Question 136·Easy·Command of Evidence
Median Monthly Rent by City Population Size (United States)
| City population size | Median monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Under 50,000 | $940 |
| 50,000–99,999 | $1,120 |
| 100,000–249,999 | $1,250 |
| 250,000–999,999 | $1,380 |
| 1,000,000 and over | $1,470 |
A student writing a report on housing costs states, “Even in the nation’s largest cities, typical renters pay only about ______ per month.”
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the student’s statement?
For data-interpretation questions in Reading & Writing, first translate the wording of the question into the exact category or row in the table or graph (here, “the nation’s largest cities” → “1,000,000 and over”). Then, carefully read the corresponding value in the relevant column (here, median monthly rent) and match it directly to the answer choices. Avoid using outside knowledge or assumptions; rely only on the numbers provided in the graphic.
Hints
Focus on the key phrase in the statement
Identify which words in the sentence tell you which row of the table you should use. What does “the nation’s largest cities” refer to in terms of population size?
Match the phrase to a population category
Look at the City population size categories. Which category clearly represents the largest cities listed?
Use the corresponding rent value
Once you’ve found the correct population category, read across that row to find the Median monthly rent, and then choose the answer option that matches that number.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the statement is asking about
The statement says, “Even in the nation’s largest cities, typical renters pay only about ______ per month.”
You need to find the typical (median) monthly rent in the largest cities in the table and use that value to complete the sentence.
Identify the correct row in the table
Look at the first column, City population size.
The phrase “the nation’s largest cities” corresponds to the category “1,000,000 and over”, because that is the largest population group listed.
Read the median monthly rent for that category
Now move across the row for “1,000,000 and over” to the Median monthly rent column.
Note the dollar amount given in that cell; this is the typical rent in the largest cities according to the table.
Match the table value to the answer choices
Compare the median rent amount from the “1,000,000 and over” row to the four answer options: $940, $1,120, $1,470, and $2,100.
The value in the table for cities with populations of 1,000,000 and over is $1,470, so the correct choice is C) $1,470.