Question

percent watching or listening to bush post-9/11 speech on terrorism
age percentage (%)
18-34 67
35-39 82
60+ 86
source: abc/washington post poll, september 20, 2001
which of the following statements is reflected in the data in the table above?
choose 1 answer:
a presidents today are less likely to use modern technology such as broadcast media to respond to political issues because few american citizens watch or listen
b people under the age of 35 are more likely than those 35 or over to use broadcast media to watch or listen to a president’s response to a political issue
c people aged 60 or over are less likely than those under 60 to use broadcast media to watch or listen to a president’s response to a political issue
d technology such as broadcast media gives the president an avenue to rapidly respond to a majority of american citizens about political issues

Explanation:

• Option A: The table only shows data for Bush's post - 9/11 speech, not about presidents' general use of modern technology or citizens' overall likelihood to watch/listen. Eliminate A.
• Option B: The percentage for 18 - 34 (67%) is less than for 35 - 39 (82%) and 60+ (86%). So people under 35 are less likely, not more. Eliminate B.
• Option C: 60+ has 86% and 35 - 39 has 82%, so 60+ are more likely, not less. Eliminate C.
• Option D: The percentages (67%, 82%, 86%) are all relatively high, showing that a majority of citizens (in these age groups) watched/listened. So broadcast media gives the president a way to reach a majority about political issues. This matches the data.

Answer:

D. Technology such as broadcast media gives the president an avenue to rapidly respond to a majority of American citizens about political issues