Sample CPE Question

Task II - Analyzing and Integrating Information from Graphs and Text (1 Hours)

Sample Assignment

Below, you will see a brief reading selection and two figures (graphs, tables, charts, maps, or other figures), all on the same or a related topic. Assume that all three came from different sources.

Read the reading selection carefully and examine the data presented in the two graphs. Then, in a ,well-organized essay, state the major claims made in the reading selection and explain how data in the two graphs support and/or challenge those claims.

Be specific. Your essay will be evaluated for accuracy, completeness, and clarity . As an aid to preparing for your essay, you might find it helpful to take notes on the reading passage or list the information presented in the figures. Your notes will not be evaluated.

Reading Selection

The work ethic holds that labor is good in itself; that a man or woman at work not only makes a contribution to the common good but becomes a better person by virtue of the act of working. The Puritans greatly emphasized the work ethic and punished laziness severely. Successive waves of immigrants have also believed passionately in the work ethic, aiming for what they thought was the greatest success open to them-middle class status.

In the 90's, however, there are signs that the ethic has been challenged. Many Americans appear to reject the notion that "labor is good in itself," especially when that labor is rnind-numbing or dangerous. Most white collar work involves elemental clerical operations. Blue collar work is usually dull and repetitive, and too often dirty , noisy, and hazardous as well. It is a national scandal that every year on-the-job accidents kill thousands of U.S. workers. In many workplaces, employees must get permission from the supervisor before going to the bathroom. Service and health care workers are subject to forced overtime and to customers or clients who are often unappreciative or even hostile.

But most of these conditions are not new, and rather than working fewer hours, many people are working more--by choice.What is happening, however, is that the work ethic is undergoing a radical transformation. Workers, particularly younger ones, are taking work more seriously, not less. Many may have abandoned the success ethic of their elders, but they still believe in work. Young and old are willing to invest more effort in their work, but they are demanding a bigger payoff in job satisfaction.

(1995)

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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Sample Student Responses

EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE

According to the above reading, in the 1990's Americans began to abandon the work ethic that has been a part of Our culture since the time of the first immigrants, the Puritans. That one should work for the work's sake and not for the fruits of one's labors is an idea facing rejection by younger workers in particular.

This claim would appear to be bourne out by the data presented in both Figure 1 and Figure 2. That "blue collar" or factory work is not only dull but often dangerous, and that a new generation of workers is less willing to tolerate such conditions, can be seen by the 50% drop in job satisfaction among that population between 1960 and 1990, as shown in Figure I.
Similarly, almost one-third of workers surveyed in regard to the importance of particular job characteristics ranked "interesting work" highest, turning away from "mind-numbing"jobs that might be more lucrative (see Figure 2). 'This would certainly explain the consistency in job satisfaction among professionals, who, presumably, enjoy the best ofboth worlds: stimulating careers in law, medicine, etc., and high salaries. Nevertheless, it is clear that American workers are willing to work 'and that personal fulfillment, rather than a desire to "keep up with the Joneses is the motivating force.

Comments
This is a well-developed response to the task. The opening paragraph establishes that the student clearly understands a central claim (or thesis) that the reading selection makes about the changing work ethic of Americans.

The second paragraph accurately analyzes how the two graphs provide data to support that claim. Throughout this discussion, the writer effectively integrates information from the reading selection and details from the graphs (e.g., "That a new generation ofworkers is less willing to tolerate such conditions can be seen by the 50% drop in job satisfaction among that population between 1960 and 1990") and uses transitions and references to facilitate logical connections from one idea to the next (e.g., "This claim. ...such conditions. ...Similarly. ...Nevertheless. ..rather than. ...). Furthermore, the clear language and generally well-formed sentences help communicate the writer's insightful interpretation of the materials.

EXAMPLE OF AN UNSUCCESSFUL RESPONSE
Labor has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are: meet new people, great pay, recognition, and so on. Labor disadvantages are: death, laziness, or fired. Figure I and 2 supports this claim because labor can be good and bad within itself. Workers should be satisfied with their position, salary, and incentives. Workers also need to look ou for their interest and not only the job's.

Comments
This response might seem, at first glance, appropriate, since it refers to the two graphs ("Figure 1 and 2 supports this claim") and uses some language from the text ("good. ..within itself'). However, the response does not display even a basic understanding of either the reading selection or the data in the two graphs, the core requirement of Task II. Instead, the writer expresses a few simple thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of labor. These ideas are unexplained (Does labor necessarily provide "great pay" and "recognition"? Why do workers need to "look out for their interest"?) and at times confusing (How are "death, laziness, or fired" three "disadvantages of labor")? For all of these reasons, this is an unsatisfactory response to Task II.

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