> > >37. When Matt's and Damien's broad jumps were measured accurately to
> > >the nearest foot, each measurement was 21 feet. Which statement best
> > >describes the greatest possible difference in the lengths of Matt¹s
> > >jump and Damien's jump?
> > >A. One jump could be up to 1/4 foot longer than the other.
> > >B. One jump could be up to 1/2 foot longer than the other.
> > >C. One jump could be up to 1 foot longer than the other.
> > >D. One jump could be up to 2 feet longer than the other.
> > >
my question is ... what is the real purpose of this item?
an examinee has to take the stem at face value and, it says, quite
clearly ... that these were "measured accurately" ... to the nearest foot
... so, within that scheme ... they have to assume that for it to be 21 ...
it would have had to have been measured "accurately" at 20.5 up to 21 ...
(rounded up if necessary) or ... from 21.5 down to 21 ... (rounded down if
necessary) ... and any interpretation other than that would therefore ...
have to disregard what is stated in the stem ... that being, the
measurement is done accurately ...
the only way that an answer like D could be acceptable ... is if the stem
had left open to question ... how accurately the measurements were taken
... such as:
on old tape measure was used to measure the jumps and, using that ... they
both had jumps of 21 feet ...
or, a measure made of rubber bands was used ... they both had jumps of 21
feet ....
or .. a tape measure was used but, sometimes it was pulled very taut ...
sometimes not .... they both had jumps of 21 feet
etc.
C is the only acceptable answer GIVEN the stem ... and what it says and implies
again ... i ask ... what is the purpose of this item IF it is other than
what is implied in the stem?
if one wants to argue for D ... then one has to also argue that the
examinee should have not believed what the stem said ... and therefore,
they were justified in answering a DIFFERENT question
if D is the keyed correct response ... then it is a trick ? ... pure and simple
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