Research & Credible Sources — Practice · Grade 8 English

Chapter: Research & Source-Based Writing

What this practice covers

By the end of Research & Credible Sources you should be able to:

11 questions, multiple choice and written answer, each with a worked explanation.

Vocabulary used: credible source, bias, plagiarism, paraphrase.

Problem 1

Which is the strongest sign that a source is credible?
  1. It's written by a named expert and published by a reputable organization
  2. It has a colorful, modern website design
  3. It appeared first in a search engine's results
  4. It agrees with an opinion the reader already held
Answer and explanation

It's written by a named expert and published by a reputable organization

Named expertise and a reputable publisher are strong, reliable signs of credibility, unlike design, ranking, or prior agreement.

Problem 2

Changing a few words of a source's sentence but keeping its original structure and most of its vocabulary is...
  1. still considered plagiarism
  2. acceptable paraphrasing
  3. automatically credited, with no citation needed
  4. the same thing as directly quoting
Answer and explanation

still considered plagiarism

True paraphrasing requires fully restating the idea in new words and structure; minor word swaps still count as plagiarism.

Problem 3

Paraphrase this idea in your own words and explain how you would cite it: 'Sea levels have risen about eight inches since 1900, according to NOAA.'
Answer and explanation

A strong paraphrase fully restates the idea in new words and sentence structure — for example, 'Ocean levels have climbed roughly eight inches over the past century, based on data from NOAA' — and names NOAA as the source, whether in-text or in a works-cited list.

Problem 4

Which detail would make you MOST suspicious of a source's credibility?
  1. No author is listed and no evidence is offered for its claims
  2. It was published five years ago
  3. It is a long, detailed article
  4. It cites a study from a university
Answer and explanation

No author is listed and no evidence is offered for its claims

A missing author and a total lack of evidence are strong warning signs, unlike age, length, or citing a university study.

Problem 5

A student copies a sentence directly from a website, puts it in quotation marks, and cites the source. This is...
  1. a properly quoted and cited source, not plagiarism
  2. plagiarism, because any copied text is automatically cheating
  3. an example of paraphrasing
  4. an example of bias
Answer and explanation

a properly quoted and cited source, not plagiarism

Directly quoting with quotation marks and a citation is proper attribution, not plagiarism.

Problem 6

Narrow the inquiry without presuming bias. Give a detail and explain its relevance.
Answer and explanation

Ask how the mural program represents a named worker’s role compared with the archive records. Analyze what each source includes, its purpose, and omissions; visitor comments may show responses but not the full audience.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

Problem 7

A learner writes: “Why are all public displays misleading?” Explain the problem and produce a better response.
Answer and explanation

The question assumes a universal answer. Specify a display and ask how excerpt selection affects the representation of speakers.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

Problem 8

Compare what you must inspect in these two cases. What can transfer, and what must be checked again?
Answer and explanation

Turn a broad topic into a question with a manageable place, time, population, and purpose. A question should require inquiry rather than assume its answer. The method transfers, but the particular detail, scope, and context must be read again. Ask how the mural program represents a named worker’s role compared with the archive records. Analyze what each source includes, its purpose, and omissions; visitor comments may show responses but not the full audience.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

Problem 9

Using an assigned reading or one exercise source, write a developed response applying research & credible sources. Aim for 120–180 words; name the reading or reproduce the sentence you revise.
Answer and explanation

Ask whether a twice-weekly later opening at this school attracted enough use to justify its staffing cost during the trial. Compare the attendance log and budget, then interview staff about supervision limits. A complete response supplies context, a focused claim, a brief supporting detail, explanation, and a relevant qualification. Do not simply repeat this model.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

Problem 10

Write two specific feedback comments on a response to this unit: one on accuracy or meaning and one on evidence or language. Then state a revision priority.
Answer and explanation

Check whether the response explains turn a broad topic into a question with a manageable place, time, population, and purpose. a question should require inquiry rather than assume its answer. Ask for a relevant detail and the reason it supports the conclusion. Prioritize the mistaken assumption shown here: “Why are all public displays misleading?”

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

Problem 11

Choose a fresh sentence or detail from the assigned selection. Explain how this unit’s method applies, and identify one uncertainty or limitation.
Answer and explanation

The sources agree that access matters but differ on how to estimate demand and fund supervision. The survey suggests interest among respondents; the restricted materials grant cannot pay wages. A funded attendance trial addresses the uncertainty. The response must supply its own precise detail and explain it; copying the model without fresh evidence is insufficient.

Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.

Response criteria

  • Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
  • Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
  • Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.

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