The graph shows the numbers of medals won by 7 selected countries in

Question

https://gmatclub.com/forum/download/file.php?mode=view&id=52274 The graph shows the numbers of medals won by 7 selected countries in the Summer Olympics that were held in the years 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. The following statements apply only to the Summer Olympics and the countries represented in the graph. Using the drop-down menus, create the most accurate statements based on the information provided. The variance in the numbers of medals won is the least for GRAPH_1_PLACEHOLDER . If, for each country, the point representing the medals won in 2004 had been on the line determined by the points representing the medals won in 1996 and 2000, then the country that would have won the greatest number of medals in 2004 is GRAPH_2_PLACEHOLDER . ID: 100381 download.png

TargetMBA007 · Accepted Answer

I had difficulty deciphering the second question here gradually figured that it means that if the trends in 1996 and 2000 had continued in 2004, who would have been the winner in 2004. As Russia is trending upwards and US is trending downwards based on the trend line formed between 1996 and 2000, Russia would have the highest point on the line in 2004.

GMATCoachBen · Answer

Video solution here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UstdPapMeNo

Apt0810 · Answer

1) France - Since it is having least variation in its values
2) Russia - Since if we consider the values of 1996 & 2000 and then draw the graph further accordingly then it will have the highest values in 2004, we can check the same for other countries but logic here is to check the values for the countries which are already at top points in the graph

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Sajjad1994 · Answer

The second statement is a bit trickier, it say that if the trend lines (as for 1996 to 2000) of the points of medals continues the greatest number of medal won by which country.

arvind910619 · Answer

The second basically asks to extrapolate the the data for 2004. 
It is the language of the question that is very challenging.

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JoeAa · Answer

Didn't quite get it.. can someone explain Q2

DongTan · Answer

I think the second question basically mean you have the data in 1996 and 2004, how can you predict the medal won in 2004.

DhruvBadaya · Answer

I will explain the questions.

Question 1: Look for the graph will least changes from the four options. It's obviously France.

Question 2: Now, the question is asking what if I only had the graph until 2000 and no information after that. Using that, if the graph are ONLY straight lines and no bends, then can you predict the winner of 2004? The graph with the highest slope will be answer. (If you don't understand why, mention me and I will explain it in more detail)

Now, considering the four countries in the option. United States cannot be the answer since the graph is dipping. Comparing Australia and China, we know that Australia will be higher since its slope is higher. Comparing Australia and Russia, Russia's slope is higher and hence it is the answer.

Nikhil55 · Answer

Second question is quite vague, one could assume they want us to sum the medals won in 1996 and 2000 to determine the greatest medals won in 2004. Nowhere have they used words like projection, or expected, or estimated to imply that we have to assume the trend continues.

D3N0 · Answer

Similar thoughts. I was confused by the idea that if that point was on the line between these 2 years (not the extension of line) then who would get the higher points. Not sure why the question language was not a bit more clear. Even something like "continued", followed the trend, or extension on the same path" would have made it clearer to understand. Looks like comprehension is a big part in these questions now similar to CR and RCs. need to be careful here for a approx 2 min answer strategy

Nikhil55

Second question is quite vague, one could assume they want us to sum the medals won in 1996 and 2000 to determine the greatest medals won in 2004. Nowhere have they used words like projection, or expected, or estimated to imply that we have to assume the trend continues.

ShubhadeepB · Answer

Let's decipher the second question. The exact wordings are  "If, for each country,  the point representing the medals won in 2004 had been on the line determined by the points representing the medals won in 1996 and 2000. "  The bold portion essentially screams at us to draw a line segment connecting the points representing the number of medals won in 1996 and 2000 for every country. As a next step, after extending the line segment maintaining the same slope, only Russia and Australia are the contenders for the greatest number of medals in 2004. Note that the slope for Australia is less than that for Russia. And so, Russia wins (literally and hypothetically)! Let me know in case you have questions.

ShubhadeepB · Answer

Nikhil55 , they have not. But the GMAC wants test takers to comprehend precisely what they are asking. And, if you literally deconstruct the language of this part of the second question, i.e.,   the point representing the medals won in 2004 had been on the line determined by the points representing the medals won in 1996 and 2000 , you would first visualize drawing a line segment between the points representing the medals won in 1996 and 2000. That's a line segment. The next step is to extend the line to represent a point in 2004 maintaining the same slope. This is because the point representing the medals won in 2004 MUST be on that line. How can one assume that the number of medals won in 1996 and 2000 needs to be added?

justinioane · Answer

The wording for the second question is terrible, is this common in the actual GMAT.

piyushnagre99 · Answer

Hi  GMATCoachBen  ,

When you say "directly attacking a question", do you recommend directly reading the question statement first and skipping the context (or stimulus).
Can you elaborate this a bit, how do you exactly recommend doing this?

GMATCoachBen · Answer

piyushnagre99

Great question, you want to always put extra emphasis on exactly what it's asking for, and not get too lost in the other details, especially on graphs/tables/MSR/RC.

On CR, RC, and DI, I prefer to read the question statement first, so I know what it's asking for and what I need to focus on. Then, I go back to the stimulus with a more specific focus on what I need to answer the question.

On RC, it’s a bit of a personal preference whether to read the question first or the passage. It depends on your working memory and reading style. I prefer to know what the question is asking so I can emphasize those parts as I read — but others find that can distract them from absorbing the main ideas of the passage.

The graph shows the numbers of medals won by 7 selected countries in

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