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Information and IdeasEasy–MediumCite the relevant rows for a threshold claim

Information and Ideas practice question

At a commercial hydroponic farm, growers tested four nitrogen concentrations in the nutrient solution used for butterhead lettuce, measuring average yield per plant and the percentage of plants showing tipburn, a leaf-edge damage that makes heads unsellable. Nitrogen concentration / Average yield per plant / Plants with tipburn 100 ppm / 148 grams / 2% 150 ppm / 196 grams / 5% 200 ppm / 231 grams / 9% 250 ppm / 224 grams / 26% The growers concluded that raising the concentration above 200 ppm offers no benefit:

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

  1. A. yield rose from 148 grams to 196 grams per plant as the concentration rose from 100 ppm to 150 ppm.
  2. B. at 250 ppm, yield was 231 grams per plant and tipburn affected 9 percent of plants.
  3. C. tipburn affected 26 percent of plants at 200 ppm, up from 9 percent at 150 ppm.
  4. D. yield fell slightly, from 231 to 224 grams per plant, while tipburn rose from 9 percent to 26 percent of plants.Correct

Answer: D. yield fell slightly, from 231 to 224 grams per plant, while tipburn rose from 9 percent to 26 percent of plants.

To show that going above 200 ppm brings no benefit, the data must compare the 200 ppm and 250 ppm rows: yield dropped from 231 to 224 grams while tipburn nearly tripled, from 9 percent to 26 percent (choice D). Choice A cites a real increase but in the 100-150 ppm range, which is irrelevant to concentrations above 200 ppm. Choice B shifts the 200 ppm values (231 grams, 9 percent) onto the 250 ppm row, and as written it would suggest no drawback at all. Choice C likewise misassigns rows, attributing the 250 ppm tipburn rate of 26 percent to 200 ppm and the 200 ppm rate of 9 percent to 150 ppm.

Why the other answers are wrong

A. yield rose from 148 grams to 196 grams per plant as the concentration rose from 100 ppm to 150 ppm.
That increase is real, but it happens between 100 and 150 ppm — the conclusion is about what happens above 200 ppm.
B. at 250 ppm, yield was 231 grams per plant and tipburn affected 9 percent of plants.
231 grams and 9 percent are the 200 ppm values, not the 250 ppm values; as written it would suggest raising the concentration costs nothing.
C. tipburn affected 26 percent of plants at 200 ppm, up from 9 percent at 150 ppm.
You shifted the rows up: 26 percent tipburn occurs at 250 ppm and 9 percent at 200 ppm, not at 200 and 150 ppm.

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