16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardReading a table of bridge inspections

Information and Ideas practice question

Bridges on a county's roads, by age Age of bridge | Number | Rated 'poor' at last inspection Under 25 years | 60 | 3 25 to 50 years | 90 | 18 Over 50 years | 50 | 20 An engineer argues that the county's oldest bridges need the most urgent attention, noting that ____

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?

  1. A. 40 percent of bridges over 50 years old were rated poor, twice the rate for bridges aged 25 to 50 and eight times the rate for the newest.Correct
  2. B. there are 50 bridges over 50 years old.
  3. C. bridges aged 25 to 50 make up the largest group.
  4. D. only 3 of the newest bridges were rated poor.

Answer: A. 40 percent of bridges over 50 years old were rated poor, twice the rate for bridges aged 25 to 50 and eight times the rate for the newest.

Rates by age band.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. there are 50 bridges over 50 years old.
A count, not a rate.
C. bridges aged 25 to 50 make up the largest group.
Group size.
D. only 3 of the newest bridges were rated poor.
The newest alone, no contrast with the oldest.

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