Analyze Author's Response to Conflicting Evidence Practice Test

Read the passage and answer the question.

Some teachers argue that allowing students to use AI writing tools for brainstorming will improve learning because it helps students generate ideas quickly. I agree that AI can be useful, but only under clear rules. Opponents warn that AI “will do the thinking for students” and lead to more cheating. That risk is real; if students paste an AI draft and submit it, they skip the hard work of organizing evidence and revising. Yet that problem is mostly about unstructured use, not the tool itself. When teachers require students to submit outlines, track changes, and explain why they chose certain evidence, AI becomes more like a tutor than a shortcut. Schools can also limit AI to prewriting and require in-class writing for major assessments. Used this way, AI can support learning while still holding students accountable for their own words and reasoning.

How does the author handle the counterargument that AI will lead to cheating and less thinking?

Read the passage and answer the question.

Many people say that banning single-use plastic bags is the fastest way to cut litter, and I mostly agree. Plastic bags blow into trees and waterways and can harm animals. Still, opponents point out that paper bags require more energy and water to produce, and some life-cycle studies show paper can create higher greenhouse-gas emissions per bag. That evidence matters, and it’s why a simple “plastic versus paper” debate misses the point. The best policies don’t just switch materials; they reduce the number of bags used overall. When cities combine a plastic-bag ban with a small fee on all disposable bags and promote reusable bags, total bag consumption drops sharply. In other words, the goal is fewer throwaway bags, not just different throwaway bags. If a community only replaces plastic with free paper, it may trade one environmental problem for another. But if it pairs the ban with incentives to reuse, the policy can reduce litter and emissions at the same time.

What type of response does the author use to address the life-cycle studies suggesting paper bags can be worse for the environment?