Question

read this excerpt from a passage.

in 2010, a research team at the university of minnesota began a three-year study of later start times at high schools in three states. they compared schools having earlier, more traditional start times with schools starting at times that correspond better to teens’ circadian rhythms. not surprisingly, the results, published in 2014, showed that some positive things happened at the schools with later start times. students earned higher grades in core subject areas. they performed better on achievement tests. and there were fewer absences and tardy arrivals. the research team reported other benefits associated with a later school start time (which means more sleep for teens).

what was the cause associated with the positive effects researchers discovered at the schools?

○ students earning higher grades in core subject areas.

○ continuing using traditional start times.

○ a three-year study of later start times.

○ implementing later start times.

Explanation:

To determine the cause, we analyze each option:

• "Students earning higher grades..." is an effect, not a cause.
• "Continuing using traditional start times" goes against the study (they compared traditional with later start times, and positive effects were in later start time schools).
• "A three - year study of later start times" is the research method, not the cause of positive effects.
• "Implementing later start times" is the cause because the passage states that positive things happened at schools with later start times (more sleep for teens, better grades, etc.).

Answer:

D. Implementing later start times.