Evidence in Tables & Graphs

Help Questions

PSAT Reading & Writing › Evidence in Tables & Graphs

Questions 1 - 10
1

A city transit report summarizes average weekday ridership (in thousands) for two subway lines from 2019 to 2022. The report claims that Line 2 recovered more strongly after its low point, rising by _______ from 2020 to 2022. Which choice most effectively uses data from the line graph to complete the text?

Question graphic

10 thousand, from 50 thousand in 2020 to 60 thousand in 2022

8 thousand, from 42 thousand in 2020 to 50 thousand in 2022

18 thousand, from 42 thousand in 2020 to 60 thousand in 2022

15 thousand, from 45 thousand in 2020 to 60 thousand in 2022

Explanation

The report claims Line 2 rose more strongly from its 2020 low by a specific amount to 2022, requiring data with the largest increase from 2020 values. The line graph depicts Line 2 rising from 42 thousand in 2020 to 60 thousand in 2022, an 18-thousand increase. Choice D uses a smaller rise from 42 to 50 thousand, understating the change to 2022. Choice B shows only a 10-thousand increase from different 2020 data. For line graphs, trace the exact time period and line specified to verify trends against the claim.

2

A bookstore recorded sales revenue by genre for one quarter (Table 1). A manager claims Mystery generated the most revenue, bringing in _______ more dollars than Science Fiction. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?

Question graphic

$3,400, from $12,600 (Science Fiction) to $16,000 (Mystery)

$2,600, from $12,600 (Science Fiction) to $15,200 (Nonfiction)

$3,400, from $16,000 (Science Fiction) to $12,600 (Mystery)

$2,600, from $13,400 (Romance) to $16,000 (Mystery)

Explanation

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.

3

A regional energy summary lists electricity generation by source in 2024. An analyst notes that renewable sources (wind plus solar) together generated more electricity than coal by _______ gigawatt-hours (GWh). Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?

Question graphic

60 GWh, with wind+solar at 280 GWh and coal at 220 GWh

40 GWh, with wind+solar at 260 GWh and coal at 220 GWh

20 GWh, with wind+solar at 240 GWh and coal at 220 GWh

40 GWh, with wind+solar at 260 GWh and coal at 200 GWh

Explanation

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.

4

A retail chain compared the number of transactions completed with cash versus card in two stores (Figure 1). A report claims that in Store X, card transactions exceeded cash transactions by _______ transactions. Which choice best describes data from the bar graph that support the claim?

Question graphic

300 transactions, from 1,200 cash to 1,500 card in Store Y

420 transactions, from 1,500 cash to 1,080 card in Store X

300 transactions, from 1,080 cash to 1,380 card in Store X

420 transactions, from 1,080 cash to 1,500 card in Store X

Explanation

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.

5

A climate summary lists average annual rainfall in a region from 2018 to 2022 (Figure 1). The summary claims rainfall was highest in 2020 and exceeded 2019 by _______ millimeters. Which choice most effectively uses data from the line graph to complete the text?

Question graphic

140 mm, from 760 mm in 2019 to 900 mm in 2020

140 mm, from 900 mm in 2019 to 760 mm in 2020

120 mm, from 780 mm in 2018 to 900 mm in 2020

120 mm, from 760 mm in 2019 to 880 mm in 2021

Explanation

The summary's claim requires data showing 2020's highest rainfall exceeding 2019 by a specific millimeters. From the line graph, choice A notes 140 mm from 760 mm in 2019 to 900 mm in 2020, calculating 900 minus 760 as 140. Choice C cites 140 mm but reverses from 900 in 2019 to 760 in 2020, implying lower in 2020, opposing highest. Choice B shows 120 mm from 2018 to 2020, accurate but not 2019 comparison. When reading line graphs, verify peaks and calculate differences in the correct direction for exceeding claims.

6

Researchers tested four soil treatments and measured plant height after 6 weeks. They argue that Treatment C produced taller plants than Treatment A by _______. Which choice most effectively uses data from the bar graph to complete the text?

Question graphic

4 cm, with 20 cm under Treatment C and 16 cm under Treatment A

3 cm, with 21 cm under Treatment C and 18 cm under Treatment A

5 cm, with 23 cm under Treatment C and 18 cm under Treatment A

4 cm, with 22 cm under Treatment C and 18 cm under Treatment A

Explanation

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.

7

A financial report shows annual revenue (in millions of dollars) for a startup from 2021 to 2024. The report states that revenue increased each year, and that the total increase from 2021 to 2024 was _______ million dollars. Which choice most effectively uses data from the line graph to complete the text?

Question graphic

7 million, from 14 million in 2021 to 21 million in 2024

9 million, from 12 million in 2021 to 21 million in 2024

9 million, from 12 million in 2021 to 20 million in 2024

8 million, from 13 million in 2021 to 21 million in 2024

Explanation

The report states that revenue increased each year with a total increase from 2021 to 2024 of a specific amount, so we need the line graph's values for those years where the difference matches the stated increase without calculation errors. Choice A effectively completes the text with 9 million, citing from 12 million in 2021 to 21 million in 2024, as 21 - 12 = 9 accurately reflects the data and the total change. Choice C states 9 million but uses from 12 to 20, which is actually only 8 million, likely a misreading of the 2024 point or an arithmetic error. Choice B and D provide consistent math for their cited values (8 million for 13 to 21, 7 million for 14 to 21), but they don't match the graph's actual revenues if it shows 12 to 21. In line graph questions about total change over time, subtract the end value from the start and ensure the choice's numbers and result align precisely with the visualized trend.

8

A researcher compared average reaction time (milliseconds) under four lighting conditions. The researcher argues that reaction time was fastest (lowest) under Bright lighting, at _______ ms. Which choice most effectively uses data from the bar graph to complete the text?

Question graphic

260 ms

275 ms

255 ms

240 ms

Explanation

The researcher argues that reaction time was fastest (lowest milliseconds) under Bright lighting, so we need the specific value from the bar graph for that condition to complete the statement effectively. Choice B fills the blank with 255 ms, which represents the data point for Bright lighting as the lowest among the four conditions shown in the graph. A tempting distractor might be choice A with 240 ms if that value belongs to a different lighting condition, but the claim specifies Bright, highlighting the need to match the correct category. Other choices like 260 ms or 275 ms likely correspond to slower conditions, but they don't support the fastest claim for Bright. When using data from bar graphs, always locate the exact bar for the mentioned category and read its value carefully, avoiding confusion with adjacent bars or mislabeled axes.

9

An education nonprofit tracked the percentage of students meeting a math benchmark in four schools. The nonprofit claims that School B outperformed School D by _______ percentage points. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?

Question graphic

11 points, with School B at 66% and School D at 55%

9 points, with School B at 64% and School D at 55%

9 points, with School B at 64% and School D at 57%

7 points, with School B at 62% and School D at 55%

Explanation

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.

10

A climate summary lists the average monthly rainfall in a town for April through August. The summary notes that rainfall decreased each month from May to August, dropping from 78 mm in May to _______ in August. Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the text?

Question graphic

60 mm

42 mm

48 mm

52 mm

Explanation

The summary notes rainfall decreased monthly from May to August, dropping from 78 mm in May to a specific amount in August, so data should show the August value fitting the decline pattern. The table lists August at 48 mm, consistent with decreases from 78 mm. Choices like D at 60 mm would not show a decrease if misreading months. In sequential data tables, confirm the direction of change across all periods mentioned.

Page 1 of 5