Evidence in Tables & Graphs - PSAT Reading & Writing

1. Which statement is best supported by the data presented in the report?
   Answer: In 2020, the number of people employed in the service sector was five times the number employed in manufacturing. When you encounter data analysis questions on the PSAT, you need to carefully examine the numbers provided and perform basic calculations to verify each statement against the given information. Let's work through the data systematically. In 2020, the service sector employed 15 million people while manufacturing employed 3 million. To check if service employment was five times manufacturing employment, we calculate: $15 \div 3 = 5$. This confirms that answer choice C is correct. Now let's examine why the other options are wrong. Choice A claims the percentage of total workforce in services decreased, but let's calculate: in 2010, services represented $10 \div 20 = 50\%$ of the workforce, while in 2020 it was $15 \div 25 = 60\%$. The percentage actually increased. Choice B assumes all workers who lost manufacturing jobs moved to services, but this makes an unsupported causal connection—the passage only shows changes in employment numbers, not where displaced workers went. Choice D compares growth rates: service jobs grew by 5 million (from 10 to 15), while total workforce grew by 5 million (from 20 to 25). Since both grew by the same amount, service growth wasn't greater than total workforce growth. When tackling data interpretation questions, always perform the actual calculations rather than estimating. Watch out for answer choices that make unsupported assumptions about cause-and-effect relationships or confuse absolute numbers with percentages. Double-check your arithmetic, especially when comparing ratios or calculating percentage changes.
2. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: 120 more pairs, from 310 pairs (A) to 430 pairs (C) The biologist's claim requires data showing Island C's highest nesting pairs exceeding Island A by a specific count. Choice A cites 120 more pairs from 310 (A) to 430 (C), as $430 - 310 = 120$, supporting C as highest. Choice C uses 120 more but reverses from 430 (A) to 310 (C), implying A exceeds C, contradicting the claim. Choice B shows 90 more from B to C, true but not comparing to A. When using tables for comparisons, select the specified items and direction to accurately reflect terms like 'more than.'
3. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: 28 minutes, compared with 44 minutes for 6th graders The principal claims reading time declines from 6th to 9th grade, with 9th graders at a specific average, so data should show 9th graders' time and a comparison supporting the decline. The table lists 44 minutes for 6th graders and 28 for 9th, illustrating the drop. Choice D uses 32 minutes, which might fit if misreading grades, but doesn't match the lowest for 9th. Choice C compares to 7th graders, irrelevant to the overall trend claim. In tables with sequences, verify the full pattern like steady decline before filling specifics.
4. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: 9 points, with School B at 64% and School D at 55% The nonprofit claims School B outperformed School D by specific points, needing percentage data with the correct difference. The table shows School B at 64% and D at 55%, a 9-point gap. Choice C states 9 points but with D at 57%, actually 7 points, inconsistent. Choice B inflates to 11 with wrong B value. Recalculate differences in tables to verify option accuracy against the claim.
5. Refer to the pie chart below. Which conclusion is best supported by the information shown in the chart?
   Answer: Historical education motivated the smallest share of surveyed visitors. The pie chart allocates 6% to historical education, which is the smallest slice; therefore, option C is correct. A is wrong because hiking is 38%, less than half. B is wrong: wildlife viewing (22%) is not twice camping (16%). D is also correct that photography (12%) is smaller than camping (16%), but C is the best answer as it identifies the most definitive relationship shown in the data.
6. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: 120 TWh, from 520 TWh in 2010 to 400 TWh in 2020 The report's claim requires data showing a decline in coal generation from 2010 to 2020 by a specific amount, despite remaining major. Choice A uses table data indicating a drop of 120 TWh from 520 TWh in 2010 to 400 TWh in 2020, as 520 minus 400 equals 120, evidencing the fall. Choice C cites 120 TWh but from 400 in 2010 to 520 in 2020, reversing to an increase that contradicts the decline claim. Choice B shows an 80 TWh drop but with different values (480 to 400), which may not match the table's exact figures. In tables tracking changes over time, ensure the direction from earlier to later years aligns with terms like 'declined' to avoid reversal errors.
7. Use the scatter plot above to determine which statement best describes the relationship between study time and quiz score.
   Answer: There is a positive association between study time and quiz score, though considerable variation exists among individual students. The points trend upward—higher study times generally correspond to higher scores—but the spread shows variation, so answer B is accurate. A is wrong because one student at 3.5 hours scored 88. C is wrong: the data are not clustered tightly enough for an almost perfect correlation. D is wrong: zero-hour study points hover around 60, far below the highest scores.
8. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: Line 3, which the table shows had the greatest overall decrease in defects of any production line The study concludes the largest defect reduction occurred on a specific line, requiring data with the greatest decrease in defects per 1,000 units. The table shows Line 3 dropping from 16 to 10 defects, a 6-unit reduction, exceeding the 5, 5, and 4 reductions in other lines. Choice A ties with a 5-unit drop but not the largest, potentially distracting if not calculating all. Choice D shows the smallest change, misrepresenting the maximum. Always compute differences for all options in tables to identify the true extreme.
9. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
   Answer: $3,400, from $12,600 (Science Fiction) to $16,000 (Mystery) The manager's claim requires data showing Mystery's highest revenue exceeding Science Fiction by specific dollars. Choice A cites $3,400 from $12,600 (Science Fiction) to $16,000 (Mystery), as 16,000 minus 12,600 equals 3,400. Choice C uses $3,400 but reverses from $16,000 (Science Fiction) to $12,600 (Mystery), suggesting lower for Mystery. Choice B shows $2,600 from Romance to Mystery, true but wrong genre. In tables by categories, ensure comparisons and directions match to support 'more than' claims.
10. Which statement uses data from the text to best support the manager's claim?
    Answer: Sales of the Deluxe Model increased by 150 units each quarter, while sales of the Standard Model decreased. When you encounter questions asking you to support a claim with data, focus on finding concrete evidence from the passage that directly backs up the specific assertion being made. The manager claims the Deluxe Model's "growing popularity" has been the "primary driver" of recent performance. To support this, you need evidence showing consistent growth in Deluxe sales alongside decline in Standard sales. Looking at the quarterly data: Deluxe sales went from 400 → 550 → 700 → 850 units, increasing by exactly 150 units each quarter. Meanwhile, Standard sales dropped from 1,200 → 1,100 → 1,050 → 1,000 units, showing steady decline. This pattern directly supports the manager's claim about the Deluxe Model's growing popularity driving performance, making D correct. Choice A focuses only on Q4's gap narrowing, but this single data point doesn't demonstrate the sustained growth pattern needed to support "growing popularity." Choice B mentions decreasing total units but incorrectly attributes this to Standard Model problems rather than supporting Deluxe Model growth. Choice C makes assumptions about revenue and pricing that aren't provided in the passage—you can only use the unit sales data given. The key trap here is getting distracted by plausible-sounding reasoning that goes beyond the actual data. Choice C especially tempts you to make logical inferences about revenue, but data-support questions require you to stick strictly to the information provided. Always look for the answer that uses specific numbers from the passage to create the strongest, most direct support for the claim.
11. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
    Answer: 40 GWh, with wind+solar at 260 GWh and coal at 220 GWh The analyst notes renewables (wind plus solar) exceeded coal by a specific GWh, requiring summed renewables higher than coal with matching difference. The table lists wind plus solar at 260 GWh and coal at 220 GWh, a 40 GWh excess. Choice D uses the same 40 but with coal at 200 GWh, which would actually be 60 GWh, showing inconsistent math. Choice B inflates to 60 with different sums. In tables, perform calculations like sums and differences yourself to validate stated figures.
12. Which choice best describes data from the bar graph that support the claim?
    Answer: 420 transactions, from 1,080 cash to 1,500 card in Store X The report claims that in Store X, card transactions exceeded cash transactions by a specific number, so we need data showing card higher than cash in that store with the correct difference. From the bar graph, Store X shows 1,080 cash transactions and 1,500 card transactions, yielding a 420-transaction difference where card exceeds cash. Choice C tempts with the same 420 difference but reverses the values, incorrectly showing cash exceeding card, which opposes the claim. Choice B calculates correctly but applies to Store Y, not the specified Store X. In graph questions, carefully match the exact categories like store names to avoid distractors with similar numbers from wrong groups.
13. Which choice most effectively uses data from the line graph to complete the text?
    Answer: 2.4 million, from 12.1 million in 2010 to 14.5 million in 2015 The demographer notes fastest growth between 2010 and 2015 by a specific million, requiring the largest increase in that period. The line graph shows from 12.1 to 14.5 million, a 2.4 million rise. Choice C states 2.4 but to 14.1, actually 2.0, inconsistent. Choice B understates to 2.0. Trace exact periods in line graphs to avoid misaligned data points.
14. Which choice most effectively uses data from the bar graph to complete the text?
    Answer: 4 cm, with 22 cm under Treatment C and 18 cm under Treatment A The researchers argue Treatment C produced taller plants than A by a specific amount, needing data comparing heights with the correct difference. The bar graph shows 22 cm for Treatment C and 18 cm for A, a 4 cm difference. Choice C also gives a 4 cm difference but with incorrect heights of 20 cm and 16 cm, likely a misreading of bars. Choice B understates to 3 cm using different values. When interpreting bar graphs, measure heights precisely and confirm they match the claimed comparison.
15. Use the stacked bar graph. Which item contains the highest percentage of carbohydrates relative to its total calorie content?
    Answer: Fruit Smoothie The stacked bars show each item broken into percent of total calories: Fruit Smoothie's carbohydrate section occupies 65%, higher than the others (Oatmeal 55%, Egg Sandwich 35%, Yogurt Parfait 50%). Therefore, Fruit Smoothie (C) has the greatest carbohydrate share.
16. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
    Answer: 12 points lower, from 38% (Engineering) to 26% (Arts) The newspaper's claim requires data showing Arts' lowest acceptance rate, lower than Engineering by specific points. Choice A cites 12 points lower from 38% (Engineering) to 26% (Arts), as 38 minus 26 equals 12, confirming more selective. Choice C uses 12 points lower but reverses from 26% (Engineering) to 38% (Arts), implying higher in Arts. Choice B shows 9 points from Science to Arts, accurate but wrong department. In tables, calculate differences directionally to support comparative terms like 'lower than.'
17. Based on the graph shown, which statement accurately compares the two energy sources' production trends from 2010 to 2020?
    Answer: Between 2010 and 2020, wind energy production increased by a larger total amount than solar energy production did. The plotted lines show solar rising from 5 to 55 terawatt-hours (a gain of 50) and wind rising from 20 to 85 (a gain of 65). Wind's absolute increase is larger, supporting answer B. A is wrong because wind rises overall, not declines. C is wrong; solar never overtakes wind. D is wrong because wind more than quadruples and solar multiplies by eleven; neither merely doubles.
18. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
    Answer: 1.8 hours, with Model D at 13.6 hours and Model B at 11.8 hours The review claims Model D lasted longer than Model B by a specific hours, requiring battery life data with the correct difference. The table shows Model D at 13.6 hours and Model B at 11.8 hours, a 1.8-hour advantage. Choice D states 1.8 but with Model B at 12.0, actually 1.6 hours, showing math error. Choice B understates to 1.6 with different Model D value. When verifying tables, recalculate differences to catch inconsistencies in options.
19. Which choice most effectively uses data from the bar graph to complete the text?
    Answer: 65+ group at 58% The researchers note daily fruit consumption increases with age, with the highest in a specific group, so data should show progressively higher percentages culminating in the oldest group. The bar graph indicates rates of 41% for 18–29, 46% for 30–44, 52% for 45–64, and 58% for 65+, confirming the peak in the 65+ group. Choice A might mislead by highlighting the lowest rate, but the claim specifies the highest. In bar graphs, scan all categories to confirm patterns like increases before selecting the extreme value.
20. Refer to the histogram below. Which statement is supported by the distribution of quiz scores?
    Answer: More than half of the students scored between 6 and 9, inclusive. Bars for scores 6–7 (18 students) and 8–9 (13 students) total 31 of 50 students—well over half—supporting B. Choice A is inaccurate (31 is not exactly half). Scores ≤4 occur 1+4+8=13 times, versus 6 perfect 10s, so C is wrong. One student scored 1, contradicting D.

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