Command of Evidence: Quantitative

SAT Reading and Writing· difficulty 4/5

Researchers studied four catalysts for a chemical reaction. They recorded reaction rate (mol/sec) at 25°C and at 50°C: Catalyst A, 0.4 (25°C), 0.7 (50°C); B, 0.6, 1.5; C, 0.5, 0.9; D, 0.3, 1.6. The team argued that for high-temperature applications, peak reaction rate at 25°C is <em>not</em> a reliable predictor of which catalyst will perform best at 50°C. The data most uniquely supporting this claim is ______

Which choice most logically completes the text using the data above?

  • A

    Catalyst B's highest 25°C rate of 0.6.

  • B

    the rank reversal: Catalyst D had the lowest rate at 25°C (0.3) but the highest at 50°C (1.6); Catalyst B led at 25°C but was overtaken at 50°C.

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  • C

    the average rate across catalysts.

  • D

    Catalyst A's 50°C rate of 0.7.

Explanation

"25°C performance does not reliably predict 50°C performance" requires showing rank reversal. Choice B captures this directly.

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