Question 28·Easy·Command of Evidence
Annual Car Production in the United States, 1910–1925
| Year | Number of cars produced | Number of companies producing cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 123,990 | 320 |
| 1915 | 548,139 | 224 |
| 1920 | 1,651,625 | 197 |
| 1925 | 3,185,881 | 80 |
A student is using the table as part of a social studies class presentation on the US auto industry in the early twentieth century. The student notes that, according to the table, from 1910 to 1925 _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the student's observation?
For table-based SAT Reading & Writing questions, first underline the specific years or categories mentioned in the question so you know exactly which rows or columns to use. Then, compare the relevant numbers directly—ask yourself for each quantity: did it go up, go down, or stay the same? Finally, eliminate any choices that contradict the data (for example, saying something stayed the same when the numbers clearly differ) and pick the option that exactly matches the observed pattern, not a general trend you might assume.
Hints
Narrow down the rows you need
The question asks about the change from 1910 to 1925. Try looking only at the 1910 and 1925 rows in the table.
Check the first quantity (cars) over time
Compare the number of cars produced in 1910 with the number of cars produced in 1925. Is the later number bigger, smaller, or the same?
Check the second quantity (companies) over time
Now compare the number of companies producing cars in 1910 with the number in 1925. Is the later number bigger, smaller, or the same?
Match the pattern to a choice
Once you know whether each quantity went up, went down, or stayed the same, look for the option that describes that exact combination of changes.
Step-by-step Explanation
Focus on the relevant years
The question asks about the change from 1910 to 1925, so focus on just those two rows in the table:
- 1910: 123,990 cars; 320 companies
- 1925: 3,185,881 cars; 80 companies
Compare the number of cars produced
Compare the car production numbers:
- 1910: 123,990
- 1925: 3,185,881
3,185,881 is much larger than 123,990, so the number of cars produced is higher in 1925 than in 1910.
Compare the number of companies producing cars
Now compare the number of companies:
- 1910: 320 companies
- 1925: 80 companies
80 is smaller than 320, so the number of companies is lower in 1925 than in 1910.
Match your observations to an answer choice
From 1910 to 1925, the number of cars produced increased, and the number of companies producing cars decreased. The only choice that matches this pattern is: “the number of cars produced increased but the number of companies producing cars decreased.”