16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardTwo series, one flat and one rising

Information and Ideas practice question

A city's bus fleet and its annual bus passengers: 2016: 200 buses, 30 million passengers 2018: 200 buses, 34 million passengers 2020: 205 buses, 22 million passengers 2022: 205 buses, 36 million passengers

Which statement is best supported by the data?

  1. A. Passenger numbers dipped sharply in 2020 and recovered above their earlier level by 2022, while the fleet barely changed.Correct
  2. B. The fleet grew in step with passenger numbers.
  3. C. Passenger numbers rose in every period shown.
  4. D. The fleet was largest in 2016.

Answer: A. Passenger numbers dipped sharply in 2020 and recovered above their earlier level by 2022, while the fleet barely changed.

Passengers: 30 → 34 → 22 → 36 million — a dip and a recovery beyond the earlier peak. Buses: 200, 200, 205, 205.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The fleet grew in step with passenger numbers.
The fleet added 5 buses while passengers swung by millions.
C. Passenger numbers rose in every period shown.
2020 was a fall.
D. The fleet was largest in 2016.
The fleet was 200 in 2016 and 205 later.

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