In Patton City, days are categorized as having heavy rainfall (more than two inches), moderate rainfall (more than one inch, but no more than two inches), light rainfall (at least a trace, but no more than one inch), or no rainfall. In 1990, there were fewer days with light rainfall than in 1910 and fewer with moderate rainfall, yet total rainfall for the year was 20 percent higher in 1990 than in 1910.

If the statements above are true, then it is also possible that in Patton City
A. the number of days with heavy rainfall was lower in 1990 than in 1910
B. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was the same in 1990 as in 1910
C. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was higher in 1990 than in 1910
D. the total number of inches of rain that fell on days with moderate rainfall in 1990 was more than twice what it had been in 1910
E. the average amount of rainfall per month was lower in 1990 than in 1910

It is A. The only one which restates the last statement of the QS.

The question is asking for an option that is possible but not necessarily true.
Stimulus tells us:
HR > 2
MR 1 to 2
LR 0 to 1
No Rain 0

LR Days (1990) < LR Days (1910)
MR Days (1990) < MR Days (1910)
Yet, Total rainfall 1990 > Total rainfall 1910

A. the number of days with heavy rainfall was lower in 1990 than in 1910
This is possible. Even if HR Days (1990) < HR Days (1910), still 1990 could have had higher total rainfall. Think if in 1990, HR days were fewer, but on each one of those days, it rained 50 inches whereas in 1910, HR Days were more but on each one of those days, it rained only 3 inches, then total rainfall in 1990 could be higher than that of 1910. This is the answer.

B. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was the same in 1990 as in 1910.
Not possible because it is given that
LR Days (1990) < LR Days (1910)
MR Days (1990) < MR Days (1910)
So LR Days (1990) + MR Days (1990) < LR Days (1910) + MR Days (1910)

C. the number of days with some rainfall, but no more than two inches, was higher in 1990 than in 1910
Not possible because of the reason given in (B).

D. the total number of inches of rain that fell on days with moderate rainfall in 1990 was more than twice what it had been in 1910
Not Possible. On a moderate rainfall day, amount of rainfall is more than 1 but less than 2. If number of MR days in 1990 is less than the number of MR days in 1910, no amount of rain can make the total rainfall more than twice.

E. the average amount of rainfall per month was lower in 1990 than in 1910
Not Possible.
Total rain (1990) > Total rain (1910)
Average rain per month = (Total rain)/12
Total rain (1990)/12 > Total rain (1910)/12
_________________

Karishma
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This a great question, but very confusing. Karishma thanks for the explanation on why A is correct. I would have wanted the statement to read: The number of days of heavy rainfall was higher in 1990 than in 1910 to confirm 1990 had greater total rainfall than 1910. Your point that even if there were more heavy rainfall days in 1910 but all of them equaling to 3 inches versus a few heavy days in 1990 which can have 50 inches is valid. Thank you.

Would this question really be 600 to 700? I'd imagine this to be 700+. What is the source?