Concept 1

Judge whether a conclusion follows from the provided evidence.

A supported conclusion stays inside the exact evidence given.

Core Idea

A supported conclusion says no more than the evidence requires. Once an answer adds cause, certainty, or a broader population, it starts to outrun the data.

Understanding

Read the conclusion in pieces, not as one chunk. A choice can match one number in the table and still be wrong because its last phrase goes too far.

  • Match the comparison: Find the exact groups or conditions the passage compared.
  • Match the strength: If the results show a trend, say trend. If they show only one tested case, keep the claim narrow.
  • Reject overreach: Words like always, proves, or caused by often signal overreach.

Step by Step

  1. Locate the exact rows, bars, or conditions that matter.
  2. Check each part of the conclusion against the reported result.
  3. Eliminate any answer that adds an untested cause or a stronger claim than the data support.

Misconceptions

  • Choosing an answer because one detail is true even though the whole claim goes too far.
  • Treating correlation in the results as proof of cause.
  • Turning a finding from one tested setup into a universal rule.
Question

Worked Example

Seedlings were grown for 4 weeks under 6, 9, or 12 hours of light per day. Their mean heights were 12 cm, 15 cm, and 15 cm, respectively. Which conclusion is best supported by the results?

Select an answer to see the explanation