- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Beach B fell from 38 pairs in 2010 to 31 in 2020.
The claim states that only one beach experienced a decline in nesting pairs from 2010 to 2020, so we need to identify which beach had fewer pairs in 2020 than in 2010. Examining the data: Beach A increased from 42 to 55 pairs, Beach B decreased from 38 to 31 pairs, Beach C increased from 27 to 29 pairs, and Beach D increased from 51 to 60 pairs. Beach B is the only location showing a decline (38 to 31), making choice A correct. The other choices accurately describe increases at various beaches, but these don't support the claim about a decline. When answering data questions, focus on what the claim specifically asks for—here, a decrease, not an increase.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 3.1 percentage points (6.5% to 3.4%)
The student claims inflation peaked in 2022 and then fell by a certain amount in 2023, so we need to find the decrease from 2022 to 2023. The table shows 6.5% inflation in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023, for a decrease of 6.5% - 3.4% = 3.1 percentage points. Choice B compares 2021 (4.7%) to 2023 (3.4%), Choice C incorrectly states 2023 as 3.2%, and Choice D compares 2023 (3.4%) to an incorrect value of 1.6%. When tracking changes between specific years, use only those two years' values, not other years in the sequence.
- Which choice most accurately represents information from the table?
Answer: Attendance rose from 42 to 45 to 47 to 50 thousand.
The director states that attendance increased each month from January through April, so we need to verify a consistent upward trend. Looking at the data: January (42) to February (45) to March (47) to April (50) shows a steady increase each month. Choice A correctly describes this consistent upward pattern. Choice D is incorrect because it claims attendance dropped from March to April, when it actually increased from 47 to 50 thousand. When tracking trends, always verify the direction of change between each consecutive data point.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 9 percentage points (81% minus 72%)
The text requires the difference between Program C's and Program A's pass rates, specifically how many percentage points Program C outperformed Program A. Looking at the table, Program C had an 81% pass rate and Program A had 72%, so the difference is 81 - 72 = 9 percentage points. Choice A correctly calculates this as '9 percentage points (81% minus 72%).' Choice B incorrectly compares Programs B and A, choice C compares Programs D and A, and choice D compares Programs C and D. When calculating differences, always double-check that you're using the correct programs mentioned in the question.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 48 birds (146 minus 98)
The ecologist claims spring had the highest count and exceeded winter by a specific amount, so we need to verify spring is highest and calculate its difference from winter. Spring shows 146 birds (indeed the highest) and winter shows 98 birds, giving a difference of 146 - 98 = 48 birds. Choice B compares fall (133) to winter (98), Choice C compares spring (146) to summer (121), and Choice D compares summer (121) to winter (98). The claim specifically asks for spring minus winter, making other seasonal comparisons irrelevant.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Policy 3 is 55%, at least 8 points above 47% or lower.
The claim states that Policy 3 had the highest support and exceeded every other policy by at least 8 percentage points, so we need to verify both conditions. Looking at the table, Policy 3 has 55% support, which is indeed the highest. Comparing to other policies: Policy 3 (55%) exceeds Policy 1 (41%) by 14 points, Policy 2 (47%) by 8 points, and Policy 4 (44%) by 11 points. Choice A correctly states that Policy 3 at 55% is at least 8 points above all others (which are 47% or lower). Choice B accurately describes Policy 2's relationship to Policy 4 but doesn't address the claim about Policy 3 having the highest support.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Variety D reached 35 cm, at least 8 cm above the next highest (27 cm).
The botanist claims that Variety D grew at least 8 cm taller than any other variety, so we need to verify D's height advantage over the others. Variety D reached 35 cm, while the other varieties reached: A = 24 cm, B = 27 cm, and C = 25 cm. The differences are: D minus B = 35 - 27 = 8 cm, D minus C = 35 - 25 = 10 cm, and D minus A = 35 - 24 = 11 cm. Since B is the next highest at 27 cm, and 35 - 27 = 8 cm, Variety D is indeed at least 8 cm taller than all others. Choice A correctly states this relationship. The other choices either focus on the wrong comparisons or don't demonstrate the "at least 8 cm" criterion.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Social media is 95 minutes, exceeding streaming plus gaming at 90 minutes.
The commentator claims social media takes more time than streaming and gaming combined, so we need to compare social media time to the sum of streaming and gaming. Social media takes 95 minutes per day. Streaming (40 minutes) plus gaming (50 minutes) equals 90 minutes total. Since 95 minutes exceeds 90 minutes, the claim is supported. Choice A correctly states that social media's 95 minutes exceeds the combined 90 minutes of streaming plus gaming. Choice B accurately describes messaging versus streaming but doesn't address the claim about social media versus the combination of streaming and gaming.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 10 percentage points (68% versus 58%).
The writer claims healthcare workers have the highest vaccination rate and exceed teachers by 10 percentage points, so we need to verify both conditions. Healthcare workers have a 68% vaccination rate, which is indeed the highest. The difference between Healthcare (68%) and Teachers (58%) is exactly 10 percentage points. Choice B correctly states this 10-point difference. Choice A incorrectly calculates the difference as 8 points by comparing 68% to 60%, but teachers have 58%, not 60%. Always double-check the specific values being compared in percentage point calculations.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 9 minutes (41 vs 32)
The study notes that the bus commute exceeded the car commute, so we need to compare these two specific modes. The table shows bus takes 41 minutes and car takes 32 minutes, for a difference of 41 - 32 = 9 minutes. Choice B compares train (35) to car (32), Choice C compares bus (41) to bicycle (28), and Choice D reverses the comparison, stating car exceeded bus. Pay attention to which value should be larger based on the claim's wording—'bus exceeded car' means bus minus car.
- Which choice best describes data from the bar graph that support the claim?
Answer: Central is 4.8%, below North at 5.6% and South at 6.1%.
The instructor claims that the Central region's unemployment rate was lower than both the North and South regions' rates, so we need data comparing Central directly to those two with values showing it as smaller. From the bar graph, choice A states Central at 4.8%, below North at 5.6% and South at 6.1%, providing exact figures that confirm Central is lower than both. This directly supports the comparative claim. Choice B also gives Central at 4.8% but compares it to East at 4.2% (which is actually lower than Central) and North, misstating 'below' for East and omitting South; choice C assigns Central 5.6%, which isn't lower than North at 4.8%. In bar graphs, verify comparisons by checking the heights and labels to ensure the stated relationships hold true.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the argument?
Answer: 1990–2000 increased 6.7 million, while 2000–2010 increased 4.2 million.
The historian argues that population growth slowed after 2000 because the 2000-2010 increase was smaller than the 1990-2000 increase. From 1990 to 2000: 54.9 - 48.2 = 6.7 million increase. From 2000 to 2010: 59.1 - 54.9 = 4.2 million increase. Since 4.2 million < 6.7 million, the data supports the claim of slowing growth. Choice A correctly states these calculations. Choice B reverses the values, claiming 1990-2000 saw a 4.2 million increase when it was actually 6.7 million. Choice C incorrectly calculates the 2000-2010 increase as 8.1 million. Always double-check your arithmetic when comparing changes across time periods.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 4.5 cm (24.6 minus 20.1)
The student concludes full sun produced the tallest plants and exceeded partial shade by a certain amount, so we need to compare these two conditions. Full sun produced plants averaging 24.6 cm and partial shade produced 20.1 cm, for a difference of 24.6 - 20.1 = 4.5 cm. Choice B compares full sun (24.6) to grow light (22.9), Choice C compares full sun (24.6) to low light (14.8), and Choice D compares partial shade (20.1) to low light (14.8). The claim specifically compares full sun to partial shade, making other light condition comparisons irrelevant.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Town L grew by 15 thousand (35 to 50), more than other towns.
The demographer claims that Town L had the greatest population growth, so we need to calculate the growth for each town. Town J grew from 62 to 70 thousand (8 thousand increase), Town K from 48 to 55 (7 thousand), Town L from 35 to 50 (15 thousand), and Town M from 80 to 87 (7 thousand). Town L's 15 thousand increase is indeed the largest, making choice A correct: 'Town L grew by 15 thousand (35 to 50), more than other towns.' Choice B incorrectly claims Town J had the greatest growth with only 8 thousand, choice C claims Town M with 7 thousand, and choice D incorrectly calculates Town K's growth as 15 thousand when it was only 7 thousand.
- Which choice most accurately represents information from the table?
Answer: Treatment B is 21.0 cm, at least 2.0 cm above all others.
The researchers conclude that Treatment B produced the tallest plants by a margin of at least 2 cm over every other treatment, so we need to verify Treatment B is tallest and calculate its margins. From the table, Treatment B at 21.0 cm is indeed the tallest. The margins are: B exceeds A by 2.5 cm (21.0 - 18.5), C by 2.0 cm (21.0 - 19.0), and D by 3.2 cm (21.0 - 17.8). Since the smallest margin is 2.0 cm (over Treatment C), choice A correctly states that Treatment B at 21.0 cm is at least 2.0 cm above all others. Choice D gives accurate data about the relationship between D and B but doesn't support the claim about B being tallest.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: 11 points (from 62% among ages 30–44 to 51% among 45–59).
The spokesperson claims that exercise rates generally decline with age, with the steepest drop between ages 30–44 and 45–59, so we need data comparing rates across age groups to identify the largest decrease in consecutive brackets. From the table, choice A shows an 11-point fall from 62% for ages 30–44 to 51% for 45–59, which is steeper than other adjacent drops. This directly quantifies the biggest single-step decline. Choice C cites a 9-point drop from 51% to 42% (ages 45–59 to 60+), which is true but smaller than 11 points and not the steepest; choice D gives the overall drop, ignoring the focus on consecutive groups. When analyzing grouped data, compare adjacent categories to match claims about specific transitions.
- Which choice best describes data from the table that support the claim?
Answer: Engineering is 6 points above Sales (64% vs 58%).
The newsletter claims that satisfaction was highest in Engineering and at least 5 percentage points above Sales. From the table: Engineering has 64% satisfaction and Sales has 58%, giving a difference of 64 - 58 = 6 percentage points. Since 6 points exceeds the 5-point minimum claimed, choice A correctly supports this: 'Engineering is 6 points above Sales (64% vs 58%).' Choice B shows only a 3-point difference between Support and Sales, choice C compares Engineering to Support rather than Sales, and choice D incorrectly claims Finance is above Sales when it's actually below. When verifying comparative claims, ensure you're comparing the correct departments and that differences meet stated thresholds.
- Which choice most accurately represents information from the line graph?
Answer: 14 thousand (from 42 in March to 56 in April).
The staff report claims attendance increased sharply immediately after the exhibit opened in April, focusing on the rise from March to April, so we need data quantifying that specific monthly jump. From the line graph, choice A shows a 14 thousand increase from 42 in March to 56 in April, capturing the immediate post-opening surge. This directly supports the claim of a sharp rise right after April. Choice C cites an 8 thousand increase from April to May, which is post-opening but not the immediate jump from March; choice D gives the overall increase, not the specified period. In line graphs tracking changes over time, isolate the exact interval mentioned to avoid conflating it with broader trends.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to complete the text?
Answer: 2.1 m, with month-to-month decreases from July through September.
The ecologists claim that water clarity declined each month after June, so we need data showing progressive decreases from July to September, culminating in the September value. From the graph, choice A states clarity fell to 2.1 m by September, with month-to-month decreases from July through September, supporting the pattern of consistent decline after the June value of 3.4 m. This explicitly confirms the trend and provides the ending value. Choice C might tempt with a 3.0 m value for September, but it notes this is higher than August, indicating an increase that contradicts the monthly decline claim; choice D shows no change from August. In line graphs, trace the trend across all relevant points to ensure the data supports the described pattern without exceptions.
- Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?
Answer: 680 visitors (1,640 vs 960)
The claim states that the average of weekend days (Saturday and Sunday) exceeded the average of weekdays (Monday through Friday), so we need to calculate both averages. Weekend average: (1,760 + 1,520) ÷ 2 = 1,640 visitors. Weekday average: (820 + 860 + 910 + 980 + 1,240) ÷ 5 = 960 visitors. The difference is 1,640 - 960 = 680 visitors. Choice B incorrectly calculates the weekend average as 1,520, Choice C uses 1,240 as the weekday average (which is just Friday), and Choice D makes errors in both calculations. When finding averages, sum all values in the group and divide by the count.
