Which statement best summarises the independent review's finding? (Passage: Library closures)
Between 2012 and 2022, a fifth of the public libraries in one region closed, and opening hours were cut in many that remained. Council leaders point out that borrowing of printed books fell by a third over the same decade, and that money saved has protected social care. Campaigners respond that libraries offer free internet access, warm spaces and children's activities, none of which show up in book-loan figures. An independent review found that areas where libraries closed saw a larger fall in children's reading scores, but it could not show that the closures caused the difference.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Reading scores fell more where libraries closed, but causation was not established
- Step 1: Separate the association from the cause. Step 2. The review found a larger fall in scores in closure areas but could not show closures caused it. Answer: Reading scores fell more where libraries closed, but causation was not established. Why not the others: Causation is explicitly not shown; scores did change; the one-third fall is a council figure for the whole region.
Practise more Short passages and comprehension (set 1).
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