Question 77·Medium·Command of Evidence
Average Daily Screen Time by Age Group
| Age group | Average daily screen time (hours) | Survey sample size |
|---|---|---|
| 6–10 years | 3.1 | 120 |
| 11–14 years | 4.5 | 150 |
| 15–18 years | 6.2 | 140 |
| 19–22 years | 5.9 | 130 |
A researcher is using the table to make a claim about screen-use habits. Which claim is best supported by the data?
For SAT questions that ask which claim is best supported by a table or graph, first identify exactly what each claim says (which groups, which quantities, and what relationship—greater than, less than, equal, steady change, etc.). Then, go back to the table and directly compare the relevant numbers, checking differences or patterns as needed. Eliminate any statement that does not match the data exactly, and only choose an answer after you have verified it against the numbers rather than relying on general trends or assumptions.
Hints
Focus on what the question wants
You are not being asked to calculate a new value; you are being asked which written claim matches the numbers already given in the table.
Match each claim to specific rows and columns
For each answer choice, identify exactly which age groups and which column(s) it refers to, and then compare the stated relationship to the actual numbers.
Pay attention to comparison words and phrases
Look carefully at phrases like "largest sample size," "lowest average," "over two hours more," and "increases steadily"—then check if those relationships are really true in the table.
Look for the maximum value where relevant
If a claim talks about one group having the most of something, find the largest number in the relevant column and see which age group it belongs to.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the question is asking
The question asks which claim is best supported by the data in the table. That means you must compare each statement to the actual numbers in the table and see which one matches the information exactly, without guessing or adding anything not shown.
Test Claim A against the table
Claim A says: "The group with the largest sample size also has the lowest average screen time."
- The largest sample size is 150 (for ages 11–14).
- The lowest average screen time is 3.1 hours (for ages 6–10).
These are not the same age group, so Claim A does not match the table.
Test Claims B and D against the table
Now check the other clearly numeric claims:
-
Claim B: It says ages 19–22 spend over two hours more on screens than ages 11–14.
- Ages 19–22: 5.9 hours
- Ages 11–14: 4.5 hours
- Difference is hours, which is less than two hours. So Claim B is not supported.
-
Claim D: It says average screen time increases steadily with age across all four groups.
- Averages by age group: 3.1 → 4.5 → 6.2 → 5.9
- The last value (5.9) is less than 6.2, so the pattern does not steadily increase. Claim D is not supported either.
So A, B, and D do not match the data exactly.
Confirm which claim matches the remaining pattern
With A, B, and D ruled out, check the remaining idea: which group has the highest average screen time.
Looking at the "Average daily screen time" column, the largest number is 6.2 hours, which belongs to the 15–18 years group. This directly supports the claim: "Among the surveyed groups, teenagers aged 15–18 spend the most time with screens on average." That is the best-supported claim.