Question

median ages of first marriage for men and women in the united states and in england and wales, 1900-2000
men (united states)
men (england and wales)
women (united states)
women (england and wales)
a sociology student is reading an essay on the median age of first marriage in western countries throughout the twentieth century. the author of the essay cites factors common to these countries that the author believes caused an increase in the median age of first marriage, such as new technologies that shortened the time needed for domestic chores, making two-person households less necessary and living alone more viable. the student asserts that beyond these factors there must be additional ones specific to particular western countries that influenced the increase of age at first marriage.
which choice most effectively uses data from the graph that support the students assertion?
choose 1 answer:
a between 1970 and 2000, the median age of first marriage rose more sharply for men in england and wales than it did for men in the united states.
b between 1900 and 2000, the median age of first marriage for women in england and wales was consistently higher than for women in the united states, as was the case for men.
c the median age of first marriage for men in england and wales was lower in 1970 than in 1950 or 1990.
d in england and wales, the median age of first marriage was consistently higher for men than for women between 1900 and 2000, but this was not always the case in the united states.

Explanation:

The student's assertion is that beyond shared factors, country-specific factors influenced the rise in median first marriage age. To support this, we need data showing a consistent, country-based difference in the median ages (not just a temporary shift). Option B shows that across the entire 1900-2000 period, both men and women in England and Wales had consistently higher median first marriage ages than their U.S. counterparts. This persistent gap cannot be explained by shared factors alone, proving there must be additional country-specific influences. Options A is a limited time-period difference, C is a temporary fluctuation within one country, and D is a gender gap difference that does not address cross-country variation tied to the student's point.

Answer:

B. Between 1900 and 2000, the median age of first marriage for women in England and Wales was consistently higher than for women in the United States, as was the case for men.