SAT OwlQuestion bank / Command of Evidence
| Year | Arctic sea ice extent in September (million square kilometers) |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 7.7 |
| 1990 | 6.1 |
| 2000 | 6.3 |
| 2010 | 4.9 |
| 2020 | 3.9 |
A student reviewing satellite records of Arctic sea ice claims that although the September extent of sea ice has generally declined since 1980, the decline has not been steady from one decade to the next.
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to support the student's claim?
The extent fell from 7.7 million square kilometers in 1980 to 3.9 million square kilometers in 2020.
The extent was slightly larger in 2000 than in 1990, even though it was far smaller in 2020 than in 1980.
The extent in 2010 was 4.9 million square kilometers.
The extent was smaller in 2020 than in any other year shown.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
The claim has two parts: an overall decline and an uneven pattern. Choice B shows both. The extent rose slightly from 1990 (6.1) to 2000 (6.3), which breaks the steady trend, while the large drop from 1980 to 2020 shows the overall decline.
Choice A shows only the overall decline and gives no evidence that the decline was uneven.
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