Daily Drill: SAT® Inference - Data Analysis Practice Question

At first glance, today's question appears to fall into the Command of Evidence category. But does it really?

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Today’s drill is a mock SAT® Inference Question that appears at first glance to be a Command of Evidence - Data Analysis question. It follows the digital SAT® format but is also great practice for ACT® Science.

For effective time management on test day, you should aim to answer this question correctly in a maximum of 120 seconds.

Daily study of Walker Prep’s proven strategies and insightful answer explanations is a great way to improve your SAT® score. To gain access to all Daily Drill answer explanations and strategy briefs, become a premium subscriber.

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Free SAT® Practice Question (mock)

In studying the evolution of PhotoX and PhotoY—simplified designations for genes involved in light processing and energy production in desert plants—researchers examined survival rates after exposing plants to intense desert sunlight. The study included plants that had been treated with gene-silencing agents to disable PhotoX, PhotoY, or both genes (designated as types X, Y, and XY respectively). Given that previous research showed PhotoX activity correlates with survival in low-light conditions but PhotoY activity has no significant effect in low light, the data in the graph showing survival rates under intense desert sunlight suggest that ______

Which completion of the text is best supported by data in the graph?

A) PhotoX provides protection against intense light regardless of PhotoY's presence.

B) PhotoX protects against multiple light conditions while PhotoY only works in one condition.

C) PhotoY may have evolved specifically as a defense against intense light conditions.

D) protection against intense light is strongest when both genes are present.

(Answer Explanations and Strategy Brief Below.)

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Answer Explanations and Strategy Brief