FREE SAT Command of Evidence (Quantitative) Questions and Answers

Question 1

Many urban planners advocate for mixed-use zoning—which permits a combination of residential, commercial, and industrial properties in the same area—as a way to reduce reliance on cars. The theory is that with amenities close to home, people will choose to walk instead of drive. A recent study of the city of Greenville's neighborhoods seems to support this conclusion, showing a strong correlation between the prevalence of mixed-use zoning and lower rates of car commuting.

**Commuting Methods in Greenville Neighborhoods**
| Neighborhood | Zoning Type | % Commuting by Car | % Commuting by Walking/Bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Mixed-Use | 35% | 50% |
| North Park | Mixed-Use | 55% | 35% |
| West End | Residential | 85% | 10% |
| South Hills | Residential | 92% | 5% |

Which choice best uses data from the table to support the researchers' conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The percentage of residents commuting by car in the residential South Hills neighborhood (92%) is more than double the percentage in the mixed-use Downtown neighborhood (35%).

Answer

In the North Park neighborhood, 55% of residents commute by car, while 35% walk or bike.

Answer

Both the West End and South Hills neighborhoods have residential zoning and high rates of car commuting.

Answer

The Downtown neighborhood has the highest percentage of residents commuting by walking or biking, at 50%.

Question 2

A common belief is that renewable energy sources are prohibitively expensive compared to traditional fossil fuels. However, recent data on the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)—the average lifetime cost per megawatt-hour of electricity generation—challenges this notion. In fact, for new power plants, some renewable sources have become the most cost-effective options available, even without subsidies.

**Average Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for New Power Plants in the US ($/MWh)**
(A bar chart shows the following values)
- Solar (Utility-Scale): $35
- Wind (Onshore): $40
- Natural Gas: $60
- Coal: $110

Which choice best uses data from the chart to support the author's argument?

Accepted Answer

The average LCOE for new utility-scale solar plants ($35/MWh) and onshore wind plants ($40/MWh) is significantly lower than that of new natural gas ($60/MWh) and coal ($110/MWh) plants.

Answer

The average LCOE for new coal power plants is approximately $110 per megawatt-hour.

Answer

The cost of onshore wind ($40/MWh) is slightly higher than the cost of utility-scale solar ($35/MWh).

Answer

The cost of natural gas, at $60 per megawatt-hour, is less expensive than the cost of coal.

Question 3

The global shift towards digital payments has accelerated in recent years, but the adoption rate varies significantly by country. In some nations, cash is still king, while in others, physical currency is becoming increasingly rare. A survey of payment methods used in four countries highlights this divergence, with some showing a clear preference for digital wallets over traditional cash transactions.

**Preferred Payment Method, 2023**
(A table shows the following percentages)
| Country | Cash | Credit/Debit Card | Digital Wallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 5% | 55% | 40% |
| Germany | 50% | 40% | 10% |
| Japan | 40% | 50% | 10% |
| China | 10% | 15% | 75% |

Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to illustrate the global divergence in payment methods?

Accepted Answer

The preference for digital wallets is highest in China, at 75%, while in Germany, cash remains the most popular method at 50%.

Answer

In Japan, 50% of transactions are done with credit/debit cards, while only 10% are done with digital wallets.

Answer

In Sweden, the use of cash (5%) is significantly lower than the use of credit/debit cards (55%).

Answer

Both Germany and Japan show a relatively low adoption rate for digital wallets, with each at 10%.

Question 4

The field of exoplanet discovery has grown exponentially since the first confirmed detection in the 1990s. Different detection methods have contributed to this boom, but one has been particularly dominant. The transit method, which detects a planet by the dimming of a star's light as the planet passes in front of it, has been responsible for the vast majority of discoveries, largely thanks to missions like the Kepler Space Telescope.

**Exoplanets Discovered by Detection Method (as of 2023)**
(A pie chart shows the following percentages)
- Transit: 76%
- Radial Velocity: 19%
- Direct Imaging: 2%
- Microlensing: 2%
- Other: 1%

Which finding from the chart best supports the claim made in the text?

Accepted Answer

The transit method is responsible for 76% of all confirmed exoplanet discoveries, far surpassing any other technique.

Answer

The radial velocity method has accounted for 19% of all exoplanet discoveries.

Answer

Direct imaging and microlensing are among the least common detection methods, each accounting for only 2% of discoveries.

Answer

Together, the transit and radial velocity methods account for 95% of all exoplanet discoveries.

Question 5

While print media has faced significant challenges in the digital age, the market for books has shown surprising resilience, particularly in the fiction category. Despite the rise of e-books and audiobooks, many readers still prefer the tangible experience of a physical book. Recent sales data indicates that not only is print holding its own, but it continues to be the dominant format for book consumption.

**Book Sales in the US by Format (Fiction, 2022)**
(A bar chart shows the following values)
- Hardcover: $3.2 billion
- Paperback: $3.8 billion
- E-book: $2.1 billion
- Audiobook: $1.5 billion

Which choice best uses data from the chart to support the author's claim about the book market?

Accepted Answer

Combined sales of print formats (hardcover and paperback) totaled $7.0 billion, more than double the combined sales of e-books and audiobooks.

Answer

Sales of e-books reached $2.1 billion, while audiobook sales were $1.5 billion.

Answer

Paperback books were the single highest-grossing format, with $3.8 billion in sales.

Answer

Hardcover book sales, at $3.2 billion, were significantly higher than audiobook sales.

Question 6

Deforestation is a critical environmental issue, but its rate varies dramatically across different regions of the world. While some areas have seen an alarming acceleration in forest loss, others have managed to slow or even reverse the trend through conservation and reforestation efforts. Data from the last decade illustrates this regional disparity, with South America and Africa experiencing the most significant net loss of forest area.

**Average Annual Net Change in Forest Area (2010-2020, in million hectares)**
(A bar chart shows the following values)
- South America: -2.6
- Africa: -3.9
- North & Central America: +0.05
- Europe: +0.3
- Asia: +1.2

Which choice best uses data from the chart to support the text's claim?

Accepted Answer

While Africa and South America experienced significant net losses in forest area (-3.9 and -2.6 million hectares annually, respectively), Asia experienced a net gain of 1.2 million hectares annually.

Answer

From 2010 to 2020, Europe saw an average net gain of 0.3 million hectares of forest area per year.

Answer

North & Central America had a slight positive net change in forest area over the decade.

Answer

Africa experienced the largest average annual net loss of forest area between 2010 and 2020.

Question 7

The composition of the Earth's atmosphere has changed over geological time. Today, it is primarily composed of nitrogen and oxygen, which are essential for life as we know it. However, other gases, often referred to as trace gases, are present in much smaller quantities. Despite their low concentrations, some of these trace gases, like argon and carbon dioxide, play crucial roles in planetary processes.

**Composition of Earth's Atmosphere (Dry Air)**
(A pie chart shows the following percentages)
- Nitrogen (N₂): 78.08%
- Oxygen (O₂): 20.95%
- Argon (Ar): 0.93%
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): 0.04%
- Other Gases: <0.01%

Which choice most effectively uses data from the chart to describe the composition of Earth's atmosphere?

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen and oxygen together constitute approximately 99% of the atmosphere, with argon being the next most abundant gas at just under 1%.

Answer

Nitrogen and Oxygen are trace gases in the atmosphere, while Argon and Carbon Dioxide are the most abundant.

Answer

The atmosphere is composed of 78.08% oxygen and 20.95% nitrogen.

Answer

Carbon dioxide makes up 0.04% of the atmosphere, a larger share than argon at 0.93%.