Question 25·Easy·Command of Evidence
Archaeologists studying religious practices in ancient Egypt often examine offerings left at temples. In one excavation, researchers counted small votive figurines (such as miniature animals and people) found at three temples from two different periods. The researchers argued that these figurines show that giving offerings became more common over time at multiple sites, for example: ______
Which choice most effectively uses the data in the graph to complete the example?
For command-of-evidence questions that reference a graph, first restate what the sentence is trying to show (here: a time trend across multiple places). Then scan the graph for the simplest pattern that matches that goal. Choose the option that is fully supported by the data and avoid choices that focus on a single temple or make a comparison the graph contradicts.
Hints
Look at both dates
Focus on how each temple’s value changes from 900 BCE to 700 BCE.
Check all three temples, not just one
The sentence says the trend happens at multiple sites, so the best choice should fit Amun, Hathor, and Ptah.
Prefer a statement that matches every bar pair
Eliminate any option that is contradicted by even one temple’s numbers.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify what the blank needs to prove
The sentence claims offerings became more common over time and at multiple sites, so the best evidence should show increases across more than one temple from the earlier period to the later period.
Read the graph for both time periods
Compare 900 BCE to 700 BCE for each temple: Amun increases (about 120 to 340), Hathor increases (about 80 to 260), and Ptah increases (about 150 to 300).
Choose the option that matches all the evidence
The only choice that states all three temples increased from 900 BCE to 700 BCE is: From 900 BCE to 700 BCE, each of the three temples shows an increase in votive figurines found.