Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to support the… | Verbal SAT Question

Mollusk shells are mainly composed of calcium carbonate, a chemical compound used in mortar and other construction materials. A research team led by Ariane da Silva Cardoso investigated pulverizing discarded Sururu mussel shells to create a substitute for fine aggregates (such as sand) in mortar mixtures. The team prepared mixtures with Sururu shell aggregate (SSA) replacing varying percentages of sand and then tested the mortars’ compressive strength on days 7 and 28 of curing. Based on their findings, the team recommended SSA substitution in relatively small proportions to avoid compromising strength.

Which choice most effectively uses data from the graph to support the researchers’ recommendation?

The compressive strength of the 10% SSA mixture never surpassed the compressive strength measured for the control mixture on day 28.

The compressive strength of the 10% SSA mixture remained nearly the same from day 7 to day 28, while that of the 20% and 40% SSA mixtures changed substantially.

The 10% SSA mixture’s compressive strength was greater than or approximately equal to that of the control mixture on day 7 and on day 28, but on both days the 20% and 40% SSA mixtures had less compressive strength than the control mixture did.

The 10% SSA mixture’s compressive strength was greater than that of the control mixture on day 7, but by day 28 the 10% SSA mixture’s compressive strength had decreased while that of the control mixture had increased.