SAT #11 Reading (Question 31)

Question

The data presented in figures 1 and 2 best support the conclusion that compared with guppies from high-predation environments, guppies from low-predation environments were more likely to [...]?

Answer 1

Answer Choice B is the correct answer because Figure 1 shows guppies in low-predation environments tending to have fewer offspring and Figure 2 shows guppies in low-predation environments tending to have a greater mean embryo mass. That most closely matches the description in Answer Choice B, which says guppies from low-predation environments are likely to “be part of a smaller litter and have a greater mean embryo mass.” Answer Choice A is incorrect because, while the first part is true, the rate of maturity is not measured by either figure and therefore can’t be our answer. Answer Choice C is incorrect because neither figure measures the rate of survival and because guppies from low-predation environments have greater, not lesser embryo mass. Answer Choice D is incorrect because, while these guppies do have a greater mean embryo mass, they produce a lesser not greater number of offspring.

How to solve this? The Question asks, “The data presented in figures 1 and 2 best support the conclusion that compared with guppies from high-predation environments, guppies from low-predation environments were more likely to [...]?” To solve this, we should begin by going back to both figures and noticing any trends that either shows for guppies born in low-predation environments.

Figure 1, which measures the mean number of offspring for guppies, shows that those born in low-predation environments tend to have a much lower number of guppy-offspring than those born in high-predation environments. Figure 2 measures the mean embryo mass of guppy offspring, and show that those in low-predation environments tend to have a much greater mean embryo mass than those born in high-predation environments. So, we can say that both figures show that guppies born in low-predation environments to have a smaller mean number of offspring and a greater mean embryo mass, and we should expect our answer choice to relate to this. Because only Answer Choice B matches both of these, “smaller litter and greater mean embryo mass,” we should choose this option as our correct answer. We should be careful with Answer Choice A which more clearly than Answer Choice B says that these guppies “have fewer offspring,” but also measures maturity, something our figures don’t. Answer Choices C and D are incorrect because they misrepresent the information given in the figures.