Question 100·Easy·Command of Evidence
In many state legislatures, a bill becomes a law only after it passes both chambers and is signed by the governor. The graph shows the number of bills signed into law in one state from 2015 to 2024. According to a researcher, although the number of bills signed into law has varied from year to year, the number overall has increased since 2015.
Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to justify the underlined claim?
For command-of-evidence questions with a graph, restate the claim in your own words and identify what specific comparison it needs (here, 2015 versus a later year). Then choose the option that uses the relevant data points and most directly proves the claim, avoiding choices that mention only a single extreme (highest/lowest) or the wrong years.
Hints
Focus on the underlined claim
The claim is about what happens overall since 2015. Look for a choice that uses the 2015 data point.
Look for a comparison
To justify an increase, the best choice will compare 2015 to a later year with a higher number.
Avoid choices that mention only one year
A statement about only the maximum or minimum value does not directly show an increase from 2015.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the claim requires
The underlined claim focuses on an overall increase since 2015, so the best evidence should include the 2015 value and a later value for comparison.
Read the needed values from the graph
From the graph, 2015 is about 120 bills signed into law, and 2024 is about 180.
Choose the option that directly supports the increase
The choice that states both values and shows the later value is higher is: In 2015 about 120 bills were signed into law, compared with about 180 in 2024.