Question

passage b — grade 5
farmers once watched the sky for rain; now many also watch screens. satellite images
and soil sensors help predict when to water. this saves money and protects rivers from
runoff. still, tools don’t do the thinking. in a dry year, computers may suggest watering a
field on tuesday, but a farmer who sees storm clouds might wait. the best results come
when data and experience shake hands.
page 2 of 12
b1) central idea: technology in farming works best when…
a. it replaces experience
b. it makes rivers flood less
c. it waters on tuesdays
d. people combine data with judgment
b2) evidence: which sentence best supports your answer to #6?
(write the sentence from the text.)
b3) inference: “tools don’t do the thinking” means…
a. tools think slowly
b. people must make decisions
c. tools are broken
d. farmers ignore advice
b4) word meaning: runoff most nearly means…
a. extra water flowing away
b. a race
c. quitting a job
d. cleaning a tool
b5) author’s purpose is to…
a. entertain with a story
b. explain a process
c. beg for donations
d. criticize farmers

Explanation:

B1)

The passage says "The best results come when data and experience shake hands." Data is from technology, and experience is human judgment. Option A is wrong as tech doesn't replace experience. Option B is a side effect, not the main idea of tech working best. Option C is an example, not the main idea. So D is correct.

To support the answer that technology in farming works best when data and experience (judgment) are combined, the sentence "The best results come when data and experience shake hands" directly states this combination leads to the best outcome.

The phrase "Tools don’t do the thinking" implies that tools can't make decisions on their own; people have to use their judgment. Option A is wrong as tools don't think at all. Option C is irrelevant (tools being broken isn't implied). Option D is wrong as farmers don't ignore advice, but tools need human decision - making. So B is correct.

Answer:

D. people combine data with judgment

B2)