Evaluating statistical claims: Observational studies and experiments SAT question

Choice D is correct. The sample was selected from a group of people who indicated that they liked the book. It is inappropriate to generalize the result of the survey beyond the population from which the participants were selected. Choice D is the most appropriate inference from the survey results because it describes a conclusion about people who liked the book, and the results of the survey indicate that most people who like the book disliked the movie.

Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because none of these inferences can be drawn from the survey results. Choices A and B need not be true. The people surveyed all liked the book on which the movie was based, which is not necessarily true of all people who go see movies or all people who read books. Thus, the people surveyed are not representative of all people who go see movies or all people who read books. Therefore, the results of this survey cannot appropriately be extended to at least 95% of people who go see movies or to at least 95% of people who read books. Choice C need not be true because the sample includes only people who liked the book, and so the results do not extend to people who dislike the book.