RS-3 Identify bias and misuse of evidence Quiz: AQA English Language, Unit 3

The 20 questions

1. Which of these best describes bias in a text?

   • A one-sided presentation that favours one view, often by leaving out or distorting evidence
   • A text that includes statistics, which always makes the argument neutral and fair to both sides
   • A text that uses more than one paragraph, so the writer has explored the topic at some length
   • A text written in the present tense, which makes it sound more immediate and modern to readers

2. Which example shows a misuse of evidence?

   • Citing a survey of 1,200 people from across the country, with the sample method explained
   • Citing a survey of 12 people from one street as proof of the views of the whole country
   • Citing a government figure and noting that it was revised in a later, updated publication
   • Citing a published report from a national statistics body with its date and source named

3. A writer says 'Most people agree' but cites no source. What is the best reason to question this?

   • The claim uses the word 'most', which is always a sign that the writer is lying to the reader
   • The claim is short, and short claims are always false according to the usual guidance
   • The claim is written in a formal tone, which suggests the writer is trying to deceive readers
   • The claim is not supported by evidence, so the reader cannot check how many people hold the view

4. A charity report uses a photograph of one sad child to describe a whole region. What kind of bias is this?

   • Emotive, unrepresentative evidence that may encourage a reader to generalise from one example
   • Balanced, factual reporting that gives the reader a fair and complete picture of the situation
   • Neutral, statistical evidence that has been checked by an independent body and verified
   • Accurate scientific observation in which the sample size has been fully justified by the writer

5. Which phrase most clearly signals that a writer is presenting an opinion as a fact?

   • 'The data was collected from hospital records covering the years between 2015 and 2020'
   • 'Everyone knows that the plan is clearly the only sensible option available to the council'
   • 'The survey was conducted in March, and 320 people responded to the questionnaire sent out'
   • 'According to the figures published in the annual report, spending rose by four per cent'

6. A writer compares two cities using only the best statistics for one and the worst for the other. What is this?

   • A neutral method, because each statistic is accurate even if it has been chosen carefully
   • Full and balanced use of evidence, which is the best way to compare two different places
   • Standard academic practice, because comparisons always need the extremes to show contrast
   • Selective use of evidence, which can give a misleading impression of the overall picture

7. Which feature suggests a source may be less reliable?

   • The writer names the organisation that carried out the survey and states the year it was done
   • The writer does not name the source of the statistics and gives no date for when they were collected
   • The writer acknowledges a limitation of the study and explains how it might affect the results
   • The writer states the sample size and explains how the people in the sample were chosen

8. Which is an example of emotive language used to persuade rather than inform?

   • The council's budget for the year was set at four million pounds, as the minutes record
   • The reckless council has wasted millions of pounds on a scheme that nobody asked for
   • The council has published a budget that includes spending on roads, parks and libraries
   • The council meeting was held on Tuesday in the main hall of the town's civic centre

9. A text says 'Four out of five dentists recommend this toothpaste' but names no sample or study. What is the main issue?

   • The claim cannot be checked, so the evidence is unsupported and may be misused to sell the product
   • The claim is too long, since a product claim should always be expressed in a single short word
   • The claim is in the present tense, which automatically makes the statistic false and misleading
   • The claim uses a fraction, which is never allowed in advertising and must always be replaced

10. Which is the best way to identify bias in a non-fiction text?

    • Note whether the text has a title, since any text without a title is always biased against readers
    • Count how many exclamation marks appear, since bias is shown by the number of exclamation marks
    • See whether the text uses a picture, because images in a text always show that it is biased
    • Check whether the writer presents only one side, uses loaded words and reports evidence selectively

11. A writer says 'Doctors are unanimous' to support a claim, but the cited study has 14 doctors. What is the best response?

    • Reject the claim entirely, because doctors are never unanimous on any health question at any time
    • Accept the claim fully, because any study with more than ten doctors is always sufficient evidence
    • Note that the sample is very small and the word 'unanimous' overstates what the study shows
    • Accept the claim, because unanimity means all doctors agree, and the number 14 is a large group

12. Which sentence most clearly misuses a statistic?

    • Crime fell by 2 per cent last year, although the figures for the previous year were revised upwards
    • Crime fell by 2 per cent last year, so the town is now dangerous for anyone walking alone at night
    • Crime fell by 2 per cent last year, according to the police figures published in their annual report
    • Crime fell by 2 per cent last year, and the report notes that the change was small and uncertain

13. Which of the following is an example of a source with clear bias?

    • A government statistical bulletin explaining the method used, the sample size and the margin of error
    • A museum guide listing the dates of construction for each building and the names of its architects
    • A party's campaign leaflet listing its own successes but ignoring the policies that failed to deliver
    • An independent academic review summarising studies on the topic and noting disagreement between them

14. What is the danger of an argument that relies on a single anecdote?

    • Anecdotes are always the most accurate evidence, because they come from people who saw events directly
    • One personal story may not represent the wider population, so it is a weak form of evidence
    • Anecdotes are always fictional, so they should never be included in any non-fiction text at all
    • Anecdotes help a writer to use the present tense, which makes an argument sound more trustworthy

15. Which kind of evidence is generally the most reliable for a claim about national trends?

    • Data from a large, representative sample, collected with a stated method and cited with its source
    • A rumour passed on by a friend who heard it from someone else at a party last weekend
    • A comment posted anonymously online by someone who claims to have seen the events happen
    • A single interview with one person who has strong feelings about the topic under discussion

16. A text quotes a politician as saying 'We will never raise taxes', but omits the words 'unless the economy grows'. What is this?

    • A neutral summary, since quotations are always shortened for clarity in non-fiction writing
    • A complete account of the politician's view, because quotations should never include conditions
    • Accurate quotation, because the words included are exactly what the politician said at the time
    • Misleading use of a quotation, because the omitted words change the meaning of the statement

17. A writer presents an opinion about a new tax as though it were the verdict of an expert panel. What is this an example of?

    • A quotation that has been checked against the original report and confirmed as correct overall
    • Misrepresenting the source of a claim, which makes an opinion look like authoritative evidence
    • Accurate attribution of a view, since expert opinions are always presented as fact in full
    • A balanced summary, because it gives two sides of the debate in one short and clear statement

18. Which phrase best signals that a writer is using loaded language?

    • Describing a cheap and sensible policy as a shameful waste of money that no decent person would support
    • Describing the policy as being introduced in April and reviewed by a committee at the end of the year
    • Describing the policy as one that costs two million pounds and affects around ten thousand residents
    • Describing the policy as a change to the rules that applies in the first and second year of study

19. A chart's vertical axis starts at 90 rather than zero, making a small rise look dramatic. What is this?

    • A neutral presentation, because the axis shows every value in the data set without any omissions
    • A standard and accurate method, since charts should always start at the highest value on the scale
    • An accurate statistic, because the chart is labelled clearly and the figures are correct as shown
    • A misleading presentation of evidence, which exaggerates the size of the change for the reader

20. Which claim is the most cautious and therefore least likely to be a bias or overstatement?

    • The study confirms that the treatment is safe and effective for everyone, without any exceptions
    • The study shows that the treatment is a miracle cure that makes all other treatments pointless
    • The study suggests that the treatment may help some patients, though more research is needed
    • The study proves that the treatment helps every patient, and there is no doubt about this result

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