PSAT Reading Question 94: Answer and Explanation

Question: 94

Which claim about grasses is supported by the graph?

• A. Spring burning always results in higher biomass than does autumn or winter burning.
• B. Over time, biomass will increase only in prairies burned in spring.
• C. The timing of burning does not significantly affect biomass.
• D. Biomass declined sharply in 2012 due to drastically lower rainfall.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

The question asks which claim about grasses is supported by the graph. Work through each answer choice using the figure. Eliminate (A) because spring burning does not always have a higher biomass than that of autumn or winter burning. Eliminate (B) because biomass increases and decreases similarly over time for areas burned in autumn, winter, or spring. Choice (C) is supported by the graph: the amounts of biomass shown for autumn, winter, and spring burning are similar, so keep (C). Rainfall is not represented in the figure, nor is it clear whether the graph depicts the year 2012, so eliminate (D). The correct answer is (C).