Entry Exam Category: Graduate & Professional Program Admission Exams
Course: Praxis
Exam: Praxis Reading Language Arts 5002 Practice Test
Practice Question
Extract
At about 11 p.m. on Christmas, Washington's army commenced its crossing of the half-frozen river at three locations. The 2,400 soldiers led by Washington successfully braved the icy and freezing river and reached the New Jersey side of the Delaware just before dawn. The other two divisions, made up of some 3,000 men and crucial artillery, failed to reach the meeting point at the appointed time. —'Washington Crosses the Delaware,' from the History Channel Web site Christmas, 6 PM... It is fearfully cold and raw and a snow-storm is setting in. The wind is northeast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible night for the soldiers who have no shoes... but I have not heard a man complain... December 26, 3 AM I have never seen Washington so determined as he is now. He stands on the bank of the stream, wrapped in his cloak, superintending the landing of his troops. He is calm and collected, but very determined. —Diary of Colonel John Fitzgerald, December 25 and December 26, 1776
Which of the following best describes a benefit of having students read both excerpts?
Answer Choices
- A: Students can analyze the differences between a primary and a secondary source document.
- B: Students can compare the facts in the primary source to the emotions expressed in the secondary source.
- C: Students can understand different points of view when forming an opinion about an event.
- D: Students can learn to recognize whether sources are reliable.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Comparing the diary (primary) and History Channel text (secondary) helps students understand source types. The secondary source isn't emotional, perspectives aren't the focus, and reliability isn't assessed, making A best.