Question

Which claim about traffic congestion is supported by the graph?

• A. New York City commuters spend less time annually delayed by traffic congestion than the average for very large cities
• B. Los Angeles commuters are delayed more hours annually by traffic congestion than are commuters in Washington, D.C.
• C. Commuters in Washington, D.C., face greater delays annually due to traffic congestion than do commuters in New York City
• D. Commuters in Detroit spend more time delayed annually by traffic congestion than do commuters in Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Commuters in Washington, D.C., face greater delays annually due to traffic congestion than do commuters in New York City

Option C is the correct answer because this is the only that is supported by the graph. The bar representing Washington DC is higher than the one representing New York City, which means that DC experiences more hours of delay per commuter in a year than New York.

Option A is incorrect because the graph’s bar for New York City is higher than and to the left of that for the average for very large cities, meaning that New York City automobile commuters experience greater, not lesser, amounts of delay each year.

Option B is incorrect because the graph’s bar for Los Angeles is lower than and to the right of that for Washington, D.C., meaning that Los Angeles automobile commuters experience lesser, not greater, amounts of delay each year.

Option D is incorrect because the graph’s bar for Detroit is lower than and to the right of those for Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago, meaning that Detroit automobile commuters experience lesser, not greater, amounts of delay each year.