Question 81·Easy·Command of Evidence
A media studies researcher notes that the weekly television program City Streets averages 3 million live viewers, according to national ratings. The researcher, however, argues that these live-viewing figures understate the show’s true audience.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researcher’s argument?
For “most directly supports the argument” questions, restate the conclusion and ask what evidence would prove or strongly indicate it. Here, the conclusion is that total audience is larger than the live ratings, so the best support will point to measured viewing not included in live ratings (like streaming views after airing), not just popularity signals such as advertising, setting, or celebrity.
Hints
Clarify the argument
Focus on the researcher’s claim: what exactly is being argued about the relationship between live-viewing ratings and the show’s true audience size?
Think about what ratings count
Live television ratings typically count people watching during the broadcast time. What kind of viewing might not be captured by those live ratings?
Distinguish interest from evidence
Some answer choices talk about things that might make the show appealing or well-known. Ask yourself: which choice describes something that would actually lead to more people watching outside the live broadcast, beyond the 3 million counted?
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate the researcher’s claim
The ratings say City Streets averages 3 million live viewers. The researcher argues that these live-viewing figures understate the show’s true audience, meaning more people watch the show than the live number reflects.
Identify what would support that claim
The most direct support would be evidence of additional viewers who are not included in live ratings (for example, viewers who watch later on streaming).
Evaluate what each choice actually shows
Choices about advertising, settings, or a famous actor may suggest the show could be popular, but they don’t demonstrate extra viewing beyond the live audience. The best support should point to measured viewing outside the live broadcast.
Select the finding that shows additional, uncounted viewers
If ratings reports show that each episode gets about 1 million views on the network’s streaming platform after it airs, that indicates a substantial group of viewers not captured by live-viewing ratings, supporting the researcher’s argument. Therefore, the best supporting finding is: Ratings reports show each episode gets about 1 million views on the network’s streaming platform in the week after it airs.