Evolution
Argumentation and Evolution
In a scientific argument, claims about the natural world should be supported or refuted by evidence, and by reas…
Item CA045002: Recognize evidence and reasoning statements to support the claim that sharks and dolphins share a common ancestor.
A student is reading a newspaper article and comes across the statement:
“Sharks and dolphins share a common ancestor.”
Their teacher asks them to read the article to see whether the journalist provides clear evidence and good reasons to support the claim.
Which of the following should the student look for in the article?
-
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins.
Reasoning: A statement that having a similar DNA sequence suggests common ancestry.
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Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins.
Reasoning: A statement that new species can be produced when the environment favors the survival and reproduction of a population with particular traits.
-
Evidence: A statement that says that all vertebrates are related.
Reasoning: A statement that says that if all vertebrates are related, they must have similarities in their DNA sequence.
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Evidence: A description of the similarities between the skeletons of sharks and the skeletons of dolphins.
Reasoning: A statement that both humans and fish have internal skeletons that include backbones and a skull.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 2269 |
6–8 n = 91 |
9–12 n = 2013 |
Male n = 963 |
Female n = 1143 |
English n = 2055 |
Other n = 63 |
||
| A. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that having a similar DNA sequence suggests common ancestry. |
60% | 66% | 59% | 57% | 61% | 60% | 57% |
| B. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that new species can be produced when the environment favors the survival and reproduction of a population with particular traits. |
23% | 20% | 23% | 24% | 22% | 23% | 24% |
| C. |
Evidence: A statement that says that all vertebrates are related. Reasoning: A statement that says that if all vertebrates are related, they must have similarities in their DNA sequence. |
11% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 13% |
| D. |
Evidence: A description of the similarities between the skeletons of sharks and the skeletons of dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that both humans and fish have internal skeletons that include backbones and a skull. |
7% | 4% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1104 |
6–8 n = 70 |
9–12 n = 901 |
Male n = 434 |
Female n = 555 |
English n = 949 |
Other n = 33 |
||
| A. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that having a similar DNA sequence suggests common ancestry. |
64% | 59% | 65% | 65% | 65% | 65% | 58% |
| B. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that new species can be produced when the environment favors the survival and reproduction of a population with particular traits. |
20% | 21% | 20% | 18% | 21% | 20% | 18% |
| C. |
Evidence: A statement that says that all vertebrates are related. Reasoning: A statement that says that if all vertebrates are related, they must have similarities in their DNA sequence. |
10% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 10% | 18% |
| D. |
Evidence: A description of the similarities between the skeletons of sharks and the skeletons of dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that both humans and fish have internal skeletons that include backbones and a skull. |
6% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 1165 |
6–8 n = 18 |
9–12 n = 1059 |
Male n = 535 |
Female n = 571 |
English n = 1055 |
Other n = 33 |
||
| A. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that having a similar DNA sequence suggests common ancestry. |
67% | 83% | 67% | 66% | 68% | 67% | 67% |
| B. |
Evidence: Data comparing the DNA sequence of sharks and dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that new species can be produced when the environment favors the survival and reproduction of a population with particular traits. |
20% | 0% | 20% | 21% | 20% | 21% | 12% |
| C. |
Evidence: A statement that says that all vertebrates are related. Reasoning: A statement that says that if all vertebrates are related, they must have similarities in their DNA sequence. |
6% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% | 7% | 9% |
| D. |
Evidence: A description of the similarities between the skeletons of sharks and the skeletons of dolphins. Reasoning: A statement that both humans and fish have internal skeletons that include backbones and a skull. |
6% | 11% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 6% | 12% |