Directions
On the following pages, you will see a brief reading selection and two figures (graphs, tables, charts, maps, or other figures) on the same or a related topic. You should assume that the reading and figures came from different sources and therefore may not be consistent with one another.

Your task is to identify the claims made in the reading selection and to evaluate whether and how relevant data in the figures support and/ or contradict these claims. You should discuss at least two claims from the reading and data from both figures. Explain your fmdings on the lined pages of this test booklet.

Time Allotted
You will have one hour to read the text, examine the figures, and write your response. You may use your dictionary at any time.

How to Prepare Your Response
You should use your time in this way:

• Identify the claims in the reading selection. You may underline or mark on the reading.
• Examine the data in the figures. You may take notes and/or mark on the figures.
• Determine how relevant data in the figures support and/or contradict claims in the reading.
• Plan a response in which you state the claims in the reading and explain the relationship between these claims and relevant data in the figures. You should use the unlined page to plan your response.
• Write your response on the lined pages.
• Re-read your response to ensure that it will be clear to a reader.

How Your Response will be Evaluated
Your response on the lined pages will be graded on your ability to:

• identify and state accurately the claims in the reading selection; and
• explain the relationship between these claims and the relevant data in the figures with accuracy, clarity , and completeness.

Task 2 Sample Student Responses
The responses on the following pages, printed with permission, were written by CUNY students at an earlier CPE administration. The examination question they responded to is reprinted here:

Bicycle Safety The following report of a research study recently appeared in a monthly sports publication.       As bicycling grows in popularity as a recreational activity and as a means of transportation for adults and children, injuries continue to take a toll on cyclists. Compared to younger riders, middle-aged cyclists, age 35-54 years, are especially at risk of injuries requiring medical attention. Middle-aged cyclists suffer from brain, facial, and neck injuries at nearly twice the rate as riders under age 16.       Many factors may account for the difference in rates of serious injury between the two age groups, including the deterioration of physical abilities among older cyclists and the greater likelihood of adults riding bikes on streets and highways amid traffic. However, while these and other factors are significant, the most important reason for the difference in rates of serious injury is the difference in the practice of helmet usage between older and younger cyclists.       A recent study found that less than half of adult cyclists regularly wear helmets, compared to almost 75% of children under age 16. The study also indicated that older cyclists are much more likely to make conscious choices about whether or not to wear a helmet. Many older cyclists claim they never wear a helmet because they find it too uncomfortable or unattractive, whereas children under 16 report sometimes not wearing a helmet only because they forget or can't find it. Clearly, if rates of serious injury among riders are to be reduced, older cyclists' attitudes toward helmet usage must change. Figure 1 Serious Injury Among Cyclists by Type of Injury and Age Group 1998 Figure 2 Frequency of Helmet Use

BACK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD