16Hit1600
Information and IdeasVery hardDistinguishing a trend from a single reading

Information and Ideas practice question

Monthly visitors to a museum's website (thousands): January: 40 February: 42 March: 41 April: 95 May: 43 June: 44

Which statement is best supported by the data?

  1. A. Visits held roughly steady across the six months apart from a sharp one-month spike in April.Correct
  2. B. Visits rose steadily through the six months.
  3. C. April's figure is typical of the period.
  4. D. Visits fell sharply after January.

Answer: A. Visits held roughly steady across the six months apart from a sharp one-month spike in April.

Every month sits at 40–44 except April's 95: a stable level with a single spike.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Visits rose steadily through the six months.
The numbers rise and fall by one or two, not steadily.
C. April's figure is typical of the period.
April is more than double every other month.
D. Visits fell sharply after January.
No sharp fall follows January.

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