Which criteria are appropriate for evaluating supporting evidence in informational texts?

• A. Length of paragraphs
• B. Relevance, sufficiency, credibility, sources
• C. Number of footnotes
• D. Author's background only

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is how to judge the strength of supporting evidence in informational texts. The best criteria are relevance, sufficiency, credibility, and sources. Evidence should directly support the claim (relevance) and there should be enough of it to justify the conclusion (sufficiency). Credibility matters because trustworthy data, sound methods, and credible expertise behind the evidence strengthen the argument. Clear, properly documented sources allow verification and demonstrate that the evidence comes from reliable places.

Length of paragraphs isn’t a reliable indicator of quality; a long paragraph can mask weak support, just as a brief paragraph can present strong, well-chosen evidence. The number of footnotes doesn’t guarantee credibility, since footnotes can be added or omitted without improving the underlying reasoning. An author’s background can inform how trustworthy the presenter might be, but that alone doesn’t prove the argument—what matters is the quality and relevance of the evidence itself.