text:
Gaps in information frustrate the work of fact-checkers. But what about when a government agency creates them?

“To know that the data has been tracked in the past and is maybe still tracked currently and is not being released — that just seems like a step backward,” said Angie Holan, editor of PolitiFact (a project of the Poynter-owned Tampa Bay Times).

Her concern stems from a recent change to the FBI’s 2016 crime report, which FiveThirtyEight reports now has close to 70 percent fewer tables than the 2015 version. Among the data tables missing in the report — the first to come out under the Trump administration’s FBI — is specific information about arrests, homicides and the only national estimate of gang-related murders.

The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data is still available upon request. But FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online. The news outlet also cited a former FBI employee who said the process was “shocking.”

The missing crime statistics are not the first example of government agencies scrubbing information during the Trump administration. In April, the EPA removed several agency websites that referenced detailed climate data and scientific information, The Washington Post reported.

Emily Atkin, an environmental politics reporter for The New Republic, told Poynter that while the change mostly removed climate information for the general public, it has made it a little harder for her to find basic data.

“A lot of the information they’ve taken down is readily available in other places,” she said. “The thing that used to take us 10 minutes now takes us 30 minutes.”

While PolitiFact hasn’t yet encountered a fact check that required data from the latest FBI crime report, Holan said the fact-checking team will try to work around it going forward. Glenn Kessler, who runs The Washington Post Fact Checker, also told Poynter in an email that the newspaper has discussed how to deal with the gaps.

In that, there are two general things any organization can do: finding the data elsewhere and telling your audience when you can’t.

“You just have to do your best and look for alternative sources,” Holan said.

In Argentina, that’s a lesson that fact-checkers learned first-hand years ago — and they offer important insights for organizations anywhere around the world facing sudden reductions in government data.

In 2007, the Argentine government started fudging its inflation rate statistics for political gain. Even after reforms in 2014, Reuters reported Argentina was still underreporting its inflation rate compared to private estimates.

And it’s not just economic data that’s been hard to come by. In 2008 — also under the administration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner — the Argentine government stopped publishing annual crime statistics. It wasn’t until 2016 that they published new numbers.

Those gaps in official data posed a formidable problem for the country’s fact-checkers. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado — a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization — said that, in order to accurately check politicians’ statements about the economy, they had to turn to alternative sources.

“We use alternative sources when (there is) bad information,” she said. “Then we use a special qualification that we have in Chequeado that is called ‘insostenible’ (unsupported).”

While statistics from nonprofit organizations and private economists are often imperfect, they can serve as placeholders for missing or inaccurate government information, Zommer said. And at American fact-checking organizations, that’s also standard practice for working around gaps in data.

In the U.S. — where there’s a lack of numbers about issues such as police shootings  — journalists have also turned to unofficial measures, drawing upon databases created by organizations like The Washington Post and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice to fill in gaps. Eugene Kiely, director of FactCheck.org, told Poynter that while FBI crime data is notoriously unreliable because it’s voluntarily reported, it’s usually the best data available to journalists.

“There are other sources out there that do it, but you can’t make comparisons to previous years because you’re mixing apples and oranges,” he said. “You just have to look for another source and be clear to our readers that we can’t make comparisons.”

In short: Some data is better than no data. But what should fact-checkers do when no one else is keeping track?

“In those cases, our work isn’t to explain or to inform about the data of the phenomenon, but to inform citizens that there is not evidence about it,” Zommer said.

It’s a good rule of thumb to repeat a politician's claim and add context about why it can’t be verified, she said. During the years that Argentina didn’t release annual crime statistics, Chequeado published stories adding context to claims about the murder rate.

“Every time that the president … said homicides were going down in that period, we published an article saying the government stopped publishing official statistics about this — and it’s up to you to believe them or not,” Zommer said.

Those stories can be backed up by filing public records requests.

“All the times that they repeat (claims), make access to information requests again and again asking for that data,” Zommer said. “It’s stronger if we can say … we also required it in a formal way using the law and they don’t care.”

“That shows clearly that it is a political decision — it’s not just a mistake or someone decided not to do that.”

Being transparent and persistent when it comes to publishing government data goes back to what Kiely said is a central tenet of fact-checking: The burden is always on the person who makes the claim. And Zommer said fact-checkers have a responsibility to hold them accountable.

“You as a fact checker should be an advocate for good public data,” she said, “and if that data is not there, you have a problem.”

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize everything related to the FBI.

answer: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze using this data and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online. Though these are significant gaps, fact-checking organizations are trying to work around them to verify claims made by politicians. In the absence of reliable data, fact-checkers should add context about the unreliability of what data is available. Fact-checkers can also file public records requests for the data, but organizations should be transparent and persistent when no data is available.

text: This is irrelevant as it pertains more to the issue of fact checkers. It should be omitted

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze using this data and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online. In the absence of reliable data, fact-checkers should add context about the unreliability of what data is available. Fact-checkers can also file public records requests for the data, but organizations should be transparent and persistent when no data is available.

text: This is irrelevant as it pertains more to the issue of fact checkers. It should be omitted

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze using this data and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.  Fact-checkers can also file public records requests for the data, but organizations should be transparent and persistent when no data is available.

text: This is irrelevant as it pertains more to the issue of fact checkers. It should be omitted

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze using this data and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.

text: It's omitted that the FBI said that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic.

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. FBI said that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze using this data and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.

text: Specify that the data available upon request is the "raw data file"

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. FBI said that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze because it's a raw data file and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.

text: It's omitted that the FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but the best data available to journalists.

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. Its crime report is notoriously unreliable, but the best available to journalists. FBI said that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze because it's a raw data file and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.

text: It's omitted that this is the Trump administration's FBI.

refinement: The FBI recently made a change to its 2016 crime report, the first under the Trump administration, reducing the number of tables available in the report and removing information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. Its crime report is notoriously unreliable, but the best available to journalists. FBI said that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic. This has created problems for fact-checkers trying to review statements about crime data. The FBI claims that the data is still available upon request, but FiveThirtyEight reports that the process is tougher to analyze because it's a raw data file and that the numbers do not always match the figures posted online.

answer: There are 68% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However, about 70% of the data is missing from the report, including specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of human gangs.

text: There are 70% fewer, not 68%.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However, about 70% of the data is missing from the report, including specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of human gangs.

text: This is redundant because it's already stated in the first statement. Omit this.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of human gangs is missing.

text: It's not the estimate of human gangs, but of gang-related murders.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders.

text: It's omitted that the FBI said that the missing data is available upon request, but some say that what is provided is only a harder-to-analyze raw data file with figures that don't always match what's online.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI said that the missing data is available upon request, but some say that what is provided is only a harder-to-analyze raw data file with figures that don't always match what's online.

text: It's omitted that the FBI's streamlining of the report has made it harder for fact checkers

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI said that the missing data is available upon request, but some say that what is provided is only a harder-to-analyze raw data file with figures that don't always match what's online. This streamlining has made it more difficult for fact checkers.

text: It's omitted that the FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but the best data available to journalists.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report than from the 2015 report. The FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but the best available to journalists. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI said that the missing data is available upon request, but some say that what is provided is only a harder-to-analyze raw data file with figures that don't always match what's online. This streamlining has made it more difficult for fact checkers.

text: It's omitted that this is the Trump administration's FBI.

refinement: There are 70% fewer tables from the 2016 FBI report, the first under Trump's administration, than from the 2015 report. The FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but the best available to journalists. The FBI has released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report. However specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI said that the missing data is available upon request, but some say that what is provided is only a harder-to-analyze raw data file with figures that don't always match what's online. This streamlining has made it more difficult for fact checkers.

answer: This article reports on how FBI's 2016 crime report, the first to come under Trump administration's FBI, has 70% fewer tables than the 2015 version. The FBI says that they were just trying to streamline its crime report, and that missing data is still available upon request. FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides a difficult-to-interpret raw data file. A former FBI employee said the process was "shocking". The director of FactCheck.org said that FBI data is notoriously unreliable, but it's the best data available to journalists.

text: It's omitted that the missing information is about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders.

refinement: This article reports on how FBI's 2016 crime report, the first to come under Trump administration's FBI, has 70% fewer tables than the 2015 version. The FBI says that they were just trying to streamline its crime report, and that missing data is still available upon request. The missing information is about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides a difficult-to-interpret raw data file. A former FBI employee said the process was "shocking". The director of FactCheck.org said that FBI data is notoriously unreliable, but it's the best data available to journalists.

text: It's omitted that the streamlining makes work harder for fact-checkers.

refinement: This article reports on how FBI's 2016 crime report, the first to come under Trump administration's FBI, has 70% fewer tables than the 2015 version. The FBI says that they were just trying to streamline its crime report, and that missing data is still available upon request. The missing information is about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders, and makes work harder for factcheckers. FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides a difficult-to-interpret raw data file. A former FBI employee said the process was "shocking". The director of FactCheck.org said that FBI data is notoriously unreliable, but it's the best data available to journalists.

answer: The FBI recently released a crime report that includes nearly 70% fewer tables than the 2015 version. The missing data includes specifics about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI has released a statement saying the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report and that the missing data is still available upon request. FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online. The missing data is causing concern among fact-checkers, who say it makes evaluating statements on basic crime data more difficult.

text: It's omitted that this crime report is the first under Trump's administration.

refinement: The FBI recently released a crime report, the first under the Trump administration, that includes nearly 70% fewer tables than the 2015 version. The missing data includes specifics about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders. The FBI has released a statement saying the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline the report and that the missing data is still available upon request. FiveThirtyEight reports the FBI only provides the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online. The missing data is causing concern among fact-checkers, who say it makes evaluating statements on basic crime data more difficult.

answer: The FBI released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data were available upon request. However, because the FBI only provided the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online, there was some suspicion about the FBI's transparency.

text: It's omitted that there were 70% fewer tables in the 2016 crime report, the first under Trump's administration, than 2015.

refinement: There were 70% fewer tables in the FBI's 2016 crime report, the first under Trump's administration, than 2015. The FBI released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data were available upon request. However, because the FBI only provided the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online, there was some suspicion about the FBI's transparency.

text: It's omitted that specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders were missing.

refinement: There were 70% fewer tables in the FBI's 2016 crime report, the first under Trump's administration, than 2015 with specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders were missing. The FBI released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data were available upon request. However, because the FBI only provided the raw data file, which is harder to analyze and does not always match the figures posted online, there was some suspicion about the FBI's transparency.

text: Add that the data is harder to analyze for factcheckers specifically.

refinement: There were 70% fewer tables in the FBI's 2016 crime report, the first under Trump's administration, than 2015 with specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders were missing. The FBI released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data were available upon request. However, because the FBI only provided the raw data file, which is harder to analyze for factcheckers and does not always match the figures posted online, there was some suspicion about the FBI's transparency.

text: It's omitted that the FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but usually the best available data for journalists.

refinement: There were 70% fewer tables in the FBI's 2016 crime report, the first under Trump's administration, than 2015 with specific information about arrests, homicides, and the only national estimate of gang-related murders were missing. The FBI released a statement saying that the reduced tables were part of an effort to streamline its crime report because of a lack of web traffic, and that the missing data were available upon request. However, because the FBI only provided the raw data file, which is harder to analyze for factcheckers and does not always match the figures posted online, there was some suspicion about the FBI's transparency. The FBI's crime data is notoriously unreliable, but usually the best available data for journalists.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about Argentina?

answer: In Argentina, the hard numbers regarding crime were fudged. The Argentine government was inconsistent in providing hard information regarding crime statistics overtime. In Argentina, the fact-checkers turned to alternative sources in order to verify government statements. The fact-checker also used a special qualification to notify readers of the unreliability of information. Fact-checkers had to file public records requests in order to obtain more accurate data.

text: It's omitted that Argentina also messed economic data for political gain.

refinement: In Argentina, the hard numbers regarding crime and economic data were fudged for political gain. The Argentine government was inconsistent in providing hard information regarding crime statistics overtime. In Argentina, the fact-checkers turned to alternative sources in order to verify government statements. The fact-checker also used a special qualification to notify readers of the unreliability of information. Fact-checkers had to file public records requests in order to obtain more accurate data.

answer: Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics. In 2008, the government stopped publishing annual crime statistics. This has made it difficult for fact-checkers to properly check politicians' statements about the economy. Fact-checkers have turned to alternative sources when there is bad data, and Zommer recommends adding context to claims when the data can't be verified. When possible, fact-checkers also make access to information requests and try to hold politicians accountable.

text: The inaccurate data hasn't just made it difficult for checking statements about the economy, but for checking statements in general.

refinement: Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics. In 2008, the government stopped publishing annual crime statistics. This has made it difficult for fact-checkers to properly check politicians' statements. Fact-checkers have turned to alternative sources when there is bad data, and Zommer recommends adding context to claims when the data can't be verified. When possible, fact-checkers also make access to information requests and try to hold politicians accountable.

text: It's omitted that the inaccurate inaccurate data stemmed from a desire for political gain from the government.

refinement: Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain. In 2008, the government stopped publishing annual crime statistics. This has made it difficult for fact-checkers to properly check politicians' statements. Fact-checkers have turned to alternative sources when there is bad data, and Zommer recommends adding context to claims when the data can't be verified. When possible, fact-checkers also make access to information requests and try to hold politicians accountable.

answer: Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics citing "internal problems" and were only able to resume publishing in 2016.

text: It's omitted that Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain

refinement:
Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain.
Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics citing "internal problems" and were only able to resume publishing in 2016.

text: It's omitted that the omissions in data posed a big problem for Argentina's factcheckers.

refinement:
Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain.
Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics citing "internal problems" and were only able to resume publishing in 2016. The omissions in data posed a big problem for Argentina's factcheckers.

text: Argentina did not cite "internal problems". There is no reason giving, so this should be omitted.

refinement:
Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain.
Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics and were only able to resume publishing in 2016. The omissions in data posed a big problem for Argentina's factcheckers.

text: "only able to resume" seems a bit misleading. "Didn't resume until" would be more accurate

refinement:
Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain.
Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics and it wasn't until 2016 that they started publishing again. The omissions in data posed a big problem for Argentina's factcheckers.

text: It's omitted that Argentinian factcheckers had to resort to using alternative sources, labeling claims unsupported, and providing context for certain rates.

refinement:
Argentina has had a history of publishing inaccurate data concerning inflation and crime statistics for political gain.
Earlier in the 21st century, Argentina stopped publishing annual crime statistics and it wasn't until 2016 that they started publishing again. The omissions in data posed a big problem for Argentina's factcheckers. Argentinian factcheckers had to resort to using alternative sources, labeling claims unsupported, and providing context for certain rates.

answer: In 2007, the Argentine government started messing with their inflation rate statistics for political gains, and continued on with underreporting these rates even after reforms in 2014. In 2008, the Argentine government stopped publishing annual crime statistics, and didn't post new ones until 2016. This posed a problem for their fact checkers, who had to turn to alternative sources. The Argentine president would say that homicides were going down during a certain period, and fact-checkers would have to add context about the murder rates. Zommer claims these omissions were political decisions.

answer: The text discusses how the Argentine government started to fudge its inflation rate and withheld annual crime statistics in 2007. Fact-checkers in Argentina turned to alternative sources to check claims about the economy. They also made records requests of the government in order to hold politicians accountable for their claims.

text: The annual crime statistics stopped in 2008. This sentence should be amended to include this.

refinement: The text discusses how the Argentine government started to fudge its inflation rate and withheld annual crime statistics in 2007 and 2008. Fact-checkers in Argentina turned to alternative sources to check claims about the economy. They also made records requests of the government in order to hold politicians accountable for their claims.

text: It's omitted that factcheckers also provided context over why claims can't be verified.

refinement: The text discusses how the Argentine government started to fudge its inflation rate in 2007 and withheld annual crime statistics from 2008 to 2016. Fact-checkers in Argentina turned to alternative sources to check claims about the economy. They also made records requests of the government in order to hold politicians accountable for their claim, and provided context over why claims can't be verified.

text: It's omitted that these numbers were withheld for political gain.

refinement: The text discusses how the Argentine government started to fudge its inflation rate in 2007 and withheld annual crime statistics from 2008 to 2016 for political gain. Fact-checkers in Argentina turned to alternative sources to check claims about the economy. They also made records requests of the government in order to hold politicians accountable for their claim, and provided context over why claims can't be verified.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What does the text say about handling missing or inaccurate government information?

answer: When government data is missing or inaccurate, fact-checkers should look to other sources and add context to claims by saying that the data cannot be verified. Fact-checkers can file public records requests to obtain missing data if possible. The burden is always on the people making claims to provide evidence, and fact-checkers have a responsibility to be transparent and persistent in holding them accountable.

text: It's omitted that factcheckers provide context by explaining why data can't be verified.

refinement: When government data is missing or inaccurate, fact-checkers should look to other sources and add context to claims by saying why the data cannot be verified. Fact-checkers can file public records requests to obtain missing data if possible. The burden is always on the people making claims to provide evidence, and fact-checkers have a responsibility to be transparent and persistent in holding them accountable.

text: Factcheckers should also say when they can't find certain information.

refinement: When government data is missing or inaccurate, fact-checkers should look to other sources and add context to claims by saying why the data cannot be verified. They should be able to say when they can't find certain information as well. Fact-checkers can file public records requests to obtain missing data if possible. The burden is always on the people making claims to provide evidence, and fact-checkers have a responsibility to be transparent and persistent in holding them accountable.

answer: Fact-checkers should take extra time to seek out alternative sources of data when necessary, and use context to clearly explain why certain information is missing or inaccurate. Additionally, fact-checkers should file public records requests to demand missing data from the government where possible.

text: Factcheckers should also say when they can't find certain information.

refinement: Fact-checkers should take extra time to seek out alternative sources of data when necessary. They should be able to say when they can't find information, and use context to clearly explain why certain information is missing or inaccurate. Additionally, fact-checkers should file public records requests to demand missing data from the government where possible.

text: It's omitted that they should be advocates for good public data by holding accountable those who make claims.

refinement: Fact-checkers should take extra time to seek out alternative sources of data when necessary. They should be able to say when they can't find information, and use context to clearly explain why certain information is missing or inaccurate. Additionally, fact-checkers should file public records requests to demand missing data from the government where possible. They should be advocates for good public data by holding accountable those who make claims.

answer: The text lays out several strategies for handling missing or inaccurate government information. In the context of Argentina, it details how the government fudged its inflation rate statistics for political gain, which resulted in bad statistics. These gaps in statistics posed a formidable problem for the country’s fact-checkers. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado - a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization - said that, in order to check politicians’ statements, they had to turn to alternative sources. She also stressed the importance of being transparent, persistent, and holding people making claim accountable.

text: This is unnecessary, and could be omitted.

refinement: The text lays out several strategies for handling missing or inaccurate government information. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado - a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization - said that, in order to check politicians’ statements, they had to turn to alternative sources. She also stressed the importance of being transparent, persistent, and holding people making claim accountable.

text: It's omitted that it's the job of factcheckers to address when information is missing, and provide context for missing or unverified claims.

refinement: The text lays out several strategies for handling missing or inaccurate government information. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado - a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization - said that, in order to check politicians’ statements, they had to turn to alternative sources. She also stressed the importance of being transparent, persistent, and holding people making claim accountable. It's also the job of factcheckers to address when information can't be found, and provide context for missing or unverified claims.

text: It's omitted that they should also making public record requests.

refinement: The text lays out several strategies for handling missing or inaccurate government information. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado - a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization - said that, in order to check politicians’ statements, they had to turn to alternative sources. She also stressed the importance of being transparent, persistent, and holding people making claim accountable. It's also the job of factcheckers to address when information can't be found, and provide context for missing or unverified claims. They can make public record requests too.

text: "claim" should be "claims"

refinement: The text lays out several strategies for handling missing or inaccurate government information. Laura Zommer, director of Chequeado - a Buenos Aires-based fact-checking organization - said that, in order to check politicians’ statements, they had to turn to alternative sources. She also stressed the importance of being transparent, persistent, and holding people making claims accountable. It's also the job of factcheckers to address when information can't be found, and provide context for missing or unverified claims. They can make public record requests too.

answer: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for them. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable.

text: "for them" would be less ambiguous as "for bad information".

refinement: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for bad information. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable.

text: It's omitted that after explaining that statistics are unreliable, factcheckers should provide context as to why.

refinement: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for bad information. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable, and when that happens they should provide context as to why.

text: It's omitted that it's the job of factcheckers to also say when they can't find certain information.

refinement: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for bad information. It's the job of factcheckers to also say when they can't find certain information. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable, and when that happens they should provide context as to why.

text: It's omitted that factcheckers should be persistent in holding accountable those who make claims as advocates of good public data.

refinement: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for bad information. It's the job of factcheckers to also say when they can't find certain information. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable, and when that happens they should provide context as to why. Factcheckers should be persistent in holding those who make claims accountable as advocates of good public data.

text: It's omitted that they can also make public record requests.

refinement: Whenever it is possible, one should try to find accurate or alternative sources for bad information. It's the job of factcheckers to also say when they can't find certain information. Sometimes it is possible to explain to the readers that the government statistics are not reliable, and when that happens they should provide context as to why. Factcheckers should be persistent in holding those who make claims accountable as advocates of good public data, and make public record requests.

answer: The FBI claims that missing data is still available upon request. Holan says that people have to do their best to find alternative sources in cases of missing or inaccurate government information. Additionally, organizations can also tell audiences when additional data can't be found, or provide other context around the missing data. Fact-checkers can also hold the government accountable for missing information by asking the government for the data and making access to information requests.

text: This sentence is unnecessary and could be omitted.

refinement: Holan says that people have to do their best to find alternative sources in cases of missing or inaccurate government information. Additionally, organizations can also tell audiences when additional data can't be found, or provide other context around the missing data. Fact-checkers can also hold the government accountable for missing information by asking the government for the data and making access to information requests.


split: train

text:
I am the person you pass on the street without noticing, the person you cross the road to avoid. I am the one you turn your head away from in disgust, as though just looking at me tarnishes your good name.

Oh, don't act like you don't understand. Don't deny it, don't you dare.

You see, to you I might be another piece of trash lying at the side of the road, but to me; to me you are everything.

Think.

Think back to the last time we spoke. Do you remember? I was once like you, a long time ago. I, too, had a job and a family, and friends and a dog that yelped excitedly every night when I came home. Can you see it now? Does my face look familiar?

You don't even stop to look me in the eyes as you drop a penny or two into my outstretched hands. No wonder you don't recognise me. You move on quickly lest I begin to pester you for more change; lest I inquire why a man such as you leaves me only a few pennies when you could obviously spare much more.

I, too, once wore a suit just like yours. I know how the silk feels against skin, and how the polished leather shoes enhance the illusion. Now my shoes are torn and tattered, dirty and battered. And you know what? That doesn't make me any less of a person.

So why won't you look at me?

Tell me, please.

Why won't you recognise me?

Do you still have the picture we took, the one where we're fishing? You caught so many fish and I caught nothing, only a dirty old boot that you threw back into the water. As an act of kindness you shared yours with me; I had been grateful because we hadn't brought anything else to eat. Life gave you fish, and me it gave a dirty old boot. Unlucky, I guess.

Now the only fishing I do is in old trashcans.

I live with the night, and go where it takes me. Everyday is a new day - a day with a start, middle and end. The days dont flow into each other anymore, that is one thing I am thankful for. You're still stuck in your endless cycles.

Wake up, go to work, come home at night, go to sleep. Repeat. Over and over, day in and day out.

Now, I don't understand you. How can you stand it, the monotony, the boredom? As children life was exciting and fun. Somehow the innocence mutated, became something else, something so much worse.

So.

I don't envy you. Can you understand that?

I rage, but I don't envy you at all.

Oh, do I see a spark of recognition in your eyes?

Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

title: Hey guys! I'm new to reddit, this is my first post (of many hopefully!). I'm getting into writing short stories and am interested in any opinions you might have. Enjoy!

question: Who is the narrator talking to?

answer: The narrator is talking to the people who pass him by without acknowledging him.

text: The man is speaking to his brother.

refinement: The narrator is talking to his brother who passes him by without acknowledgement.

text: No answer given

answer: The narrator is talking to a man who is passing by.

text: The man passing is his brother.

answer: It appears he is talking to his brother.

text:
Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

question: How did the narrator move from grace to grass and start begging on the streets?

text: No answer given

answer: It is not stated.

answer: The narrator was once a part of society, but something happened that caused him to fall from grace. Now he begs on the streets, living a life of poverty and desperation.

text: This is a courageous attempt to answer the question but the answer is nowhere in the script

refinement: There is no clue as to how the narrator fell from grace

answer: It is not stated.

question: What happened to the narrator's family?

answer: That information can't be found.

answer: From what is said in the passage, it seems that the narrator's family is no longer together. They may have separated or passed away.

answer: That information isn't known.

answer: The narrator's family is dead.

text: This is an assumption. They may have left him and moved on.

question: What's the relationship between the narrator and whom he's talking to?

answer: It appears they are brothers.

text:
Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

answer: The narrator and the person he's talking to are brothers.

text:
Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

text: No answer given

text:
Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

answer: Brother.

text:
Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

question: Why doesn't the narrator envy the lifestyle of the person he's talking to?

answer: He thinks it's boring and monotonous.

text: How can you stand it, the monotony, the boredom?

answer: Because he found his life to be monotonous and boring.

text: Clumsy phrasing

refinement: Because his life is monotonous and boring.

text: How can you stand it, the monotony, the boredom?

text: No answer given

answer: The narrator doesn't envy the person he's talking to because they lead a boring, repetitive life. The narrator believes that life should be exciting and fun, and that it's unfortunate that innocence can mutate into something worse.

text: Now, I don't understand you. How can you stand it, the monotony, the boredom? As children life was exciting and fun. Somehow the innocence mutated, became something else, something so much worse.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who didn't recognize the narrator, would pass by and drop a penny in his collection bag. The narrator tried to remind him of their life together and how he, too, once had what he had, even though he didn't envy his monotonous and boring lifestyle.

text: The tenses can be improved

refinement: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends, and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who doesn't recognize the narrator, passes by and drops a penny into his collection bag. The narrator remembers their life together and how he, too, once had everything his brother has. He is angry but doesn't envy his brother's monotonous and boring lifestyle.

answer: This short story is about a person who feels like they are invisible to those around them, and wonders why people seem to ignore or avoid them. The person reminisces about a time when they were once like those who ignore them now, and wonders why they seem to have lost their innocence and excitement for life.

text: This answer completely misses the point

refinement: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends, and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who doesn't recognize the narrator, passes by and drops a penny into his collection bag. The narrator remembers their life together and how he, too, once had everything his brother has. He is angry but doesn't envy his brother's monotonous and boring lifestyle.

answer: The narrator is a homeless person who is ignored by the people they pass on the street. They are angry at the people who ignore them, and they ask why they are ignored. The narrator is the narrator's brother, who is stuck in a monotonous cycle of work and sleep.

text: The answer doesn't make too much sense

refinement: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends, and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who doesn't recognize the narrator, passes by and drops a penny into his collection bag. The narrator remembers their life together and how he, too, once had everything his brother has. He is angry but doesn't envy his brother's monotonous and boring lifestyle.

answer: The author is a homeless man who is trying to understand why people don't recognise him.

text: The answer misses the point and is far too short

refinement: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends, and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who doesn't recognize the narrator, passes by and drops a penny into his collection bag. The narrator remembers their life together and how he, too, once had everything his brother has. He is angry but doesn't envy his brother's monotonous and boring lifestyle.


text:
_AIR SUPPLY_ is the eighth studio and second eponymous album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). The album was a step down in the band's sales, reaching gold certification and #26 in the US charts.[1] The single “Just as I Am” was their last major entry on the charts, reaching #19 on the _Billboard_ Hot 100, while their interpretation of the Jennifer Rush song “The Power of Love” became a minor hit, reaching #68.[2]

Track listing

1.  “Just as I Am” (Rob Hegel, Dick Wagner) – 4:46
2.  “The Power of Love” (Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge, Jennifer Rush, Mary Susan Applegate) – 5:22
3.  “I Can't Let Go” (Graham Russell, Billy Steinberg) – 4:10
4.  “After All” (Seth Swirsky) – 3:40
5.  “I Wanna Hold You Tonight” (Russell, Don Cromwell, Ken Rarick) – 3:45
6.  “Make It Right” (Russell, Cromwell, Rarick) – 3:48
7.  “When the Time Is Right” (Gerald Milne) – 4:51
8.  “Sandy” (Bruce Springsteen) – 4:17
9.  “Great Pioneer” (Russell, Milne) – 4:11
10. “Black and Blue” (Russell, Steinberg, Cromwell, Rarick) – 3:58
11. “Sunset” (Russell) – 2:49
12. “Never Fade Away” (Russell) – 4:40

Personnel

-   Russell Hitchcock – vocals
-   Graham Russell – guitar, vocals
-   Wally Stocker – guitar
-   Frank Esler-Smith – keyboards, string arrangements
-   Ken Rarick – keyboards
-   Andy Richards – keyboard programming, synthesizer programming
-   Don Cromwell – bass
-   Ralph Cooper – drums

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

-   Bob Ezrin – keyboards
-   George Doering – guitar
-   Grant Geissman – guitar
-   Tim Thorney – guitar
-   Dick Wagner – guitar
-   Howard Ayee – bass, backing vocals
-   Tim Ryan – bass
-   Ken Sinnaeve – bass
-   Jorn Anderson – drums
-   Gary Craig – drums, percussion
-   Charlie Morgan – drums, percussion
-   Del Blake – percussion
-   Marc Russo – saxophone
-   Larry Williams – saxophone
-   Gary Grant – trumpet
-   Jerry Hey – trumpet
-   Maxi Anderson – backing vocals
-   Joel Feeney – backing vocals
-   Chrissie Hammond – backing vocals
-   Lindsay Hammond – backing vocals
-   Rachel Oldfield – backing vocals
-   Phyllis St. James – backing vocals
-   Tata Vega – backing vocals

[1] [ Air Supply (1985): Charts & Awards: Billboard Albums] 8-12-08

[2] [ Air Supply (1985): Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles] 8-12-08

title: Air Supply (1985 album)

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the reception of the album Air Supply.

answer: Air Supply reached gold certification and #26 in the US charts. The singles "Just as I Am" and "The Power of Love" are described as "major/minor" hits but no other songs seem to have charted successfully. "Great Pioneer," "Black and Blue," and "Sunset" are some of the other songs on the album.

text: The highlighted text is irrelevant and should be removed.

refinement: Air Supply reached gold certification and #26 in the US charts. The singles "Just as I Am" and "The Power of Love" are described as "major/minor" hits but no other songs seem to have charted successfully.

answer: The album Air Supply by Australian soft rock band Air Supply had middling sales and chart success, peaking at #26 in the US charts. Their single, "Just as I Am", was the band's last major chart entry at #19.

answer: The album Air Supply was released in 1985 by the band Air Supply. The album reached gold certification and #26 in the US charts. Two of the songs in the album made it to Billboard's Hot 100, one reaching #19, and the other reaching #68.

answer: The reception was a downstep from their previous album and was received well by fans

text: Replace text with step down and end the response with a period.

refinement: The reception was a step down from their previous album and was received well by fans.

text: The reception wasn't a step down from their previous album. The album was a step down in the band's sales. Nothing was mentioned directly about how the fans received the album.

refinement: The album was a step down in the band's sales, reaching gold certification and #26 in the U.S. charts.

answer: The eponymous album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply reached gold certification and #26 on the US charts, though their single "Just as I Am" was their last major entry on the charts, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album received mixed reviews from critics.

text: There was no mention of critic reviews anywhere in the text.

refinement: The eponymous album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply reached gold certification and #26 on the US charts, though their single "Just as I Am" was their last major entry on the charts, reaching #19 on the Billboard Hot 100.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the contents of the album Air Supply.

answer: The album, released in 1985, was their eighth studio album (the eponymous). It was a step down in the band's sales compared to their previous albums, reaching a gold certification and peaking at #26 on the US charts. The album peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the single "Just as I Am" and "The Power of Love" reached #68. The album also featured some songs that became minor hits.

text: Extraneous information that serves no purpose.

refinement: The album peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the single "Just as I Am" and "The Power of Love" reached #68. The album also featured some songs that became minor hits.

text: The album didn't peak at #19, it was the single "Just as I Am". There was no mention of any other hits from the album.

refinement: The album featured the single "Just as I Am" which peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has 12 songs, including the band's interpretation of the Jennifer Rush song "The Power of Love", which reached #68 on the charts.

answer: The album is premised on their second eponymous album, which reached gold certification and #26 in the US charts. The album had a total of 12 tracks. All the songs were originally sung by different artists, but were downloaded for the purpose of being performed by the band. This album had songs by Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Rush and Jennifer Rush, Seth Swirsky, and Frank Esler-Smith.

text: Extraneous information.

refinement: The album had a total of 12 tracks. All the songs were originally sung by different artists, but were downloaded for the purpose of being performed by the band. This album had songs by Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Rush and Jennifer Rush, Seth Swirsky, and Frank Esler-Smith.

text: It was never implied that the songs were originally from other artists except for Jennifer Rush and nothing was downloaded.

refinement: The album had a total of 12 tracks. This album had songs by Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Rush and Jennifer Rush, Seth Swirsky, and Frank Esler-Smith.

text: Redundant.

refinement: The album had a total of 12 tracks. This album had songs by Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Rush, Seth Swirsky, and Frank Esler-Smith.

answer: The eponymous eighth studio album by Air Supply includes songs focused primarily on love like "Just as I Am" and covers of the Jennifer Rush song "The Power of Love". Other songs included on the album include "I Can't Let Go," "After All," "I Wanna Hold You Tonight," "Make It Right," and "Black and Blue".

answer: Air Supply is an album released by the band Air Supply in 1985. The album contains 12 soft rock songs, some of which are covers of other artist's songs. One song, "Just as I Am," reached #19 on Billboard's Hot 100 list, and another, "The Power of Love," reached #68. Most of the songs are around four minutes long, with one less than three minutes and one more than five.

text: Fix the agreement mistake (artist's to artists')

refinement: Air Supply is an album released by the band Air Supply in 1985. The album contains 12 soft rock songs, some of which are covers of other artists' songs. One song, "Just as I Am," reached #19 on Billboard's Hot 100 list, and another, "The Power of Love," reached #68. Most of the songs are around four minutes long, with one less than three minutes and one more than five.

answer: The eighth studio album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply contains twelve tracks including interpretations of the Jennifer Rush song "The Power of Love" and Bruce Springsteen's "Sandy." The rest of the album consists of original songs with themes such as love and loss.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Summarize the musicians involved with making the album Air Supply.

answer: The album had a long list of musicians due to performing a variety of instruments, arranging, backup vocals, and percussion. Bob Ezrin, who arranged keyboards and programmed synthesizers, performed guitars, and guitars. George Dominic performed guitars. Grant Geissman performed guitars. Don Cromwell and Jorn Anderson performed the bass and drums respectively. Del Blake did percussion. Gary Grant and Jerry Hey wrote the trumpet songs. Joel Feeney, Chrissie Hammond, Lindsay Hammond and Rachel Oldfield did backup vocals, as did Tata Vega.

answer: The musicians involved with making the album Air Supply include Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell on vocals, Wally Stocker and Frank Esler-Smith on guitar, Ken Rarick on keyboards, Don Cromwell on bass, Ralph Cooper on drums, Bob Ezrin, George Doering, Grant Geissman, Tim Thorney, Dick Wagner, Howard Ayee, Tim Ryan, Ken Sinnaeve, Jorn Anderson, Gary Craig, Charlie Morgan, Del Blake, Marc Russo, Larry Williams, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Maxi Anderson, Joel Feeney, Chrissie Hammond, Lindsay Hammond, Rachel Oldfield, and Tata Vega on backing vocals.

answer: The album Air Supply is an album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply. The album includes musical talents from vocalist Russell Hitchcock, guitarists Graham Russell and Wally Stocker, bassist Don Cromwell, drummer Ralph Cooper, and three keyboardists. The album was also made possible through the efforts of 23 additional musicians and instrumentalists. The additional musicians played instruments such as guitar, bass, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, and provided additional vocals.

answer: The musicians on the album Air Supply include Graham Russell and Wally Stocker on guitars and vocals, Frank Esler-Smith on keyboards and string arrangements, Ken Rarick on keyboards, Don Cromwell on bass, and Ralph Cooper on drums. Bob Ezrin, George Doering, Grant Geissman, Tim Thorney, and Dick Wagner contributed keyboards and guitar. Howard Ayee and Tim Ryan played bass with Gary Craig and Charlie Morgan on drums and percussion. Marc Russo and Larry Williams contributed saxophone, and Gary Grant and Jerry Hey played trumpet. Maxi Anderson and Joel Feeney provided backing vocals and Lindsay Hammond, Rachel Oldfield, and Tata Vega contributed backing vocals.

answer: They had a large team of musicians involved in the making of their album but only a few are named. Bob Ezrin keyboards, George Doering, Grant Geissman, Howard Ayee, Tim Thorney, Dick Wagner, Tim Ryan and Ken Sinnaeve are named.


text:
U.S. farmers are growing fewer types of crops than they were 34 years ago, which could have implications for how farms fare as changes to the climate evolve, according to a large-scale study by Kansas State University, North Dakota State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Less crop diversity may also be impacting the general ecosystem.

"At the national level, crop diversity declined over the period we analyzed," said Jonathan Aguilar, K-State water resources engineer and lead researcher on the study.

The scientists used data from the USDA's U.S. Census of Agriculture, which is published every five years from information provided by U.S. farmers. The team studied data from 1978 through 2012 across the country's contiguous states.

Croplands comprise about 408 million acres (165 million hectares) or 22 percent of the total land base in the lower 48 states, so changes in crop species diversity could have a substantial impact, not only on agroecosystem function, but also the function of surrounding natural and urban areas. Because croplands are typically replanted annually, theoretically crop species diversity can change fairly rapidly. There is the potential for swift positive change, unlike in natural ecosystems.

Aguilar began the study while working as a researcher with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. He joined K-State Research and Extension, a part of the university, in 2012. The study was conducted in collaboration with a diverse team, including rangelands expert John Hendrickson, USDA-ARS; weeds experts Greta Gramig, NDSU, and Frank Forcella, USDA-ARS; agricultural economics expert David Archer, USDA-ARS; and soils expert Mark Liebig, USDA-ARS.

"At the very simplistic level," Aguilar said, "crop diversity is a measure of how many crops in an area could possibly work together to resist, address and adjust to potential widespread crop failures, including natural problems such as pests and diseases, weed pressures, droughts and flood events. This could also be viewed as a way to spread potential risks to a producer. Just like in the natural landscape, areas with high diversity tend to be more resilient to external pressures than are areas with low diversity. In other words, diversity provides stability in an area to assure food sustainability."

The study is the first to quantify crop species diversity in the U.S. using an extensive database over a relatively long period of analysis, Aguilar said.

The results of the effort, partially funded by the K-State Open Access Fund, were published Aug. 26, 2015, in the scientific journal _PLOS One_.

In addition to the national trend, the researchers studied regional trends by examining county-level data from areas called Farm Resource Regions developed by the USDA's Economic Research Service. Although the study showed that crop diversity declined nationally, it wasn't uniform in all regions or in all states.

"There seem to be more dynamics going on in some regions or states," Aguilar said, noting that not all of the factors affecting those regional trends are clear.

For instance, the Heartland Resource Region, which is home to 22 percent of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23 percent, of U.S. production, had the lowest crop diversity. This region comprises Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and parts of Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kentucky.

In contrast to all of the other regions, the Mississippi Portal Region, which includes parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas, had significantly higher crop diversity in 2012 than in 1978.

While overall, the national trend was toward less crop diversity, the region called the Fruitful Rim (parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina) and the Northern Crescent (states along the northeast border from part of Minnesota east through Wisconsin, Michigan through to Maine and south to New Jersey and Pennsylvania) had the most crop diversity.

The data used was specific enough that the researchers were able to quantify crop diversity and trends even down to the county level.

"A significant trend of more counties shifting to lower rather than higher crop diversity was detected," the team wrote in the study results. "The clustering and shifting demonstrates a trend toward crop diversity loss and attendant homogenization of agricultural production systems, which could have far-reaching consequences for provision of ecosystem services associated with agricultural systems as well as food system sustainability. "

"Biodiversity is important to the ecosystem function," the researchers wrote. "Biodiversity in agricultural systems is linked to critical ecological processes such as nutrient and water cycling, pest and disease regulation, and degradation of toxic compounds such as pesticides. Diverse agroecosystems are more resilient to variable weather resulting from climate change and often hold the greatest potential for such benefits as natural pest control."

A classic example where high crop diversity could have been crucial was during the corn leaf blight epidemic in the 1970s, Aguilar said.

During the 20th century, increases in the value of human labor, changes in agricultural policies and the development of agricultural technologies led to increased specialization and scale of production. Economic and social factors helped drive the adoption of less-diverse cropping systems.

"An important consequence of increased crop homogeneity is the potential for yield instability with anticipated increased unpredictability in weather patterns linked to climate change. Diverse cropping systems tend to increase farmers' chances of encountering favorable conditions while decreasing the probability of widespread crop failures," the team wrote, citing a study based on long-term data collected in Ontario, Canada.

A simple example would be if a farmer planted part of his acreage to sorghum and the rest to corn. If the growing season was unusually dry and the farmer didn't irrigate, the sorghum would likely fare better, because it's more drought tolerant than corn. In that example, the farmer has come out better by having diverse crop species than if he had planted all of his acreage to corn, in which case he may have had low or non-existent yields.

In addition to quantifying the changes in crop diversity, Aguilar said, the scientists hoped to spur further studies and research with regard to changing agricultural condition and status.

"The factors that affect crop diversity in North Dakota do not necessarily apply to what is happening here in Kansas. This study also has relevance to other agronomic and environmental issues," he said, adding that the research has already generated inquiries from scientists who are studying weed resistance to herbicides, honeybee "friendliness" of the landscape and agricultural community resilience to pressures such as climate change.

question: What is the study about?

answer: The study is about the decline in crop diversity in the United States.

answer: The study looks at the trend of crop diversity in the United States over time, and how this trend may be impacting the ecosystem and food sustainability.

text: LESS crop diversity

refinement: The study looks at the trend of less crop diversity in the United States over time, and how this trend may be impacting the ecosystem and food sustainability.

answer: The study is about the decline in crop diversity in the U.S.

answer: How less crop diversity may be impacting the general ecosystem.

question: What is crop diversity?

answer: It is a measure of how many crops in an area could possibly work together to resist, address and adjust to potential widespread crop failures, including natural problems such as pests and diseases, weed pressures, droughts, and flood events.

answer: Crop diversity is a measure of how many crops in an area could possibly work together to resist, address and adjust to potential widespread crop failures, including natural problems such as pests and diseases, weed pressures, droughts and flood events.

answer: Crop diversity is a measure of how many crops in an area could possibly work together to resist, address and adjust to potential widespread crop failures, including natural problems such as pests and diseases, weed pressures, droughts and flood events.

answer: Crop diversity is the number of different types of crops grown in a particular area. This diversity can help to protect against widespread crop failures, and can also provide stability and resilience to the surrounding ecosystem.

question: What department is conducting the research?

answer: The Department of Agriculture.

answer: The study was conducted in collaboration with a diverse team, including rangelands expert John Hendrickson, USDA-ARS; weeds experts Greta Gramig, NDSU, and Frank Forcella, USDA-ARS; agricultural economics expert David Archer, USDA-ARS; and soils expert Mark Liebig, USDA-ARS.

text: What DEPARTMENT

refinement: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, together with Kansas State University and North Dakota State University

answer: The study was conducted by researchers from Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and the USDA.

answer: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, together with Kansas State University and North Dakota State University

question: What is the Heartland Resource Region?

answer: The Heartland Resource Region is home to 22% of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23% of U.S. production. It has the lowest crop diversity.

text: WHERE is it

refinement: The Heartland Resource Region is home to 22% of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23% of U.S. production. It has the lowest crop diversity and encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and parts of Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kentucky.

answer: The Heartland Resource Region is a region in the United States that is home to 22% of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23% of U.S. production.

text: WHERE is it

refinement: The Heartland Resource Region is a region in the United States that is home to 22% of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23% of U.S. production. It encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and parts of Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kentucky.

answer: The Heartland Resource Region is a region in the U.S. that encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and parts of Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kentucky. This region had the lowest crop diversity in the study.

answer: The region is home to 22 percent of U.S. farms and represents the highest value of U.S. production at 23 percent, but had the lowest crop diversity. This region comprises Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and parts of Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kentucky.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The study was conducted by Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The study found that crop diversity declined nationally, but not uniformly in all regions or in all states. The Heartland Resource Region, which is home to 22% of U.S. farms and represents the highest value, 23% of U.S. production, had the lowest crop diversity. The Mississippi Portal Region, which includes parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Arkansas, had significantly higher crop diversity in 2012 than in 1978.

answer: According to a study by Kansas State University, North Dakota State University and the USDA, crop diversity in the U.S. has decreased over the last 34 years. This could have implications for how farms fare as changes to the climate evolve, and could also impact the general ecosystem. The study found that crop diversity was lowest in the Heartland Resource Region, which is home to the highest value and production of U.S. crops, but was highest in the Fruitful Rim and Northern Crescent. The study also found that more counties were shifting to lower rather than higher crop diversity.

answer: A study by Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and the USDA found that crop diversity has declined in the United States over the past 34 years. The study found that crop diversity declined nationally, but not uniformly in all regions or in all states. The study also found that crop diversity is important to the ecosystem function, and that diverse agroecosystems are more resilient to variable weather.

answer: Less crop diversity may be impacting the general ecosystem. Large-scale research from Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shown that farmers are growing fewer crops than they were 34 years ago. Crop diversity is the measure of how many crops in an area could work together to resist and adjust to widespread crop failures, as well as pests, diseases, droughts, and other problems. Crop diversity data varies by region, with the Heartland Resource Region scoring the lowest, while the Fruitful Rim and North Crescent Regions had the most diversity.


text:
This was my first short story I had to write for my Creative Writing class back when I was a Junior in high school. I hope you like it!

    "Ooohhhh," Helen groaned. She hurt everywhere. Being in a hospital for six weeks is really something that she wasn't looking forward to. She was about to call for a nurse to change the channel on her tiny tv (golf was not her thing!) when all of a sudden there was a knock on the door. "Come in," she called weakly.

   "Hello, I'm Dr. Bandade, how are you feeling?" He smiled a toothy smile.

   She gave the burly man a sarcastic look. "How do you *think* I'm feeling? I fell out of a five-story window!"

    The doctor pulled up a chair next to her. "Yes about that, how exactly did it happen? On this statement is says that you were pushed?"

    Helen cringed at the very thought of it, not only because it was painful, but she wasn't sure if he would believe her. "Well, it started out as a normal day. I woke up, ate breakfast, completed the daily crossword puzzle in the paper.

    "It was then I noticed that my window was open. A cool breeze swept through, so I decided to close it. I got up and went over to the window.

    "Right as I reached out to grab the handle, Rufus, my cat, rubbed against my leg, causing me to lose my balance. Before I knew it, I was falling out the window!

    "I screamed. I heard people screaming below me. I felt breathless. Panic swept over me.

    "It was only too soon when I came into contact with the ground. I heard bones shattering and I cried out in pain. In the distance, sirens wailed. The ambulance charged down the street.

    "After they put me on the stretcher, they hauled me away to the hospital, where they told me I was lucky to even be alive. They said I broke every bone in my body. I'll be here about six weeks, if not more." Her face fell when she told the doctor this. "And that's all that happened."

    Dr. Bandade looked over at her. "So you fell out accidentally then."

    "No! I was *pushed* out!" she yelled.

    "But you even said that you lost your balance, and no one was with you."

    "Yes there was... Rufus! *He* pushed me out!"

    The doctor rationalized, "But he's a *cat.* He probably didn't realize that rubbing against you to show affection would-"

    But Helen cut him off. "He *deliberately* rubbed too hard and made me lost my balance."

    "What would be the purpose for Rufus to push you?" The doctor raised an eyebrow.

    "He's just evil," she simply said.

    "Oh." He wrote some things down on his clipboard.

    Helen stared at him suspiciously. "What kind of doctor are you anyway, asking me all these questions?"

    "I'm a psychiatrist." He wrote some more things down.

    "What? You think I'm crazy don't you?! I'm telling you, my cat is trying to *kill me!"*

    Before Dr. Bandade could say anything, there was a knock at the door.

    "Excuse me, doctor," the nurse said, "but there's someone here to see her."

    Helen perked up a bit. A visitor to see her!

    The visitor walked into the room.

    "Rufus!" Helen shrieked.

    Standing there was the tabby cat. He was staring at her with glossy green eyes, slanted into slits. His tail twitched as if to say, "I'm *back."*

title: Paranoid?... Or Just Plain Evil?

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

Who does Helen blame for her fall?

answer: She blames Rufus, her cat. She claims that her cat is evil. Her doctor is a psychiatrist and thinks she may be paranoid. Then a visitor comes to the hospital. It's Rufus — her cat.

text: This is all irrelevant to the question and should be omitted.

refinement: She blames Rufus, her cat. She claims that her cat is evil.

answer: Helen blames Rufus, her cat, for her fall.

answer: Her cat Rufus.

text: This should be a complete sentence.

answer: Helen blames her cat for her fall.

text: Specify that the cat is Rufus.

refinement: Helen blames her cat Rufus for her fall.

answer: Helen blames her cat, Rufus, for her fall.

question:
Answer the following question based on the above passage:

What injury did Helen suffer?

answer: She broke every bone in her body falling out of a five-story window.

answer: Helen suffered a fall out of a five-story window, causing her to break all of her bones.

answer: Helen suffered a fall from a five-story window.

text: This doesn't describe the injury.

refinement: Helen broke every bone in her body after suffering a fall from a five-story window.

answer: Helen broke every bone in her body and broke her skull.

text: This isn't mentioned specifically, so it would be better to omit. Particularly because "every bone in her body" may infer the skull as well.

answer: She fell out a five story window. This caused her to break all of her bones. According to the medical report she must be in the hospital for six weeks.

text: This isn't really necessary for the answer.

refinement: She fell out a five story window. This caused her to break all of her bones.


text:
I wrote this on the fly last night, may need some editing for grammar and such, but let me know what you think.
It is entitled       **WHOLE**

Not until living about twenty years of life did I realize that I was not alone in this world. I grew up in a Christian home and truly believed in God, I still do, but I never felt like there were people around me. I went to a private high school and was taught by fantastic teachers about all sorts of fascinating topics. I went to gym class and excelled at walking laps while the popular kids played basketball. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t an outcast, nor did I believe that I was better than everyone else and thus didn’t participate, it’s just, I once played a game of knockout and when I won against the star basketball player (who later went to play for the best college team in the country), I decided that I didn’t like basketball anymore. That’s in the past though; I am now in college and have nothing to do with the gym.
I guess before continuing with my story I should tell you who I am, but that is no simple task either. My name is, for all intents and purposes of this story, Daniel West. Not only is my name Daniel West, but my father’s name was also Daniel West. You see, my father died well before I was born and my mother named me after him. He didn’t know he was having a son before he died. Having a son was his dream.
Everyone always tells me that I look just like my father, but I have my mother’s smile. It’s the dimples. Sadly, I also inherited my eyesight from my father. My favorite thing in the world is waking up every morning and poking myself in the eyes several times after stubbing my toe on the dresser and nearly falling down the stairs, and all this happens before breakfast. My jet black hair and slim face are some of my favorite features that make me happy to be the descendant of my father.

Jess, my older sister by six years, adds another interesting dynamic to the house. She still lives at home and has two kids, she was raped three years ago; the man was never caught.  She hasn’t been the same since that day, but the twins are just learning to walk so she doesn’t have much time to think about it anymore. I wish she could find a nice guy to marry; she could use a man in her life. I offer to watch my nephews for her so she can go to a bar and meet someone, but she always says I am sweet, but she doesn’t have time to drink and she is too tired because of the kids and work to date. I don’t see why not, once the kids are asleep she sits in the Lazy Boy and drinks a cup of hot tea staring into space. She could stand to be staring into a man’s eyes for once.

My mother is the happiest, most hardworking, woman I know. She works two jobs during the week and another job on weekends, when she isn’t watching the twins. Beautiful as ever, she is. Her grey green eyes and bright smile, dimples as big as the craters on the moon always brightens anyone’s day. I am just glad that I didn’t inherit that hotrod red hair of hers; I like having a soul. Don’t tell her I said that, she always gives me sass when I pull out the ginger jokes. “Daniel that is not a way to treat you mother, or any other women! Red hair does not mean that I do not have a soul. What are they teaching you at that expensive college that you’re going to?” She scolds me, holding back a smile; it’s a little scary, even if she isn’t serious. I sometimes call her just to say something about her hair, because I never get to see her. Except during breakfast.

Breakfast is my favorite ten minutes on weekdays. The family all sits down together, except Tuesdays and Thursdays when my mom has to go into work early and Fridays when my sister takes the kids to daycare early so she can get some shopping done before work. I make us pancakes and eggs and we talk about the weather and what so and so did down the street. The simple conversations are my favorite, because it reminds me that, though we never see each other for more than ten minutes on any given day, we are still alive.

It does make me sad though. If my dad had been allowed to buy the hand gun he had tried to buy the week before he, along with five others, was shot, he would be with us and I would have a father. He had gone with a friend of his, a police officer, to the gun range weekly for months to learn how to handle and shoot a firearm. When he went to the store they informed him that he had to go through several levels of background checks and tests before he could purchase his first handgun. It angers me that the man who shot him had gone through the same process and was still a criminal. You would think that the governments’ strict control over the weapons would ensure that guns were not put into crazy people’s hands.

Growing up without a father and with a mother who works three jobs was tough and still is. I had to teach myself how to cook, shave, and tie a tie for prom. Not that I had a date to prom, I am too quiet and people think that I lack confidence because of that. “No one likes a man who doesn’t have enough confidence.” One girl said to me when I asked her out. The truth is, I am very confident in who I am, it’s just I can’t be loud or attract attention to myself; I never have been able to.  It’s strange, I try to yell and the loudest I can get can be heard no more than across the room, and that is when I am angry. I’m never angry so really, I can only be as loud as a normal conversation tone. That doesn’t explain the lack of appeared confidence. What does explain it is, I am humble, humble to the point that I can’t be mean and I feel prideful if I draw attention to myself in anyway. When I try to I usually get weird looks anyways, so it doesn’t matter to me. Much.
The point I am trying to get at, the one that started this whole rant is. It has been twenty years and I have always felt mostly alone. Despite my mother, sister, and nephews, a few good friends who all go to schools hours away, and a being in a great college, I couldn’t seem to shake my loneliness. That is until now. They thing that makes me feel like I am not alone, the thing that makes me most happy, is the simplest thing of all. It is something that I was born by and born with. It is something that most people spend their whole lives trying to find, but no amount of wealth or power or knowledge can take its place or bring it to a person. It is a four letter word. Love.

When you throw out everything else in my life, three things remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. The greatest of these is Love and it is Love that makes me whole. For I know that when all else fails me, my love for my family, my friends, my god, and all of those around me will never cease. It is my gift of love that holds back the worst this world can give me. And it is Love that makes me whole.

title: Whole

question: What was the overwhelming feeling felt by the narrator before they were 20 years old?

text: No content

answer: The narrator felt alone.

answer: Loneliness.

answer: The overwhelming feeling felt by the narrator before they were 20 years old was loneliness. Despite having a mother, sister, and friends, the narrator felt like they were all alone in the world. However, when they found love, they finally felt like they were whole.

question: What is the narrator's name?

answer: Daniel West

answer: Daniel West.

answer: The narrator's name is Daniel West.

answer: His name is Daniel West.

question: How many jobs does Daniel's mum work?

answer: Two jobs during the weekdays, and another one on weekends.

answer: Daniel's mum works three jobs.

answer: Three.

answer: According to the passage, Daniel's mum works two jobs during the week and another job on weekends.

question: How did Daniel's father die?

answer: Daniel's father died in a shooting.

answer: He was shot.

answer: Daniel's father died in a shooting.

answer: He was shot and killed by a criminal.

question: Write a ~9 sentence summary.

answer: The author reflects on his life and how love has been the one thing that has kept him going through tough times. Despite not having a father and growing up in a household with a mother who works multiple jobs, he has found happiness in the simple moments shared with his family. He believes that love is the greatest thing in the world, and that it is what makes him feel whole.

answer: The narrator, Daniel West, is a college student who has lived a lonely life. He was born to a single mother and has an older sister, Jess, who was raped three years ago. His father died before he was born and his mother named him after him. He has jet black hair and a slim face. He is a Christian and believes in God. He is a quiet person who doesn't like to attract attention to himself. He is humble and doesn't like to be mean. He is also a good cook. He is in love with his family and believes that love makes him whole.

answer: Daniel West is a college student who has always felt alone in the world. He has a mother, sister, and nephews, but he still feels like he is missing something. He has always been a quiet person, and he has never had a girlfriend. He has always been confident in himself, but he has never been able to attract attention to himself. He has always been humble, and he has never been mean. He has always been a good person, and he has never been prideful. He has always been a good student, and he has never been a bad student. He has always been a good son, and he has never been a bad son. He has always been a good brother, and he has never been a bad brother. He has always been a good friend, and he has never been a bad friend. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never been a bad person. He has always been a good person, and he has never

text: Repeat sentences at the end

refinement: Daniel West is a college student who has always felt alone in the world. He has a mother, sister, and nephews, but he still feels like he is missing something. He muses on his life, and the lack of love.

answer:
Daniel West felt like the only person in the world, at least until he became 20 years old. He participated in every sport at school but just never felt like he belonged.

Daniel has an older sister who has three-year-old twins. She was raped many years ago and the twins are the result of that. The man responsible was never found.

Daniel loves his mum, the way she looks and her hard work ethic. Sometimes he calls her just to make her laugh. Daniel's father passed away at the hand of a shooter. This event makes him bitter about the ease at which some people are able to procure guns.

text: The last few sentences are unnecessary

refinement:
Daniel West felt like the only person in the world, at least until he became 20 years old. He participated in every sport at school but just never felt like he belonged.

Daniel has an older sister who has three-year-old twins. She was raped many years ago and the twins are the result of that. The man responsible was never found. His father died in a shooting. Daniel reflects on the lack of love in his life.