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Command of Evidence SAT question

Reading and Writing · Information and Ideas · Hard · Answer it here, explanation included.

35302520151050Median marriage age19001910192019301940195019601970198019902000Median Ages of First Marriage for Menand Women in the United States andin England and Wales, 1900–2000Years Women (England and Wales) Men (United States) Women (United States) Men (England and Wales)

A sociology student is reading an essay on the median age of first marriage in Western countries throughout the twentieth century. The author of the essay cites factors common to these countries that the author believes caused an increase in the median age of first marriage, such as new technologies that shortened the time needed for domestic chores, making two-person households less necessary and living alone more viable. The student asserts that beyond these factors there must be additional ones specific to particular Western countries that influenced the increase of age at first marriage.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph that support the student’s assertion?

ExplanationShow

Choice A is the best answer. The student concluded that country-specific factors influence changes to median age of first marriage. This choice describes a time period when the rate of change differed between countries, suggesting that country-specific factors may have played a role in these changes.

Choice B is incorrect. This choice misreads the graph. The median age of first marriage was consistently higher for men than for women in the United States during the time period depicted. Choice C is incorrect. The student concluded that country-specific factors influence changes to median age of first marriage. However, this choice doesn’t provide any contrasts between countries and thus doesn’t support the idea of country-specific factors influencing median age of first marriage. Choice D is incorrect. The students’ conclusion is about changes that occurred during the 20th century. This choice provides broad information about the century as a whole, so it doesn’t give insight into how median age at first marriage changed over time.

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