and no scientific backing. Option A wrongly equates multiple opinions with balance; option C incorrectly treats all online sources equally; option D misunderstands that currency matters for scientific topics. Teaching source comparison means showing students how government science agencies provide authoritative information on their specialty topics, while forums with conspiracy theories and no expert involvement represent unreliable sources regardless of platform.
Chen is researching: “How do wildfires affect air quality?” He is choosing between two sources.
Source A: A 2023 article from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website explaining particulate matter (PM2.5), with data links and a publication date.
Source B: A 2020 social media thread by an influencer with no science training, claiming “smoke is basically harmless” and providing no evidence.
Which choice BEST compares the credibility of these sources?
Source B is more credible because it has more comments and shares.
Source B is more credible because it is written in simpler language for the public.
They are equally credible because both are online and discuss the same topic.
Source A is more credible because it is from a reputable government agency and provides evidence and dates.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Chen compares EPA website (government agency, 2023, provides data) versus social media post (influencer without science training, unsupported claims). Source A is more credible because government agencies like EPA employ experts, provide evidence-based information, cite data sources, and update content regularly. Source B lacks credibility due to no scientific expertise, no evidence provided, and potentially dangerous misinformation about smoke being "harmless." Students should recognize that credible sources have qualified authors/organizations, provide evidence for claims, come from reputable publishers, and avoid unsupported opinions—social media engagement (comments/shares) doesn't indicate credibility.
Carlos is creating a Works Cited page in MLA for a website article. He has this entry:
“Climate Change Effects.” 2021. www.climatefacts.org.
What is the MOST important information missing for a correct MLA citation?
A list of other websites that talk about the same topic.
The author (or organization) and the date the page was published or updated.
The student’s opinion about whether the website is trustworthy.
A long summary of the article’s main ideas.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Carlos's MLA citation lacks author information—the most critical missing element for proper attribution and allowing readers to locate the source. MLA format requires: Author (or organization if no individual author). "Title." Website Name, Date, URL—his entry shows only title, date, and URL. Options B, C, and D suggest inappropriate additions—Works Cited entries need factual information not summaries or opinions, and listing related websites isn't part of standard citation format. Students must learn proper citation formats include specific required elements in specific order, author/organization is crucial for credibility and location, and personal opinions don't belong in citations.
Amir is writing about how caffeine affects sleep. He found this sentence in a medical website article:
"Caffeine has a half-life of about five hours in healthy adults, meaning it can stay in your system long after you drink it."
Amir writes in his report:
Caffeine has a half-life of about five hours in healthy adults, meaning it can stay in your system long after you drink it.
He does not use quotation marks or a citation. What best describes Amir’s use of the source?
This is a strong paraphrase because he kept the same structure to avoid changing the meaning
This is acceptable because scientific information is common knowledge and never needs a citation
This is not plagiarism as long as he lists the website somewhere, even without an in-text citation
This is direct plagiarism because he copied the sentence word-for-word without quotation marks or citation
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Amir copied the medical website's sentence word-for-word without any changes, quotation marks, or citation—this is direct plagiarism, the most serious form of academic dishonesty. The correct answer identifies this as copying verbatim without attribution. Option A wrongly claims scientific information needs no citation; option C misidentifies this as paraphrasing when no words were changed; option D incorrectly suggests a bibliography alone prevents plagiarism without in-text citations. Students must understand that using someone else's exact words requires quotation marks AND citation, while using their ideas in your own words requires citation. Teaching plagiarism prevention means showing clear examples of word-for-word copying versus proper quoting (with quotation marks and citation) and proper paraphrasing (significant rewording with citation), emphasizing that all borrowed information needs attribution.
Keisha is researching: “What are the benefits and risks of using AI chatbots in school?” She finds a web article with these details:
Title: “Why Students Should Use AI for Everything”
Author: Not listed
Date: Not listed
Website: BestEdTechDeals.com
Content: Mostly product links and discounts; claims “AI always improves grades” with no studies cited.
What is the BIGGEST credibility problem with this source?
The source is biased and lacks author/date/evidence, so it may be trying to sell products rather than inform.
The source is credible because it supports students and encourages using technology.
The source is credible because it is a .com website and includes many links.
The source is credible because it has a confident tone and uses the word “everything.”
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Keisha's source shows multiple credibility red flags: no author listed (can't verify expertise), no date (can't assess currency), commercial website selling products (BestEdTechDeals.com suggests bias), unsupported claims ("AI always improves grades" without evidence), and primarily product links rather than information. The biggest problem is bias combined with missing author/date/evidence—the site appears designed to sell products rather than provide objective information. Options B, C, and D incorrectly identify credibility markers—supporting students doesn't equal credibility, .com domains often indicate commercial bias, and confident tone without evidence suggests propaganda. Students must check for author credentials, publication dates, evidence for claims, and recognize commercial sites often prioritize sales over accuracy.
Maya is writing a 7th-grade report answering: “How does plastic pollution affect ocean animals?” She found these sources:
Source 1: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) web page, “Marine Debris” (no individual author listed), updated 2024, .gov, explains impacts and prevention.
Source 2: Blog post on OceanTruthNow.com, “The Ocean Will Be Dead by 2030,” posted 2012, author listed as “SeaLover99,” includes many ads and no references.
Source 3: Peer-reviewed journal article in Marine Pollution Bulletin (2019) by two university scientists; includes methods and a reference list.
Source 4: Wikipedia page “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” last edited yesterday.
Which source is the MOST credible to use for scientific evidence about impacts on ocean animals?
Source 2, because it has a strong opinion and will persuade readers.
Source 3, because it is peer-reviewed and written by qualified researchers.
Source 4, because it was edited recently and is easy to understand.
Source 2, because it is a .com website and appears first in search results.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Maya evaluates four sources for credibility: Source 1 (NOAA .gov, updated 2024), Source 2 (blog by "SeaLover99" from 2012 with ads), Source 3 (peer-reviewed journal by university scientists), and Source 4 (Wikipedia). Source 3 is most credible because peer-reviewed journal articles undergo expert review, are written by qualified researchers, include methodology and references, making them highly reliable for scientific evidence. Sources 1 (government) and 4 (Wikipedia) have some credibility but Source 2 lacks author credentials, is outdated, and shows bias. Students should prioritize peer-reviewed academic sources for scientific topics, check author qualifications and publication dates, and recognize that .com sites with anonymous authors and advertisements typically lack credibility for academic research.
Riley is writing about the Dust Bowl for a history assignment. She uses two sources:
Source 1: A 2015 textbook chapter published by a major educational publisher.
Source 2: A 1936 newspaper article written during the Dust Bowl.
Which is the BEST reason Source 2 can still be accurate and useful even though it is old?
It is a primary source that provides firsthand information from the time period.
It does not need to be checked because newspapers never contain errors.
Older sources are always more reliable than newer ones.
It is better than a textbook because it will automatically be unbiased.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Riley's 1936 newspaper article serves as a primary source—firsthand account from the actual time period of the Dust Bowl, providing contemporary perspectives and observations unavailable in later secondary sources. Primary sources offer unique historical value regardless of age because they capture events as they happened. Options A, C, and D contain misconceptions—newer isn't always better for historical events, newspapers can contain errors/bias requiring critical reading, and primary sources can reflect period biases. Students should understand primary sources (diaries, newspapers, photographs from the time) versus secondary sources (textbooks, analyses written later), recognize both types have value, and evaluate all sources critically regardless of type or age.
Sofia is writing about the history of vaccines. She copies this from a website into her report without quotation marks:
Original from HistoryOfMedicineFacts.net (no author listed): “Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who caught cowpox seemed protected from smallpox.”
Sofia’s sentence: Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who caught cowpox seemed protected from smallpox.
What problem is shown in Sofia’s writing?
No problem—facts from websites never need quotation marks or citations.
It is only a citation-format issue; copying exact wording is fine if the website is .net.
It is direct copying (plagiarism) because she used the exact wording without quotation marks and citation.
It is better than plagiarism because she used a short sentence instead of a long paragraph.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Sofia copies exact wording from a website without quotation marks or citation, which is direct plagiarism—using someone else's words as if they were her own. This violates academic integrity because she presents another's work without attribution, regardless of sentence length or website domain. Options A, C, and D incorrectly minimize the seriousness of plagiarism or misunderstand citation requirements. Students must understand that using exact wording requires both quotation marks AND citation, website domain (.net, .com) doesn't affect citation requirements, and plagiarism occurs with any uncredited copying regardless of length.
Jamal is researching: “Do later school start times help middle school students?” He writes this sentence in his draft:
“Adolescents experience a natural shift in their sleep cycle that makes it difficult to fall asleep early.”
He took the idea from a 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement, but he did not add any citation.
What is the BEST revision to avoid plagiarism and follow standard citation format (APA)?
Replace a few words with synonyms so it becomes his own idea and no citation is needed.
Keep the sentence as-is because it is a common fact and does not need a citation.
Add an in-text citation after the sentence, such as (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022).
Put the sentence in quotation marks but do not add a citation since quotes show it is borrowed.
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Jamal uses information from the American Academy of Pediatrics without attribution, which constitutes plagiarism regardless of whether he uses exact words or paraphrases. The correct revision is to add an in-text citation (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2022) after the sentence, following APA format. Option A incorrectly claims this is common knowledge needing no citation, C wrongly suggests quotation marks alone suffice, and D promotes plagiarism by changing words to claim ownership. Students must cite all borrowed ideas whether quoted or paraphrased, use proper citation format (APA shows author, year in parentheses), and understand that even paraphrased information requires attribution to avoid plagiarism.
Carlos is writing about the Dust Bowl. He uses three sources: (1) a 1930s photograph from the Library of Congress, (2) a chapter from a history book, and (3) a museum website article written by a historian. In his draft, he includes a sentence that closely follows the museum article’s wording but changes a few words:
Museum article: "Severe drought and poor farming practices turned millions of acres of topsoil into dust, forcing many families to migrate west."
Carlos’s draft: "Extreme drought and bad farming methods turned millions of acres of topsoil into dust, forcing lots of families to move west."
He includes no citation. What is the best description of the problem?
There is no problem because he changed several words, so it counts as his own writing
This is only a problem if the museum website is a .com domain
This is acceptable because historical topics do not require citations
This is mosaic/too-close paraphrasing and uncited paraphrasing; he should rewrite more in his own structure and add a citation
Explanation
This question tests W.7.8—gather information from multiple sources, assess credibility/accuracy, quote/paraphrase avoiding plagiarism, follow citation format. Research requires: MULTIPLE CREDIBLE SOURCES (3-5 different: books, databases, credible websites, primary sources; assess credibility: author credentials/expert?, reputable publisher?, current date for current topics?, purpose/bias considered?—avoid unreliable: Wikipedia only, random blogs, no author, out-of-date, clearly biased unacknowledged), PROPER USE (quote: exact words in quotation marks with citation, paraphrase: own words with citation—change structure not just synonyms, summarize: main ideas with attribution—integrate smoothly), AVOID PLAGIARISM (cite all sources, don't copy word-for-word without quotes, put into own words when paraphrasing, attribute ideas), STANDARD CITATION (format taught: author, title, publication info, date, proper punctuation, parenthetical in text, works cited page). Carlos demonstrates mosaic plagiarism (also called patchwriting): he kept the exact sentence structure and merely substituted synonyms ("severe" to "extreme," "poor" to "bad," "many" to "lots," "migrate" to "move") without changing the fundamental structure or adding citation. The correct answer identifies both problems: too-close paraphrasing that follows original structure AND missing citation. Option A wrongly claims word changes equal original writing; options C and D incorrectly suggest domain type or topic determine citation needs. Students must learn that proper paraphrasing requires restructuring sentences, not just swapping synonyms, plus citation. Teaching paraphrasing skills means showing the difference between cosmetic word substitution (plagiarism) and genuine rewriting that demonstrates understanding, emphasizing that all paraphrases need citations regardless of how much the words change.