What potential issue can arise from a leading question in CARS responses?

• A. It helps clarify ambiguous passages
• B. It encourages unbiased judgment of responses
• C. It may introduce bias in response selection
• D. It simplifies the question to an easy answer

Answer: (C)

A leading question can create a situation where bias is introduced in the selection of responses. This occurs because leading questions often suggest a particular answer or perspective, thereby influencing the way a respondent interprets the question and the choices provided. When individuals are presented with a leading question, they may unconsciously align their responses with the implied suggestion of the question, which prevents an unbiased evaluation of the information.

In the context of CARS, maintaining objectivity is crucial for accurately interpreting complex passages and understanding the author's intent. If a question leads the respondent toward a specific viewpoint, it diminishes the integrity of the reasoning process, making it more difficult to derive a balanced perspective from the reading material.

Other choices present various characteristics of questions, such as clarifying ambiguity or simplifying answers, but these aspects do not address the concern of bias introduced through leading questions. Bias undermines the critical analysis necessary for effective reading comprehension and reasoning in CARS.