Educational Media Specialist PK– to 12 For Testing Beginning 7/1/2026

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Educational Media Specialist PK– to 12 subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each question will contain four response options, and you will indicate your answer by selecting A, B, C, or D.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Scenario Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.	Question 1
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 2
Command Select the best response option.	Question 6
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 9
Data Analysis Examine and analyze data from an experiment or study. Then answer a question by selecting the best response option.	Question 17

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students in a television production class have learned about video editing and now need hands-on experience. Which of the following resources should the library media specialist recommend the students use in addition to editing software?

Choose an answer

1. books on video editing
2. streaming video clips
3. examples of last year's video projects
4. videos from the library media center collection

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A school is initiating a curriculum mapping process in the area of science. As an instructional partner, the library media specialist can best contribute by

Choose an answer

1. serving as a secretary during meetings.
2. showing support for the activities.
3. locating related information outside the district.
4. providing access to the library media center for meetings.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A library media specialist decides to participate in a social studies textbook selection committee. The main benefit of this partnership is to help

Choose an answer

1. book publishers sell their products.
2. classroom teachers select textbooks that match library resources.
3. the library media specialist keep current with curriculum changes.
4. administrators free up time for other duties.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A library media specialist is helping students prepare a project about the U.S. electoral process. Which of the following assignments would be most likely to prompt students to draw conclusions based on their reading?

Choose an answer

1. describing the two major political parties
2. preparing biographical presentations about two candidates
3. performing election related songs
4. evaluating the results of the previous national election

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A library media specialist wants to promote students' exploration of different types of information-gathering strategies. Which of the following approaches would be most appropriate for the specialist to use?

Choose an answer

1. displaying books on current events topics
2. publishing lists of good Web sites
3. creating an interactive daily question center
4. arranging a field trip to the local public library

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A library media specialist is assisting a 5^th-grade class on writing an article for the school newspaper. Select the activity that would best prepare students to create an informative piece.

Choose an answer

1. webbing the facts found on the topic
2. gathering opinions from other students
3. interviewing staff members for quotes
4. compiling a bibliography of resources

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An elementary school library media specialist wants to begin collaborating with 5^th-grade teachers. The most essential prerequisite to successful collaborating would be to

Choose an answer

1. attend regularly held 5^th-grade team meetings.
2. review the 5^th graders' standardized test scores.
3. become familiar with the 5^th-grade curriculum.
4. visit the 5^th-grade classrooms.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of strategies for instruction and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A middle school principal would like to increase collaborative planning between teachers in the content areas and the educational media specialist. Which of the following actions by the specialist would most effectively support this goal?

Choose an answer

1. producing an informational video about the school library media center to present at a faculty meeting
2. inviting subject area teachers to bring their classes to the school library media center on a regular basis
3. meeting with teachers to identify specific ways in which the school library media center can impact students' learning
4. attending subject area committee meetings to share information about the school library media center's resources and services

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following strategies would be most effective in administering a library media program within budget?

Choose an answer

1. engaging in regular record keeping of budget allotments and expenditures
2. conducting an analysis of the number of resources lost or stolen
3. engaging in regular accurate accounting of the resources checked out during the year
4. conducting an evaluation of the number of users for the year

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following would be the most effective way for the library media specialist to supplement district, state, and federal funds?

Choose an answer

1. establishing membership in the school's PTA
2. writing a grant proposal
3. inviting community members to the library media center
4. initiating a faculty book club

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

As part of a school library media program's strategic planning, the educational media specialist creates short- and long-term goals for the program. The specialist plans to request additional funds to help support these goals. Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for the specialist to use?

Choose an answer

1. writing a letter to the school board to ask for financial assistance
2. researching new products and media that are available for purchase
3. analyzing circulation and other pertinent data to share with stakeholders
4. meeting with the school principal to discuss the need for supplementary materials

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist attends a meeting of the school's organization of parents or guardians to request funds to purchase a new reading software program. The specialist can most effectively persuade the meeting attendees to help by using which of the following strategies?

Choose an answer

1. emphasizing that schools in neighboring districts are using the new program
2. emphasizing that the new program is less expensive than other reading programs
3. presenting evidence of a positive correlation between the new program and student achievement
4. presenting evidence of a strong relationship between the new program and existing school programs

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of methods of administration, management, and evaluation of a school library media program

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following states conducted the most significant research concerning the positive impact of school library media programs on students' academic achievement?

Choose an answer

1. Ohio
2. Iowa
3. Colorado
4. Pennsylvania

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

One advantage of the Dewey Decimal Classification system over the Library of Congress classification system is that the

Choose an answer

1. Dewey Decimal system uses both letters and numbers.
2. Library of Congress system is used exclusively for books.
3. Dewey Decimal system is simpler to use.
4. Library of Congress system can be used in elementary schools.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Students at a new high school will take the SAT during the spring. The library media specialist can best help prepare them by

Choose an answer

1. adjusting periodical subscriptions located in the student leisure area.
2. identifying online science databases available to students.
3. increasing the appeal of the center's physical space to attract students.
4. acquiring additional materials appropriate to the needs of students.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

When adding a new title to the collection that does not have a MARC record, an elementary school library media specialist can best find an exact match for the title by searching the

Choose an answer

1. book vendor files.
2. ISBN.
3. bar code symbology.
4. LCCN.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Data from the inventory module of an automated library management system should be analyzed to identify

Choose an answer

1. incomplete Cutter numbers.
2. missing materials.
3. inappropriate call numbers.
4. circulation patterns.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In addition to having remote access, a library media center's OPAC must be user-friendly for the library media specialist by including

Choose an answer

1. a copy cataloging feature.
2. voice recognition capability.
3. a picture animation option.
4. book cover images.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of collection and resource management of the school library media program's materials

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following questions accurately addresses the term value as it relates to a school library media center's collection development plan?

Choose an answer

1. How much does the resource cost?
2. How frequently will the item circulate?
3. Does the item encourage problem solving?
4. Does the resource serve more than one purpose?

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The primary benefit of various library media specialist activities, such as morning news announcements, booktalks, and event promotions, is that they help the library media specialist

Choose an answer

1. attract and retain students as library media center users.
2. demonstrate competencies for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards process.
3. develop technology and other skills of the library media specialist.
4. identify and replicate successful promotional activities for the library media specialist.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist plans activities that will develop 6th-grade students' ability to make connections between a text and their prior knowledge. Which of the following student activities would be most effective for this purpose?

Choose an answer

1. highlighting key points in the text as they read
2. answering text-dependent questions after they read
3. summarizing the main idea and supporting details after reading a text
4. using a KWL chart to track their thinking about a topic while reading a text

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following instructional strategies would be most effective for an educational media specialist to use to help 5th-grade students develop vocabulary knowledge?

Choose an answer

1. having students look up the definition of unfamiliar words in a dictionary
2. sharing definitions of new words that students will encounter before they read a text
3. pausing during a read-aloud of a text to provide synonyms of words that are unfamiliar to students
4. using a think-aloud to model for students the use of context clues to determine the meaning of a word

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist and an 8th-grade social studies teacher collaborate to develop activities that support students in evaluating authors' perspectives when reading primary documents. Which of the following steps would be most appropriate for the specialist to take first?

Choose an answer

1. guiding students to highlight key words or phrases as they read sources
2. developing a graphic organizer for students to use when comparing sources
3. discussing with students claims and counterclaims that are found in sources
4. building students' background knowledge of the topics addressed in sources

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of ways to develop a schoolwide literature-driven environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist wants to collaborate with teachers and administrators to build meaningful connections among students, families, and teachers through a shared reading experience. Which of the following strategies would be most effective for achieving this goal?

Choose an answer

1. organizing a monthly book club for students, families, and teachers to discuss engaging book titles
2. providing an ongoing list of bestsellers to encourage students, families, and teachers to read during independent reading time
3. implementing a schoolwide reading incentive program where students, families, and teachers can earn rewards for meeting targets
4. posting book recommendations on the school library media center's bulletin board to highlight student, family, and teacher favorites

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The most effective and efficient design of an elementary school library media center should allow for

Choose an answer

1. availability of the online public access catalog near the main door.
2. flexibility to accommodate multiple student learning activities.
3. accessibility to restrooms for both students and staff.
4. capability for self-checkout of library materials.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 prompted library media programs to closely examine which of the following?

Choose an answer

1. processes for acquiring new materials
2. facilities maintenance policies
3. accessibility of information and resources
4. collaboration with other education agencies

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following is most effective in providing widespread access to library media center resources?

Choose an answer

1. flexible scheduling
2. regular weeding
3. mixed format organization
4. extensive collection

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following groups in a school would benefit most from the library media center's purchase of a universal access workstation?

Choose an answer

1. video production team
2. students with disabilities
3. English language learners
4. students who are gifted and talented

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of design and management methods for a student-centered, accessible, school library media center environment

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following features demonstrates that a school library media center's online catalog system effectively meets the needs of all students and staff?

Choose an answer

1. providing the opportunity to reserve materials electronically
2. allowing users to search for subject- and grade-specific materials
3. displaying popular resources prominently to encourage their use by library patrons
4. restricting access to certain materials exclusively for teachers' and administrators' use

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of professional roles, responsibilities, and leadership opportunities

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In order to help teachers learn how to insert video clips into computer presentations, the library media specialist asks them to bring a current lesson they are developing to learn this skill. This is an effective approach because it

Choose an answer

1. asks the teachers for sample video clips to use for their presentations.
2. organizes sample video clips for the teachers to use for their presentations.
3. provides teachers with a relevant application of a new strategy.
4. motivates teachers to examine current relevant strategies for this application.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of professional roles, responsibilities, and leadership opportunities

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist presents a professional learning workshop on media literacy strategies for teachers. Which of the following methods would be most appropriate for the specialist to use to ensure the ongoing benefit of the workshop?

Choose an answer

1. asking teachers to share one lesson plan that uses the strategies
2. meeting with teachers to discuss how they will integrate the strategies
3. conducting a survey in which teachers rate the usefulness of the strategies
4. facilitating a discussion among administrators about how teachers might apply the strategies

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What is the most common copyright exemption granted to library media specialists?

Choose an answer

1. equal access
2. scholarly privilege
3. fair use
4. educator judgment

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following situations would require an educational media specialist to follow district policy?

Choose an answer

1. A student requests permission to check out more items than the circulation rules permit.
2. A student asks the educational media specialist for a list of books that a classmate has checked out.
3. A teacher asks the educational media specialist to procure a text that is unavailable in the school library media center.
4. A principal wants to schedule a meeting of the school's organization of parents or guardians in the school library media center.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for an educational media specialist to use for communicating with new high school students about the school library media center's policies and procedures?

Choose an answer

1. asking a reliable student to review the center's policies and procedures with the new students
2. having the new students read the policies and procedures handbook before they use the center
3. having the new students participate in an interactive multimedia orientation describing the center
4. asking the new students to compile a list of questions and concerns they have about using the center

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and principles related to school library media programs

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist wants to align the school library media center's acceptable use policy with Florida's ethical principles for educators. Which of the following approaches by the specialist would most effectively achieve this goal?

Choose an answer

1. ensuring that students can access educational games on the school network
2. prohibiting staff and students from using the school network for personal business
3. ensuring that students are protected from anything that might be harmful to their learning or their health and safety
4. prohibiting staff and students from downloading and distributing copyrighted materials without written permission from the copyright owner

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 8—Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

How can a library media specialist best convey the concept that the library media program is a valuable and essential part of the school and that it can support school improvement?

Choose an answer

1. holding frequent social events with the PTA
2. publishing an occasional newsletter
3. distributing free books regularly
4. participating in the school advisory council

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 8—Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The principal would like to cut the position of the media clerk at a school to save money in the school budget. Which of the following strategies would be most effective in communicating to the principal the correlation between staff hours per week and higher academic achievement scores?

Choose an answer

1. writing an editorial article about staffing for the local paper
2. creating a report for the principal showing research findings
3. providing a list of Web sites to the principal showing results
4. sending the research findings to all staff at the school by e-mail

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 8—Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

At lunch, a new library media specialist listens to a group of 2^nd-grade teachers plan an instructional unit on the rain forest. Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for the library media specialist to use to strengthen instructional partnerships with the teachers?

Choose an answer

1. training volunteers to help with student projects on the subject
2. talking to the principal about scheduling issues with the library media center
3. preparing a list of local resources on the subject for the teachers
4. waiting for the teachers to ask for assistance in teaching the subject

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 8—Knowledge of school-based outreach methods and collaboration

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An educational media specialist posts links on the school library media center's website to shared digital applications available for student use at the public library. The specialist wants to monitor the usefulness of the resource-sharing initiative after several months. Which of the following methods would provide the most relevant information?

Choose an answer

1. assessing students' ability to use the various digital applications
2. surveying students about their experiences with the digital applications
3. having teachers report on how the digital applications connect to the curriculum
4. asking the local librarian for circulation statistics regarding the digital applications

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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