Understanding Partial or Incomplete Evidence in SAT Textual Evidence Questions
What Is Partial or Incomplete Evidence?
Partial or Incomplete Evidence is a subtle trap in SAT textual evidence questions. These answers may address a part of the hypothesis or claim, but they fail to connect all the dots or fully resolve the argument. While they might seem like they’re on the right track, they leave gaps that prevent them from being the best choice.
- They highlight one aspect of the hypothesis without addressing all its components.
- They lack the specificity or completeness needed to fully test or support the claim.
- They might feel relevant but fail to provide a conclusive connection to the hypothesis.
These answers are tricky because they feel plausible, but they don’t fully satisfy the question’s demands. To identify them, always check whether the evidence ties directly and completely to the hypothesis.
Example Question
Let’s analyze an SAT-level example to see how Partial or Incomplete Evidence works:
Historians studying the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 16th-century
England hypothesize that economic motivations were a driving factor behind
the Crown’s decision to seize monastic lands. They argue that the
confiscation of wealth from monasteries significantly boosted royal finances
and helped fund Henry VIII’s military campaigns. To evaluate this
hypothesis, researchers examined financial records, parliamentary acts, and
contemporary accounts of the dissolution.
Which finding, if true,
would most strongly support the hypothesis that economic motivations were
central to the Dissolution of the Monasteries?
This is the correct answer! It directly supports the hypothesis by linking the confiscation of monastic lands to the Crown’s financial gains. This evidence is complete and specific to the claim being tested.
This is Partial or Incomplete Evidence. While it provides an interesting detail about the treatment of monks, it fails to address the central hypothesis about economic motivations. It’s tangential rather than directly relevant.
Key Takeaway: Always verify whether the evidence directly addresses the hypothesis, not peripheral details.
This is another example of Partial or Incomplete Evidence. While it explains one justification for the dissolution, it doesn’t address the economic motivation, which is the central hypothesis.
Key Takeaway: Be cautious of answers that address a secondary aspect of the event without tying back to the main claim.
This is partially relevant but incomplete. It highlights the redistribution of wealth but fails to link this process to the Crown’s economic motivations or financial gain.
Key Takeaway: Answers that address outcomes without connecting them to the hypothesis leave gaps in reasoning.
Overall Explanation
Partial or Incomplete Evidence answers test your ability to distinguish between relevant and fully supportive evidence versus tangential or incomplete details. Here’s how the answers in the example stack up:
- Choice A: Correct. This choice fully supports the hypothesis by linking the Crown’s financial gains to the confiscation of monastic wealth, directly addressing the economic motivation.
- Choice B: Partial or Incomplete Evidence. This describes how monks reacted during the dissolution but doesn’t connect to the hypothesis about economic motivations.
- Choice C: Partial or Incomplete Evidence. While it highlights moral and religious reform as a justification, it fails to address economic motivations.
- Choice D: Partial or Incomplete Evidence. It discusses the redistribution of monastic wealth but doesn’t link this process to the Crown’s financial goals.
By focusing on the hypothesis and testing each answer for completeness, you can confidently eliminate Partial or Incomplete Evidence answers and select the one that fully supports the claim.
How to Spot and Avoid Partial or Incomplete Evidence Answers
Partial or Incomplete Evidence answers are deceptive because they often feel like they’re on the right track. However, they lack the full connection needed to answer the question completely. Here’s how to master this type:
1. Fully Understand the Hypothesis
Before evaluating the answers, simplify the hypothesis into a concise phrase. For example, in this question, the hypothesis is: “Economic motivations drove the Dissolution of the Monasteries.” Use this as your lens to evaluate each answer.
2. Test for Completeness
- Does the answer fully address the hypothesis, or does it only touch on part of it?
- Does it leave any gaps or require additional reasoning to connect to the hypothesis?
- Is it specific enough to be conclusive?
3. Eliminate Answers That Miss the Core
Partial or Incomplete Evidence answers might feel relevant, but they fail to connect all elements of the hypothesis. Cross them out if they don’t directly and fully support the claim.
Practice Tip
To master these questions:
- Understand the Hypothesis: Simplify it and keep it in mind as you evaluate each answer.
- Look for Completeness: The correct answer will fully address the hypothesis without leaving gaps or requiring additional assumptions.
- Be Wary of Partial Evidence: If an answer feels tangential or incomplete, it’s likely a trap. Eliminate it and move on.
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