Reading & writing · Grades 9–12
A relationship in the data · reading guide
An original passage with comprehension, reasoning and a marking guide.
A relationship in the data
A town reported that library visits and bicycle journeys both rose over three years. A headline claimed that visiting the library caused people to cycle more. The report itself did not track individual choices. During the same period, the town opened new cycle paths and expanded library hours.
Read, think and respond
- Why does the shared upward trend not establish the headline claim?
- Identify two possible alternative influences in the passage.
- Suggest a cautious summary of the report.
Suggested answers and marking notes
Why does the shared upward trend not establish the headline claim?
Rubric: Distinguish correlation from causation; identify missing individual or causal evidence and possible alternative influences.
Identify two possible alternative influences in the passage.
Rubric: Identify the new cycle paths and expanded library hours.
Suggest a cautious summary of the report.
Rubric: State that both measures increased over the period, while explicitly avoiding the unsupported conclusion that one caused the other.
Learning preview · teacher review required. Grade bands are approximate, not official curriculum alignment.