2. Command of Evidence (Textual)

Command of Evidence (Textual) questions give you a claim -- sometimes from a fictional student's notes -- and ask you to choose the quote or passage excerpt that most directly supports it.

Sample passage:
"Mangrove forests protect coastlines not only by absorbing wave energy but also by trapping sediment that would otherwise erode into the sea. A single hectare of mangrove can store up to four times more carbon than an equivalent area of tropical rainforest. Despite these benefits, roughly 35% of the world's mangrove cover has been lost since 1980, largely due to coastal development and aquaculture expansion."

The 'best evidence' strategy
When the question says 'Which quotation from the passage most effectively illustrates the claim that...', you need a direct, explicit connection -- not a hint or a related idea.

• Step 1: Identify exactly what the claim says. Underline the key noun and verb.
• Step 2: Find the choice whose content directly addresses that exact claim.
• Step 3: Eliminate choices that are merely related to the topic but don't support the specific claim.

Worked example:
Claim: Mangroves are unusually effective at sequestering carbon.

• (A) 'Mangrove forests protect coastlines not only by absorbing wave energy...' [About wave protection, not carbon]
• (B) 'A single hectare of mangrove can store up to four times more carbon than an equivalent area of tropical rainforest.' [Directly supports the claim]
• (C) '...roughly 35% of the world's mangrove cover has been lost since 1980...' [About loss, not carbon storage]
• (D) '...largely due to coastal development and aquaculture expansion.' [About causes of loss, not carbon]

Choice (B) is correct because it provides specific, quantified evidence of superior carbon storage.

⚠️ Common mistake: choosing the answer that mentions the same topic as the claim rather than the same point.

💡 Tip: Rephrase the claim in your own words before reading the choices. Then match meaning, not keywords.