Question 4·Easy·Command of Evidence
Average Annual Attendance (in hundreds) at Two Community Theaters, 2018–2021
| Year | Riverside Playhouse | Elm Street Theater |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 12 | 9 |
| 2019 | 15 | 11 |
| 2020 | 4 | 3 |
| 2021 | 10 | 8 |
A student is analyzing attendance patterns at two community theaters, Riverside Playhouse and Elm Street Theater.
The year in which the combined attendance at the two theaters was lowest was _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
For SAT questions that ask about data from tables or graphs, first restate the task in simple terms (for example, “add both theaters’ numbers and find the smallest total”). Then, go row by row, quickly compute the needed value for each row, and write those values in a margin or on scrap paper. Finally, compare those results carefully before matching the correct one to the answer choices. Avoid guessing from a single number in the table; always use the exact operation (add, subtract, etc.) that the question specifies.
Hints
Focus on what is being compared
The question asks about the combined attendance at both theaters, not just one. Think about what you need to do with the two numbers in each row of the table.
Work year by year
For each year from 2018 to 2021, use the two numbers in that row to find one total attendance value for that year. Write those four totals down so you can compare them.
Look for the smallest total, not the largest
Once you have the four totals, carefully compare them and circle the smallest one. Then match that total back to the correct year and answer choice.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what “combined attendance” means
"Combined attendance" means you have to add together the attendance at Riverside Playhouse and Elm Street Theater for each year. You are not looking at just one theater; you are looking at the total for both theaters in each year.
Add the two theaters’ attendance for each year
Use the table to find the total for each year:
- 2018: Riverside 12, Elm Street 9 → total
- 2019: Riverside 15, Elm Street 11 → total
- 2020: Riverside 4, Elm Street 3 → total
- 2021: Riverside 10, Elm Street 8 → total
(The numbers are in hundreds, but since we are only comparing which is smallest, we can just compare these totals.)
Compare the totals to find the smallest one
Now look at the four totals you found: 21, 26, 7, and 18. Identify which of these numbers is the smallest, since the question asks for the year with the lowest combined attendance.
Match the smallest total to the correct year and answer choice
The smallest total is 7, which comes from the year 2020. Therefore, the combined attendance was lowest in 2020, so the correct answer choice is C) 2020.