Why (C) is right: most strongly supported
A Inference explanation from our free library. The question below is original, written for this page. Then the full breakdown: why the right answer is right, and why each wrong answer is wrong.
The question
In 2019 the town had 3 bookstores. By 2024 it had 7. Over the same period, visits to the town library rose 40 percent.
Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?
- The new bookstores caused the rise in library visits.
- Every new bookstore opened because of increased library visits.
- Interest in reading in the town grew between 2019 and 2024. Correct
- The town's population doubled between 2019 and 2024.
- The bookstore owners all support the public library.
Why (C) is correct
'Most strongly supported' is softer than 'must be true,' but the discipline is the same: stay close to the facts. More bookstores opened and library visits rose sharply. The modest common thread is that the town read more.
Choice (C) says only that, with the cautious word 'grew' and no claim about why. The traps all sprint past the evidence: (A) and (B) invent causes, (D) invents a population boom, (E) invents opinions. When in doubt, pick the answer that claims the least.
Why the wrong answers are wrong
(A) Too strong
Two trends rising together does not show one caused the other. Maybe a growing population caused both. "Most strongly supported" still requires support, and causation has none here.
(B) Too strong
'Every' and 'because' are both unjustified. The facts give counts, not motives.
(D) Out of scope
Population is never mentioned. More bookstores and library visits could come from the same people reading more.
(E) Out of scope
The owners' opinions are never mentioned. Business counts say nothing about attitudes.
Last updated October 12, 2026