Question

a newspaper collected information on schools in its circulation area in order to compare their quality. two measures the newspaper collected for each school, mean class size and mean score on a statewide reading exam, are shown in the scatterplot. which statement regarding the association shown could explain the relationship? class size appears to have little effect on test scores. schools in more affluent areas have larger class sizes, which is associated with higher test scores. schools in more affluent areas have smaller class sizes, which is associated with higher test scores. schools in less affluent areas tend to have smaller class sizes, which is associated with lower test scores.

Explanation:

Looking at the scatter - plot, we analyze each option.

• Option 1: If class size had little effect, the points would be more randomly scattered without any discernible trend. But there is a trend here, so this option is incorrect.
• Option 2: If larger class sizes were associated with higher scores, we would expect a positive correlation (as class size increases, scores increase). But the scatter - plot shows a negative trend (as class size increases, scores decrease), so this option is incorrect.
• Option 3: Affluent areas often have more resources. Smaller class sizes (which can be associated with more resources per student) and higher test scores (due to better educational resources) can be related. The scatter - plot shows a negative correlation (as class size decreases, scores increase), which aligns with this option.
• Option 4: If less affluent areas had smaller class sizes and lower scores, we would expect a positive correlation (smaller class size with lower scores), but the scatter - plot shows a negative correlation (smaller class size with higher scores), so this option is incorrect.

Answer:

Schools in more affluent areas have smaller class sizes, which is associated with higher test scores.