A medical journal published data on recovery times for patients who underwent knee replacement surgery at three hospitals. Hospital P reported a median recovery time of 8 weeks with a range of 5 to 14 weeks. Hospital Q reported a median of 10 weeks with a range of 7 to 13 weeks. Hospital R reported a median of 9 weeks with a range of 4 to 22 weeks. All three hospitals used the same surgical technique and had similar patient demographics.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?

An economist analyzed wage growth and inflation rates in a country over three periods. From 2010 to 2014, wages grew by an average of 3.2 percent per year while inflation averaged 1.8 percent. From 2015 to 2019, wage growth averaged 2.4 percent and inflation averaged 2.1 percent. From 2020 to 2024, wage growth averaged 4.5 percent, but inflation averaged 5.8 percent.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?

A team of ecologists measured species diversity in forest plots at varying distances from the edge of a large agricultural clearing. Plots within 50 meters of the edge contained an average of 12 species. Plots at 200 meters contained 24 species, and plots at 500 meters contained 31 species. At 1,000 meters from the edge, however, diversity leveled off at 33 species, nearly identical to the 32 species found at 2,000 meters. The ecologists noted that the most edge-sensitive species, particularly ground-nesting birds, were absent from all plots within 500 meters of the clearing.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?

A university admissions office reviewed data on two outreach programs designed to increase applications from underrepresented students. Program X, a campus visit initiative, reached 1,200 students at a cost of $85 per student; 18 percent of those students later applied. Program Y, a virtual information series, reached 4,500 students at a cost of $20 per student; 7 percent of those students later applied. The office calculated that Program X generated 216 applications at a cost of roughly $472 per application, while Program Y generated 315 applications at a cost of roughly $286 per application.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?

A climate research station recorded average annual snowfall in a mountain region over four decades. From 1980 to 1989, average annual snowfall was 142 inches. From 1990 to 1999, it was 138 inches. From 2000 to 2009, it dropped to 119 inches. From 2010 to 2019, it fell further to 104 inches. Meanwhile, average winter temperatures at the station rose from 24°F in the 1980s to 29°F in the 2010s. Spring snowmelt, which historically peaked in late April, shifted to early April during the most recent decade.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?

A pharmaceutical company tested three dosages of a new anti-inflammatory drug against a placebo in a trial involving 800 patients. The placebo group reported a 15 percent reduction in joint pain. The low-dose group reported a 32 percent reduction, the medium-dose group reported a 51 percent reduction, and the high-dose group reported a 54 percent reduction. However, the rate of side effects also rose with dosage: 4 percent in the placebo group, 7 percent at low dose, 11 percent at medium dose, and 28 percent at high dose.

Which choice is most effectively supported by the data in the text?