He said/She said

He said She said

Tsi's Double Passages​

By Linda Flores

Double Passages

So far, we have worked on single passages. Now we'll take a look at some paired passages about the same general topic. Double passages, as these are often called, are not necessarily twice as hard as single passages. Double passages can include questions about each passage alone as well as questions that ask you about the relationship between the two passages.

Think of these paired passages as a conversation between two people. He says something and then she says something related.

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Questions about these double passages typically ask:

• Do the authors agree or disagree?

• What is the most important point of disagreement?

• How might one author respond to the other author?

• What is the most important difference between the two?

​STAAR PAIRED SELECTIONS V. TSI DOUBLE PASSAGEs

Though these appear to be very similar to STAAR's paired selections, two clear distinctions are that the STAAR test clearly separates the questions ​by passage and refers to each by their title. The TSI does not, so you must pay close attention to the questions as to not confuse the two.

Multiple Choice

The main point of Passage 1 is that

• wood is used as a heating fuel for many households

• heating with firewood produces dangerous air pollution

• people with respiratory diseases may be affected by wood smoke

• temperature inversions increase the danger of wood smoke pollution

Multiple Choice

The author of Passage 1 compares small wood smoke particles to human hair in order to

• illustrate the dangers posed by air pollution

• establish that air pollution is caused by humans

• clarify the meaning of "very small particles"

• invite a debate on the causes of wood smoke

Multiple Choice

The author of Passage 2's main purpose is to show that

• methods must be developed to permit wood heating in urban areas

• a well-managed woodlot can produce enough fuel to heat a single house

• supplies of fossil fuels such as oil and coal will eventually be exhausted

• firewood is a sustainable resource for much home heating

Multiple Choice

The author of Passage 2's description of a cord of wood is intended primarily for readers who

• may not be familiar with the measuring of firewood

• are thinking of converting from fossil fuel to wood heat

• need more information about sustainability practices

• want to harvest firewood from woodlots that they may own

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the relationship between the two passages?

• Both authors agree that pollution from wood heating is a serious problem.

• The authors disagree about the seriousness of the effects of pollution from wood smoke.

• The author of Passage 2 does not contradict Passage 1 but highlights an

  advantage of wood heat.

• The author of Passage 2 believes that the problem of wood smoke can be solved by good sustainability practices.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following, if true, would be the best argument for the author of Passage 2 to answer the points made in Passage 1?

• Burning fossil fuels for home heating generates pollution that is just as serious as that produced by wood heating.

• By heating with firewood, homeowners are able to cut and prepare fuel themselves, thereby saving substantial fuel costs.

• The cost of firewood for heating fuel is likely to remain fairly stable while the

  prices of fossil fuels change dramatically.

• Heating with firewood became widespread during the 1970s when there were severe shortages of oil.