🎓SAT English
READING 8
SAT Command of Evidence (Tables and Graphs) for ESL Students
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SAT Command of Evidence questions can be based on a text passage or data in a graph or table (called quantitative). Look at the trend in the graph or the table data and match the correct option.
Why Learn Command of Evidence?
It is good for ESL students to learn evidence questions because:
- Reading Comprehension: Learn how to understand the interpretation of a text and the relevant evidence in a table or graph.
- Improved Writing Skills: Students using evidence, facts and supporting information in their writing help justify their statements.
- Increase your Score: Evidence-based questions that require understanding a claim and supporting material is common in English exams like the SAT text.
What is SAT Command of Evidence?
- in text – SAT Command of Evidence – Textual is covered in the previous lesson 7.
- in graphs and tables – match the correct option to the trend in the graph or data in the table.
In SAT ‘command of evidence’ questions we see this phrase- ‘most strongly supports that claim’.
- support the ‘claim’ or hypothesis means the evidence that would help make this ‘claim’ appear to be correct?
- hypothesis is the claim
- correlation means the two variables (e.g. sleep and score) are related and one effects the other
- positive correlation is when the graph data trend is rising
- negative correlation is when the graph data trend is rising
SAT Text Evidence Simple Examples
Question 1: A Thai study claims that more sleep improves test scores. The table shows students’ average sleep hours and scores.
Sleep (hours) | Test Score (%) |
6 | 70 |
8 | 90 |
Does the data support the study’s claim?
- a) No, scores decreased with more sleep.
- b) Yes, scores rose as sleep increased.
- c) No, sleep and scores are unrelated.
- d) Yes, but only for 6 hours of sleep.
Question 2: A news article states, ‘Thai farmers use less fertilizer now.’ The table shows fertilizer use (kg/hectare) from 2020–2023.
Year | Fertilizer Use |
2020 | 100 |
2023 | 120 |
Does the data contradict the article’s claim?
- a) No, use remained stable.
- b) No, use decreased slightly.
- c) Yes, use increased by 20 kg.
- d) Yes, but only after 2022.
Question 3: An economist claims Thailand’s durian exports drive up local prices. The table shows export volume (tons) and local price (USD/kg) over 5 years.
Year | Exports | Price |
2019 | 1,000 | 5 |
2023 | 3,000 | 8 |
Which additional data would strengthen the economist’s claim?
- a) Global durian demand remained stable.
- b) Export taxes were lowered in 2021.
- c) Prices fell in Malaysia during the same period.
- d) Local durian production decreased.
- Q1 – b) Yes, scores rose as sleep increased. (Direct positive correlation: 8hrs → 90%.)
- Q2 – c) Yes, use increased by 20 kg. (120 > 100 contradicts “use less.”)
- Q3 – d) Local durian production decreased. (Explains why exports could raise local prices: less supply → higher prices.)
Exercise 1 SAT Command of Evidence for ESL Students
Complete the 8 simple questions based on the graphs and the correlation between the variables (does one feature effect the other)?
SAT questions
Do you wish to try Khan Academy SAT practice questions now? SAT Command of Evidence | 1-Foundation Lesson | 2-Medium Lesson | 3-Advanced Lesson