A graph question comparing two years tests whether you can read the data and track each comparison. Start with the unfinished sentence, then read the graph’s title, axes, and key so you know which bars and units matter. Work out each year’s comparisons from the values. For a claim about a multiple, multiply the other speed by that number, then compare the result with the speed being described. Check every part, because one true comparison doesn't make the whole answer true.
Hints
- Hint 1
Start with the sentence about fiber in 2015, then use the graph’s key to locate fiber in each year’s group.
- Hint 2
Check the size and direction of each speed comparison. Read all three bar values within a year so you don't compare a 2015 bar with a 2024 bar.
- Hint 3
For a claim that one speed is a multiple of another, multiply the other speed by the stated number. Compare fiber’s speed with that result.
Step-by-step
Compare fiber within each year
Step 1Find the bars and units
The sentence names fiber, and the key shows that its bar is black. What do we compare? The title gives 2015 and 2024, and the vertical axis measures average download speed in megabits per second (Mbps). Since each choice describes both years, compare bars within one year at a time.
- Step 2
Compare the 2015 speeds
For the connections in 2015, fiber is 45 Mbps, cable is 30, and DSL is 12. Is fiber above both? Yes, so fiber was faster than cable and DSL. The descriptions about the same and lower than each conflict with fiber’s 15 Mbps lead over cable.
- Step 3
Measure the 2024 lead
How big is fiber’s lead in 2024? The average download speed is 280 Mbps for fiber and 110 Mbps for cable. Subtracting gives a gap of 170 Mbps, which is larger than cable’s whole 110 Mbps speed. The phrase only slightly faster makes that gap sound too small.
- Step 4
Test the doubling claim
Does more than twice as fast as cable connections hold in 2024? We can test that without dividing: twice cable’s 110 Mbps is 220 Mbps, so fiber must be greater than 220 Mbps. Fiber’s average download speed is 280 Mbps, and 280 is greater than 220. That makes the phrase more than twice as fast accurate, so this choice completes the statement. Choice B.